Adherence to antihypertensive medications in Omani patients: a comparison of drug biochemical analysis and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale.

Background: Medication nonadherence is a major risk factor for suboptimal or failed hypertension pharmacologic therapy.

Objective: To determine the nonadherence rate to antihypertensive medications using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and the self-reported Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS).

Methods: This study used a prospective cross-sectional cohort design.

Short-term effects of antimicrobial stewardship programs on antibiotics usage, clinical outcomes, and multidrug resistant organisms in the post COVID-19 era.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is associated with increasing mortality rates and the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms. There is scarcity of data on the short-term impact of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASP) on antibiotic usage, clinical outcome and MDR organisms' pattern following the COVID-19 pandemic. This study evaluated the short-term effects of ASP on antibiotic usage, clinical outcomes and MDR organisms' pattern in the post COVID-19 era.

The Stability of Analytes of Ionized Magnesium Concentration and Its Reference Range in Healthy Volunteers.

This study aimed to determine the stability of refrigerated analytes of iMg concentration at different time intervals and to establish iMg reference range in a cohort of healthy Omani volunteers (≥18 years). The concentrations of iMg were measured using the direct ion-selective electrode technique. Pearson's and Lin's concordance correlation coefficients along with the Bland-Altman plot were used to assess the levels of agreement between iMg concentrations of fresh and refrigerated blood samples at different time intervals.

The Prevalence and Impact of Evidence-Based Medications on Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Outcomes in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Post-Revascularization in Oman.

Objectives: International cardiovascular guidelines recommend prescribing a combination of five evidence-based medications (EBM) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients post-revascularization. This study aims to assess the prevalence and impact of prescribing the full (five medications) versus partial (four medications or fewer) EBM combination on major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in patients with ACS post-revascularization.

Methods: Data from patients with ACS who had revascularization between January 2016 and September 2021 were collected retrospectively.

A snapshot on the usage pattern of gabapentinoids in Oman.

Background: Since their introduction as adjunct anticonvulsants, the use of gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin) has increased substantially worldwide to include a wide range of clinical conditions. Various reports have demonstrated that they possess addiction liability and can produce effects similar to traditional recreational drugs, such as significant euphoric effects, enhanced sociability, and relaxation. However, there is limited information on the use of these agents in the Middle East.