Who are the patients who use non-pharmacological home remedies? Cross-sectional study in Switzerland and France.

Background: Many patients may be tempted to use non-pharmacological home remedies (NPHRs) to relieve various complaints. To the best of our knowledge, there is little data on the characteristics of patients using NPHRs. In this cross-sectional study carried out between March 2020 and July 2021, we examined the socio-demographic factors underlying their use in patient populations in Switzerland and France.

Development of complex pedagogical competencies and reflexivity in clinical teachers via distance learning: a mixed methods study.

Clinical reasoning is the cornerstone to healthcare practice and teaching it appropriately is of utmost importance. Yet there is little formal training for clinical supervisors in supervising this reasoning process. Distance education provides interesting opportunities for continuous professional development of healthcare professionals.

Nonpharmacological home remedies for upper respiratory tract infections: a cross-sectional study of primary care patients in Switzerland and France.

Background: Many patients might be tempted to use nonpharmacological home remedies (NPHRs) to relieve upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) symptoms. However, primary care physicians (PCPs) rarely recommend NPHRs due to a lack of knowledge in this field. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey among primary care patients in Switzerland and France to explore which NPHRs they use and consider effective for 3 common URTI symptoms: sore throat/cough/common cold.

Effect of an app for promoting advance care planning and motivating patients to write their advance directives.

Background: Accordons-nous, a smartphone app, was developed to support patients in the advance care planning (ACP) process. The app raises awareness and facilitates communication on this sensitive topic. It helps patients express their values and preferences for care and write their advance directives (AD).

Awareness of food allergies: a survey of pediatricians in Kuwait.

Background: Early diagnosis of food allergies (FA) is important for a favorable prognosis. This study aimed to determine the level of awareness of FA among pediatricians in Kuwait.

Method: A 43-item self-administered questionnaire was designed and distributed to pediatricians working at 4 government hospitals in Kuwait.

Role of diabetes in the prognosis and therapeutic outcome of tuberculosis.

Background. Increased susceptibility of diabetic mellitus (DM) patients to infection, including tuberculosis (TB), is well documented. The prevalence of DM in Malaysia is reaching epidemic proportions.

Survival and predictors of death among primary immunodeficient patients: a registry-based study.

Purposes: The aims of this study were to investigate survival among patients with primary immunodeficiency disorders (PID) in Kuwait and to determine whether certain variables were associated with increased risk of death.

Methods: The data of 176 patients (98 males and 78 females) were extracted from the Kuwait National Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders Registry and the observation period was from January 2004 to July 2011.

Results: The distribution of the reported patients was combined T- and B-cell immunodeficiencies (30.

Are 25(OH)D levels related to the severity of knee osteoarthritis and function?

Objective: To investigate the effect of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in Kuwaiti patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to assess its relation with radiological grading and functional status.

Subjects And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 25(OH)D was measured using radioimmunoassay in 99 patients [90 women and 9 men; mean age 56.5 ± 9.

UAE population reference standard charts for body mass index and skinfold thickness, at ages 0-18 years.

Aims: To determine a range of anthropometric measurements including skinfold thickness measurements in four different areas of the body, to construct population growth charts for body mass index (BMI), skinfolds, and to compare these with growth charts from other countries. One aim was also to validate body fat charts derived from skinfold thickness.

Methods: A national cross-sectional growth survey of children, 0-18 years old, was conducted using multistage stratified random sampling.

IR, 1H NMR, mass, XRD and TGA/DTA investigations on the ciprofloxacin/iodine charge-transfer complex.

The charge-transfer complex (CTC) of ciprofloxacin drug (CIP) as a donor with iodine (I(2)) as a sigma acceptor has been studied spectrophotometrically in CHCl(3). At maximum absorption bands, the stoichiometry of CIP:iodine system was found to be 1:1 ratio according to molar ratio method. The essential spectroscopic data like formation constant (K(CT)), molar extinction coefficient (ɛ(CT)), standard free energy (ΔG°), oscillator strength (f), transition dipole moment (μ), resonance energy (R(N)) and ionization potential (I(D)) were estimated.

National growth charts for the United Arab Emirates.

Background: Information on the health and growth status of the population is essential for planning and administering health promotion programs.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of the anthropometric measurements of United Arab Emirates (UAE) children aged 0-18 years, by a multistage stratified random sampling technique based on age and sex. Healthy, full-term children of UAE nationality who did not have any diseases that could affect their growth pattern were included in the study.

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus among Kuwaiti children and adolescents.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of type 2 diabetes among 6- to 18-year-old Kuwaiti children.

Subjects And Methods: Children with type 2 diabetes were identified at 182 schools (50 primary, 63 intermediate, and 69 secondary) randomly selected using the 2000/2001 educational districts' registers as a sampling frame. Prevalence rates were adjusted to the 2002 Kuwaiti population.

The impact of high-dose sodium selenite therapy on Bcl-2 expression in adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients: correlation with response and survival.

The present study was undertaken to explore the effect of administration of high doses of sodium selenite on the expression of Bcl-2 in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Fifty patients with newly diagnosed NHL were randomly divided into two groups. Group A-I received standard chemotherapy whereas group A-II received adjuvant sodium selenite 0.

Effect of high-dose sodium selenite therapy on polymorphonuclear leukocyte apoptosis in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients.

The present study was undertaken to explore the effect of the administration of high doses of sodium selenite on apoptosis in polymorphonuclear leukocytes in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Thirty patients with newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were randomly divided into two groups. Group I was treated with chemotherapy and group II received 0.

Dental patient awareness of smoking effects on oral health: Comparison of smokers and non-smokers.

Objectives: The negative effects of cigarette smoking on oral health are well established, yet few studies assessed patient awareness of such effects. The aim of this study was to examine differences in dental patient knowledge and awareness of the effects of smoking on oral health between smokers and non-smokers.

Methods: Adult patients from 12 dental centers in Kuwait were asked to complete a 14-point self-administered structured questionnaire on the effects of smoking on oral health in this cross-sectional survey.

Use of interaction cards to evaluate clinical performance.

Currently in-training evaluation in Kuwait depends on the use of the global rating scale at the end of clinical rotation clerkships. Such a scale is inconsistent, subjective, and suffers from deficiencies such as positive skewness of the distribution of ratings and poor reliability. The aim of the study was to assess the inter-rater variation and the reliability of the recently introduced Interaction Card (IC) method for evaluating clinical performance and to measure the agreement between trainees' overall performance evaluation by the currently used global rating scale and the IC summative evaluation.

Prevalence of type 1 diabetes among 6- to 18-year-old Kuwaiti children.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of type 1 diabetes among 6- to 18-year-old Kuwaiti children according to gender, age, and region.

Subjects And Methods: Children with type 1 diabetes aged 6-18 years were identified at 182 schools (50 primary, 63 intermediate, and 69 secondary) in Kuwait during the study period October 2000 to September 2002. Schools were randomly selected using the 2000/01 educational districts' registers as sampling frame proportional to the number of schools in each district.

Association of serum sialic acid with cardiovascular metabolic risk factors in Kuwaiti children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation of serum total sialic acid (TSA) concentrations with cardiovascular metabolic risk factors in Kuwaiti children and adolescents with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes. This case-control study included 150 (57 males and 93 females) type 1 diabetic children aged 6 to 18 years matched by age and sex to 150 nondiabetic children as controls. Measured variables included weight, height, systolic, diastolic blood pressure, and biochemical variables: blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1C)), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), apolipoproteins (apo) A1 and B, and urine microalbumin.

The moving dynamic random dot stereosize test: validity and repeatability.

Purpose: We have developed a new test suitable for measuring stereopsis in young children and individuals with communication difficulties. It consists of a drifting, computer-generated red and green, dynamic random dot, disparate shape. The motion direction is indicated by the subject (subjective response) or by a naive observer judging the eye movements of the subject (objective response).

Prevalence of low back pain among physical therapists in Kuwait.

Objective: To determine the life and point prevalence rates and study the characteristics of work-related and non-work-related low back pain (LBP) among physical therapists in Kuwait and its effect on their regular activities.

Subjects And Methods: A specially designed self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 143 physical therapists in Kuwait. The questionnaire included demographic data, history and characteristics of LBP before and after working as a physical therapist, the effect of LBP on regular activities and current LBP.

Specialty choices of Kuwaiti medical graduates during the last three decades.

Introduction: This study examined postgraduate specialty training of Kuwaiti medical graduates during 1968 to 1999 and identified their attained professional qualifications to reveal scarcity in some specialties.

Method: A survey was carried out involving review of the records maintained at the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialization (KIMS) and the Ministry of Health for all of the trainees who were enrolled in higher training programs for specialization. Information obtained from the records was ascertained through matching with the doctors' career destinations and employment in the recruitment departments of the health sector.

Patient satisfaction with three dental speciality services: a centre-based study.

Objective: To assess the level of patient satisfaction with three dental speciality services: oral surgery, periodontics, and fixed prosthodontics.

Subjects And Methods: A sample of 1,242 patients, aged 16 years and over who received dental care at least twice at the main dental centre, Al-Amiri, Kuwait, were interviewed during May-August 1998 by independent researchers concerning their experience of previous visits. Patients reported their level of satisfaction on a 5-point Likert scale for the items in the questionnaire, which focused on four areas: access, dentist's communication, staff helpfulness, and structural aspects of the practice.

Developments in the instruction of biostatistics at the Kuwait University Health Science Centre in a decade.

Background: Kuwait has witnessed many changes that influenced, among other things, the structure of medical education including biostatistics. This article describes the developments in biostatistics instruction and curriculum in the Health Science Centre, University of Kuwait, during the past 10 years.

Description: Instead of teaching biostatistics as an independent component, the university has developed an integrated course (35 hr of lectures and 12 hr of tutorial sessions) of biostatistics, epidemiology, and demography that is taught to undergraduate medical and dentistry students to ensure interdisciplinary interaction, to remove redundancies, and to standardize terminology across the three disciplines.