Publications by authors named "Omar Saab"
Assessing the Effects of HbA1c Reduction on Alleviating Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain in Prediabetic Non-obese Patients: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial.
Clin Med Insights Endocrinol Diabetes
November 2024
Background: Pre-diabetes, characterized by elevated glycemic indices, poses a high risk of diabetes development, and is increasingly linked to non-specific low back pain. While mechanisms remain incompletely understood, metabolic, inflammatory, and neurological factors are implicated. Dietary interventions, including low-glycemic and anti-inflammatory diets, alongside weight management, may improve outcomes in this population.
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- Patients undergoing colonoscopy often face psychological distress, which can affect future willingness to undergo the procedure; this study examined the effectiveness of visual/audiovisual distractions to reduce anxiety and pain during colonoscopies.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials involving 1439 patients found that distraction methods like nature videos and movies significantly reduced pain and anxiety levels, and increased patient satisfaction.
- Despite the positive findings, there was no significant difference in the likelihood of patients wanting to undergo the procedure again or in the total time taken for the procedure when comparing distraction interventions to usual care.*
Objective: Due to the substantial lack of data from Iraq on ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) complications, this study aims to examine the various types of complications after VPS surgery in Baghdad Medical City.
Methods: The retrospective cohort study analyzed VPS procedures at Baghdad Medical City from 2019 to 2022. The overall complication rate, including infection and shunt malfunction, was determined from patient records.
Article Synopsis
- - Resmetirom, a selective thyroid hormone receptor-β agonist, shows potential in treating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a major cause of liver-related health issues globally.
- - A systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that Resmetirom significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels compared to a placebo, although it also increased the risk of side effects like diarrhea and nausea.
- - Overall, Resmetirom appears to be a promising option for improving liver health in NASH patients, potentially filling a gap in current treatment strategies.
Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) are prevalent conditions linked to obesity and metabolic disturbances, with potential complications such as cirrhosis and cardiovascular risks. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of pemafibrate, a drug targeting fat and sugar metabolism genes, in treating patients with MASLD/MASH.
Methods: Databases such as MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were searched until September 2023 to identify relevant studies.
Background: Bile acid malabsorption (BAM) is characterized by chronic watery diarrhea resulting from excessive bile acids in the feces. BAM is often an overlooked cause of chronic diarrhea, with its prevalence not being sufficiently researched. This review aimed to assess existing literature that explores diverse treatment strategies, to review the published studies that examine the various therapies for BAM patients, emphasizing their influence on clinical results.
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- Many patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) do not respond to traditional treatments, leading researchers to explore adalimumab (ADA) and vedolizumab (VDZ) as alternative therapies.
- The study analyzed randomized controlled trials to compare the effectiveness of ADA and VDZ against placebo for treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), focusing on clinical response, remission, and safety outcomes.
- Results showed that both treatments were more effective than placebo for achieving remission and response in patients, with ADA being particularly more effective than VDZ for CD, but further studies on a larger scale are needed for better safety assessments.
Article Synopsis
- Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a serious condition affecting small blood vessels, leading to inflammation and damage in multiple organs, especially the nasopharynx, lungs, and kidneys.
- It can show a range of symptoms, making it easy to misdiagnose.
- A case report highlights a patient with GPA who experienced serious complications, including bleeding in the lungs, damage to the spleen, and a stroke.
The peptide transmitter N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) is present in millimolar concentrations in mammalian spinal cord. Data from the rat peripheral nervous system suggest that this peptide is synthesized enzymatically, a process that would be unique for mammalian neuropeptides. To test this hypothesis in the mammalian CNS, rat spinal cords were acutely isolated and used to study the incorporation of radiolabeled amino acids into NAAG.
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