Enhancing medication management in hemodialysis patients: Exploring the impact of patient-centered pharmacist care and motivational interviewing.

Background: Patients on hemodialysis (HD) often uses several medications, making them highly susceptible to medication-related problems (MRP) thereby leading to medication nonadherence. Therefore, an innovative pharmaceutical care strategy incorporating drug therapy optimization (DTO) and motivational interviewing (MI) can mitigate medication-related problems and optimize patient care.

Aims And Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of pharmacist led interventions in utilizing DTO and MI techniques in managing medication related problems among patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Parental Perceptions and Barriers towards Childhood COVID-19 Vaccination in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Introduction: The vaccination of children against Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a prime area of focus around the globe and is considered a pivotal challenge during the ongoing pandemic. This study aimed to assess parents′ intentions to vaccinate their children and the barriers related to pediatric COVID-19 vaccination. Methodology: An online web-based survey was conducted to recruit parents with at least one child under the age of 12 years from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Jouf region.

Evaluation of Conspiracy Beliefs, Vaccine Hesitancy, and Willingness to Pay towards COVID-19 Vaccines in Six Countries from Asian and African Regions: A Large Multinational Analysis.

Vaccination protects people from serious illness and associated complications. Conspiracy theories and misinformation on vaccines have been rampant during the COVID-19 pandemic and are considered significant drivers of vaccine hesitancy. Since vaccine hesitancy can undermine efforts to immunize the population against COVID-19 and interferes with the vaccination rate, this study aimed to ascertain the COVID-19-vaccine-related conspiracy beliefs, vaccine hesitancy, views regarding vaccine mandates, and willingness to pay for vaccines among the general population.

Prevalence, Microbial Etiology and Risk Factors Associated With Healthcare Associated Infections Among End Stage Renal Disease Patients on Renal Replacement Therapy.

End stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality due to healthcare associated infections (HCAIs). The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence, microbial etiology, and risk factors associated with HCAIs among ESRD patients on RRT. A multicenter, retrospective study was conducted from June to December 2019.

Study protocol: Effectiveness of patient centered pharmacist care in improving medication adherence, clinical parameters and quality of life among hemodialysis patients.

Background: Patients requiring hemodialysis (HD) often have several chronic comorbidities, which necessitate the use of several medications and hence put them at high risk of polypharmacy. Medication-related problems (MRPs) among HD patients are a serious issue as they can increase morbidity and nonadherence with medications. To overcome this issue, a unique pharmacy practice model including medication review (MR) and motivational interviewing (MI) is needed to improve medication adherence, by reducing MRPs and optimizing therapeutic outcomes.

Impact of Healthcare Associated Infections on Survival and Treatment Outcomes Among End Stage Renal Disease Patients on Renal Replacement Therapy.

Due to frequent hospitalizations, complex dialysis procedures and immune compromising effects of end stage renal disease (ESRD), patients on dialysis are more prone to healthcare associated infections (HCAIs). To study the impact of HCAIs on survival and treatment outcomes among ESRD patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT). A multicenter, retrospective study was conducted from June to December 2019 at two public hospitals of Malaysia.

Risk factors associated with nosocomial infections among end stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis: A systematic review.

Background: Profound healthcare challenges confront societies with an increase in prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Due to several facility and patient related factors, ESRD is significantly associated with increased morbidity and mortality attributed to infections.

Aims And Objective: The aim of this study was to assess systematically the characteristics of patients and risk factors associated with nosocomial infections among ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Taking a Step Further in Identifying Ideal Blood Pressure Range Among Hemodialysis Patients: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis.

Background: Hypertension is one of the primary predictor of mortality among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis. However, there is no consensus on an ideal blood pressure range for this population.

Aims And Objective: To identify an ideal systolic blood pressure range based on optimal survival among ESRD patients on dialysis.

Effect of vitamin E in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

The efficacy of vitamin E among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is unclear. The current qualitative and quantitative analyses aimed to ascertain the efficacy of vitamin E on clinical outcomes of patients with NAFLD. A systematic search of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) was performed using databases (PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, EBSCOhost and Ovid) from inception to July 2018.

Assessment of Losartan 50 mg on Survival of Post-Dialysis Euvolemic Hypertensive Patients: Findings from HELD Trial.

Aims And Objective: To estimate the effect of losartan 50 mg on survival of post-dialysis euvolemic hypertensive patients.

Methodology: A single center, prospective, single-blind randomized trial was conducted to estimate the survival of post-dialysis euvolemic hypertensive patients when treated with lorsartan 50 mg every other day. Post-dialysis euvolemic assessment was done by a body composition monitor.

Awareness and knowledge of Chikungunya infection following its outbreak in Pakistan among health care students and professionals: a nationwide survey.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) declares Chikungunya (CHIK) infection to be endemic in South Asia. Despite its first outbreak in Pakistan, no documented evidence exists which reveals the knowledge or awareness of healthcare students and workers (HCSW) regarding CHIK, its spread, symptoms, treatment and prevention. Since CHIK is an emergent infection in Pakistan, poor disease knowledge may result in a significant delay in diagnosis and treatment.

Safety and Efficacy of Losartan 50 mg in Reducing Blood Pressure among Patients with Post-Dialysis Euvolemic Hypertension: A Randomized Control Trial.

The aim of current study was to assess the effectiveness of losartan 50 mg in reducing blood pressure among post-dialysis euvolemic hypertensive patients, observing their survival trends and adverse events during the course of study. A multicentre, prospective, randomised, single-blind trial was conducted to assess the effect of losartan 50 mg every other day (EOD), once a morning (OM) among post-dialysis euvolemic hypertensive patients. Post-dialysis euvolemic assessment was done by a body composition monitor (BCM).

Protocol of randomized control trial for effectiveness of angiotensin receptor blockers on blood pressure control among euvolemic hypertensive hemodialysis patients.

Introduction: Volume overload and the renin-aldosterone-angiotensin system (RAAS) are 2 major factors contributing to hypertension (HTN) among hemodialysis (HD) patients. Although volume-dependent components of HTN can be corrected by appropriate volume removal, a proportion of HD patients experience elevated blood pressure (BP) despite achieving euvolemic and ideal dry weight.

Method And Analysis: A single center, prospective, randomized, parallel design, single-blind trial will be conducted in the Malaysian state of Kelantan among postdialysis euvolemic hypertensive patients that are on regular dialysis at least 3 times a week.

An assessment of adherence to asthma medication guidelines: findingsfrom a tertiary care center in the state of Penang, Malaysia.

Background/aim: Multiple asthma guidelines have been developed to reduce asthma mortality, morbidity, and cost associated with asthma worldwide. In Malaysia, within this context, it is relatively unknown to what extent doctors adhere to the asthma guidelines. This study aimed to assess guideline adherence and calculate the cost of adhered and nonadhered prescriptions by medical doctors in a public tertiary health care facility.

Efficacy of Losartan in the management of Post-Dialysis Euvolemic Hypertension (HELD-Trial): A Single-Blind Randomized Control Trial.

To assess the effectiveness of losartan 50 mg on post dialysis euvolemic hypertensive patients against standard antihypertensive pharmacotherapy. A multicentre, prospective, randomized, single-blind trial was conducted to assess the effect of losartan 50 mg every other day (EOD), once a morning (OM) among post-dialysis euvolemic hypertensive patients. Covariate-adaptive randomization was used to allocate participants to a standard or treatment arm, and they were followed up for eight weeks.

A systematic review on randomized control trials on rennin angiotensin aldosterone system inhibitors role in managing hypertension among hemodialysis patients.

Randomized control trials (RCTs) are considered as most rigors way of determining the cause-effect relationship of a treatment and outcome. Activation of rennin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) is an important contributor to hypertension in hemodialysis patients. The prevalence of hypertension in hemodialysis patients varies from 60% to 80% and hypertension management alone with conventional hemodialysis is insufficient.

Smoking on treatment outcomes among tuberculosis patients.

Background: Smoking is a risk factor not only for the development of cancer and coronary heart disease but also for tuberculosis (TB). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of smoking in patients with TB, identify demographic and clinical characteristics associated with smoking and to evaluate TB treatment outcomes in the smokers.

Method: A retrospective cohort study of patients with TB was conducted at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Does guideline knowledge affect treatment compliance among emergency doctors?

Background: The insufficient adoption of internationally accepted clinical guidelines may lead to less than adequate patient care of patients with asthma.

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge and treatment compliance with Global Initiative of Asthma (GINA, 2011) asthma treatment guidelines among emergency physicians (EPs) at a referral hospital in northern Malaysia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed in the territory-level referral hospital in northern Malaysia.