Postpartum depression and mother-infant bonding in women with epilepsy: A case-control study.

Background & Objectives: Postpartum depression is a debilitating mental health condition that consequently can negatively impact the mother/infant unit. This study aimed to screen for postpartum depression among women with epilepsy (WWE) versus healthy women and its consequences on establishing a proper mother-infant bonding.

Methods: A group of WWE (n = 102) and a control group of healthy women (n = 119) were evaluated 4-6 weeks postpartum.

Validity, reliability, and sensitivity to change of the Arabic version of the Migraine-Specific Quality-of-Life Questionnaire after prophylactic treatment.

Background: The Migraine-Specific Quality-of-Life Questionnaire version 2.1 (MSQ 2.1) is one of the most frequently used tools in assessing the impact of migraine in clinical practice and in migraine research.

Depression and stigma among a sample of Egyptian adolescents with epilepsy and their impact on antiseizure medications adherence.

Background: The lifetime prevalence of epilepsy varies between 3.5 and 10.7 per 1000 individuals in developed countries, and from 0.

Incidence and pattern of neurological emergencies in Ramadan.

Background: The impact of Ramadan fasting on various neurological emergencies remains relatively unexplored. This study aimed to clarify the incidence and pattern of the different neurological emergencies in Ramadan compared to Shaaban.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all adult patients attending the emergency room at two Egyptian centers with neurological emergencies during Shaaban and Ramadan were evaluated.

Bacterial stroke-associated pneumonia: microbiological analysis and mortality outcome.

Background: Stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) considerably burden healthcare systems. This study aimed to identify predictors of developing SAP in acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to the Stroke Unit at Manial Specialized Hospital factors with microbiological causality and impact on 30-day mortality.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study.

Predictive value of S100B and brain derived neurotrophic factor for radiofrequency treatment of lumbar disc prolapse.

Background: This work aimed to analyze serum S100B levels and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in patients with lumbar disc prolapse to test their predictive values concerning the therapeutic efficacy of pulsed radiofrequency.

Methods: This prospective interventional study was carried out on 50 patients candidates for radiofrequency for treating symptomatic lumbar disc prolapse. Pain severity and functional disability were assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Functional rating index (FRI) before as well as two weeks, 1, 3, and 6 months after the radiofrequency.

Reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Arabic version of HIT-6 questionnaire in patients with migraine indicated for preventive therapy: A multi-center study.

Background: The Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) is an important patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) in migraine prevention trials.

Objectives: This study aimed to (i) assess the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of HIT-6 in Arabic-speaking patients experiencing migraine, and (ii) evaluate the responsiveness of HIT-6 following migraine preventive therapy.

Methods: In this prospective study, patients with migraine (n = 145) were requested to fill out a headache diary, the Arabic version of HIT-6, and Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) at two time points (baseline and 3 months after initiation of prophylactic treatment).

Impact of Ramadan fasting on vision and headache-related quality of life in women with idiopathic intracranial hypertension: A prospective observational study.

Background: Ramadan fasting is an obligatory religious practice for Muslims. However, research data on the effect of Ramadan on idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) symptoms are lacking. This study aimed to study the effect of Ramadan fasting on the severity of headache and visual symptoms and related quality-of-life activities.

Public misconceptions and attitudes towards persons diagnosed with epilepsy in the Kingdom of Bahrain: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Despite significant advancements in the understanding and treatment of epilepsy, the quality of life for persons diagnosed with Epilepsy (PdwE) can still be negatively impacted due to prevalent misconceptions and societal attitudes. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, misconceptions, and attitudes towards epilepsy in Bahrain.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 1079 participants aged ≥ 18 years living in Bahrain.

Cognitive function and quantitative electroencephalogram analysis in subjects recovered from COVID-19 infection.

Background & Objectives: Objective assessment of post-COVID-19 cognitive dysfunction is highly warranted. This study aimed to evaluate the cognitive dysfunction of COVID-19 survivors with cognitive complaints, both clinically and neurophysiologically, using Quantitative Electroencephalogram (QEEG).

Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 50 recovered subjects from COVID-19 infection with cognitive complaints and 50 age, sex, and educational-matched healthy controls.

Validity and reliability of Arabic version of pediatric migraine disability assessment scale (Child Self-Report versus Parent Proxy-Report): a multi-center study.

Background: Pediatric Migraine Disability Assessment (PedMIDAS) is one of the most frequently used questionnaires to assess disability from migraine in pediatric patients. This work aimed to evaluate the validity and test-retest reliability of the Arabic version of the child self-report versus the parent proxy report PedMIDAS. We also aimed to test the agreement between children's and parents' reports of the scale.

Effect of Radiofrequency on Dorsal Root Ganglion Versus Transforaminal Steroids Injection on Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Level in Lumbar Radicular Pain.

Background: The mechanism of pain control with pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is unclear.

Objectives: We aimed to compare the efficacy of combined PRF on dorsal root ganglion (DRG) with transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) vs TFESI-alone on pain improvement and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) level in lumbar disc-related radicular pain.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

Comorbid conditions in Egyptian patients with migraine.

Background: Identifying migraine comorbidities may guide prognosis and treatment options. This study aimed to assess the frequency of comorbid conditions among adults with migraine living in Greater Cairo.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, Egyptian migraine sufferers aged ≥ 18 years living in Greater Cairo were consecutively recruited (April 2019 - April 2021).

Patterns and predictors of sexual dysfunction in women with epilepsy.

Objectives: Available data about sexual-related problems among Egyptian women with epilepsy (WWE) are scarce. Hence, this work aimed to study the pattern and predictors of sexual dysfunction in a sample of Egyptian WWE.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, sexually active WWE and age and years of marriage-matched healthy controls were included.

Knowledge, awareness, and attitudes towards epilepsy among elementary schoolteachers in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Background: Teachers' awareness of epilepsy and attitudes toward students with epilepsy (SWE) largely affect their health, behavior, and academic performance. This study aimed to assess elementary schoolteachers' background knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Methods: A 23-item online questionnaire was distributed to elementary school teachers in all public schools in Bahrain between September 2022 and February 2023.

Cost-effectiveness of HARNESS-MRI protocol in focal drug-resistant epilepsy in a limited-resources country: An Egyptian study.

Objectives: The international league against epilepsy (ILAE) recommended the harmonized neuroimaging of epilepsy structural sequences (HARNESS-MRI) to improve the detection of epileptogenic lesions in patients with focal drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). The application of this protocol is still limited in low-resource countries, mainly due to apparent high costs. We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the HARNESS-MRI protocol in Egypt and highlighted our experience.

Resective epilepsy surgery in a limited-resource settings: A cohort from a multi-disciplinary epilepsy team in a developing country.

Background: Multidisciplinary pre-surgical evaluation is vital for epilepsy surgery decision and outcomes. Resective epilepsy surgery with assisted monitoring is currently a standard treatment for focal drug resistant epilepsy (DRE). In resource-limited countries, lack of epilepsy surgery center is a huge challenge.

Migraine in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia: The hidden pain.

Objective: This study examined the prevalence of comorbid migraine in patients with bipolar disorder and those with schizophrenia and also examined the association between migraine comorbidity and disease characteristics in both disorders.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 150 patients with bipolar disorder and 150 with schizophrenia were evaluated for migraine diagnosis using the International Classification of Headache Disorders (3rd ed). Patients were selected from psychiatry outpatient clinics at Kasr Al Ainy hospitals, Cairo University.

Comparative effect of deliberate hypotensive anesthesia using nitroglycerine vs. phentolamine on event related potentials and cognitive functions in patients undergoing septoplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction is a noteworthy complication of deliberate hypotensive anesthesia. The aim of this work was to compare the effect of deliberate hypotensive anesthesia using nitroglycerine versus phentolamine on event-related potentials and cognitive function in patients undergoing septoplasty surgery.

Methods: This prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted on 80 patients indicated for septoplasty under general anesthesia; 40 patients received intra-operative Nitroglycerine and 40 patients received intra-operative Phentolamine.

Prevalence, characteristics, and factors associated with caffeine-withdrawal headache during the first day of Ramadan.

Background: Data regarding prevalence, characteristics, and factors associated with caffeine-withdrawal headache are lacking. This work aimed to study the prevalence of caffeine-withdrawal headache among caffeine consumers during Ramadan's first day and describe its characteristics and associated factors.

Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study targeted 755 caffeine consumers eligible to fast on the first day of Ramadan.

Seizure control during pregnancy and postpartum period in women with epilepsy: an Egyptian prospective study.

Background: Proper seizure control during pregnancy and postpartum is essential to optimize the outcome of women with epilepsy (WWE). The current work aimed to address factors related to seizure occurrence during pregnancy and postpartum.

Methods: One hundred twenty-five WWE, compliant with their anti-seizure medications (ASMs) regimen, were prospectively evaluated for seizure control and ASMs changes all through the pregnancy up to 4 weeks postpartum.

Neuropsychiatric post-acute sequelae of COVID-19: prevalence, severity, and impact of vaccination.

The potential long-term neuropsychiatric effects of COVID-19 are of global concern. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of neuropsychiatric post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 among Egyptian COVID-19 survivors and to study the impact of full vaccination before COVID-19 infection on the occurrence and severity of these manifestations. Three months after getting COVID-19 infection, 1638 COVID-19 survivors were screened by phone for possible neuropsychiatric sequelae.