Black Widow Spider Exposures: A Retrospective Review of the National Poison Data System 2012-2022.

Introduction: The black widow spider, , stands out as one of the most medically significant arachnids due to its extensive geographic distribution in the United States and its ability to produce a potent neurotoxin, α-latrotoxin. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of black widow spider exposures by month of exposure, geographic distribution, demographics, symptoms, treatment, and health system resource utilization between 2012 and 2022.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study using the US National Poison Data System, the data warehouse of the 55 US poison centers.

Increasing severity of medical outcomes and associated substances in cases reported to United States poison centers.

Introduction: Poison centers provide free expert recommendations on the treatment of a wide variety of toxicological emergencies. Prior studies have called attention to the increasing complexity of cases reported to poison centers. We aimed first, to evaluate the trends in medical outcome severity, over a 15-year period in both the adult and pediatric populations.

Oral potassium poisoning: a retrospective review of the National Poison Data System 2010-2021.

Introduction: Oral potassium poisoning can be life-threatening. The study aimed to describe patterns of oral potassium poisoning in adult and pediatric populations and characterize its clinical presentation and management as reported by United States poison centers.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of the National Poison Data System from 1 January 2010 through 30 June 2021.

Psilocybin Exposures Reported to U.S. Poison Centers: National Trends Over a Decade.

Purpose: We describe trends in psilocybin exposures among adolescents and young adults as reported to US poison centers over the past decade.

Methods: We queried the National Poison Data System for cases involving psilocybin during January 1, 2013-December 31, 2022. Persons aged 13-25 years were included.

Knowledge, perception and acceptance of generic drugs in the general Lebanese population: A cross-sectional survey among adults.

Background: Many governments encouraged generic use to enhance health equality and minimise health expenditure. The lack of knowledge and acceptance of generic medicines are the main barriers to their use.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess population knowledge and perception towards generic drugs, identify their primary sources of information and examine which variables are independently related to their acceptance.

Ivermectin associated adverse events in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 reported to the FACT pharmacovigilance project.

Background: In August 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a health alert following the rapid increase in ivermectin prescriptions and reports of severe illness associated with use of products containing ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 infections. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the CDC have explicitly discouraged the use of ivermectin in the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 outside of clinical trials. The study aims to describe the adverse events (AEs) related to ivermectin use for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19.

A cross-sectional survey on community pharmacists readiness to fight COVID-19 in a developing country: knowledge, attitude, and practice in Lebanon.

Background: Lebanon, a developing Middle Eastern country, was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred amid a severe national economic crisis. Community pharmacists are responsible for dispensing appropriate medications and products in addition to counseling, informing and educating the public, and promoting disease prevention and infection control.

Objective: This study aimed to assess community pharmacists' knowledge, attitude, and practice towards the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluate behavior changes and safety measures.

Asthma prevalence and associated factors among lebanese adults: the first national survey.

Background: No national research has yet explored the prevalence of asthma among adults in Lebanon. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of physician-diagnosed asthma and current asthma, and their determinants among Lebanese adults 16 years old or above.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using a multistage cluster sampling.

[Gastric bacterial overgrowth: An unusual histological observation, not to be overlooked].

Gastric bacterial overgrowth is a rare situation, which may be associated with short- and long-term complications. It must be known from pathologists, since it might be detected incidentally at histological examination of gastric biopsies. We report here the case of a 74-year old woman, obese, without significant medical history, apart from a gastro-esophageal reflux treated by the long-term administration of proton pump inhibitors (PPI).

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among nurses in Lebanon.

Purpose: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among nurses in Lebanon.

Methods: An online questionnaire was completed by 311 Lebanese nurses between March and April 2020.

Results: Only 2% of nurses worked in a specialized COVID-19 ward and 20% have cared for a COVID-19 patient.

Factors associated with work impairment and productivity among Lebanese community pharmacists.

Background Community pharmacists provide an essential service by promoting, maintaining and improving the health of the community. However, factors affecting community pharmacists' work productivity remain poorly studied. Objective Our study aimed to assess, on a national level, work productivity components and its correlates among Lebanese community pharmacists.

Knowledge and attitude toward waterpipe smoking: scale validation and correlates in the Lebanese adult population.

The World Health Organization declared waterpipe smoking as a growing public health concern. Our study aimed to assess waterpipe smoking knowledge and attitude among current waterpipe smokers in comparison with nonsmokers and to evaluate its association with current and cumulative waterpipe smoking. A cross-sectional study was carried between May and December 2018 using a multistage cluster sample across Lebanon.

Comparing cigarette smoking knowledge and attitudes among smokers and non-smokers.

Smoking prevalence in Lebanon was reported by the World Health Organization to be 43%, which is among the highest rates in the Arab nation. The objectives of this study were to assess cigarette smoking knowledge and attitude among smokers and non-smokers using validated scales in the Lebanese general population and evaluate their association with current cigarette smoking; a secondary objective is to assess the dose effect relationship of knowledge and attitude with cumulative smoking. This cross-sectional took place between May and December 2018, and enrolled a sample of 2623 participants, representative from all Lebanese governorates.

Factors associated with quality of life among community pharmacists in Lebanon: results of a cross-sectional study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the quality of life and the factors associated with it among community pharmacists in Lebanon.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out between March and July 2018, enrolling 435 pharmacists, using a proportionate random sample of community pharmacies from all districts of Lebanon. The validated Arabic translation of the Short-Form 12 (SF12v2) was used to derive 2 summary scores: physical and mental component summaries (PCS and MCS).

Assessing sleep quality of Lebanese high school students in relation to lifestyle: pilot study in Beirut.

Background: Sleep problems in teenagers seriously disturb the active process of learning. Given the absence of sleep data from Lebanon, a study to determine sleep quality among adolescents is vital.

Aims: To understand sleep habits and patterns that affect sleep quality, and assess the amplitude of possible sleep problems in Lebanese adolescents, raising awareness of the effects of good sleep hygiene on general health in adolescents.

Prevalence and risk factors of hypertension: A nationwide cross-sectional study in Lebanon.

There is limited epidemiologic data on hypertension (HTN) in Lebanon. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of HTN in the adult Lebanese population and evaluate the association between dietary and psychological factors on systolic blood pressure (SBP). Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using a multistage cluster sample across Lebanon.

Self-reported history of stroke and long-term living conditions near air pollution sources: results of a national epidemiological study in Lebanon.

Stroke is a disease related to high mortality and morbidity, particularly in developing countries. Some studies have linked self-reported indoor and outdoor pollution to stroke and mini-stroke, while some others showed no association. Our objective was to assess this association in Lebanon, a Middle Eastern developing country.

Predictors of Uncontrolled Blood Pressure in Treated Hypertensive Individuals: First Population-Based Study in Lebanon.

Arterial hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. This study aimed to assess the predictors of uncontrolled systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) in Lebanon among treated hypertensive individuals. The authors included 562 participants 40 years and older.

Antibiotic dispensation by Lebanese pharmacists: a comparison of higher and lower socio-economic levels.

Introduction: Indiscriminate use of antibiotics contributes to a global spread of antimicrobial resistance. Previous studies showed an excessive consumption of antibiotics purchased without medical prescription from community pharmacies, mainly in developing countries. There is a shortage of studies revealing the role of community pharmacists in the overuse of antibiotics.