Prevalence, Associated Risk Factors, and Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes of Statins Discontinuation: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: Statins are widely prescribed for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) prevention; however, a significant proportion of users discontinue the medication for various reasons. This review aimed to determine the prevalence of statin therapy discontinuation, its associated factors, and adverse cardiovascular outcomes within the first year of discontinuation.

Methods: The PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar databases were systematically searched from their inception to December 2022.

Accuracy of sonographic lower segment thickness and prediction of vaginal birth after caesarean in a resourced-limited setting; Prospective study.

Objectives: To assess the accuracy of ultrasound measurement of the lower uterine segment (LUS) thickness against findings at laparotomy, and to investigate its correlation with the success rate of vaginal birth after one previous caesarean delivery (CD) in a resource-limited setting.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Obstetrics and Gynaecology department in a tertiary hospital in Ghana.

Absence of abnormal vascular changes on prenatal imaging aids in differentiating simple uterine scar dehiscence from placenta accreta spectrum: a case series.

Accurate prenatal discrimination between a simple, non-adherent uterine scar dehiscence with an underlying placenta and the severe end of the placenta accreta spectrum is problematic as the two can appear similar on prenatal imaging. This may lead to the false diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum resulting obstetric anxiety, overtreatment and potential iatrogenic morbidity. Despite potential similarities in the etiology, the manifestation and management of these two conditions is very different.

Assessment of Qatar community pharmacists' competence and practices related to renal and gastrointestinal adverse effects of nonprescription NSAIDs.

Introduction: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most frequently dispensed nonprescription drugs in community pharmacies. However, inappropriate use of NSAIDs by consumers has been associated with development of gastrointestinal (GI) injuries and renal injuries. Community pharmacists' education of consumers on proper use of NSAIDs and their associated adverse effects has been shown to reduce the GI and renal injuries.

Adherence as a Predictor of Glycemic Control Among Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes: A Retrospective Study Using Real-world Evidence.

Purpose: Metabolic control among adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is generally poor. Nonadherence is a contributor to this poor glycemic control, leading to adverse outcomes. The findings of studies reporting the association between adherence and glycemic control are conflicting.

Determination of potential drug-drug interactions in prescription orders dispensed in a community pharmacy setting using Micromedex and Lexicomp: a retrospective observational study.

Background Community pharmacists have a role in identifying drug-drug interactions (DDIs) when processing prescription orders and dispensing medications to patients. The harmful effects of DDIs can be prevented or minimized by using an electronic DDI checker to screen for potential DDIs (pDDIs). However, different DDI checkers have variable rates of detecting pDDIs.

Relationship between Stages of Change and Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Primary Health-care Setting.

Introduction: Advanced stages of change (SOC) are usually associated with lower glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) scores in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Additionally, these patients' adherence to antidiabetic medications is crucial to achieve controlled HbA1c scores. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between SOC and HbA1c as well as between medication adherence and HbA1c in patients with T2DM in a primary health-care setting in Qatar.

Evidence of community pharmacists' response preparedness during COVID-19 public health crisis: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Community pharmacists are often the first point of contact for the public, especially during pandemics. As outlined by the International Pharmaceutical Federation, community pharmacists have an important public health role during this Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency. We therefore investigated the current practices, response preparedness and professional development needs of community pharmacists in Qatar.

Evaluation of patient safety culture in community pharmacies in Qatar.

Introduction: Patient safety culture is a key contributor to medication safety globally. However, the perspective of pharmacists and other personnel in community pharmacy regarding patient safety culture may vary from one country to another.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the perspectives of community pharmacy personnel in Qatar about patient safety culture in community pharmacy setting.

Barriers to Diabetes Adherence: Translation and Cultural Adaptation of the Instrument Into Arabic Context.

Objectives: Barriers to Diabetes Adherence (BDA) instrument is a measure developed in English to assess barriers to adherence in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). The main objectives of the present study were to translate and culturally adapt the BDA tool into Arabic for the assessment of barriers to adherence in adolescents with T1DM in Arabic-speaking populations.

Methods: The International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research guidelines for the translation and cultural adaptation of patient-reported outcome measures were used for the process.

Using the transtheoretical model's stages of change to predict medication adherence in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a primary health care setting.

Background: Qatar is currently experiencing a worrying increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM). One of the most common reasons for uncontrolled DM is non-adherence to medications. The socio-behavioral intervention has proven effective in some chronic illnesses.

Assessment of a Statistical Algorithm for the Prediction of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

Importance: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is an otologic pathologic condition defined as a sensation of spinning triggered by changes in head position relative to gravity and caused by an entrapment of fragmented endolymph debris most commonly in the posterior semicircular canal. Confirmation of diagnosis requires experience with procedures that are poorly known by those other than practitioners with advanced otologic training. The complexity in the diagnosis of BPPV inspired the design of a questionnaire-based algorithm that would be useful for determining a vestibular diagnosis and treatment options.

Emigration of skilled healthcare workers from developing countries: can team-based healthcare practice fill the gaps in maternal, newborn and child healthcare delivery?

Background And Introduction: Emigration of healthcare workers from developing countries is on the rise and there is an urgent need for policies that increase access to and continuity of healthcare. In this commentary, we highlight some of the negative impacts of emigration on maternal and child health and discuss whether team-based healthcare delivery could possibly mitigate the shortfall of maternal and child health professionals in developing countries.

Methodology: We cross-examine the availability of supporting structures to implement team-based maternal and child healthcare delivery in developing countries.

Direct Oral Anticoagulant Use in Atypical Thrombosis-Related Conditions.

Objective: To review the published literature for evidence of the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) when used in the management of atypical thrombosis-related conditions.

Data Sources: A comprehensive MEDLINE database search (1948 to July 2017) and EMBASE search (1980 to July 2017) were conducted using the search terms direct oral anticoagulant in combination with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLAS), and cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT).

Study Selection And Data Extraction: The literature search was limited to studies that were conducted in humans and published in English.

Progress in the discovery of treatments for C. difficile infection: A clinical and medicinal chemistry review.

Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic, Gram-positive pathogen that causes C. difficile infection, which results in significant morbidity and mortality. The incidence of C.

A training program for pharmacy students on providing diabetes care.

Objective: To compare second- and third-year pharmacy students' competence, attitudes, and self-confidence in providing diabetes care before and after completing a hand-on diabetes training program and to determine if the program had an impact on students' attitude and self-confidence based on their year in the curriculum.

Design: The program included classroom lectures and hands-on learning sessions in 5 facets of diabetes care. Pre- and post-test instruments measured students' competence, attitudes, and confidence in diabetes care.