Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with a Religious Focus: An Observational Study.

: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder with poorly detailed subtypes/dimensions, such as religious OCD (ROCD). To date, little is known about ROCD characteristics. This work aimed to describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, along with the religiosity and spirituality, of Lebanese Muslim citizens diagnosed with OCD and exhibiting religious symptoms.

Exploring the knowledge and attitudes towards metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD): Validation and correlations of MAFLD-knowledge questionnaire and MAFLD-attitude questionnaire.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a highly prevalent non-communicable disease whose prevalence is reaching pandemic proportions. Its implications constitute a major public health concern. To date, no validated tool measures knowledge and attitudes towards MAFLD in young adults in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Diagnostic and prognostic potential of left atrial strain in cardiovascular disease: a narrative review.

Left atrial strain (LAS) was recently introduced as a parameter that reflects on left atrial function. Consequently, changes in LAS can inform the development of cardiovascular diseases, hence providing a window for non-invasive and cost-effective testing of these diseases and their complications at early stages of development, potentially offering a segway towards preventive interventions. LAS has yet to be implemented into standard practice.

Preoperative hemoglobin level and anemia frequency among patients admitted for diabetic lower extremity amputation.

Objectives: Anemia is known to be prevalent in patients with diabetic foot ulcers, but such was not documented in those who required lower extremity amputations (LEAs). In this high-risk population, preoperative anemia could be an additional risk factor for postoperative morbidity and mortality. This study attempts to address the knowledge gap related to the preoperative hemoglobin (Hg) level and anemia prevalence in patients admitted for diabetic LEA.

Geroderma Osteodysplastica With Concomitant Transposition of Great Vessels: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Geroderma Osteodysplastica (GO) is a rare autosomal recessive connective tissue disease characterized by wrinkled skin and osteoporosis, two distinct aging-related features. A loss of function mutation in results in the disease. Immediately after birth, a cyanotic female neonate was found to have transposition of great vessels (TGV) that was corrected with an uneventful surgical recovery.

Co-occurrence of Loeys-Dietz syndrome with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome: A case series.

Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a connective tissue disorder arising from mutations in the TGF- β signaling pathway. The spectrum of clinical manifestations is broad, and includes vascular, skeletal, and craniofacial abnormalities, along with joint hypermobility. No evidence of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) in these patients has been reported.

Keller and Interphalangeal Joint Resection Arthroplasties for Chronic Noncomplicated Diabetic Ulcers of the Hallux: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Surgery is often needed for resistant plantar diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) of the big toe. For noninfected ulcers, 2 types of surgery are available: the Keller and the hallux interphalangeal joint arthroplasty (HIPJ-A) procedures. Yet, no evidence synthesis on the outcomes of these procedures has been conducted; thus, this systematic review is an attempt to fill this gap.

Concurrent Post-Zoster Cutaneous Vasculitis and Acute Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease (CPPD) in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) can lead to rare complications such as cutaneous vasculitis. We present a unique case of post-zoster cutaneous vasculitis in an 82-year-old male, occurring alongside acute calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD), a previously undocumented association. The patient initially presented with a painful zoster rash and hand swelling, treated with oral acyclovir.

Challenges in the diagnosis and management of patients with rare coagulation disorders in Lebanon and consequences of a social and economic crisis.

Introduction: Rare coagulation disorders (RCDs) constitute an important health risk. Data on epidemiology, quality of life (QoL), access to care, and impact of the ongoing economic crisis on RCDs in Lebanon is limited.

Aim: We aimed to address these gaps by evaluating effect of the crisis on the management of RCDs.

Locally advanced/metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer in Lebanon: focus on ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Treatment of non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC) has evolved over the last decade. According to studies, the use of targeted therapies has significantly increased the life expectancy of patients. Moreover, ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK-TKIs) have improved clinical outcomes.

Isolated posterior malleolus fracture: A case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: Fractures involving the ankle joint typically manifest as bimalleolar or trimalleolar fractures, with isolated posterior malleolus fractures (IPMF) representing a rare subset, comprising 0.5-4 % of cases. Due to its rarity and subtle clinical presentation, IPMF poses unique diagnostic and management challenges.

Exploring the need for surgical face masks in operating room: a comprehensive literature review.

Surgical face masks (SFM) are pivotal in preventing surgical site infections (SSI) in the operating room (OR). However, there are currently no specific recommendations for their most effective use. SFM effectiveness is influenced by factors such as material, fit, and duration of use, sparking ongoing debates about their benefits and risks in surgery.

Immunogenicity and real-world effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in Lebanon: Insights from primary and booster schemes, variants, infections, and hospitalization.

In this study, we conducted a case-control investigation to assess the immunogenicity and effectiveness of primary and first booster homologous and heterologous COVID-19 vaccination regimens against infection and hospitalization, targeting variants circulating in Lebanon during 2021-2022. The study population comprised active Lebanese military personnel between February 2021 and September 2022. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) against laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated hospitalization was retrospectively determined during different variant-predominant periods using a case-control study design.

Antegrade vs Retrograde Intra-Medullary Nailing in Femoral Shaft Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: Femoral shaft fractures are one of the most prevalent fractures found in clinical practice. Numerous operative and non-operative options are readily available for the treatment of such fractures with intra-medullary nailing being the gold standard. To date, no consensus has been reached favoring one approach over the other.

Disaster Preparedness among Healthcare Professionals in Lebanon.

Background: Disaster disrupts the normal functioning of a community, causing significant damages and losses. In recent years, Lebanon faced multiple disasters, including one of the largest explosions ever recorded, the Beirut Blast, in August 2020. Limited studies in the literature have examined disaster medicine preparedness among healthcare professionals (HCPs).

Venous sinus stenting under conscious sedation.

Background: Venous sinus stenting (VSS) is an increasingly performed procedure for the treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) refractory to medical treatment. VSS is typically performed under general anesthesia.

Objective: To present our experience of VSS in patients with IIH performed under conscious sedation.