Prevalence of coeliac disease among adult patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism in Jordan

The prevalence of coeliac disease among patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism has not been studied before in Jordan and other Arab countries. A cross-sectional record-based review was made of all adult autoimmune hypothyroidism patients who attended a referral centre in Jordan, during an 8-month period. Coeliac disease in these patients was diagnosed by the attending physician based on positive serological tests for anti-endomysial antibodies IgA and IgG followed by duodenal biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of coeliac disease. Of 914 patients recruited, 117 [12.8%] were seropositive for coeliac disease. Of 87 seropositive patients who underwent duodenal biopsy, 39 had positive histological findings of coeliac disease [44.8%]. Extrapolating from these findings the overall rate of coeliac disease among autoimmune hypothyroidism patients was estimated to be 5.7%. In multivariate logistic regression coeliac disease was significantly associated with older age [> 40 years], presence of other autoimmune diseases, vitamin B12 deficiency and anaemia

Glycaemic control and its associated factors in type 2 diabetic patients in Amman, Jordan

A study of 1000 patients attending a diabetes referral centre in Amman, Jordan, identified factors associated with good glycaemic control, as measured by glycosylated haemoglobin [HbA1c] levels. Glycaemic control improved significantly between the first clinic visit and at 12-months follow-up. The proportion of patients with extreme HbA1c [>/= 10%] decreased from 15.3% to 6.0% after 12 months. The percentage of patients with optimal control [HbA1c < 7%] increased from 25.4% at the first visit to 27.5% at 12-month follow-up. Multivariate regression showed that low body mass index, shorter duration of diabetes and higher baseline HbA1c were related to reductions in HbA1c between the first and 12-month visits

Epidemiology and cost of haemodialysis in Jordan

To assess the epidemiology and burden of haemodialysis in Jordan, all patients on haemodialysis [1711 patients] were surveyed during September/October 2003. Mean age was 48.9 years, 56% were male, 86.8% were unemployed and 92% were poor. Mean distance to the haemodialysis service was 13.6 km. Annual hepatitis B and C seroconversion for patients negative before dialysis was 0.34% and 2.6% respectively. Prevalence of haemodialysis was 312 per million population; the incidence in 2002 was 111 per million population. Fatality rate at 1 year was 20%. Diabetes mellitus was the leading cause of haemodialysis, 29.2% of cases. Total estimated cost of haemodialysis in 2003 was US$ 29.7 million

Diabetes mellitus: the leading cause of haemodialysis in Jordan

This study aimed to define the role of diabetes mellitus as a cause of end-stage renal disease requiring haemodialysis in Jordan, and to compare diabetic and nondiabetic patients. All patients on haemodialysis in Jordan at the time of the survey in 2003 [n = 1711] were personally interviewed and additional data were obtained from medical records. Diabetes mellitus was the most common cause of end-stage renal disease [29.2% of cases]. The mean age of patients was higher in diabetics [57.5 years, standard deviation [SD] 12.3] than nondiabetics [45.4 years, SD 17.1]. Duration on haemodialysis was significantly shorter in diabetics compared to nondiabetic patients

Evaluation of drug use in Jordan using WHO prescribing indicators

Patterns of prescribing and use of pharmaceuticals by physicians and patients in Jordan have not previously been studied. We retrospectively evaluated pharmaceutical drug prescribing practices in 21 primary health care facilities in Irbid governorate, northern Jordan using World Health Organization-recommended core indicators.The mean number of drugs prescribed was 2.3 overall, ranging from 1.9 to 3.0. The percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was very low, as was the percentage of prescriptions involving injections. The percentages of prescriptions involving antibiotics and drugs from the essential drugs list averaged 60.9% and 93% respectively. We conclude that the prescribing and use of drugs in Jordan requires rationalization, particularly the over-prescribing of antibiotics and the under-prescribing of generic drugs

Evaluation of drug use in Jordan using WHO patient care and health facility indicators

We prospectively studied current drug use in Jordan in 21 primary health care facilities in northern Jordan over a three-month period, using World Health Organization-recommended indicators. Both the mean time spent on physician-patient consultations [3.9 +/- 3.5 minutes] and mean pharmacy dispensing time [28.8 +/- 23.7 seconds] were short, resulting in a mean patient knowledge of prescribed drug dose of 77.7%. No centre had an essential drugs list and/or formulary available. An average of 80% of key drugs were available at centres. Baseline data gathered by this study can be used by researchers and policymakers to monitor and improve pharmaceutical prescribing and consumption practices in Jordan