Hypercholesterolemia among apparently healthy university students

Hypercholesterolemia [HC] is a major risk factor in the development of coronary heart disease [CHD]. Serum cholesterol is directly related to complications and mortalities associated with heart diseases. There are a few studies that describe HC among youths in the Arab Gulf countries. We sought to evaluate HC among young healthy university students to assess their risk of developing CHD. Lipid profile of 166 students between the ages of 16- 30 years [Mean: 20.49 +/- 2.96] were examined and blood glucose, total protein, albumin, thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] and the inflammation marker high sensitivity CRP [hsCRP] were determined. Each volunteer filled a questionnaire about her/his lifestyle and personal and family medical histories and height and weight were measured to determine body mass index [BMI]. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 17. Chi-Square was used to determine the relation between categorical variables. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. According to the American Heart Association criteria, 44 [26.5%] students were identified with primary hypercholesterolemia [PHC] in the first testing round. After proper health counseling, the same tests were repeated after 2-3 weeks in all 44 hypercholesterolemic students. We found only 26 [15.6%] of them to be hypercholesterolemic. There was a significant relation between high total cholesterol [TC] and high TC/HDLC, as well as high or very high hsCRP and high TC/HDLC [both, p<0.001]. Males tend to have higher TC/HDLC and hsCRP than females [both p0.002 and 0.005, respectively]. Family history of CHD was found in 8 students and obesity was recorded in 5 volunteers. The results necessitate further studies in determining the cause of PHC. We predict a genetic element contributing to the high percentage of PHC in the current study

Assessment of asthmatic patients' quality of life in jordan

A descriptive study was conducted in Al-Bashir teaching hospital in Amman city from 15th May 2004 to 15th August 2004, in order to "Assess the adult asthmatic patients' quality of life [QOL]. This study aimed at identifying the domains of [Environmental, Physical, Daily Living Activity, Drug and Medication, Psychological, and Social]. A Purposive [Non-Probability] sample of [100] adult asthmatic patients visited the emergency department and outpatient clinic of chest department in Al-bashir hospital .A Questionnaire was constructed for the purpose of the study, and comprised of [2] parts, consist of [108] items, that include [1] demographic characteristics form,[2] the assessment of adult asthmatic patients' QOL domains. Reliability and validity of the questionnaire was determined through internal consistency through a pilot study, content validity of the questionnaire was determined through panel of experts. Data was collected by the investigator who interviewed those patients and filled out the constructed questionnaire forms. Data analysis by using [Percentage, Frequencies, Mean of scores] and inferential statistical analysis [Pearson correlation, T-Test, One way analysis of variance [ANOVA]]. The findings of the study indicated that the quality of life for patients had greatly effected during the items, respiratory system cardio vascular system as a part of physical domains, also psychology domains and social domains. The study recommended that the Jordan Ministry of Health would be helpful in providing, building or developing the places and centers of chest departments or it's hospitals that provide care, also an educational program to be developed, and implemented for adult asthmatic patients in order to increase their actual knowledge