Knowledge, beliefs and behaviours regarding the adverse effects of medicines in an Omani population cross-sectional survey

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, beliefs and behaviours of an Omani population with regards to the adverse effects of medicines. This cross-sectional survey was conducted between February and June 2012. A 17-item questionnaire was designed to assess three aspects: knowledge, beliefs and behaviours related to medicine safety. A total of 740 questionnaires were distributed in three representative governorates of Oman. Median total scores for the three sections were estimated. Associations with participants' demographic variables and medication histories were also assessed. A total of 618 participants completed the survey [response rate: 83.5%]. Many participants [46.4%] believed that side-effects occurred only with high doses of medication and over 30% believed that they did not occur at all with traditional and over-the-counter medicines. The median total score was 19 [interquartile range: 6] out of a maximum of 30. Inadequate knowledge, incorrect beliefs and good behaviours were observed among the participants. There was a significant association between certain demographic parameters [age, educational qualification, history of chronic use of medicines and employment status] and median total scores. Participants reported obtaining additional information on medication safety from various sources, with doctors as the most widely used source. Inadequate knowledge and incorrect beliefs among this Omani population indicate a need for interventions to improve public knowledge and address misconceptions regarding medication safety. These interventions could be initiated on both an individual and public scale, with patient interactions by healthcare professionals and mass education activities targeting the larger population

Adherence to medications among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in three districts of al dakhliyah governorate, oman a cross-sectional pilot study

This pilot study aimed to assess the medication adherence of type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] patients in three wilayats [districts] of the Al Dakhliyah governorate, Oman, and to identify the probable reasons for medication non-adherence. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based pilot survey was conducted among T2DM Omani patients between February and June 2012 to assess their medication adherence and the relationship between their socio-demographic characteristics and adherence levels. A total of 158 patients participated in the survey. The majority of the participants were unemployed or were housewives [66.5%]. Forgetfulness was the most frequent reason for medication non-adherence [36.4%]. Participants demonstrated an excellent level of adherence to their medicines [median total score = 3]. No significant difference in median total adherence scores was observed based on the evaluated parameters. The medication adherence of T2DM patients in the area under study was good. A larger study in a wider population is warranted to obtain a more representative picture of this important factor which contributes to public health

study assessing public knowledge, belief and behavior of antibiotic use in an Omani population

This study was aimed to assess public knowledge, belief and behavior towards antibiotics use in a general population in the Sultanate of Oman. A 12-item self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 850 prospective participants by researchers using quota sampling in two governorates of Oman. The data obtained were evaluated to assess the responses to individual questions related to knowledge, belief and behavior of antibiotic use. Median score of the respondents was correlated with participant demographics and status on use of antibiotics. A total of 718 completed questionnaires were obtained giving a response rate of 85%. The median total score of the participants was 16 [Interquartile range: 6] out of a possible maximum score of 24. A moderate knowledge and behavior score was observed, while the belief score of the participants was low. A significant difference was observed in the median total score based on age group, educational qualification and employment status. Antibiotics are frequently used by the public. An inappropriate belief on antibiotic related aspects was observed and inappropriate behavior was noticed, which are reflections of insufficient knowledge and wrong beliefs. Interventions must be put in place to educate the public on appropriate antibiotic use.

Statin associated hepatic adverse effects: a retrospective review from a regional hospital in sultanate of Oman

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, pattern and predisposing factors for hepatic adverse effects with statins in a regional hospital in Sultanate of Oman. A retrospective review of the patient files in Department of Medicine during the year 2011 was done to evaluate any hepatic dysfunction possibly related to statins among the patients. For each case of suspected statin induced hepatic effect, additional details on temporal relationship, pattern of presentation, management, final outcome and any contributing factors were obtained. Difference in the occurrence of hepatic effects based on the patient demographics and drug characteristics was additionally evaluated. A total of 927 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were included for the study. Mean age of the evaluated patients was 63.1 + 11.37 and median duration of use of statin in months was 22 [IQR, 43.25]. In 40 [4%] of the 927 patients, there was presence of a hepatic effect considered to be statin related and only in 12 [1%] patients a significant transaminase rise [>3 times] was observed. Median duration of use of statin among those patients who developed suspected statin induced hepatic effects and those who did not was 45 [IQR,52] and 21 [IQR, 43] months, respectively and the difference observed was statistically significant. A significant difference in the prevalence of hepatic effects was observed only based on the duration of statin use. There was an infrequent occurrence of significant hepatic effects associated with statins in the study population. Our results support the latest recommendations including from United States Federal Drug Administration [US PDA] that statins appear to be associated with a very low risk of serious liver injury and that routine periodic monitoring of transaminases does not appear to detect or prevent serious liver injury in association with statins use

Patient medication adherence: measures in daily practice

Adherence to therapies is a primary determinant of treatment success. Failure to adherence is a serious problem which not only affects the patient but also the health care system. Medication non adherence in patients leads to substantial worsening of disease, death and increased health care costs. A variety of factors are likely to affect adherence. Barriers to adherence could be addressed as patient, provider and health system factors, with interactions among them. Identifying specific barriers for each patient and adopting suitable techniques to overcome them will be necessary to improve medication adherence. Health care professionals such as physicians, pharmacists and nurses have significant role in their daily practice to improve patient medication adherence

Pattern of adverse drug reaction related queries received by the drug information centre of a tertiary care teaching hospital

Accurate information about safety of drugs is very essential for health care professionals in identifying, preventing and managing Adverse Drug Reactions [ADRs], thereby ensuring safe use of medications. The objective of the present study was to assess the pattern of drug information [DI] queries related to ADRs received by the Drug Information Center [DIC] of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Retrospective evaluation of the DI queries received in the DIC over a period of three and a half years [January 2002- July 2005] was done for various parameters such as purpose and type of query, characteristics of the drugs and reactions involved, and references used. Out of 2312 DI queries received, 600 [25.9%] were related to ADRs. Majority of the queries were from the department of medicine [80.5%] and was received during ward rounds [76%]. In most of the queries, the information was sought for better patient care [66.3%] and the enquirer wanted the information immediately [59.5%]. The category of ADR queries most commonly asked was regarding identification of an ADR [54.3%]. Considering the reaction characteristics, the organ system most commonly involved in the queries was nervous system [14.7%] and the reaction was fever and skin rash [14%]. Most of the queries were on uncommon reactions. Drug class most commonly involved in the queries were antibacterials for systemic use [18.6%] and the most frequently involved drug was phenytoin [35%]. MICROMEDEX system was used as the reference in answering most [57.1%] of the queries. Information on ADRs is among the most sought information on drugs by the health care professionals. Evaluation of pattern of these queries could reveal opportunities for educational and other interventions in promoting safer drug use in a health care setting. DICs could play a major role in promoting drug safety and it needs to be well equipped to respond to these needs

Tratamiento quirúrgico de la luxación recurrente de la articulación gleno-humeral, variedad anterior modificación de Torg a la técnica Helfet-Bristow May / Surgical treatment of recurrent dislocation of the shoulder the targ modification to the Helfet-Bristow may techniques

El El objetivo de este trabajo, es informar acerca de la experiencia adquirida en el manejo de la luxación recurrente gleno-humeral variedad anterior, tratada quirúrgicamente con la técnica de Bristow-May modificada por Torg, así como analizar los resultados funcionales obtenidos, en su estudio preliminar de 42 pacientes. El estudio se realizó en el servicio de hombro y miembro torácico del Hospital de Ortopedia Magdalena de las Salinas, del IMSS en un lapso de 12 meses. De estos pacientes, 37 correspondieron al sexo masculino y el resto al sexo femenino; la edad mínima de 17 y la máxima de 78 años, con una media de 27.9 años. Predominó el lado izquierdo con 19 casos, el derecho con 18 y fueron cinco casos bilateral. El promedio de luxaciones fué de 11.2, con mínimo de tres y máximo de 40. La ocupación predominó en el empleado con 18 casos, 15 obreros y el resto entre amas de casa, profesionistas y estudiantes. La técnica quirúrgica consiste en retraer distalmente el subescapular, revisar la articulación y hacer la transposición de la coracoides con sus inserciones de porción corta de biceps y coracobraquial hacia la parte que corresponde a un plano por debajo del ecuador y fijado con un tornillo 4.5 de 35 milímetros de longitud. Los resultados se consideraron satisfactorios en el 83% de los casos cuyos arcos de movilidad permanecieron prácticamente completos, sólo con la rotación externa limitada en menos de 20 grados por paciente. Esta técnica permite una rápida recupración y pronto regreso a sus labores, ya que se acorta el tiempo de inmovilización, dado que se respeta al músculo subescapular.