Risk factors for failure to seroconvert among adults vaccinated against hepatitis B

To explore the possible risk factors for failure to seroconvert after vaccination of healthy subjects against hepatitis B [HB]. This study comprised 381 healthy employees at the Armed Forces Hospitals [AFH] in the southern region, Khamis Mushayt [KM], Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and 302 healthy subjects attending the Roda Health Clinic in Abu Dhabi [AD], United Arab Emirates. A data collection sheet was designed by the researchers to include variables related to personal and vaccination characteristics. Data were obtained from medical records of the employees who were appointed at the AFH and attendants of the health clinic during 2006. Titers of hepatitis B surface antibody [HBsAb] >/= 10 IU/L were considered protective, while those <10 IU/L were considered non-protective. Seroconversion occurred in 89.5% of subjects in KM compared with 91.4% of subjects in AD. HBsAb seroconversion of participants from KM was significantly lower among subjects aged >40 years compared with those aged <40 years [86.4%, 92.9%, respectively, p=0.038]. Seroconversion was slightly lower among males [87.9%] than females [92.2%], slightly lower among non-Arabs [86%] than Arabs [91.8%], lower among diabetics [79.2%] than non-diabetics [90.2%] and those who had viral infections [85.2%] than those who did not have viral infections during their course of vaccination [89.8%]. HBsAb seroconversion was significantly higher among subjects whose received vaccines were less than two years old than participants whose received vaccines were more than two years old [91.8%, 82%, respectively, p=0.009]. In AD HBsAb seroconversion of participants was significantly lower among subjects aged >40 years compared with those aged <40 years [87.7%, 94.9%, respectively, p=0.026]. Seroconversion was significantly lower among males than females [88.4% and 95.4%, respectively, p=0.031], slightly lower among non-Arabs [89.8%] than Arabs [92.6%], significantly lower among diabetics [84.3%] than non-diabetics [92.8%] and among those who had viral infections [82.4%] than those who did not have viral infections during their course of vaccination [91.9%]. HBsAb seroconversion was slightly higher among subjects whose received vaccines were less than two years old than participants whose received vaccines were more than two years old [91.8% and 90.1%, respectively]. The main reason for failure to seroconvert after full course HB vaccination includes the use of vaccine lots that are more than two years old. Besides, old, male and diabetic subjects tend to have lower serconversion rates. Anti-HB vaccines should be properly stored till use. Further study is needed to decide if old [>40 years], male diabetic subjects may need more booster doses of anti-HB vaccination to achieve seroconversion

Patterns of coping among Egyptian rheumatoid arthritis patients

This study aimed to identify different stressors perceived by rheumatoid arthritis [RA] patients and to describe their strategies for coping. Study tools included a sociodemographic data questionnaire, related stressor checklist and the Jalowiec coping scale. The study concluded that psychiatrists can evaluate stressors and psychological precipitants, which will help patients to cope and adapt. Teaching of coping strategies will increase the patients' ability to handle the pain and enhance the psychological wellbeing

Epidemiology and risk factors of substance use disorders among universty students in Upper Egypt

This study aimed to identify the substances abused by university students in Upper Egypt, recognizing the risk factors for substance use among Upper Egyptian university students and exploring reasons for initiating the substance abuse. The study comprised 1780 students in three nonmedical faculties belonging to South Valley University [Arts, Education and Commerce]. The diagnosis of "substance use disorders" was based on the definition of DSM-IV. The study tools included a study questionnaire and the socioeconomic class assessment sheet. The study concluded that substance abuse is a serious problem affecting university students in Upper Egypt, especially males. Cannabis as well as sedatives/hypnotics/anxiolytics and opioids are the most frequently abused illicit substances. Smoking is a highly significant risk factor for illicit substance abuse. Mass media and friends constitute the main source for information about the psychoactive substances. The improper family integrity is a major factor leading to illicit substance abuse

Site of lesion in stroke and its relation to depression

A total of 174 patients [103 males and 71 females] suffering from acute stroke was recruited for this study. All patients were subjected to complete and thorough neurological history and examination on admission, mini-mental state examination [MMSE], CT scanning of the brain within 72 hours after the onset of stroke and Barthel daily living test to compare the physical disability before stroke with that at the time of neurological examination. Six months after the stroke, the patients underwent complete and thorough psychiatric evaluation according to DSM-IV, Barthel daily living test and Beck Depression Inventory. Sixty-two patients met the DSM-IV criteria for depressive disorder. Three significant correlates for post-stroke depression were identified; namely, female gender, severity of disability and volume of lesion. Left hemisphere lesions were significantly more associated with post-stroke depression than right hemisphere lesions. Within the left hemisphere, anterior lesions were significantly more associated with post-stroke depression than the posterior ones