ABSTRACT
Objectives: High school teachers in Kuwait are at a risk of developing low back pain [LBP] due to psychosocial and physical factors. The aim of this study was to determine LBP prevalence, and identify its associated factors
Design: A cross sectional study
Setting and Subjects: Three hundred and eighty one high school teachers from 12 randomly selected high schools were included in this study
Intervention: Self administered questionnaire
Main outcome: LBP prevalence and associated risk factors
Results: The life time and one-year prevalence of LBP among high school teachers were found to be 68.5% [95% confidence interval [CI]: 63.3 - 73.1%] and 63.5% [95% CI: 58.4 - 68.3%] respectively. Socio-demographic characteristics such as, gender, marital status, and number of children, were significantly associated with LBP. In addition, obesity, smoking, prolonged standing, carrying heavy weights and mental health score of 4 or more were significantly associated with LBP. The logistic regression analysis showed that marital status [adjusted odds ratio, OR = 3.228, p = 0.022], obesity [OR = 3.207, p = 0.014], being a former smoker [OR = 0.343, p = 0.02], prolonged sitting [OR = 1.981, p= 0.048], and carrying heavy weights [OR = 2.121, p = 0.031] were independently associated with LBP
Conclusion: The prevalence of LBP among high school teachers in Kuwait is higher than other populations. This study managed to identify a number of modifiable associated factors with LBP. Through modifying these factors, the level of disability due to LBP may be improved
ABSTRACT
To investigate the effect of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25[OH]D] in Kuwaiti patients with primary knee osteoarthritis [OA] and to assess its relation with radiological grading and functional status. In this cross-sectional study, 25[OH]D was measured using radioimmunoassay in 99 patients [90 women and 9 men; mean age 56.5 +/- 9.1 years [range: 36-80]] with clinical and radiological findings of primary knee OA. X-ray grading using the Kellgren-Lawrence grading scale and the Osteoarthritis Research Society International [OARSI] Atlas grading scale and functional assessments using Lequesne's indices were evaluated in relation to the 25[OH]D level. Other variables studied were age at onset of symptoms, body mass index and duration of disease. The age of the patients at the onset and the duration of disease were 51.58 +/- 7.14 and 3.88 +/- 2.51 years, respectively. Mean scoring for functional assessment was 10.31 +/- 4.35 and mean Kellgren-Lawrence radiological grading was 2.43 +/- 0.85. Radiological finding according to the OARSI Atlas revealed joint space narrowing of grades 2-3 in 87 [87.9%] patients and the presence of osteophytes in 55 [55.6%] patients. The mean value of 25[OH]D level was 11.4 +/- 6.07 ng/ml. Of the 99 patients, 92 [92.9%] were vitamin D deficient. Comparison of 25[OH]D levels to radiological findings and different functional classes showed no significant association. Most of our patients had vitamin D deficiency, but the level of 25[OH]D was not related to the severity of the knee X-ray grading or to the functional assessment in our patients with primary knee OA
ABSTRACT
The aim of this work was to study the jejunal and faecal flora in irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] patients with and without ileocecal vale incompetence to assess the qualitative and quantitative incidence of different bacterial species both aerobically and anaerobically. This study was carrid on 25 IBS patients with incompetent valve and another 25 patients with competent valve. Bacteriological examination of the jejunal aspirates and faecal samples of both groups, showed raised figures as regards all types and species of organisms studied. Irritable bowel syndrome patients with ileocecal valve incompetence showed higher significant bacteriological counts, especially in jejunal aspirates. The pattern of abnormal jejunal flora detected in patients with incompetent valve pointed to colonic origin. Therefore such IBS patients with ileocecal valve incompetence may get benefit from some bacteriostatic agents especially those affecting the anaerobes in a trial to correct the associated floral alterations and overgrowth together with motility modifying drugs as domperidone