ABSTRACT
Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and its late burden has mainly been attributable to developing countries. Lebanon is one of these countries where epidemiological studies on stroke burden are scarce but necessary. Thus, the present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of stroke survivors among Lebanese inhabitants. A cross-sectional survey was carried out using randomly selected landline phone numbers on all governorates to retrieve data on stroke survivors and their sociodemographic characteristics. Results were then standardized over the Lebanese and the World Health Organization [WHO] world populations. A total of 6963 Lebanese inhabitants were included in the study; among these were 56 stroke survivors. This led to an adjusted stroke prevalence of 0.50% [95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.33-0.66%] and a world-standardized prevalence of 0.60% [95% CI = 0.42-0.78%]. A significantly higher stroke prevalence was found among older age groups and more socioeconomically privileged areas. Overall, the study showed a relatively higher prevalence of stroke in this sample of Lebanese inhabitants when compared to other developing countries. However, larger community-based studies with a clinical assessment of stroke cases are needed to confirm our findings
ABSTRACT
Indiscriminate use of antibiotics contributes to a global spread of antimicrobial resistance. Previous studies showed an excessive consumption of antibiotics purchased without medical prescription from community pharmacies, mainly in developing countries. There is a shortage of studies revealing the role of community pharmacists in the overuse of antibiotics. Our objective is to study the dispensing policy of non-medical prescription antibiotics in community pharmacies, assessing the possible influence of the socio-economic level of the area over this practice. A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and May 2011 among 100 pharmacists working in Beirut's pharmacies and its suburbs. Pharmacies were divided into 2 groups according to the socio-economic level of the population living in the pharmacy area. A self-administered questionnaire was filled by pharmacists. Over-the-counter antibiotic availability existed in both higher and lower socio-economic areas: on the whole, 32% of antibiotics were dispensed without medical prescription, with higher frequency in lower socio-economic areas [p = 0.003]. Dispensing injectable antibiotics without medical prescription was significantly higher in lower socio-economic areas [p = 0.021], as well as dispensing an association of 2 antibiotics without medical prescription [p = 0.001]. Pharmacists working in lower socio-economic areas recommended more frequent antibiotics to children and the elderly [p < 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively]. Dispensing antibiotics without medical prescription in Beirut community pharmacies is a common practice, particularly in lower socioeconomic areas. This public health problem should be addressed at the social, educational, and legislative levels
ABSTRACT
Diabetes and diabetic retinopathy [DR] are nowadays a major public health threat. The aim of this study is the screening of DR and diabetic maculopathy [DM] in a primary medical care center in Lebanon. We study also the interest of retinography and of SD-OCT in a tele-medicine screening program. This is a transversal study of patients with type 2 diabetes and with a regular follow-up in a primary medical care center in Beirut. For every patient, a retinography and an SD-OCT of the macula were obtained. Photos were sent by Internet to the Ophthalmology Department of Hotel-Dieu de France to be evaluated by a retina specialist. Visual acuity and DR risk factors were assessed. 119 patients were included in this study. Mean age was 51.7 +/- 10.2 years [54 females and 65 males]. Mean diabetes duration was 12.15 years [SD 6.2]. Mean of last three measurements of glycated hemoglobin was 8.1 +/- 1.34%. Diabetic retinopathy was detected in 36 patients by retinography [30.3%]. Diabetic maculopathy was confirmed by SD-OCT in 13 patients. Visual acuity was significantly correlated with central macular thickness. Mean diabetes duration, mean of last three measurements of glycated hemoglobin, peripheral neuropathy, positive macroalbuminuria and treatment with insulin were independently associated to diabetic retinopathy. Teleophthalmology is an efficient way for screening diabetic retinopathy in the Lebanese population. National screening program should be undertaken to adapt teleophthalmology on a larger scale
ABSTRACT
Malnutrition represents an important issue in older adults; unfortunately, there is lack of data concerning this topic in Lebanon. This paper aims to provide a description of nutri-tional status and its correlates in older adults living in long stay institutions situated in Beirut. This cross-sectional study was conducted in three long stay institutions in Beirut in 2012. The study population was composed of people aged 65 years and above, having a score of Folstein Mini Mental State Examination [MMSE] greater than 14 and without renal failure requiring dialysis. Subjects meeting inclusion criteria filled out a questionnaire consisting of nutri-tional status scale [Mini Nutritional Assessment: MNA] and several other parts [demographic, self-assessment of the state health, smoking and alcohol, physical dependence, quality of life, frailty, depression, social isolation and loneliness]. Data were entered and analyzed using the statistical software SPSS [Statistical Package for Social Sciences], version 17.0 [Chicago, IL, USA]. Among 111 older adults [55 men and 56 women], 14 [12.6%] were malnourished, 54 [48.7%] were at risk of malnutrition and 43 [38.7%] had an adequate nutritional status. Multivari-ate analysis showed that physical exercise, depression, frailty and cognitive function were inde-pendent correlates of nutritional status of older adults. This model explained 42.2% [adjusted R2=0.422] of the older adults nutritional status variability. We found a moderate percentage of malnutrition in older adults living in long stay institutions situated in Beirut, and the correlates of malnutrition in older adults were low physical exercise, depression, frailty and low cognitive function.
ABSTRACT
Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancers. However, there are no epidemiological studies concerning lung cancer and its risk factors in Lebanon. This study was carried out to determine the association between lung cancer and its most common risk factors in a sample of the Lebanese population. A hospital-based case - control study was conducted. Patients were recruited in a tertiary health care center. A questionnaire in Arabic was designed to assess the possible risk factors for lung cancer. For females, cigarette smoking [ORa = 9.76] and using fuel for heating [ORa = 9.12] were found to be the main risk factors for lung cancer; for males, cigarette smoking [ORa = 156.98], living near an electricity generator [ORa = 13.26], consuming low quantities of fruits and vegetables [ORa = 10.54] and a family history of cancer [ORa = 8.75] were associated with lung cancer. Waterpipe smoking was significantly correlated with lung cancer in the bivariate analysis. In this pilot study, it was found that in addition to smoking, outdoor and indoor pollution factors were potential risk factors of lung cancer. Additional studies would be necessary to confirm these findings