Prescription pattern of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in a family practice clinic at Jordan university hospital

To study the pattern of prescribing of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs [NSAIDs] in a family practice clinic at Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan. Review of files for prescribed drugs in the "Family Practice Clinic at Jordan University Hospital" during the period 28/03/2008- 18/07/2008. Files at the end of the clinic session were collected and reviewed for prescriptions. A total of 2027 patient files were reviewed, 343 [16.9%] of which contained NSAIDs. The number of drugs per prescription ranged from 1-12 [mean +/- SD, 3.1 +/- 1.9], with 67% of prescriptions containing 3 or less drugs. Proprietary drug names were used in 89.5% of prescriptions. Diclofenac was the most frequently prescribed NSAID [44.9%], followed by aspirin [30.3%] and proprionic acid derivative [15.2%]. One fourth [90] of the files containing NSAIDs prescriptions belonged to females in chilf-bearing age. In most cases, diclofenac and proprionic acid derivatives were prescribed for musculoskeletal disorders followed by infections, while aspirin was prescribed mostly for cardiovascular disorders. With some exceptions, the pattern of prescriptions of NSAIDs is fairly appropriate. Diclofenac was irrationally and overused as it was prescribed for infections, and inappropriately used in patients with bronchial asthma. These drugs were prescribed for women in child-bearing age. Proprietary drug names were used in the majority of prescriptions. The strength of medications, frequency of administration and duration of therapy were missing in some of the prescriptions. Continued medical education on rational prescribing seems necessary

Effects of pharmaceutical excipients on the in vitro release rate of sodium salicylate from oily vehicles

The work objective was to study the possible effects of different pharmaceutical excipients on the release of sodium salicylate from oily vehicles. Several formulations of Fractionated Coconut Oil [FCO] containing different pharmaceutical additives were prepared. The release rate behaviour of sodium salicylate from these oily formulations was investigated using a dialysis method. The time required for 30% and 50% of the salicylate to appear in solution outside the dialysis sac [t[30%] and t[50%]] respectively, were used as indices for estimating the release rate. The results of this study showed that the aluminium stearate retards the release rate of salicylate specially when its concentration is 1.5%w/v or more. Oily formulation containing 0.5% w/v aluminium stearate +0.7%w/v lecithin +0.35% w/v hydrogenated castor oil +20% w/v sucrose in FCO and oily formulation containing 0.5% w/v Cab-o-sil + 20%w/v sucrose in FCO delayed the release rate of the drug. However, the inclusion of sucrose in the formulations complicates the situation and enhances the release rate especially at the later stages. The enhancing effect of sucrose on the release rate is nullified by the inclusion of 1% w/v Cab-o-sil. Possible reasons for these effects are discussed with particular reference to the tendency forming globules of sucrose, due to the osmotic effect inside the dialysis sac. Oily formulations [0.5% w/v aluminium stearate + 0.7%w/v lecithin + 0.35% w/v hydrogenated castor oil + 20% w/v sucrose in FCO] and [0.5% w/v Cab-o-sil + 20%w/v sucrose in FCO] can be used as a depot preparations for chronic disease conditions. The enhancing effect of sucrose on the release rate of salicylate can be beneficial if acute response is required. Extrapolation of this study on tablets, capsules and i.m. injection formulations is suggested

Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy in Jordan

The study was performed in order to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy in various regions of Jordan. Materials and The sample consisted of 1030 pregnant women ranging in age from 16-40 years who were randomly selected from four geographic regions of the country. Blood samples were collected from each patient and a questionnaire was completed. Hemoglobin [Hb], total serum iron [TSI], total iron binding capacity [TIBC], and percentage of transferrin saturation were determined In addition, alkaline phosphatase activity [ALP] was measured in 100 anemic and 100 non-anemic women from the study group. The overall incidence of anemia was 56.7%. The mean concentrations of Hb, TSI, and TIBC in the samples were 9.8 +/- 1.4 g/dl, 23.3 +/- 12.5 micro g/dl, and 449.1 +/- 43.2 micro g/dl respectively. The prevalence of anemia was lower in subjects from the developed region [Amman] than in the other three regions In the Eastern region the prevalence was 68.3%; in the Western region the prevalence was 57.8%; and in the Southern regions the prevalence was 59.1%. Anemia was most prevalent in the youngest age group, in the third trimester of pregnancy, and in multiparous cases In addition, the anemic cases showed a higher activity of alkaline phosphates [168 +/- 8.8 u/L] than non-anemic cases [120.3 +/- 10.5 u/L] [P<0.01]. It appears that iron deficiency anemia is a serious problem in Jordanian women during pregnancy. An in depth investigation to clarify and remedy this problem is called for

Lynch syndrome: report of two families from Lebanon and clinical review

Lynch syndrome accounts for a significant proportion [5-10%] of all newly diagnosed cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma [CRC]. The recognition of the importance of this syndrome as a cause of CRC has led to an increased awareness and reporting of many families with cancer predisposition. We hereby report two families from Lebanon, who have all of the features necessary to classify them as Lynch families. The aim of this presentation is to draw the attention of physicians to the necessity of a detailed family history in all cases of carcinoma of the colon, specifically in young people

Meninas do porto: mitos e realidade da prostituição infanto-juvenil / Harbour girls: miths and reality of child and juvenile prostitution

Não é segredo para ninguém que a prostituição infanto-juvenil é um dos problemas mais graves deste nosso país. A cada dia centenas de meninas são lançadas às ruas em busca de alguma espécie de sobrevivência. O que as leva para as ruas? A que a nossa sociedade e os órgãos competentes podem fazer para evitar tamanha violência infanto-juvenil? Como encaminhar meninas que vivem essa realidade para que tenham acesso a um mundo melhor e mais saudável? Há anos trabalhando com meninas prostituídas e com o cenário da violência, as autoras trilham rumos para tentar responder a essas e tantas outras questões de um tema complexo. Mais que isso, polemizam esse assunto, o descaso e as contradições que essa sociedade como um todo impõe a essas meninas, e apontam uma conclusão quase estarrecedora: nossas meninas prostituídas não são fruto apenas da miséria econômica perpetuada nesse país, mas principalmente da violência, em todos os níveis, que sofrem dentro de suas famílias de origem. Sem suposições vagas e apoiadas em alarmantes dados reais, numa linguagem direta e simples, as autoras contam histórias verídicas de um mundo obscuro, repleto de violência familiar, de abuso sexual, e de tentativas das próprias autoras encaminharem muitas das vítimas para um convívio social singular. Elas, meninas e autoras, conviveram, sofreram, trabalharam e se surpreenderam juntas em vários momentos. Surpreenderam-se principalmente ao perceberem que - unidas - poderiam transformar sua condição de marginalizadas em pessoas investidas de plena cidadania

Protein C deficiency producing a Moyamoya-like intracranial arterial occlusion and resultant multiple cerebral infarctions

A 20-year-old female with protein C deficiency presented with a vaso-occlusive disorder, producing multiple cerebral infarcts and a clinical picture of pseudobulbar palsy with tetraparesis. Cerebral angiography showed a moyamoya-like appearance. Anticoagulation stabilized her condition with no further clinical deterioration

HTLV-1 myelopathy in Kuwait: a report of 2 patients and review of possible links

The clinical and radiological features of 2 patients with HTLV-1 myelopathy are presented. The mother of 1 patient is a carrier. This is the first report of HTLV-1 infection from Kuwait and Arabian Peninsula. Both patients were traced to Najaf, a town south of Bagdad in Iraq. Other Middle East cases were reviewed and suggest both a common source and a strong link to our cases

Sjogren Larsson Syndrome: clinical and neuroradiological findings in an institutionalized Bedouin patient

The clinical and radiological features of a 37-year-old institutionalized Bedouin patient with Sjogren-Larsson syndrome are reported. The neuroradiological findings are compared to previous reports

Phenotypic variability of Alstrom's Syndrome in Bedouin sibs

A Bedouin brother and sister diagnosed with Alstrom's syndrome phenotype [MIM 203800] are presented in this report. In addition to the classical criteria of the disease [obesity, diabetes mellitus, early loss of central vision, retinitis pigmentosa and sensorineural deafness], the elder sister showed recurrent attacks of focal dystonia mainly affecting the lower limbs. Variability of expression of the Alstrom syndrome gene in the diseased sibs is demonstrated by the presence of renal calculi and salt wasting nephropathy in her brother. The association between focal dystonia and Alstrom's syndrome has not been previously reported. Although it is tempting to speculate that the described dystonia was part of Alstrom's syndrome spectrum, a coincidental association cannot be eliminated