Evaluation of risk factors in acute myocardial infarction patients admitted to the coronary care unit, Tripoli Medical Centre, Libya

The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the risk factors for acute myocardial infarction in patients attending Tripoli Medical Centre, Libya. Records were reviewed for 622 patients with a mean age of 58.3 [SD 12.9] years. Diabetes mellitus [48.2%], hypertension [35,7%] and smoking [50.6%] were among the risk factors reported. There were 110 patients [17.7%] who died during hospitaiization, mainly suffering cardiogenic shock [48.0%]. The rate of use of thrombolytic therapy was low in patients who were female [40.4% versus 58.4% for males], older age [31.6% for those > 85 years versus 63.3% for patients < 55 years], diabetics [45.3% versus 62.0% for non-diabetic patients] and hypertensives [47.3% versus 57.8% for non-hypertensive patients]. Prevention strategies should be implemented in order to improve the long-term prognosis and decrease overall morbidity and mortality from coronary artery disease in Libyan patients

Patterns of drug prescribing in a hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

To determine the pattern of drug prescription by consultants in a private hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 1190 prescriptions were collected from the hospital's pharmacy over 30 days. In total, 2659 drugs were prescribed. The mean number of drugs per encounter was 2.2. Only 4.4% of all drugs prescribed were generic. Polypharmacy was observed in only 7.5% of all encounters. Information about the prescribing physician and the patient was invariably deficient. Name of patient, age, and gender were absent in 2.9%, 9.7%, and 12% of prescriptions, respectively. In addition, none of the prescriptions mentioned address, diagnosis, or allergy of the patient. Name of physician, signature, speciality and license or registration number were omitted in 12.2%, 10.3%, 20.3%, and 54.9% of prescriptions. The most commonly prescribed therapeutic classes of drugs [and principal drug in each class] were as follows: 23.4% non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs, Diclofenac sodium being 51.6%], 21.4% antibiotics [amoxicillin-clavulanate 13.5%], and 11.5% gastrointestinal drugs [GI, Hyoscine-N-butylbromide 28.1%]. Other therapeutic classes included endocrine drugs [6.1%], vitamin supplements [5.9%], nasal decongestants [4%], antihistaminics [3.8%] and cardiovascular drugs [2.6%]. Antibiotic injections accounted for 7.4% of all antibiotics prescribed, which was equivalent to 1.6% of all prescriptions. Other agents prescribed in small proportions of encounters collectively amounted to 21.3%. This study reveals the prescription trends, and indicates possible areas of improvement in prescription practice

Cortical cholinergic mechanisms

In recent years there has been a growing interest in the role of cholinergic mechanisms in the regulation of nervous activity, action of drugs on the central nervous system and in several neurological and psychiatric disorders. Development of sophisticated techniques and usage of drugs as investigating tools have further enabled a detailed systematic study of the dynamic role of cholinergic mechanism in the brain. The review provides an overview of our current knowledge of the anatomy, physiology and pharmacology of the cholinergic mechanisms in the cerebral cortex