Prevalence of Using Aromatic and Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tract Diseases in Al-Taif City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background:In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of herbal drugs to treat Gastrointestinal Tract Diseases(GIT) diseases which widely spread in Saudi Arabia due to their efficacy and minimal side effect. Therefore, it is reasonable and timely to assess the validity of phytotherapeutics products as an adjuvant treatment for GIT problems.Objectives:The current study aims to estimate the frequency of using aromatic and medicinal plants and identify the commonly used plants in the treatment of some GIT diseases in Al-Taif city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia(KSA).Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out among 655 citizens and residents of people who live in Al-Taifcity from different age groups and educational levels. The data will be collected using the self-questionnaire paper and analyzed using SPSS software Results: The study included 655 participants, (48.7%) of them aged from 20-29, (54.6%) were female and (92.8%) were Saudi. Most of the participants (74.6%) used aromatic and medicinal plants. Plants were effective in treating gastrointestinal diseases (97.3%) of the participants by consulting their friends and family or through social media. Diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, nausea, abdominal bloating and irritable bowel syndrome were the most common gastrointestinal diseases among the population of Al-Taif city. Cinnamon, fennel, senna, and turmeric were the most used plants and had positive results in treatment and minor side effects.Conclusion:This study showed that the use of aromatic and medicinal plants in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases is widespread in Al-Taif city and had a positive effect on the treatment ofGIT diseases. The source of information is gained from friends, kindred and social media. Therefore, the media should have a great role in the interest and dissemination of correct and accurate information about medicinal plants

Prevalence of cervical cellular abnormalities by liquid based cytology in Taif province: a hospital based study

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the cervical cellular Abnormalities using liquid based thin-layer preparations as screening test for women who attended the gynaecology outpatient clinic at King Abdul Aziz Specialist Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia. In this retrospective chart review study, we reviewed the records and data of all women for whom liquid base cytological studies were performed as screening test to detect the cervical cellular abnormalities at King Abdul Aziz Specialist Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia from June 2010 to June 2012. The total number of women for whom liquid base, thin-layer cytological studies were performedwas 2168 patients 79.9% of them were symptomatic. The mean age was 38.6 years. Liquid based thin-layer preparations were used for all patients. Cervical abnormality was seen in 25.6% of the patients, of which 6.5% were malignant or premalignant and 19.1% were of benign nature. Liquid-based, thin-layer cytology reduces sampling and preparation errors of the conventional smear; however, screening should include human papilloma virus [HPV], DNA testing to increase the sensitivity and specificity of primary screening

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva - radiological findings: a case report

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva formerly known as Myositis ossificans progressiva is a rare hereditary mesodermal disorder. It is characterized by congenital skeletal anomalies and progressive ectopic bone formation in connective tissue, resulting in mature ossification within soft tissues and bridging between osseous structures. It is extremely rare and has an incidence of one in two million people. Usually, it has typical clinical and radiographic features. Here, we present a case of a young patient diagnosed to have an advanced fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. Plain radiographs provide characteristic findings, and radiologists may play a major role in diagnosing and preventing invasive procedures or further traumatic insults to the affected patient. Though rare, diagnosis of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva should be considered whenever characteristic radiographic features of multifocal heterotopic bone formation is seen along with the valgus deformities of the big toes. Being a rare condition, treatment guidelines are not clear and this condition needs further research

study of prescribing valsartan in out-patient clinics at the Royal hospital, Muscat, Oman

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers such as Valsartan, are a newer class of drugs associated with significant reductions in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. They are commonly used in hypertension, chronic heart failure, diabetes-related nephropathy and post-myocardial infarction in patients who are intolerant to Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors [ACEi], A review of medicines used in Royal Hospital [an Omani tertiary health care centre] during 2004 and 2005 showed that Valsartan was one of 20 most expensive drugs used The main objective of this study was to evaluate the pattern of prescribing valsartan in out-patient clinics. a retrospective study applying medicines use evaluation, to describe the pattern of prescribing Valsartan in comparison with international guidelines. The study carried out in the outpatient pharmacy setting, Royal Hospital from 15th May to 30th June 2006, It included 120 adult patients who had been prescribed Valsartan at the outpatient clinics during the study period, among the 120 patients only 109 patients were finally included in the study, Elevenpatients who had had duplicated prescriptionswere excluded from the study, 78% of the patients were on Valsartan for its FDA-approved indications while 22% of patients were for other non-approved indications. Half of the patients were initiated on an ACEi before shifting to Valsartan, The other half of the patients was started with Valsartan as a first line choice without any clinical justification, The study showed that half of the patients were initiated on Valsartan without being prescribed an ACEi prior to that, while the recommendation in most of the international guidelines based on indication stated that ARBs are used in patients who are intolerant to ACEi, The study emphasizes the need for further research to highlight the need for developing national guidelines and adhering to these guidelines for rational prescribing

Clinical audit of pharmaceutical care provided by a clinical pharmacist in cardiology and infectious disease in-patients at the Royal Hospital, Muscat/Oman

To characterize the pharmaceutical care provided by a clinical pharmacists working in a tertiary health care institute, where the extent to which the pharmacist contributes to changes in prescribing patterns use of medications, and patients knowledge was described. A retrospective single cohort study design was used. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of a documented pharmaceutical care plan was undertaken. Electronic pharmaceutical care descriptor [Microsoft Access database] was used for analysis. 167 patients [mean age of 53 yrs, 70% male] from a Medical Health Centre in a tertiary hospital where a clinical pharmacist had provided a medication review. The study patients were those who had either been admitted to cardiology or infectious disease wards. There were 291 pharmaceutical care issues [PCIs; mean per patient [2]] comprising of 67% [n=194] relating to treatment monitoring and 33% [n=97] relating to treatment changes, representing a total of 291 drug therapy problems [DTPs; mean per patient [2]]. The resolution rate of DTPs was 70%, where 61% of recommended changes and 75% of recommended monitoring were implemented. The clinical pharmacist successfully addressed most PCIs while attending ward rounds, reviewing in-patient prescriptions and counseling discharged patients. The electronic pharmaceutical care plan was very effective in recording the pharmacist's ward activities and the pharmaceutical care provided. However, further studies are required in order to explore long-term clinical pharmacists in-put using a well established electronic care plan; part of Al-Shifa computer system in Omani health centres