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Aims: To show the levels of awareness, attitude, practices and socioeconomic factors related to consuming herbal products among Alexandrian citizen visiting pharmacies. The findings of this study are meant also to show the practices and beliefs of healthcare providers regarding using herbal remedies in treatment, including advising patients, reporting adverse effects and possessing knowledge about specific herb-drug interactions. Study Design: people visiting pharmacies as well as pharmacists in their pharmacies and physicians in their clinics were invited to complete a questionnaire about their knowledge and personal experience in the consumption of herbal remedy. Anonymity was guaranteed. Questionnaire consists of three parts: demographic data, personal experience and a part concerning health care providers. Place and Duration of Study: Study area is the city of Alexandria, Egypt from the 1st July through September 2018. Methodology: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study that used a self-administered, questionnaire from 213 participants (153+ 60 health care providers HCPs). Results: Almost half the respondents preferred to be treated with herbs because they believed that herbs are safe. But they are not the proper choice to cure chronic diseases. Only 25% of herb users recorded suffering from side effects. The most common source of information about herbs was via internet, followed by family and friends, television and other types of media. Herbal remedies were purchased mainly from outlets other than pharmacies. The willingness to buy such products was not affected by participants’ education level or their monthly income. The public didn’t feel it’s important to mention any herbal remedy they consume to their physician; similarly HCPs did not ask them. Generally, it was shown that HCPs have inadequate knowledge about herbs. Conclusion: The prevalence of herb usage is moderate among the Alexandrian population. And it is imperative to educate HCPs about the benefits, risks and interactions of herbal supplements.
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Abstract Introduction: Early detection diabetic nephropathy (DN) is important. Whether serum uric acid (SUA) has a role in the development of DN is not known. Objective: To study the relationship between SUA and hypertension, early nephropathy and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: The total number of the study was 986 participants, according to presence and duration of diabetes were classified into three groups. Group I; including 250 healthy participants. Group II; including 352 with onset of diabetes < 5 years. Group III; including 384, with the onset of diabetes > 5 years. All participants were submitted to complete clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, laboratory investigations, including glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C), as well triglycerides to high-density lipoprotein ratios (TG/HDL-C), SUA, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results: SUA, BP, HbA1c, TG/HDL-C ratio, and ACR levels were significantly higher in group III than group I, II and in II than I. eGFR significantly lower in group III than group I, II and in II than I (p < 0.001). Age, BMI, BP, HbA1c, TG/HDL-C, ACR, were positively correlated with SUA, while GFR negatively correlated. SUA at level of > 6.1 mg/dl, > 6.2 mg/dl and > 6.5 mg/dl had a greater sensitivity and specificity for identifying hypertension, early nephropathy and decline eGFR respectively. Conclusion: Even high normal SUA level, was associated with the risk of hypertension, early nephropathy and decline of eGFR. Moreover SUA level may identify the onset of hypertension, early nephropathy and progression of CKD in T2DM.
Resumo Introdução: A detecção precoce da nefropatia diabética (ND) é importante. O ácido úrico sérico (AUS) tem um papel ainda desconhecido no desenvolvimento de ND. Objetivo: Estudar a relação entre AUS e hipertensão, nefropatia precoce e progressão da doença renal crônica (DRC) no diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2). Métodos: O estudo contou com 986 participantes, de acordo com a presença e a duração do diabetes, os pacientes foram classificados em três grupos. O Grupo I incluiu 250 participantes saudáveis. O Grupo II incluiu 352 pacientes com início de diabetes < 5 anos. O Grupo III incluiu 384 pacientes com o aparecimento de diabetes > 5 anos. Todos os participantes foram submetidos a exame clínico completo, medidas antropométricas, exames laboratoriais - incluindo hemoglobina glicosilada (HbA1C), bem como a razão entre triglicérides e lipoproteína de alta densidade (TG/HDL-C), AUS, razão creatinina/albumina (RCA) urinária, e taxa estimada de filtração glomerular (eTFG). Resultados: A razão AUS, PA, HbA1c, TG/HDL-C e RCA foi significativamente maior no grupo III do que no grupo I, II e em II do que I. A eTFG foi significativamente menor no grupo III do que nos grupos I, II e no II do que no I (p < 0,001). Idade, IMC, PA, HbA1c, razão TG/HDL-C, RCA, foram positivamente correlacionados com AUS, enquanto que a TFG esteve negativamente correlacionada. O AUS a níveis > 6,1 mg/dl, > 6,2 mg/dl e > 6,5 mg/dl apresentou maior sensibilidade e especificidade para identificar hipertensão, nefropatia precoce e declínio da eTFG, respectivamente. Conclusão: Mesmo elevados níveis de AUS, foi associado ao risco de hipertensão, nefropatia precoce e declínio da eTFG. Além disso, o nível de AUS pode identificar o início da hipertensão, nefropatia precoce e progressão da DRC em DM2.