ABSTRACT
Aims: In a longitudinal study, we aimed to assess the correlation between ultrasound transient elastography (TE), serum ferritin (SF), liver iron content (LIC) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2* along with the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score as a screening tool to detect significant liver fibrosis among chronically transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia (TDT) patients. Methods: The study was conducted at a tertiary health center treating TDT patients. Transient elastography was performed within 3 months of Liver MRI T2* examinations at the radiology department over a median of one-year duration. T-test for independent data or Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze group differences. Spearman correlation with linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between TE liver stiffness measurements, Liver MRI T2* values, and SF levels. Results: In this study on 91 patients, the median age (IQR) of the subjects was 33 (9) years, and the median (IQR) body mass index was 23.8 (6.1) kg/m2. Median (IQR) TE by fibroscan, MRI T2*(3T), Liver iron concentration (LIC) by MRI Liver T2*, and SF levels were 6.38 (2.6) kPa, 32.4 (18) milliseconds, 7(9) g/dry wt., and 1881 (2969) ng/mL, respectively. TE measurements correlated with LIC g/dry wt. (rS =0.39, p=0.0001) and with SF level (rS =0.43, P=0.001) but not with MRI T2* values (rS =-0.24; P=0.98). Conclusion: In TDT patients, liver stiffness measured as TE decreased significantly with improved iron overload measured as LIC by MRI and SF levels. However, there was no correlation of TE with the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score.
ABSTRACT
This study in Oman investigated knowledge about tuberculosis among 142 medics (medical students, paramedics) and 133 non-medics (arts and social science students). Knowledge was assessed using a validated questionnaire with 28 statements on general knowledge, risk factors and diagnosis of tuberculosis. As expected, tuberculosis knowledge was significantly higher among medics but there was no significant difference between men and women. Although medics had better knowledge in general, some of the technical statements were answered correctly by higher proportions of non-medics.
Subject(s)
Students, Health Occupations , Students, Medical , Students , Tuberculosis , Universities , Adolescent , Adult , Allied Health Personnel/education , Art , Attitude of Health Personnel/ethnology , Educational Measurement , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Services Needs and Demand , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Oman/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Social Sciences , Students/psychology , Students, Health Occupations/psychology , Students, Medical/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Tuberculosis/diagnosis , Tuberculosis/epidemiology , Tuberculosis/therapy , Tuberculosis/transmissionABSTRACT
This study in Oman investigated knowledge about tuberculosis among 142 medics [medical students, paramedics] and 133 non-medics [arts and social science students]. Knowledge was assessed using a validated questionnaire with 28 statements on general knowledge, risk factors and diagnosis of tuberculosis. As expected, tuberculosis knowledge was significantly higher among medics but there was no significant difference between men and women. Although medics had better knowledge in general, some of the technical statements were answered correctly by higher proportions of non-medics
Subject(s)
Knowledge , Risk Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Students , Health Personnel , TuberculosisABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of Vipassana meditation on the physical and psychological health in a multi-ethnic population in the city of Muscat. METHOD: The subjects were participants of a Vipassana meditation course taught in a ten-day residential retreat. Self-assessments of health-related parameters and physical and psychological symptomatology were collected from them before and immediately after the course. A control group was tested for a similar time interval. RESULTS: Immediately after their 10-day training, the Vipassana participants assessed themselves significantly higher compared to their levels prior to the course, suggesting that the 10 days' practice had significantly improved their physical and psychological well-being. The control group did not exhibit such changes. CONCLUSION: The present preliminary findings, juxtaposed with the results of studies from other parts of the world, suggest that the practice of Vipassana meditation may help mitigate psychological and psychosomatic distress.
