ABSTRACT
Key Clinical Message: Understanding the circumstances, leading to unmasking of hidden Brugada syndrome is essential for the practicing clinician and the patients so that they are informed adequately to seek prompt medical attention. Abstract: Brugada syndrome is a genetic arrhythmia syndrome characterized by a coved type of ST-segment elevation in the ECG. The patients are usually asymptomatic, with unmasking of the disease under certain conditions. We are reporting the case of a patient diagnosed with Brugada syndrome, which was unmasked during an attack of dengue fever.
ABSTRACT
Palestinian adolescent refugees are at increased risk for behaviors that can lead to poor health outcomes, such as high-risk substance use. This research focuses on the prevalence of substance use and its relationship with depression among adolescent male refugees in Palestine's North-West Bank. A cross-sectional study was conducted in five of seven refugee camps to gather data using a proportional stratified sampling technique. A structured questionnaire-based interview was conducted to gather sociodemographic data, self-reported substance use, and depression scale information. Additionally, urine screening tests were used to detect the presence of different drugs in participants' urine samples. The final sample size was 386 refugee males; 24.0% were workers, and 13.7% worked previously. For self-reported substance use, 26.9%;12.4%; 28.0%; 37.0%; and 60.4%, 2.6% of adolescents reported current users of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, waterpipe, coffee, energy drinks (ED), and alcohol, respectively. Moreover, 3.4% tested positive for at least one drug. The drugs that tested positive were as follows: PCP (5%), MDMA (1.8%), THC (1.6%), BZO (0.5%), and MET (0.5%). The adjusted logistic regression showed an increased risk of depression among workers (OR = 3.777; p-value = 0.008), cigarette smokers (OR = 2.948; p-value = 0.04), waterpipe smokers (OR = 4.458; p-value = 0.041), and coffee users (OR = 2.883, p-value = 0.046). In conclusion, Palestinian adolescent refugees are at increased risk for behaviors that can lead to poor health outcomes, such as high-risk substance use, including illicit drugs, alcohol use, tobacco smoking, and ED intake. The results of this study reveal alarming figures on drug use associated with depression in refugee camps which demand controlling interventions.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound psychological influence on everyone in society, and the impact it had on students, particularly medical students, cannot be underestimated. The main purpose of this study is to (1) determine the prevalence of mental disorders among medical students and their associated factors, and (2) examine the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy on mental health problems among medical students. METHODS: Between March and May 2021, we conducted a randomized controlled study on two phases among medical students at An-Najah National University. Data were collected using an online questionnaire and the Arabic version of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). We also used the MEDAS tool to assess their Mediterranean Diet (MD) adherence. In the second phase, sixty-six students were recruited and assigned randomly to control and intervention groups. Intervention impact was assessed using 12-item General Health Questionnaire at two-time points; baseline, and 8 weeks post-intervention. The interventional model used was cognitive behavioral therapy, and the control group received no treatment. RESULTS: A total of 329 students were included in the analysis of the first phase of the study. Approximately 28% of students had mental health problems. We found a significant relationship between good mental health status with a higher level of physical activity level, longer sleeping hours, and shorter entertainment time (p < 0.05). In the second phase of the study, a total of 91 students were included. Overall, using the CBT program showed a significant improvement in the outcome measures. At 8 weeks post-intervention, students had lower scores on total GHQ-12, depression, anxiety, and social dysfunction. CONCLUSION: These findings propose that adequate attention must be paid to the mental health of medical students and that CBT programs can be used for the management of mental health problems among medical students.
