Satisfaction with life and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic: An Egyptian online cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel sickness that emerged worldwide as an unprecedented crisis and led to major effects on the daily life of the general public as well as negative impacts on their mental well-being. AIM: This study aimed to assess satisfaction with life and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt. SETTING: An online study was conducted in Egypt. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was fulfilled by 1056 Egyptian adults from 06 to 13 June 2020. Psychological distress and satisfaction with life were measured by Arabic validated versions of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). RESULTS: About half of the surveyed respondents (51%) were satisfied with their life, whilst 57.4% experienced severe psychological distress. The independent predictors of satisfaction with life are being married, satisfactory income, low distress, moderate distress and high distress (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.2, 3.0, 2.5, 6.9, 5.2 and 2.1, respectively). Being a female, having secondary education, secondary education, unsatisfactory income and presence of mental illness are the independent predictors of mental distress (AOR = 2.3, 3.9, 1.9, 1.9, 1.6 and 4.0, respectively). CONCLUSION: The study provides evidence about the high prevalence of psychological distress during the peak period of Egypt's COVID-19 pandemic. The study results highlight the enhancement of development interventions to promote psychological well-being and feeling of satisfaction with life during the pandemic.

Diacerein solid dispersion loaded tablets for minimization of drug adverse effects: statistical design, formulation, in vitro, and in vivo evaluation.

Diacerein is a BCS class II drug employed in osteoarthritis management. The acid/base hydrolysis of the unabsorbed diacerein in the colon is responsible for its laxative effect. Therefore, this work aimed to enhance the solubility, dissolution, and oral bioavailability of diacerein. Such enhancement means lower doses and fewer gastrointestinal adverse effects. A 41.31.21 full factorial design was adopted to prepare 24 solid dispersion formulae. Solid-state characterization showed the dissolution of diacerein crystals as metastable amorphous or microcrystalline forms in a matrix system that enhanced the drug dissolution. Desirability factor suggested compounding an optimized formula (F1) of Pluronic®F68 with 1:3 drug:carrier ratio using rotavap that showed higher drug solubility (187.61 µg/mL) than drug powder (22.5 µg/mL). It achieved higher dissolution efficiency (4.04-fold) and rate (6.6-fold) as well as 100% release in 2 min. F1 was compressed into tablets recording greater dissolution efficiency (1.24-fold) and rate (12.5-fold) than the marketed product. The prepared tablet accomplished a 2.66-fold enhancement in diacerein bioavailability compared to the marketed product. In conclusion, the formulation of diacerein as solid dispersion loaded tablets could be of added value for the treatment of osteoarthritis in terms of enhanced patient compliance. Solid dispersion is an easy and scalable technique.