Knowledge and attitude of Lebanese women about cosmetics: a cross-sectional survey.

The Middle East and North Africa region, including Lebanon, is well known for its excessive cosmetics expenditure. While the use of beauty products is increasing, it is unclear if customers are aware of the products' safety and proper use. Objective: To explore Lebanese women's knowledge and attitudes toward cosmetics use. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2021 among a sample of adult Lebanese women. Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire divided into 3 sections (sociodemographic characteristics, cosmetics knowledge, and attitude) and shared via social media platforms. Knowledge and attitude scores were then calculated. Descriptive and regression analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. P value < .05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 1,051 females completed the survey, and the age range of the majority 744 (70.8%) was between 18 and 20 years. The mean score of participants' knowledge was 7.54 ± 2.7 (range 0-14) with 658 (62.6%) of the respondents being knowledgeable about cosmetics. The study sample exhibited an overall positive attitude toward cosmetics. A significant association was observed between the area of residency and monthly income of respondents and their knowledge toward cosmetic products (P < .001). Limitations: The self-administered questionnaire may have resulted in information bias and it targeted only those having internet access, and the age group 18 to 20 years was overrepresented. Conclusion: The study sample demonstrated a good level of knowledge as well as a positive attitude toward cosmetics. However, raising awareness on the acute and chronic side effects of cosmetics is warranted.

Adherence to international guidelines for the treatment of meningitis infections in Lebanon.

OBJECTIVES: To assess meningitis treatment in Lebanon's compatibility with the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines and the effect of non-compliance on mortality. Methods: This is a retrospective study, conducted in 5 Lebanese hospitals, and enrolling all patients diagnosed with meningitis who presented to the involved hospitals from January 2008 to December 2016.  Results: A total of 252 participants were enrolled in the study. Of these patients, 205 (82.7%) were diagnosed with viral meningitis and 47 (17.3%) with bacterial meningitis, which was confirmed using laboratory tests. For patients with viral meningitis, 128 (62.4%) remained on the initial prescribed antibiotics despite the negative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood culture results. For bacterial meningitis patients, 30.8% received treatment regimen incompatible with the IDSA guidelines. The most common reason for the treatment incompatibility was the definitive drug choice after the culture results (49.1%) and the least common reason was inappropriate hospital stay days (25.9%). The mortality rate was 13.5%. Having low proteins values in the CSF (odds ratio=0.095) was associated with lower mortality compared to patients with normal protein values. Conclusion: This study shows a high percentage of inappropriate treatment in Lebanese hospitals despite these hospitals having adopted international treatment guidelines. This inappropriate management was associated with an increasing rate of mortality and neurological complications.

The effect of pramipexole extended release on the levodopa equivalent daily dose in Lebanese Parkinson diseased patients

Objective: The objective of this study is to compute the potential benefit of Pramipexole ER on total levodopa equivalent dose (LED) and Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Score (UPDRS-III) compared to mono- or combined therapy of pramipexole IR and/or carbidopa/levodopa. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study conducted in a specialized PD (Parkinson Disease) and movement disease center in Lebanon between January and December 2017. Results: A total of 176 patient's record was reviewed. Pramipexole ER showed a significant difference on the mean changes in LED and UPDRS-III score. After 13 weeks of initiating Pramipexole ER, the mean decrease in LED was -49.42 mg for all patients (p < 0.001, CI 95% [35.28-63.55]) and the mean decrease in UPDRS-III score for all patients was -6 points (P< 0.001). According to the subgroup analysis, patients aged 65 years and below, the change in mean total LED from baseline ( 350.80 mg) was a decrease of 63.19 mg with a p<0.001, CI 95% [42.07-84.31]. In patients aged more than 65 years and shifted to mono or combined pramipexole ER therapy, the change in mean total LED from baseline (559.25 mg) was a decrease of 34.67 mg with a p<0.001 CI 95% [16.16-53.18]. In addition the results showed that in patients having an UPDRS-III score of less than or equal to 33, the change in mean total LED from baseline (436.73 mg) was a decrease of 56.76 mg (p<0.001; CI 95% [41.32-72.20]). However, in patients having an UPDRS-III score of more than 33 the change in mean total LED from baseline (545.06 mg) was a decrease of 2.96 mg with a p value < 0.844 CI 95% [27.32-33.15]. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the efficacy of Pramipexole ER on decreasing the total levodopa equivalent dose (LED).The role of health care professionals is to maintain the patient on the lowest effective levodopa equivalent daily dose and optimize the treatment therapy, thus decreasing the side effects that might arise from overdosing of antiparkinsonian drugs

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The importance of blood culture and serology for Brucellosis diagnosis and treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Brucellosis is a zoonotic endemic disease in Lebanon. It is caused by direct transmission of Brucella from contaminated animal products to humans. If left untreated brucellosis might lead to several complications and a chronic disease state. The prompt diagnosis of brucellosis has the ability to limit the progression of the disease, especially if the correct treatment is administered for the adequate amount of time. The aim of this study is to determine the optimal diagnostic tool and to assess Brucella burden in Lebanon. METHODOLOGY: This retrospective study was performed by reviewing the medical charts of 46 brucellosis patients from three Lebanese hospitals. Brucellosis diagnostic tests were compared and sensitivity of each test was calculated, as well as, the level of agreement with other standard diagnostic tools. Data retrieved were analyzed for relevance and statistical significance using the statistical package for social sciences version 23. RESULTS: Sensitivity results of the diagnostic tests were: Rose Bengal test (RBT) 94.7%, blood culture 65.6%, standard agglutination test (SAT) melitensis 95.1% and SAT abortus 97.6%. The level of agreement between RBT and SAT melitensis as well as abortus is 98% and 90.18%, respectively. While the level of agreement between Blood culture and SAT melitensis as well as abortus is 66.88% and 64.5%, respectively. DISCUSSION: Culture techniques require further optimization in order to find the best diagnostic tool for brucellosis. Meanwhile, Blood Rose Bengal test held a significant potential for identifying Brucella infection in a highly sensitive, cost effective and time saving manner.

The effect of pramipexole extended release on the levodopa equivalent daily dose in Lebanese Parkinson diseased patients.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to compute the potential benefit of Pramipexole ER on total levodopa equivalent dose (LED) and Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Score (UPDRS-III) compared to mono- or combined therapy of pramipexole IR and/or carbidopa/levodopa. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study conducted in a specialized PD (Parkinson Disease) and movement disease center in Lebanon between January and December 2017. RESULTS: A total of 176 patient's record was reviewed. Pramipexole ER showed a significant difference on the mean changes in LED and UPDRS-III score. After 13 weeks of initiating Pramipexole ER, the mean decrease in LED was -49.42 mg for all patients (p < 0.001, CI 95% [35.28-63.55]) and the mean decrease in UPDRS-III score for all patients was -6 points (P< 0.001).According to the subgroup analysis, patients aged 65 years and below, the change in mean total LED from baseline (350.80 mg) was a decrease of 63.19 mg with a p<0.001, CI 95% [42.07-84.31]. In patients aged more than 65 years and shifted to mono or combined pramipexole ER therapy, the change in mean total LED from baseline (559.25 mg) was a decrease of 34.67 mg with a p<0.001 CI 95% [16.16-53.18]. In addition the results showed that in patients having an UPDRS-III score of less than or equal to 33, the change in mean total LED from baseline (436.73 mg) was a decrease of 56.76 mg (p<0.001; CI 95% [41.32-72.20]). However, in patients having an UPDRS-III score of more than 33 the change in mean total LED from baseline (545.06 mg) was a decrease of 2.96 mg with a p value < 0.844 CI 95% [27.32-33.15]. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the efficacy of Pramipexole ER on decreasing the total levodopa equivalent dose (LED).The role of health care professionals is to maintain the patient on the lowest effective levodopa equivalent daily dose and optimize the treatment therapy, thus decreasing the side effects that might arise from overdosing of antiparkinsonian drugs.