Assessment of gender gap in surgical specialties among Lebanese medical personnel: the need for involvement of women in surgery.

Background: Little is known about gender disparity in the surgery specialty in Lebanon. Aims: To assess the status of female surgeons and possible gender gaps in surgery specialty in Lebanon. Methods: The study was conducted in May 2021. Data were retrieved from the Lebanese Order of Physicians website, indicating the number of physicians in the different specialties, their gender, hospitals, and locations. The c2 test of homogeneity was used to establish whether the gender distribution was equal. Results: Women only accounted for 21.84% (3,370) of physicians in Lebanon, with surgery having the lowest number of female physicians in (n = 65; 2.30%). Women accounted for 1.63% of all surgeons in Lebanese hospitals, there were more female plastic and reconstructive surgeons (n = 12; 7.14%), while neurosurgery, oncological surgery and vascular surgery had no females. There was no significant difference in gender between academic and non-academic institutions (χ2 = 2.164, P = 0.149), or between public and private hospitals (χ2 = 1.277, P = 0.234). Conclusion: The surgical specialty had the widest gender gap among all the medical fields in Lebanon. Therefore, the healthcare systems, including public and private hospitals, have a long and difficult road in narrowing the gender gap. Different strategies to incorporate women into surgery should be explored to assure equitable opportunities for all physicians, based on competency rather than gender.

Intraocular lens power calculation after excimer laser corneal refractive surgery: A retrospective study to compare the predictability and the efficacy of commonly used and modified formulas.

PURPOSE: Our article aims to assess the accuracy of modified and commonly used formulas of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation after excimer laser corneal refractive surgery. METHODS: This is a retrospective study, with data retrieved for 50 eyes of 32 patients who underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery after excimer laser corneal refractive surgery. The expected spherical equivalent was calculated using the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS) IOL power calculator for Shammas and Barrett True-K, using three-fourth generation formulas (Haigis-L, Barrett True-K no history, and Holladay 2), and using three-third generation formulas (SRKT, Holladay 1, and Hoffer Q) with single k, as a reference, and adjusting these formulas by calculating the keratometry readings by two methods (Jarade's index and formula). The mean refractive error and mean absolute refractive error (MARE) were calculated at the 1 postoperative month. RESULTS: When all data was available (eight eyes), 13 formulas were compared. Holladay 1 as modified by Jarade's index and formula, and Hoffer Q as modified by Jarade's formula resulted in MARE <0.75D (P < 0.05). In the group of 25 eyes with only ablation available, the formulas with MARE <0.75D were Haigis L, Barrett TK (from ASCRS), Hoffer Q, and the three conventional formulas in Jarade's index (P < 0.001). In the group of 17 eyes with no available prerefractive data, only Haigis-L and Barret TK (no history) had a MARE <0.75 D. CONCLUSION: The use of Hoffer Q or Holladay 1, when prerefractive data are available, gives reliable results with Jarade's index.

Psoriasis: A bibliometric analysis in the Arab World (2004-2019).

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a relatively common inflammatory skin disease with systemic implications. Psoriasis data seem to arise from a select number of countries, while other areas in the world with different genetics and ethnicities, especially Arab countries have a questionable input. AIM: This study aims to quantitatively assess Arab countries contributions in psoriasis research. METHODS: The number of publications related to psoriasis for each of the 22 Arab countries was found on PubMed for every year between 2004 and 2019, and then, the total for each country was normalised according to three parameters: average population, Gross Domestic Product and psoriasis disability-adjusted life years. In addition, the number of psoriasis articles was also retrieved for 2 other groups: South America and Far East Asia, for comparison. RESULTS: Only 1.53% of all psoriasis research published between 2004 and 2019 originates from Arab countries (vs. 2.06% from South American countries and 13.2% from Far East Asian countries), and psoriasis articles make up only 0.15% of the total publications from Arab countries (vs. 0.10% for both South American and Far East Asian countries). Egypt scored the highest number of psoriasis-related articles and accounted on its own for almost half the number of psoriasis publications (47.9%) from Arab countries. When normalised according to the 3 parameters, other Arab countries also rose to prominence; Kuwait had the highest number of publications per million persons, and Tunisia had the highest number of publications per GDP. However, Egypt ranked once again first as having the highest number of publications per 1% psoriasis-related DALY. Among the three parameters, the average population size proved to be the most strongly correlated with the number of psoriasis publications in a given country. CONCLUSION: There is an incontestable need for more research related to psoriasis in Arab countries as the numbers are still very low reflecting many difficulties standing In the way of research in general in the Arab world.