{"title":"COVID-19 pandemic and medical resident education","authors":"E. Esteban-Zubero","doi":"10.53986/ibjm.2021.0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53986/ibjm.2021.0001","url":null,"abstract":"Article history: Received 21 January 2021 Received in revised form 26 January 2021 Accepted 27 January 2021","PeriodicalId":13190,"journal":{"name":"Iberoamerican Journal of Medicine","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89487285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Pseudo prune belly syndrome: a female case report","authors":"G. Oliván-Gonzalvo","doi":"10.53986/ibjm.2021.0015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53986/ibjm.2021.0015","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":13190,"journal":{"name":"Iberoamerican Journal of Medicine","volume":"113 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91106918","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"COVID-19: Potential role of prophylactic anticoagulation in preventing thrombotic events and mortality. Narrative review","authors":"M. Castro, G. Cuevas","doi":"10.53986/ibjm.2021.0021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53986/ibjm.2021.0021","url":null,"abstract":"The COVID-19 pandemic and the limited therapeutic arsenal available strain daily clinical practice. Guidelines have recently recommended routine anticoagulation of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. However, apart from the expert panels’ experience, the provenance of this recommendation is not clear, due to the scarce published evidence. We provide a narrative review with the objective of unraveling the rationale for this practice. First, we analyze the biochemical, histopathological and clinical evidence for a pro-thrombotic profile in COVID-19 patients. Then, we present the clinical data from previous studies and discuss to what extent they aid in clinical decision-making. We conclude that, in the absence of randomized controlled trials, which are of utmost importance, prophylactic-dose anticoagulation should be offered to critically ill patients hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia, particularly those with high d-dimer levels, since they are the population most likely to benefit from it.","PeriodicalId":13190,"journal":{"name":"Iberoamerican Journal of Medicine","volume":"116 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73010065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Inappropriate laboratory testing requests: perspectives of clinical laboratory professionals","authors":"S. Alasmari","doi":"10.53986/ibjm.2021.0039","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53986/ibjm.2021.0039","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Laboratory examinations constitute a major factor in achieving the correct clinical diagnosis for patients. However, the ordering of unnecessary or inappropriate laboratory testing remains common, with consequent consumption of laboratory resources whether human or material. The present work evaluated the level of satisfaction of laboratory practitioners toward the appropriateness of laboratory tests ordered by physicians. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved a total of 256 medical laboratory practitioners representing different qualifications and health care sectors, who answered several questions concerning their knowledge and attitudes toward inappropriate laboratory testing ordered by physicians. Results: More than 85% of respondents agreed with the definition provided in the survey, which is substantially consistent with prior studies. More than 90% affirmed the associated drain on time and resources. However, discrepant responses were received concerning physician awareness of test availability, and participants reported laboratory staff arguments with physicians due to orders for unnecessary tests. Data showed that unnecessary orders were mainly requested by physicians of less experience. Conclusions: Ultimately, dissatisfaction was manifest among clinical laboratory professionals, and educational interventions are required to moderate request behaviors.","PeriodicalId":13190,"journal":{"name":"Iberoamerican Journal of Medicine","volume":"74 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86274487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Retinitis pigmentosa associated with systemic light chain amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis)","authors":"S. Bouomrani, F. Saadaoui, N. Ayadi","doi":"10.53986/ibjm.2021.0026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53986/ibjm.2021.0026","url":null,"abstract":"Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or hereditary retinal dystrophy is a rare disease that can be isolated (non-syndromic RP) or associated with other systemic signs (syndromic RP). Kidney damage is exceptionally reported in patients with RP, particularly in syndromic forms. Association with renal amyloidosis remains unusual with only one reported case of RP and hereditary gelsolin amyloidosis due to a G654A gelsolin mutation defining the new syndrome of Ardalan-Shoja-Kiuru. Apart from this publication, no case associating RP and AL amyloidosis has been found. We report an original case of renal damage revealing kappa-type systemic light chains amyloidosis (AL amyloidosis) in 35-year-old man with sporadic RP. Our observation is, to our knowledge, the first to report this association.","PeriodicalId":13190,"journal":{"name":"Iberoamerican Journal of Medicine","volume":"62 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87060453","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Roba F. Sherif, N. M. Saeed, Gofran A. Sherif, Khiria S. Rabab, Fathi M. Sherif
{"title":"Prevalence of depression among Libyan medical students","authors":"Roba F. Sherif, N. M. Saeed, Gofran A. Sherif, Khiria S. Rabab, Fathi M. Sherif","doi":"10.53986/ibjm.2021.0032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53986/ibjm.2021.0032","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Psychological stress is a common psychiatric disorder in medical students and sometimes is associated with depression. Students at university usually met a great pressure that they face in their study life and to the hard circumstances in the everyday life. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of depression and stress among university medical students in Libya. Materials and methods: Data was collected by three different questionnaires: the first questionnaire is 6-ITEM Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale (KADS), the second questionnaire is Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) which are used to diagnose and to assess the severity of depression. The third questionnaire is a simplified self-scoring test for evaluating stress and tension levels. The three questionnaires have all been distributed to the medical sciences students at University of Tripoli in March and May, 2019. According to the registered students in the academic year, 2018/2019, the sample size was composed of 170 students. Results: The major finding of screening revealed that 45% of the total students suffering from depression during their study. This high prevalence composed of mild and moderate type of depression among the students (45% and 25%, respectively). On the other hand, about 40% and 50% of the students have identified as mild and moderate stress, respectively. About 10% of the students have detected as severe stress. Conclusions: This study indicates a high prevalence of mild and moderate depression among medical university students in Libya. Results suggest that university mental health services and programs addressing the students are highly recommended.","PeriodicalId":13190,"journal":{"name":"Iberoamerican Journal of Medicine","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73009673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Asma Elkammoshi, Abir Ben Ashur, Hamida El Magrahi, Aya Abdulatif, Malak Almarouq
{"title":"The role of bacterial colonization of ventilator circuit in development of ventilator associated pneumonia in ICU of Medical Center Hospital in Tripoli, Libya","authors":"Asma Elkammoshi, Abir Ben Ashur, Hamida El Magrahi, Aya Abdulatif, Malak Almarouq","doi":"10.53986/ibjm.2021.0019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53986/ibjm.2021.0019","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: In mechanically ventilated patients, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a major cause of prolonged hospitalization with increased morbidity and mortality. There is a lack of studies on the relationship between bacterial colonization of the ventilator circuit (VC) and VAP. This study aimed to investigate the role of bacterial colonization of VC in the development of VAP and identify antibiotic susceptibility trends for isolated strains. Methods: A prospective study of the bacterial culture has been performed between February 2021 to March 2021 on a total of 100 mechanically ventilated patients, (n =50) samples have been obtained from patient's lower respiratory tract (LRT) and (n =50) were taken from mechanical ventilator equipment VC. Paired samples of bacteria isolated from VC and LRT, where VC was colonized before LRT. Results: A total of 58 samples were cultured positively, while 42 specimens showed negative bacterial growth. However, there was no substantial difference in comparing between the bacterial colonization of the ventilator system and the patient samples. Most isolated organisms were gram-negative bacteria which were found in the ventilator circuit with 26 (68.4%), and 14 (70%) in patient’s LRT. Gram-positive was detected in 12 (31.6%) and 6 (30%) of the ventilator circuit, and patient's LRT, respectively. The predominant bacterial type was Acinetobacter baumannii organism at the VC with 10 (26.3%) and LRT at 4 (20%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (8 (21.1%) in VC and 4 (20%) in LRT). Moreover, A. baumannii showed a full resistance to amoxicillin and the first generation of cephalosporins, while the other bacterial types were resistant to the most antibiotics used in this research. Conclusions: Bacterial colonization of ventilator circuit VC is a significant cause of VAP development in mechanically ventilated patients. Preventive strategies for the early detection and decontamination of contaminated VC can play a crucial role in ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention.","PeriodicalId":13190,"journal":{"name":"Iberoamerican Journal of Medicine","volume":"233 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91298438","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Occult Thyroid Carcinoma: A Tertiary Hospital Experience in Ibadan, Nigeria","authors":"A. Afolabi, B. Alegbeleye, Naomi Olagunju","doi":"10.53986/ibjm.2021.0034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53986/ibjm.2021.0034","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: There is a dearth of knowledge on the proportion that occult thyroid carcinoma constitutes amongst patients with thyroid cancer in our practice. This study was therefore conducted to review the cases of occult thyroid carcinoma with a focus on the presentation, management, and the outcome of care in a low resource tertiary hospital setting. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study of 62 patients who were managed for thyroid cancer over a 15-year-period at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. The patients who had more than two follow-up visits to the Thyroid Clinic, over the preceding fifteen years were included in this study. The types of surgeries performed on the patients were noted. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. We also identified the various limitations that might have hindered the effective care of such patients. Results: Sixty-two consecutive patients, 12 male (19.4%) and 50 females (80.6%) with a median interquartile age range of 45 years, were diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The surgeries performed on the patients were total thyroidectomy, 48 (77.4%), completion-thyroidectomy, 14 (22.6%), near total thyroidectomy, etc. Occult thyroid cancer constituted 38 (61.3%) of the patients managed for thyroid cancer. The most common histology subtype was papillary carcinoma. We identified late presentation, inadequate oncologic surgery, financial constraint etc., as limitations of optimal care. Conclusions: In view of the proportion of occult thyroid cancer in this cohort of patients, the clinically benign goitres might contain carcinoma or micro-carcinoma. Therefore, an aggressive public health campaign to encourage early presentation of our patients and primary reduction through total thyroidectomy is recommended to improve the outcome of care.","PeriodicalId":13190,"journal":{"name":"Iberoamerican Journal of Medicine","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88535550","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Change Management in Medical Institutions: Implementation View","authors":"Said Said Elshama","doi":"10.53986/ibjm.2021.0024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53986/ibjm.2021.0024","url":null,"abstract":"Change is a learning process modeling the attitudes and values of the involved staff to adapt and show the change in daily work life. Leading the change in medical schools or in the health care system is considered one of the assignments of successful leadership that can achieve an effective organizational change under complex conditions. This review aims to show an implementation view about how to manage the change in medical institutions and how to overcome obstacles, and how to face the challenges. The resistance to change represents a major obstacle to the change process in any medical school or health care system. Thus, it should address this resistance by creating a suitable climate for carrying out the change based on a flexible strategy that may be translated into practical steps during the implementation. Moreover, the change should be institutionalized wherein new behaviors are persisting and generalizing in the medical school or the health care system as a result of the change application. In addition, the successful management of change in any medical school or system requires a well-functioning and efficient management system for achieving the intended results. Therefore, many benefits may be gained as a result of the success of a change process in any organization wherein it improves the effectiveness and efficiency of organizational and staff performance besides creating an opportunity for getting the best practices.","PeriodicalId":13190,"journal":{"name":"Iberoamerican Journal of Medicine","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74179240","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Knowledge and attitudes of Saudi medical laboratory professionals concerning non-pathological factors influencing test results","authors":"Mohammed Makkawi","doi":"10.53986/ibjm.2021.0037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53986/ibjm.2021.0037","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Successful medical decisions are highly reliant on medical laboratory results; as such, laboratory results are essential to patient health management, and errors in those results may lead to serious complications and death. The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge of medical laboratory practitioners in Saudi Arabia regarding factors that may influence medical laboratory testing results and the correct actions for troubleshooting. Methods: A total of 256 practitioners participated, representing diverse qualifications and various healthcare sectors. The study utilized a pretested questionnaire comprised of three sections: socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, and attitudes. Results: The responses demonstrated participants to possess outstanding knowledge of factors that may affect laboratory test results, including biological and pathological factors, diet, and personal habits. Furthermore, participants demonstrated satisfactory attitudes toward such factors. Conclusions: Thus, this study reveals a magnificent image concerning Saudi practitioners’ knowledge and capacity for suitable actions given unexpected test results, and hence their ability to provide correct healthcare services. This constitutes an acceptable overview, particularly as a first pass; nonetheless, more studies on larger cohorts remain required.","PeriodicalId":13190,"journal":{"name":"Iberoamerican Journal of Medicine","volume":"3 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"73968377","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}