SAGE Open Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Predictive value of isolated very low QRS voltage in tilt-table test for neurally mediated syncope.","authors":"Haichao Chen, Yiwei Cao, Lei Liang, Yan Gao, Jing Feng, Le Zhang, Lingxia Shi, Fengjun Chang, Gong Cheng, Haoyu Wu","doi":"10.1177/20503121241272661","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121241272661","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The cause of syncope is generally determined based on clinical manifestations. There has been little discussion about the value of electrocardiograms for diagnosing neurally mediated syncope. The aim of this study was to test the predictive value of the isolated very low QRS voltage in tilt-table testing for suspected neurally mediated syncope in a Chinese population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective study enrolled patients with suspected neurally mediated syncope. Tilt-table testing was a part of the diagnostic examination. Each patient underwent echocardiography and electrocardiogram. isolated very low QRS voltage referred to a voltage of ⩽0.3 mV for the QRS complex in an isolated frontal lead or ⩽0.7 mV for the QRS complex in an isolated precordial lead.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 157 patients were included in the tilt-table testing positive group, and 242 patients were included in the tilt-table testing negative group. Compared with the testing negative group, the testing positive group had more patients with isolated very low QRS voltage in the frontal leads (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Moreover, for patients with isolated very low QRS voltage in the precordial leads, no significant difference was noted between the testing positive group and testing negative group (<i>p</i> = 0.289). Isolated very low QRS voltage in the frontal leads demonstrated 84.08% sensitivity and 74.38% specificity for a positive tilt-table testing response. The area under the curve of isolated very low QRS voltage for a positive tilt-table testing response in frontal leads was 0.806 (<i>p</i> < 0.0001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In patients with suspected neurally mediated syncope, isolated very low QRS voltage in the frontal leads is a parameter that can predict a positive tilt-table testing response. The presence of isolated very low QRS voltage in frontal leads can serve as a parameter for evaluating syncope patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":21398,"journal":{"name":"SAGE Open Medicine","volume":"12 ","pages":"20503121241272661"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11350532/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142111517","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"3D-QSAR, ADMET, and molecular docking studies of aztreonam analogs as <i>E. colis</i> inhibitors.","authors":"Melese Legesse Mitku, Wudneh Simegn, Gashaw Sisay Chanie, Abdulwase Mohammed Seid, Alemante Tafese Beyna, Assefa Kebad Mengesha, Mihret Melese, Dereje Esubalew, Yibeltal Yismaw Gela, Wondim Ayenew, Liknaw Workie Limenh","doi":"10.1177/20503121241271810","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121241271810","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The development of multidrug resistant strains of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> has become a global problem; therefore, the discovery of new antibacterial agents is the only available solution.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To improve and propose new compounds with antibacterial activity, the three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship and molecular docking studies were carried out on Aztreonam analogs as <i>E. coli</i> inhibitors in DNA gyrase B.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This study's 3D-Quantitative structure-activity relationship model was created using on the Comparative Molecular Field Analysis and the Comparative Molecular Similarity Indices Analysis. Using the Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (<i>Q</i> ² = 0.73; <i>R</i> ² = 0.82), excellent predictability was achieved, and the best Comparative Molecular Similarity Indices Analysis model (<i>Q</i> ² = 0.88; <i>R</i> ² = 0.9). The generated model's ability to predict outcomes was assessed through external validation using a test set compound and an applicability domain technique. In this study, the steric, electrostatic, and hydrogen bond acceptor fields played a key role in antibacterial activity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results of the molecular docking revealed that the newly generated compound A6 has the highest binding affinity with DNA gyrase B. It forms 10 hydrogen bonds with amino acid residues of Asn104, Asn274, Asn132, Ser70, Ser237, Thr105, Glu273, and 2 salt bridges with amino acid residues of Ser70 and Glu273 and one pi-pi interacting with Gys271 amino acid residue in the binding site of 5G1, and this result was validated by a new assessment method. We created some novel, highly effective DNA gyrase B inhibitors based on the earlier findings, and the most accurate model predicted their inhibitory actions. The ADMET characteristics and pharmacological similarity of these novel inhibitors were also examined.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings would be very beneficial in guiding the optimization process for the identification of novel drugs that can address the issue of multiple drug resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":21398,"journal":{"name":"SAGE Open Medicine","volume":"12 ","pages":"20503121241271810"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11350533/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142111492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors associated with antibiotic resistance and survival analysis of severe pneumonia patients infected with <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>, <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i>, and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>: A retrospective cohort study in Jakarta, Indonesia.","authors":"Gurmeet Singh, Tonny Loho, Mira Yulianti, Dita Aditianingsih, Laila Fakhriyatuz Zakiyah, Sudirman Fakhruddin Masse, Muhammad Rizki Triono","doi":"10.1177/20503121241264097","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121241264097","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most significant challenges to global public health and the risk factors in severe pneumonia are constantly growing. Therefore, this study aimed to identify factors associated with antimicrobial resistance and conduct survival analysis of severe pneumonia patients with single and multiple pathogens in the National Referral Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective method was used, and secondary data were collected from severe pneumonia patients admitted to the intensive care unit at Cipto Mangunkusumo National Referral Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia, from January 2016 to December 2022. Respiratory specimens were collected through bronchial washing. Furthermore, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze factors associated with antimicrobial resistance. Kaplan‒Meier survival curves were generated with the log-rank test to compare 30-day mortality between patients infected with single, dual, and multiple pathogens.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results showed that a total of 333 patients from 415 enrolled were analyzed. <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> (35.4%), <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> (29.3<i>%</i>), and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> (15.4%) were the most frequently isolated Gram-negative pathogens. Factors associated with resistance to aminoglycoside, carbapenem, and quinolone were sepsis, cerebrovascular disease, and ventilator-associated pneumonia, as indicated by <i>p</i> < 0.05. In addition, the Kaplan-Meier curves showed that multiple pathogens influenced the survival rate of severe pneumonia patients (<i>p</i> < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Sepsis, cerebrovascular disease, and ventilator-associated pneumonia were associated with antimicrobial resistance in severe pneumonia patients. The survival rate of patients infected with multiple pathogens was low. This suggests the importance of further awareness regarding empirical antibiotic stewardship and mortality assessment in severe pneumonia patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":21398,"journal":{"name":"SAGE Open Medicine","volume":"12 ","pages":"20503121241264097"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11350540/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142111496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long-term results of nasolacrimal duct and inferior turbinate swing technique for inverted papilloma of the maxillary sinus.","authors":"Yuji Nakamaru, Masanobu Suzuki, Ken Shizuki, Aya Honma, Akira Nakazono, Shogo Kimura, Ryosuke Watanabe, Satoshi Kano, Nayuta Tsushima, Takayoshi Suzuki, Akihiro Homma","doi":"10.1177/20503121241271877","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20503121241271877","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>We developed a technique to preserve the entire nasolacrimal duct and inferior turbinate, by swinging the nasolacrimal duct upward and the inferior turbinate backward; that is, a nasolacrimal duct and inferior turbinate swing technique for sinonasal inverted papilloma of the maxillary sinus. In this study, we evaluated the long-term results of this technique.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective analysis was performed on the data for 53 consecutive pathologically confirmed inverted papilloma patients who were treated using nasolacrimal duct and inferior turbinate swing technique. The frequency of recurrence, the degree of nasolacrimal duct and inferior turbinate preservation, and the frequency of adverse events were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The median follow-up period was 51 months (mean 62.5 months; range 10-187 months). No cases of recurrence within the maxillary sinus were observed among the cases treated using this technique, whereas three (5.7%) of the 53 cases experienced recurrence in areas other than the maxillary sinus. We could preserve the nasolacrimal duct in all cases. On the other hand, the inferior turbinate was resected during surgery in one case. No epiphora, dacryocystiits, numbness of the cheek, or collapse of the ala of the nose was observed.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This nasolacrimal duct and inferior turbinate swing technique method is a safe and effective method for the excision of primary or recurrent inverted papilloma and demonstrates low rates of recurrence and complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":21398,"journal":{"name":"SAGE Open Medicine","volume":"12 ","pages":"20503121241271877"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11334243/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142009354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Treatment patterns and factors associated with discontinuation of monoclonal antibodies.","authors":"Muzoon Matar Saleh Alkaabi, Syed Arman Rabbani, Padma Gm Rao, Mai Ismail Mohamedelhassan","doi":"10.1177/20503121241271817","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20503121241271817","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Biological agents have revolutionized care in specialties such as oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, and genetic disorders, offering targeted actions on specific molecules or select immune cells. Monoclonal antibodies, known for their high specificity and precision, represent one of the most significant and rapidly expanding categories of these agents. Understanding the drug utilization patterns of monoclonal antibodies is crucial to ensure their optimal use, especially given their high cost and potential adverse effects.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in a secondary hospital in the United Arab Emirates. Patients of either gender receiving monoclonal antibodies at the study site were included. Treatment patterns, utilization, and factors associated with the discontinuation of monoclonal antibodies were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Hyperlipidemia (136, 39.1%) was the most common indication for monoclonal antibodies, followed by prophylaxis of respiratory syncytial virus infection in congenital heart disease (104, 29.9%) and osteoporosis (42, 12.1%). Evolocumab was the most commonly prescribed monoclonal antibody (135, 38.8%), followed by palivizumab (104, 29.9%), and dupilumab (38, 10.9%). The majority of monoclonal antibodies demonstrated a prescribed daily dose to defined daily dose ratio of 1.0, reflecting their appropriate utilization. One hundred twenty-nine patients (37.0%) discontinued their treatment during the study. Patient's level of education (OR: 0.416, 95% CI: 0.183-0.943, <i>p</i> = 0.036), BMI (OR: 2.358, 95% CI: 1.164-4.777, <i>p</i> = 0.017), number of concomitant medications (OR: 2.457, 95% CI: 1.202-5.025, <i>p</i> = 0.014), and treatment duration (OR: 9.180, 95% CI: 4.909-17.165, p < 0.001) were identified as predictors of discontinuation of monoclonal antibodies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study represents the first comprehensive investigation in the United Arab Emirates focused on treatment patterns, utilization, and discontinuation of monoclonal antibodies among the local population. Monoclonal antibodies were prescribed for the management of a wide range of clinical conditions. The study reports appropriate utilization of most monoclonal antibodies and identifies factors such as patient education level, BMI, concomitant medications, and treatment duration as independent predictors of monoclonal antibody treatment discontinuation.</p>","PeriodicalId":21398,"journal":{"name":"SAGE Open Medicine","volume":"12 ","pages":"20503121241271817"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11334246/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142009355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of the knowledge, attitude, and practice of childbearing mothers in the geographically coastal region of Bangladesh for cleanliness and food safety of food security.","authors":"Md Abdullah Al Mamun, Ruhina Binta A Ghani, Lincon Chandra Shill, Farjana Afroz, Akibul Islam Chowdhury, Fouzia Akter, Effat Ara Jahan, Md Masud Rana, Jianfeng Li","doi":"10.1177/20503121241264741","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20503121241264741","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Household hygiene and food safety are essential parts of food security; better food safety and hygiene will help reduce the chances of illness for young children and family members rarely studied in the selected area of coastal Bangladesh. The study aimed to discover the knowledge, attitude, and practice levels for cleanliness, hygiene, and food safety in the household.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, we employed a cross-sectional survey with simple random sampling to collect data from 384 childbearing mothers. The survey used the pretested, validated, and standardized (knowledge, attitude, and practice) questionnaire-model-based interview guide.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>According to our study analysis, the knowledge, attitude, and practice scores among mothers were inadequate for household cleanliness and hygiene management. In the area context, knowledge efficiency was related to family type (joint and nuclear). Family economic conditions strongly influenced mothers' attitudes and behavior toward knowledge, attitude, and practice score. Unemployed and illiterate mothers have lower knowledge, attitude, and practice scores. Educated mothers have better knowledge, attitude, and practice score compared to illiterate mothers (<i>p</i> < 0.014). Nuclear family knowledge, attitude, and practice attitude was much greater (<i>p</i> < 0.04) and wealthier families showed better practice (<i>p</i> < 0.001) toward cleanliness and food safety in the household level.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The study discovered the mothers' and household members' attention need to improve the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward proper hygiene and food safety at the household level of marginalized populations in coastal Bangladesh.</p>","PeriodicalId":21398,"journal":{"name":"SAGE Open Medicine","volume":"12 ","pages":"20503121241264741"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11331572/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142005165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of circulating microRNA-126-3p as a new biomarker for coronary artery calcification.","authors":"Xia Zhang, Mengmeng Zhu, Peng Zeng, Mingxiu Guan, Hongyu Zhang, Shaohua Duan, Heli Huang, Yulian Liu, Hongliang Cong, Yuanli Chen","doi":"10.1177/20503121241272646","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20503121241272646","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Several circulating microRNAs, including microRNA-126-3p, have been identified as diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of cardiovascular disease. However, whether microRNA-126-3p is an independent risk predictor for coronary artery calcification is unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this prospective single-center study, we collected blood samples from coronary artery atherosclerosis patients (<i>n</i> = 54), patients with coronary artery calcification (<i>n</i> = 33) and controls (<i>n</i> = 56). Total RNA was extracted from plasma and blood cells with TRIzol reagents. The microRNA-126-3p level was determined via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>MicroRNA-126-3p levels were significantly increased in patients with coronary artery calcification than in coronary artery atherosclerosis patients or controls. The highest expression of microRNA-126-3p was observed in patients with moderate calcification who were diagnosed with Grade 2 calcification by coronary angiography. Age, microRNA-126-3p expression in veins, hypertension and diabetes significantly influence the occurrence of coronary artery calcification, among which diabetes and venous microRNA-126-3p expression were found to be independent risk factors for coronary artery calcification.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Taken together, the data in this study suggest that circulating microRNA-126-3p may be a novel noninvasive biomarker for coronary artery calcification. Regulating microRNA-126-3p expression may be an effective and promising strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary artery calcification.</p>","PeriodicalId":21398,"journal":{"name":"SAGE Open Medicine","volume":"12 ","pages":"20503121241272646"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11331480/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142005167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring patient's perspective of barriers to diabetic medication adherence in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, using the social determinants of health model.","authors":"Amani Khardali, Alanood Aladwani, Fahad Alzahrani, Osama A Madkhali, Saad Al Qahtani, Marwa Qadri, Morghma Deffeallah Adawi, Mohammed Hakamy","doi":"10.1177/20503121241271820","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20503121241271820","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Type 2 diabetes mellitus is usually associated with long-term macrovascular and microvascular complications that negatively impact the patient's quality of life and add economic burden to the healthcare system. Understanding patients' perspectives on medication nonadherence is essential for planning the appropriate methods and strategies to improve medication adherence among patients with uncontrolled diabetes.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>Therefore, this study aims to explore patients' perceptions of the barriers to medication adherence through the Social Health determinants framework.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>After obtaining ethical approval, qualitative face-to-face interviews with a sample of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (uncontrolled diabetes) were conducted. Interviews were audio-recorded, and then the data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify essential themes related to the patient's views.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fifteen patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were interviewed. Potential barriers to antidiabetic medications were identified and categorized based on the Social Determinants of Health domains. The patient's health perceptions and behaviors were found to positively or negatively impact medication adherence. Beliefs toward antidiabetic medications, polypharmacy, medication-related problems, and the relationship between patients and their healthcare providers that related to healthcare access and quality domains were also reported as potential barriers to medications. Financial constraints, social stigma, and family support were other social health determinants factors that were found to have either positive or negative impacts on adherence. Nevertheless, using mobile health applications was suggested to facilitate medication adherence.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Social Determinants of Health, such as education about type 2 diabetes mellitus, quality and access to healthcare, and social stigma and support, might significantly affect medication adherence among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. This study's findings can aid the development of suitable patient-specific tools and strategies to enhance medication adherence.</p>","PeriodicalId":21398,"journal":{"name":"SAGE Open Medicine","volume":"12 ","pages":"20503121241271820"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11331575/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142005166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Obesity and its related factors among university medical students in Syria: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Ahmad Naeem, Yazen AlJaber, Ameer Kakaje, Amjad Ghareeb, Bayan Al Said","doi":"10.1177/20503121241267224","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20503121241267224","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Obesity is a worldwide pandemic that has many contributing factors. There is very scarce data available on this issue for the population in Syria. We aim to evaluate the body mass index and related obesity rates of medical students as they are the role model for the general population. We aim to explore the breadth of potential associated factors including psychological, physical activity, dietary, and a broad array of lifestyle and socio-demographic factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted at a major university in Damascus. Paper-based questionnaires were distributed that included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short version and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean body mass index was 23.5 (±4.2) kg/m² with 540 participants enrolled in this study. Males had significantly higher body mass index than females by 2.5 kg/m² (<i>p</i> < 0.001, χ² = 47.9, <i>V</i> = 0.3). In our sample, 304 (60.68%) had normal body mass index (18.5-24.99), 40 (7.98%) were considered underweight (body mass index ⩽ 18.5), 120 (23.95%) were considered overweight (body mass index = 25-29.99) and 37 (7.39%) were considered obese. While many factors were found to be significantly associated with body mass index and obesity, only physical activity, depression, having a first-degree family history with obesity and poor dietary habits were associated in regression analyses evaluating all predictors concurrently.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings reflect an ongoing epidemic of obesity. Our findings can guide targeted intervention for this young population who will become doctors and health role models in the future. More studies should be conducted to find the best possible ways to tackle this issue in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":21398,"journal":{"name":"SAGE Open Medicine","volume":"12 ","pages":"20503121241267224"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11331577/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142005168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pharmacy professionals' understanding, attitude and practice toward pharmaceutical care in Motta town, Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Mekdes Kiflu, Sintayehu Simie Tsega, Tilaye Arega Moges, Helen Abebaw Alem, Melese Getachew","doi":"10.1177/20503121241267239","DOIUrl":"10.1177/20503121241267239","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Although pharmaceutical care provision is the primary goal of the pharmacy profession, its actual implementation has been lacking in developing nations. Therefore, this study investigated pharmacy professional's understanding, attitudes, and practice toward pharmaceutical care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted from 30 July 2022 to 30 August 2022, at all community and hospital pharmacies in Motta town, Northwest Ethiopia. Data were gathered using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. A logistic regression model with a <i>p</i>-value of 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval was applied to identify factors associated with understanding, attitude, and practice.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>The study had a 97.7% response rate. Of the 130 participants, 71 (54.6%) were females. Slightly more than half (56.2%) of the participants were aware of the aim (56.2%) of pharmaceutical care and responsibilities (56.9%) of pharmacy professionals in the pharmaceutical care process. However, most participants lack awareness of the similarities and differences between clinical pharmacy and pharmaceutical care. Concerning their attitude, most participants (66.9%) believed that pharmaceutical care provision should be the primary responsibility of pharmacy professionals, and it will benefit patients (61.6%) and the healthcare system (60.8%). Pharmacy professionals frequently evaluate their patients and identify health or drug therapy-related problems and potentially available therapeutic alternatives. However, they rarely engaged in any health screening activities or provided feedback to the doctor on the patient's progress. Training status, sex, and years of practice/understanding were significantly related to pharmacy professionals' level of understanding, attitudes, and practice toward pharmaceutical care, as both years of practice and understanding are related to practice.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study revealed a deficit in pharmacy professionals' understanding, attitude, and practice toward pharmaceutical care in Motta town, Northwest Ethiopia. Policymakers, health authorities, and educational institutions should work together to develop strategies and instructional initiatives that optimize pharmaceutical care provision and thus achieve optimal patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs.</p>","PeriodicalId":21398,"journal":{"name":"SAGE Open Medicine","volume":"12 ","pages":"20503121241267239"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11331571/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142005169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}