Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal最新文献

{"title":"Characteristics and Effectiveness of Premarital Thalassaemia Educational Interventions Worldwide: <i>A scoping review</i>.","authors":"Maisarah N Anwar, Nik Nairan Abdullah, Dalila Roslan, Aimi N M Ruzlin","doi":"10.18295/2075-0528.2908","DOIUrl":"10.18295/2075-0528.2908","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Thalassaemia, a hereditary blood disorder, remains under-recognised due to limited awareness, particularly among young people. This scoping review aimed to evaluate the characteristics and effectiveness of premarital thalassaemia educational interventions globally. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, six databases were searched for English-language studies targeting adolescents and young adults. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria, and data were extracted using a standardised form adapted from the Joanna Briggs Institute, focusing on intervention characteristics, outcomes and key findings. Most studies involved school students and young adults from culturally diverse, resource-limited settings. The interventions-traditional, technology-based or culturally adapted-consistently improved knowledge (P <0.001). However, behavioural outcomes, such as increased uptake of screening, were inconsistent. While educational strategies enhanced knowledge effectively, socio-cultural barriers limited the translation into behavioural changes. These findings support the need for future interventions to integrate behavioural change theories, leverage digital tools and address cultural sensitivities to improve their overall impact.</p>","PeriodicalId":22083,"journal":{"name":"Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":"773-783"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12445309/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145114116","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":"The Effect of Maternal Diet on Neonatal Jaundice: A Case-Control Study.","authors":"Marzieh Mahdipoor, Alireza J Motlagh, Hamid S Baghbanan, Mahmood Bakhtiyari, Zohreh Khodaii, Sara E Saeieh","doi":"10.18295/2075-0528.2909","DOIUrl":"10.18295/2075-0528.2909","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aims to investigate the influence of dietary heat intensity in maternal diets on the incidence of neonatal jaundice. Specifically, we examine whether maternal consumption of \"dietary heat intensity\" foods affects neonatal bilirubin levels, while controlling for potential demographic and obstetric confounding factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective case-control study was conducted between October 2023 and September 2024. The study population consisted of mothers and their newborns attending healthcare centers in Alborz Province, Iran. Based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 152 newborns were enrolled, comprising 75 non-jaundiced and 77 jaundiced infants. Data were collected using an information-gathering form and a food frequency questionnaire. A total bilirubin level of ≥5 mg/dL was defined as the threshold for jaundice. The collected data were subsequently analyzed using SPSSv16 software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the two groups in several variables, including the number of pregnancies, delivery type, infant birth weight, gestational age, infant nutrition type, use of herbal medications in infants, and maternal age. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between neonatal bilirubin levels and maternal consumption of \"dietary heat intensity\" foods, particularly warm-classified carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study results demonstrated that increased maternal consumption of hot-nature foods was significantly correlated with elevated bilirubin levels, suggesting a potential influence of maternal diet on neonatal jaundice incidence.</p>","PeriodicalId":22083,"journal":{"name":"Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":"794-803"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12445302/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145114129","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":"Efficacy of Hormonal and Non-Hormonal Vaginal Gel Preparations on the Female Sexual Satisfaction Index in Postmenopausal Women with Sexual Dysfunction Syndrome: <i>A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis</i>.","authors":"Ahmed Soliman, Hanaa Alrashidi, Mohamed A Mohamed, Reem Ghorab, Nihal Al Riyami, Ahmed S A Ashour, Yasmine A Mohammed, Ahmed H Saad","doi":"10.18295/squmj.6.2024.00","DOIUrl":"10.18295/squmj.6.2024.00","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy of vaginal gel preparations versus placebo in postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction syndrome. Searches of electronic databases from inception to January 2023 identified 8 trials (N = 672) that reported the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and compared hormonal (oestrogen, oxytocin) and/or non-hormonal (chamomile, fennel) interventions against placebo. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess studies' quality. The vaginal gel group had a significantly higher total FSFI endpoint score (mean difference [MD] = 6.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.79-9.55; <i>P</i> < 0.001) than placebo. Non-hormonal gels exhibited a greater FSFI total score (MD = 6.73, 95% CI: 4.7-8.76; <i>P</i> < 0.001) than hormonal gels (MD = 2.75, 95% CI: 1.87-3.64; <i>P</i> < 0.001), positively impacting all FSFI domains. These findings indicate that chamomile and fennel vaginal gels may improve the overall FSFI 6 domains score, reflecting enhancements in postmenopausal women's sexual activity and satisfaction.</p>","PeriodicalId":22083,"journal":{"name":"Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":"17-28"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12244233/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144609576","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":"Artificial Intelligence Applications in Decision-Making for Disease Management: <i>A scoping review</i>.","authors":"Mohammadhiwa Abdekhoda, Fatemeh R Madiseh","doi":"10.18295/2075-0528.2855","DOIUrl":"10.18295/2075-0528.2855","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Artificial intelligence (AI) has several potential applications in medicine, creating opportunities for reliable and evidence-based decision-making in disease management. To explore the practical aspects of AI in decision-making, this scoping review was conducted to identify AI applications in disease management using the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Data collection involved searching relevant keywords in Web of Science and Scopus databases in May 2023. Eligibility criteria for study inclusion and exclusion were established, and the review process adhered to the PRISMA-ScR checklist. A total of 80 extracted sub-themes were identified and categorised into 6 main themes: data processing and management, characterisation and analysis, prediction and risk stratification, screening, prognosis and diagnosis. The application of AI can enhance the reliability and confidence in medical decision-making, thereby improving the accuracy and effectiveness of medical interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":22083,"journal":{"name":"Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":"441-449"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12244249/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144609594","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":"Prevalence of Urine Culture Contamination in a Primary Care Outpatient Setting in Muscat, Oman: <i>A retrospective cross-sectional study</i>.","authors":"Rahma Al Hadhrami, Asma A Al Salmani, Abeer Al Houdar, Janit Francinilla, Abeer Albalushi, Buthaina Al Maskari","doi":"10.18295/2075-0528.2853","DOIUrl":"10.18295/2075-0528.2853","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of urine culture contamination, determine related factors and identify the most prevalent uropathogens among samples collected from outpatients attending a primary healthcare setting in Muscat, Oman.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to July 2023 at the primary health clinic of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman. All urine cultures requested by physicians for ambulatory outpatients who attended the clinic during the study period were included. Collected urine samples underwent microbiological analysis, with positive cultures defined as significant growth of ≥10⁵ colony forming unit (CFU)/mL. Samples exhibiting 2 organisms growing at 10⁴ CFU/mL or 1 organism at 10⁴ CFU/mL and another at <10⁴ CFU/mL were considered potentially contaminated, as were samples showing the isolation of 3 or more organisms.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 775 urine cultures were analysed. Of these, 72.8% demonstrated no growth, 10.7% exhibited significant growth and 16.5% showed mixed growth, which may indicate possible contamination. Significant correlations were identified between positive culture growth and the patient's gender, symptoms and pregnancy status (<i>P</i> < 0.05 each). <i>Escherichia coli</i> (56.6%) and <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> (12.0%) were the most frequently identified bacteria in positive cultures. Antibiotics were prescribed for 17.8% of patients, primarily empirically (79.7%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study identified a significant rate of urine culture contamination among outpatients attending a primary care setting in Muscat. These findings underscore the importance of proper urine sample collection techniques and judicious antibiotic prescribing practices to optimise patient care, minimise unnecessary resource utilisation and reduce the likelihood of antimicrobial resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":22083,"journal":{"name":"Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":"430-438"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12244237/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144609633","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":"Unveiling Post-Pericardial Resection: <i>Magnificent Imaging of Extensive Residual Pericardial Calcification and Impressive Mitral Valve Thickening</i>.","authors":"Omar Al Taei, Abdullah Al Ismaili","doi":"10.18295/2075-0528.2836","DOIUrl":"10.18295/2075-0528.2836","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":22083,"journal":{"name":"Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":"303-308"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12240245/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144609646","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":"Unveiling the Marvels of 3D Echo: <i>Illuminating prosthetic mitral valve dehiscence through 3D transillumination</i>.","authors":"Sheeraz Ahmad, Muhammad A Sadiq, Jai Parkash, Ahmad Kamal, Abdullah Al Ismaili, Fahad Al Kindi","doi":"10.18295/squmj.10.2024.061","DOIUrl":"10.18295/squmj.10.2024.061","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":22083,"journal":{"name":"Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":"296-299"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12240236/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144609647","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":"Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Clinical Outcome of Candidaemia: <i>A decade-long experience at a university hospital in Oman</i>.","authors":"Tasneem Al Salmani, Asmaa S Mahdi, Abdullah Balkhair, Turkiya Al Siyabi, Hashim Ba Wazir","doi":"10.18295/2075-0528.2832","DOIUrl":"10.18295/2075-0528.2832","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to examine a decade-long epidemiology of candidaemia to explore the risk factors associated with it, and describe its clinical outcomes in hospitalised adult patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective observational study was conducted at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman. Adult patients with candidaemia hospitalised between January 2007 and December 2016 were included. The hospital infection control department surveillance registry on bloodstream infections (BSIs) was used to identify <i>Candida</i> BSIs. Patients' electronic medical records were searched for demographic characteristics, clinical risk factors and outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong><i>Candida albicans</i> was the most common <i>Candida</i> species among 152 patients with candidaemia comprising 25.0% of all <i>Candida</i> blood culture isolates. <i>Nakaseomyces glabrata</i>, <i>C. tropicalis</i> and <i>C. parapsilosis</i> were the most frequently isolated non-<i>albicans</i> species. Past antibiotics use, presence of central venous catheters, intensive care unit admission, diabetes mellitus, sickle cell disease and solid cancer were the most commonly identified underlying risk factors for candidaemia. A total of 30 days' all-cause mortality was 53.3% among all patients with candidaemia.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study found an increasing trend of non-<i>albicans Candida.</i> Diabetes was the most identified risk factor for candidaemia. A relatively low rate of initiation of empirical antifungal therapy in at-risk patients was found. Unacceptably high mortality rates and prolonged hospital stay of patients with candidaemia are a call for action.</p>","PeriodicalId":22083,"journal":{"name":"Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":"233-241"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12240031/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144609611","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":"Re: Meniscal Ossicle.","authors":"Vitorino Modesto Dos Santos, Andressa Plaça Tedeschi","doi":"10.18295/2075-0528.2882","DOIUrl":"10.18295/2075-0528.2882","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":22083,"journal":{"name":"Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":"598-599"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12293514/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144733312","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":"Effect of Ear Health, Care Practices, and Hearing Loss on Academic Performance among Male Adolescents in Residential Schools: <i>A cross-sectional study in Eastern India</i>.","authors":"Sumeet Angral, Bijit Biswas, Ksbs Krishna Sasanka, Gulistan Bano","doi":"10.18295/2075-0528.6872","DOIUrl":"10.18295/2075-0528.6872","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the association between ear health, ear care practices, and academic performance among male adolescents in residential schools.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 684 male adolescents residing in residential schools in Deoghar, Jharkhand, India, during World Hearing Day 2023. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, ear care practices, and academic performance. Comprehensive ear examinations and pure tone audiometry were performed to assess ear morbidity and hearing thresholds.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Ear morbidity was identified in 43% of participants, with bilateral involvement in 85% of these cases. Ear-related symptoms were reported by 26.3% of participants, including ear pain (46.1%) and hearing difficulty (37.2%). Chronic ear morbidity was present in 36.5% of the cohort. Hearing loss was detected in 5% of participants, with 4.6% experiencing mild and 0.4% moderate hearing loss; among these, 74.1% had bilateral involvement. Self-ear cleaning was commonly practiced (93%), predominantly using cotton buds (85.2%). Multivariate analysis showed that inserting substances into the ear (Spearman's rho [ρ] = -0.095; <i>P</i> = 0.014), exposure to loud firecrackers (ρ = -0.095; <i>P</i> = 0.014), being slapped hard (ρ = -0.102; <i>P</i> = 0.008), presence of chronic ear morbidity (ρ = -0.185; <i>P</i> <0.001), and hearing loss (ρ = -0.292; <i>P</i> <0.001) were significantly and negatively correlated with academic performance.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study reveals a high prevalence of ear morbidities, which were associated with lower academic performance among the study population. Regular screenings, educational interventions and timely healthcare are crucial to protect this vulnerable group.</p>","PeriodicalId":22083,"journal":{"name":"Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal","volume":"25 1","pages":"600-610"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12293490/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144733350","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}