RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of craniofacial anomalies among Iraqi people and its association with other congenital malformations. METHODS: A hospital-based cohort study. It was conducted in Iraq, Fallujah city from Jan 2019-April 2019. The pediatric age group below 16 years attending the consultation clinic. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of craniofacial anomalies was 2%. There were 43 (54%) males and 37 (46%) females. A 55 cases (69%) out of total 80 cases have an association with other internal congenital malformations, and 25 cases (31%) have no association. Those associated internal malformations were categorized according to their types into congenital heart disease 33(60%), Renal diseases 9 (16%), CNS anomalies 8(15%), and GIT anomalies 5(9%). CONCLUSIONS: Craniofacial anomalies showed a relatively higher prevalence rate in comparison to other studies worldwide. It was found that the majority of craniofacial anomalies might be associated with other congenital systemic malformations. Furthermore, the necessary actions to identify the frequency and risk factors associated with craniofacial anomalies in the Iraqi population are emphasized to put a better strategy to establish future preventive programs and treatment.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Introduction Choosing a postgraduate career path is a significant and complex decision for medical students. It involves gaining knowledge about a wide array of specialties to gain a comprehensive understanding of the specialties. The current study explored Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, College of Medicine students' perceived knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward postgraduate training Methods This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey study conducted in April 2016 to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward postgraduate training among the students of Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, College of Medicine. Results Ninety-two students participated in the study. Of these, 74% were in the pre-clinical years (years 1, 2, and 3). The mean age of participants was 21. Students reported having a poor level of knowledge regarding the types of material covered in license exams (46.2% had responses classified under 'poor'). Forty-six percent of students had a positive view of whether problem-based learning (PBL) prepared students for clinical scenarios. Of the total respondents, 24% reported having chosen a specialty while 78% of the students reported participating in extracurricular activities. Negative responses progressively decreased with each academic year. Conclusion This study highlights the significant lack of knowledge of medical students about the covered types of material in Saudi medical licensing exams. Nevertheless, they have adequate levels of awareness and acknowledgment, improve themselves, and modify their own weaknesses. Moreover, medical students show a positive attitude towards PBL that gives the ability to connect and relate to undergraduate studies and apply it to clinical practice. The delay in perceiving their own interests leads to an inadequate shift of focus. However, more studies are mandatory to explore the reasons behind the medical students' lack of knowledge and the factors involved in choosing their specialties.

RESUMEN

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study. OBJECTIVES: To determine the cost of acute phase of injury (ASCI) among spinal cord-injured patients managed conservatively in Nigeria. SETTINGS: Gwagwalada, Abuja. METHODS: Over a 1-year period (1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009), the cost of ASCI of consecutive spinal cord-injured patients, gainfully employed preinjury, who paid the hospital bill directly from their purses and could estimate their daily income, and who were managed conservatively for 6 weeks before discharge to rehabilitation, was prospectively examined. RESULTS: A total of 34 cases of spinal cord-injured patients with a mean age of 35.4 ± 12.8 years were included in this study. The mean cost of ASCI over 6 weeks was $1598.29, an average of 6.4-232.8% of patients' annual income where >50% of the people live on less than a dollar a day. The mean cost of hospitalization was 14.9% of the total cost of ASCI in this study. It was significantly more expensive to treat tetraplegics compared with paraplegics. CONCLUSION: This study identified the cost of acute phase of spinal cord injury in Nigeria to assist clinicians in planning treatment that could reduce financial burden on the patients but optimize patients' care.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: Cervical carcinoma is an important women's health problem worldwide. The aim of this study is to evaluate the abnormal cytological entities detected by cervical Pap smear in Al-Baha region of KSA, to reclassify the cytological findings according to the recently recommended Bethesda system and to discuss the significance of Pap smear's screening programs. METHODS: A retrospective study was designed to review the Pap smears from the archives of the Department of Pathology, King Fahad Hospital, Al-Baha over the last 10 years starting from 1994 to 2003 with correlation to the Bethesda system. Cytopathological aspects of Pap smears were reviewed with age distribution. RESULTS: Of the 2100 cases reviewed there were 166 cases (7.9%) with epithelial abnormalities that included: atypical squamous cells of undeterminate significance (ASCUS) were seen in 58 cases (2.76%) with age peak incidence (API) between 30-39 years; atypical squamous epithelium, cannot exclude high squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) was seen in 4 cases (0.19%); low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) including human papillomavirus was seen in 27 cases (1.3%) with API between 50-59 years and HSIL was seen in 14 cases (0.66%) with API between 40-49 years. Squamous cell carcinoma was seen in 7 cases (0.33%) with API between 50-59 years. There were 54 cases (2.57%) of atypical endocervical cells and 2 cases (0.09%) of atypical endometrial cells. CONCLUSION: Atypical squamous cells of undeterminate significance, LSIL, HSIL, invasive cervical carcinoma and sexually related infectious diseases are less frequently encountered in Saudi women and occur at older age compared to the Western countries. Fewer women are screened for this disease in this region and health education is very important to encourage more Saudi female to have this important screening test particularly in this region of KSA.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: Skin cancer is a common malignant neoplasm in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and it is the most common malignant neoplasm in Al-Baha area. This study was performed to determine the pattern of skin cancers seen at King Fahad Hospital, Al-Baha, KSA. METHODS: Histologically diagnosed skin cancers, seen between 1990 and 2003, were reviewed and analyzed according to age, gender, race and site of distribution. RESULTS: Of a total of 193 patients, there were 79 (41%) cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), 56 (29%) cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 34 (18%) cases of Kaposi's sarcoma. Malignant melanomas represent 4.1% of the cases. The male to female ratio for all cancer was 1.6:1. The peak age distribution was in the 70-80-year group. The most common site involved in BCC was the head and neck (90%) and in Kaposi's sarcoma were the lower limbs (59%). Acral distribution of malignant melanoma was seen in 62% cases. CONCLUSION: The most common skin cancers seen are BCC and SCC followed by Kaposi's sarcoma. The site of distribution of BCC and SCC in our study is similar to studies in Caucasians. The site of distribution of BCC in sun exposed area supports the role of the ultraviolet light in the pathogenesis of such tumor. In contrast to the western countries, melanoma is a rare skin neoplasm in KSA.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The effect of peripheral electrical stimulation on tooth pain threshold and comfort of oral soft tissue was evaluated in 30 children, using a double-blind, crossover, study design. Tooth pain threshold was measured before and after 8 minutes of electrical or sham stimulation. Comfort of oral soft tissue during placement of a rubber dam clamp was evaluated 3 minutes after electrical or sham stimulation was begun. Comfort level was rated by each subject and by the investigator, using a visual analog scale (VAS). Heart rate was measured before and immediately following placement of the clamp. Electrical stimulation significantly increased tooth pain threshold and reduced the cardiovascular stress response without altering comfort levels during placement of the clamp. These findings suggest that peripheral electrical stimulation applied in a pediatric dental setting alters sensory aspects of pain but not affective aspects of comfort.

Asunto(s)