bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Helicobacter Pylori Gastritis in Qatar A Clinico-Histopathological Study
Authors: Latif A. , Azadeh B. 
Published: February 2016

The presence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) was studied histologically in 574patients who underwent Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy. The most common gastroscopic findings were gastritis in 300patients (52.2%) followed by normal gastroscopy in 119 patients (20.7%), duodenal ulcer in 67 patients (11.7%), gastric ulcer in 20 patients (3.5%), duodenitis in 59patients (10.3%) and other findings in nine patients (1.6%).Histological examination of all574patients showed that 442 (77%) with positive HP tests had different histological abnormalities. Negative tests for HP occurred in 132 patients (23%) of whom 51 (38.6%) had normal histology, 39 (29.6%) had active chronic gastritis and 42patients (31.8%) had inactive chronic gastritis.
Selective Arterial Embolization of the Vesical Arteries in the Management of Intractable Bladder Hemorrhage
Authors: Abu Qamar A. A. , Habboub H. , Zoubi M. A. 
Published: February 2016

Bleeding from a bladder tumor is a common presentation. Most bleeding can be managed conservatively but on certain occasions bleeding can be severe and hard to control. Sixteen patients who were presented with severe intractable bleeding secondary to bladder tumors and failed conservative management, underwent embolization of branches of the hypogastric arteries to control bleeding. Effective control of bleeding was achieved in 15 patients (94%).
In this review we present our experience in the management of intractable bleeding from bladder tumors by percutanous emobolization in respect of technical success, technique and complications
Evaluation of Loading Dose of IFN in HCV Patients: Prospective, Uncontrolled Study
Authors: Derbala M. , Al Kaabi S. , Al Marri A. , Yakoob R. , Al Dweik N. , Butt M. , Pasic F. 
Published: February 2016

Current treatment regimens with either long-term interferon (IFN) monotherapy or interferon-ribavirin combination achieve a sustained response of 6-21%. To improve the efficacy of IFN several strategies have been devised, including the use of higher doses of IFN, prolonged courses or pegylated IFN. Some recent reports have suggested that daily administration of IFN in the early phase of therapy (induction dose) may be more efficacious than the classic thrice-weekly regimen. There is no available data about the combination of induction dose regimen of IFN and ribavirin.
Our objective was to evaluate prospectively the efficacy and safety of a 5mu IFN induction dose in combination with ribavirin in HCV patients. End treatment response (ETR) was 36.7% of the 30 patients included in the study, while 81.1% ofresponders could remain viral negative for one year after discontinuation of treatment (sustained response). Though responders had higher pretreatment levels of viraemia and ALT, it was still without statistical signficance. Also, there was no statistical histological difference between both groups. There was a significant correlation between response rate and post induction viraemia level (p < 0.05) but no similar relation to post-induction ALT level. We conclude that induction dose regimen seems to have no effect on ETR but may improve sustained response. Also, post-induction viral load level is a good predictor for both ET and sustained responses.
The Clinical and Immunological Picture of Primary Sjogren's Syndrome in Qatar
Authors: Hammoudeh M. , Mahdi S. 
Published: February 2016

Background: Primary Sjogren's Syndrom(SS) is an autoimmune disease with diverse clinical presentation. This study was conducted to describe the clinical and immunological picture of SS in patients seen in the main hospital in Qatar.
Methods: We reviewed all the medical records of patients seen at Hamad medical corporation between 1997 and 2002 who met the classification criteria for primary SS. Eighteen patient met these criteria.
Results: Female to male ratio were 9:1. The average age at the time of diagnosis was 40.6 (range from 24-61) with a period of 2.3 years before the diagnosis was established. Dry eyes and/or dry mouth were the presenting symptoms in 66%. Parotid swelling alone or with other symptoms were the presenting symptoms in 17%..Renal tubular acidosis were seen in 17% and fatigue in 44%. Shirmer test was positive in 85% and lip biopsy in 80% of patients in whom the tests were done.Anti-SS-A/Ro were positive in 71% and Anti-SS-B/La were positive in 50%.
Conclusion: Our results are almost similar to other studies in the west.
How well do GP's and Hospital Consultants in Qatar Interacts? A Survey of the Professional Relationship
Authors: Mohammed H. , Al Lenjawi B. , Buabbas A. , Al Shaar I. , Ali J. , Al Kozaai D. , Khalil R. , Almasseh F. 
Published: February 2016

The study involved 196 participants, 83 (42.3%) of which were consultants and 113 (57.7%) were General Practitioners (GP's).
Background: The way that GP's and hospital consultants or specialists interact has important implications for any health care system in which a GP is the first contact health professional person for patients and the point of access to relatively scarce and expensive hospital services, for this reason, the relationship between the two main branches of the medical profession has received a considerable amount of interest.
Objectives: To test out some professional issues on a random sample of both parties to determine their ability to work together productively.
Methods: We conducted a lickert-style survey based upon statements made in qualitative questionnaire sent to GP's and specialists working at Hamad Medical Corporation and health centers in state of Qatar. The questionnaire was modified and validated during a multistage pilot and was distributed to a stratified random sample of 196 clinicians.
Results: GP's and consultants demonstrated a good level of agreement, mutual understanding and respect (Significant difference in opinion only in four statements out of 13).
Conclusion: The ability of GP's and specialists to work together has been tested out and confirmed with acceptable significance and it may be repeated to assess the relationship which is central to an efficient and effective operation of health care delivery.
Consanguinity and Associated Socio-Demographic Factors in Qatari Population
Authors: Al Ali K.A. 
Published: February 2016

A multi-stage sampling design was used between January and May 2004 to explore the association between sociodemographic factors and consanguineous marriages in the Qatari population using a sample of 1800 Qatari females aged 15 years and above. Data on 1515 (85.8%) Qatari national families who gave their consent for the study were obtained. The socio-demographic factors considered were: husband's age, her own age, husband's and own educational levels, husband's occupationher own occupation, housing conditions, husband's parental kinship, her own parental kinship and kinship between the spouses. The rate of consanguineous marriages in the sample was found to be 54% with 95% estimated population confidence limits 52.4% to 55.6%. Consanguinity was more common for women with educated husbands (secondary or university / high) and the frequency of consanguineous marriage significantly increased when the husband's educational level was higher (p = 0.003). The results of stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis for the occurrence of consanguineous marriages showed that the wife's education, the husband's education and parents’ consanguinity status were the only significant associated variables.
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Patients Attending West Bay Health Center Towards Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Authors: Bashwar Z. , Malik M. A. , Fawaz M. , Said H. 
Published: February 2016

Upper respiratory tract infections (URI) are very com-mon in general practice. Although viruses cause the ma-jority of URI, many patients expect antibiotic treatment. At one Primary Health Care Center in Qatar; during October - November 2004, eleven hundred and eleven adult patients completed a short questionnaire on demographics, knowl-edge, attitudes, practices towards URI, and patient satis-faction. Four hundred and forty eight (40.3%) recognized viruses as the most common cause of URI; seven hundred and eighty-eight (70.9%) chose consulting a physician as the first line of action when contracting URI; 721 (64.9%) stated that management should be based on physician's diagnosis while 28% expected antibiotics. A majority of participants acknowledged the importance of counseling in their satisfaction but 49.6% reported dissatisfaction if antibiotics were not prescribed and 31.6% reported seek-ing antibiotics when not prescribed. Participants expect-ing antibiotics differed significantly regarding knowledge of causes of URI (p = 0.004). There was no significant dif-ference regarding factors affecting satisfaction based on antibiotic expectation. Results highlight the need for public education and counseling on etiology, course, and management of URI by physicians.
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Patients Attending West Bay Health Center Towards Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Authors: Bashwar Z. , Malik M. A. , Fawaz M. , Said H. 
Published: February 2016

Upper respiratory tract infections (URI) are very com-mon in general practice. Although viruses cause the ma-jority of URI, many patients expect antibiotic treatment. At one Primary Health Care Center in Qatar; during October - November 2004, eleven hundred and eleven adult patients completed a short questionnaire on demographics, knowl-edge, attitudes, practices towards URI, and patient satis-faction. Four hundred and forty eight (40.3%) recognized viruses as the most common cause of URI; seven hundred and eighty-eight (70.9%) chose consulting a physician as the first line of action when contracting URI; 721 (64.9%) stated that management should be based on physician's diagnosis while 28% expected antibiotics. A majority of participants acknowledged the importance of counseling in their satisfaction but 49.6% reported dissatisfaction if antibiotics were not prescribed and 31.6% reported seek-ing antibiotics when not prescribed. Participants expect-ing antibiotics differed significantly regarding knowledge of causes of URI (p = 0.004). There was no significant dif-ference regarding factors affecting satisfaction based on antibiotic expectation.
Results highlight the need for public education and counseling on etiology, course, and management of URI by physicians.
Measurement of Adherence to Anti-Hypertensive Medication as Perceived by Doctors and Patients
Authors: Fahey M. , Abdulmajeed A. , Sabra K. 
Published: February 2016

Introduction: In the absence of objective evidence, doc-tors frequently overestimate the level of their patient's ad-herence to medication and there is no published work look-ing at what factors influence the doctor's perceptions of medication adherence by hypertensive patients. Therefore, the aim of this study to determine the doctor's perceptions of adherence to antihypertensive medication and to com-pare this with their perceptions of the clinical situation and with the patient's self -reported medication adherence.
Methods: An English self reporting measure (7-item questionnaire) was adapted and translated to Arabic and used to determine the adherence to hypertensive medica-tion. Also, a 10-item questionnaire was developed to elicit the doctor's perception of adherence (taking > 80% of doses) and the treatment and overall condition. This de-scriptive study was conducted in across 2 primary health centers in Abu-Dhabi, UAE.
Results: About 40 % of them were controlled regard-ing BP and 30% of hypertensive patients were diabetics. The doctors estimated adherence to be high (taking more than 80% of doses) in 143 (71%) of patients compared with 103(52%) patients who reported high adherence by using Morisky score where, there was a statistically significant relationship between them. Of the 143 subjects perceived by their doctors as having high adherence, only 64 (45%) succeeded to achieve the target blood pressure (p < 0.001) while 55 (52%) of the adherent patients from the self-reported point of view achieved their target BP (p < 0.001). The doctor evaluation was not as good as expected for treatment effectiveness and quality of communication (57% only were evaluated as good). Only the doctor's evaluation of the seriousness of the medical situation showed a sig-nificant correlation with the self-reported adherence and this was in the opposite direction (gamma = - 0.32, p < 0.05). 71% of the adherent patients perceived by doctors were estimated to have effective treatment (p < 0.0001) while 81% of patients achieved their target BP were estimated to have effective treatment by their doctors.
Conclusion: The practical assessment of adherence and drug management would have been greatly enhanced if the results of the Arabic/English self-reporting measure had been available to the doctors in the course of routine practice.
Evolution of Community Based Rehabilitation Concept in Qatar
Authors: Bobinac-Georgievski A. , Al Sulaiti E. , Zafa Z. , Farran C. , Travia A. 
Published: February 2016

A community based rehabilitation (CBR) project was initiated in Qatar on September 2001 and the CBR service was introduced at the beginning of2003. Until December 2004,189 patients with primary physical disabilities were included 49% Qatari and 51% non-Qatari nationals; 81% male, 19% female; 6% children; 94% adults, aged 37 ± 18 years. The main interventions were training for involve-ment in life situations, job site training and providing fam-ily counseling and support. Rehabilitation conferences were held for 132 individuals of whom 25% were with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), 23% with spinal cord injuries (SCI), 20% with stroke, 9% with cerebral palsy (CP), 4% with neu-romuscular dystrophy (NMD), and 19% with other physi-cal disabilities (amputee, trauma etc.). The project demonstrated that CBR could successfully evolve using available resources and that patients present-ing with favorable predictors for reintegration could ben-efit from CBR programs. It was found that health and com-munity participants involved in CBR activities were able to collaborate on common goals but there is room for im-provement in the services available for people with disabili-ties (PwD). Implementation of CBR is sustainable only if people from the community take a leading and active role and work together with the experts and with the disabled people themselves
Evaluation of the Demographics, Prevalence of Risk Factors and Treatment Strategies of Erectile Dysfunction in Qatar
Authors: Prasad K. V. , Al Ansari A. , Al Kadhi S. , El Malik E. F. 
Published: February 2016

Records of patients attending the Andrology Clinic, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar; over a period often years were analyzed to determine the demographic features, contributory risk factors, and best methods of treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). Of1,245patients with ages ranging from 19-78 years (mean 49 years) 45% were Qataris. Most complained of weak erections, a few reported ejaculatory dysfunction. Diabetes mellitus was the most frequent risk factor (53%) followed by hypertension (28%), smoking (27%) and coronary artery disease (14%). Oral Sildenafil given to 310 patients gave overall satisfaction to 75 (49%) of the 152 patients in whom satisfaction could be assessed; intracorporal injection given to 413 patients resulted in overall satisfaction to 107 (68%) of 157 in whom satisfaction could be assessed; penile prosthesis implantation in 64 patients remained an effective therapeutic modality with 31 (84%) of the 37 patients in whom satisfaction could be assessed being satisfied with the results.
Conclusion: Erectile dysfunction is as common in Qatar as it is in the rest of the world. The higher incidence of diabetes mellitus in the ED. population in the region forms the major risk factor and might reflect the need for the implementation of preventive strategies.
New Chemotherapy Protocol (P-CAN) for Treatment of Aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Authors: Kakil I. R. , Awidi A. S. , Kelta M. , Al Homsi U. , Mubarak A. , Al Hassan A. , Chong-Lopez A. , Bener A.B. 
Published: February 2016

Background: this work aims at determining the efficacy of modified CHOP combination in which Vinorelbine (Navelbine) replaces Vincristine for the treatment of aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas (NHL).
Patients and methods: This open label pilot study included 19 patients with aggressive NHL and one patient with low grade NHL who were treated with the new combination which we abbreviated as P-CAN (Prednisolone 100 mg/day PO day 1-5, Cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 i.v day 1, Adriamycin (Doxorubicin) 60 mg/m2 i.v day 1, Navelbine (Vinorelbine) 30 mg/m2 i.v day). The patients1 were 13 males and 6 females, mean age 50 years (34-65), performance state 0-2, International Prognostic Index (IPI) 0-3. Seven patients Stage I, one patient Stage II, eight patients Stage III and 3 patients in Stage IV. 14 patients with nodal disease and five patients with extra-nodal disease. They received total of 97 cycles of the chemotherapy (3-7 cycles).
Results: 18 out of 19 patients achieved complete response (CR). In one patient the response could not be assessed, one patient progressed while on treatment. Toxicity was mainly hematological. The 3 years overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) was 83%.
Conclusion: P-CAN is an effective, well tolerated combination in chemo-naive aggressive NHL. The addition of Vinorelbine to steroid, Adriamycin, and Cyclophosphamide seems improve the response. Further larger trials are needed to study this combination and its impact on longer overall survival.
Body Mass Index (BMI) and Neck Circumference (NC) in Diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Al Ansari A. , Al-Saey Hamad , Al-Sulaiti Mansour , Ganesan S. , Abdul Sattar H. , Balamurugam P. , Philipose M. V. 
Published: February 2016

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder for which obesity is a major risk factor. It has been suggested that the circumference of the neck (NC) is more predictive of OS A than general obesity assessed by the Body Mass Index (BMI). In the National Tertiary Center for Sleep Study, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar; 187 patients were studied to evaluate the usefulness of NC and BMI in diagnosing OSA and in selecting patients for overnight polysomnography (PSG). Eighty patients (42.8%), 69 males and 11 females with higher mean age, had evidence of significant OSA (RDI > 15 events/h sleep). OSA was found more in the non-Qatari (n = 57, 553%) than the Qatari's (n = 23, 27.4%). NC mean levels were more in OSA group (41.51 ± 3.12) than non OSA group (39.57 ± 4.35) but, classifying obese as BMI = 30, there was no significant difference in the BMI of apneic and non-apneic groups. The study suggest that OSA is more common in males and NC correlates well in predicting OSA compared to generalized obesity/BMI has no clinical relevance in diagnosing OSA.
Epilepsy and Women: A difficult combination!
Authors: El Alamy O. R. , Gehani A. A. 
Published: February 2016

Epilepsy is one of the commonest neurological disorders with increasing incidence over the last few decades.
As with many neurological disorders, the incidence of the disease is slightly higher in females than males and certain measures or precautions have to be addressed by the treating Physician(s) when treating females with epilepsy as failure to do so my involve medico-legal implications.
Breast Self-examination Among Female Nurses
Authors: Abu Salem O. , Hassan M. A. 
Published: February 2016

Objective: In the past 20 years, breast cancer incidence in the world has a dramatic increase of 50-100%, which strongly supports the need for breast cancer prevention, and screening programs.The purpose of this study was to identify and investigate the knowledge and practice of breast self examination (BSE) with the influencing factors on the compliance of (BSE) among female nurses.
Methods: A study was conducted between January and December 2002. Female nurses (80) from Prince Rashid Military Hospital constituted the study population. The questionnaire contained items on the demographic characteristics of the respondents, knowledge of breast cancer; attitudes toward BSE and questions regarding the practice of BSE. The analysis included descriptive statistics to examine the association between BSE and medical history, knowledge of BSE and attitudes toward BSE.
Results: The results of the study indicated that 52% of the sample performs BSE. Approximately 30% of those who perform BSE said they learned information regarding BSE during their work experience. The significant relation was found between higher levels in work experience and BSE practice. Except for age, no significant relation was found between the socio-demographic factors and BSE practice. The sample showed strong belief in breast lump as a causing factor of breast cancer and had significant correlation with BSE practice.
Conclusion: Positive correlations were found between nursing work experience and their practice in BSE as working nurses. Studies like these can enhance the knowledge regarding BSE among nurses and other medical professionals.
Streptococcus Pneumonia Serotypes in Newly Developed State of Qatar: Consideration for Conjugate Vaccine
Authors: Al Khal A. L. , El Shafie S. S. , Al Kuwari J. , Bener A. 
Published: February 2016

Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine prevalent pneumococcal serotypes causing infections in different age groups, their susceptibility to fi-lactams and macrolides and whether these serotypes are covered by the conjugated pneumococcal vaccines.
Methods: Streptococcus pneumonia strains isolated from different patients at Hamad Medical Corporation, Microbiology Laboratory between September 1999 and July 2000 were sent to Statum Serum Institute in Denmark for serotyping. The strains were tested for their susceptibility to penicillin, ceftriaxone and erythromycin by Vitek 2 machine (bioMerieux, France) at Hamad Medical Corporation, Microbiology Laboratory.
Results: Predominant serotypes in children < 2 years were: 6A, 6B, 9V, 11 A, 14,19A, 19F and 23 F, predominant serotypes in children between 2-7years were: 3, 6B, 15B, 19A, 19F and 23F, while predominant serotypes in adults were: 3, 8, 9V, 14,15B, 20 and 22F. In children less than 2 years, the 7-valent and 9-valent conjugate vaccines covered 52% of serotypes. 33% of strains were moderately resistant to penicillin, 27% showed high-level resistance to penicillin, 30% resistant to erythromycin and 2% resistant to ceftrixone.
Conclusion: The 7-valent and 9-valent vaccines offer similar coverage of serotypes in children less than 2 years while the 11-valent vaccines offers 55% coverage. This difference is not statistically significant. Resistance to penicillin was high which leaves ceftriaxone as the drug of choice for empirical treatment of invasive pneumococcal diseases.