Pub Date : 2024-06-15DOI: 10.36330/kmj.v20i1.16212
Hawraa Makki Kareem, Huda Ghazi Hameed
Background: Medical staff needs to understand factors that affect poliomyelitis vaccination because their attitudes about vaccination are highly associated with rates of childhood vaccination if medical staff do not view a specific vaccine as necessary or acceptable, vaccination campaigns can be ineffective. Aim of the study: To assess the knowledge and attitudes of the medical staff toward poliomyelitis and polio vaccination campaigns. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study conducted from 1st of January 2019 to 29th February 2020, and included (332) medical staff from randomly selected hospitals and primary health centers. Data were collected using a questionnaire designed for the study, which consists of three parts: socio-demographic and personal information, knowledge, and attitude. for knowledge, each correct answer scored 1 while the wrong one scored 0. For attitude, each “agree” answer scored 1 while “disagree” or “I don’t know” scored 0. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS version 26 and a P- value ≤0.05 was considered Statistically significant. Results: The study included 332 medical staff: 143 (43.1%) doctors, 77 (23.2%) dentists, and 112 (33.7%) pharmacists. The mean knowledge score was higher among doctors than dentists and pharmacists (18.22, 15.38, and 15.67, respectively, p = 0.0001). As age increased, the mean knowledge score also increased (20.22 for 50-59 years old vs. 14.81 for 23-29 years old, P = 0.0001). The attitude score followed the same trend, being higher among doctors and older age groups (2.97 vs. 2.68 and 2.82, P = 0.0001) and higher for the older age group (3 vs. 2.82, P = 0.0001). Conclusions: The mean knowledge and attitude scores of doctors are significantly higher than dentists and pharmacists and for the older age group.
{"title":"Knowledge and Attitude of The Medical Staff Toward Poliomyelitis and Polio Vaccination Campaign: A Cross–Sectional Study in Al-Najaf Al -Ashraf City–Iraq","authors":"Hawraa Makki Kareem, Huda Ghazi Hameed","doi":"10.36330/kmj.v20i1.16212","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36330/kmj.v20i1.16212","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Medical staff needs to understand factors that affect poliomyelitis vaccination because their attitudes about vaccination are highly associated with rates of childhood vaccination if medical staff do not view a specific vaccine as necessary or acceptable, vaccination campaigns can be ineffective. Aim of the study: To assess the knowledge and attitudes of the medical staff toward poliomyelitis and polio vaccination campaigns. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study conducted from 1st of January 2019 to 29th February 2020, and included (332) medical staff from randomly selected hospitals and primary health centers. Data were collected using a questionnaire designed for the study, which consists of three parts: socio-demographic and personal information, knowledge, and attitude. for knowledge, each correct answer scored 1 while the wrong one scored 0. For attitude, each “agree” answer scored 1 while “disagree” or “I don’t know” scored 0. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS version 26 and a P- value ≤0.05 was considered Statistically significant. Results: The study included 332 medical staff: 143 (43.1%) doctors, 77 (23.2%) dentists, and 112 (33.7%) pharmacists. The mean knowledge score was higher among doctors than dentists and pharmacists (18.22, 15.38, and 15.67, respectively, p = 0.0001). As age increased, the mean knowledge score also increased (20.22 for 50-59 years old vs. 14.81 for 23-29 years old, P = 0.0001). The attitude score followed the same trend, being higher among doctors and older age groups (2.97 vs. 2.68 and 2.82, P = 0.0001) and higher for the older age group (3 vs. 2.82, P = 0.0001). Conclusions: The mean knowledge and attitude scores of doctors are significantly higher than dentists and pharmacists and for the older age group. ","PeriodicalId":507092,"journal":{"name":"Kufa Medical Journal","volume":"79 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141337997","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}
Pub Date : 2024-06-15DOI: 10.36330/kmj.v20i1.16114
Mays Saleh Khamees, Raad Abdulameer Alasady
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects 1% of the world's population. It causes chronic inflammation of synovial tissue, leading to joint destruction, poor quality of life, and disability. Cathepsin G (CTSG), which acts as a proteolytic enzyme, can be a factor in RA. These proteases belong to the serine protease family and have a role in autoimmune disorders. They can cause bone and cartilage destruction and an immune response in cases of inflammatory arthritis. The objective of this study is to determine if CTSG could serve as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and evaluation of the activity of RA. Methods: The study involved 132 patients with inflammatory arthritis, and their serum levels of CTSG and anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) were measured using ELISA. Other routine biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and rheumatoid factor (RF), were also measured. Results: The mean of CTSG was significantly lower in RA patients (110.53 pg/ml ± 49.959) than in those with other types of inflammatory arthritis (132.65 pg/ml ± 30.199). According to DAS-28 ESR and DAS-28 CRP, the study found no significant difference in CTSG levels across the four disease activity groups (P = 0.585, P = 0.823, respectively). Additionally, CTSG had a significant negative correlation with diabetes mellitus and treatment intake in newly diagnosed RA (P = 0.009, P = 0.041, respectively). This study is the first to evaluate CTSG as an RA diagnostic tool, showing a sensitivity of 70.1% and a specificity of 60.0% at a cut-off value of ≤133.33 pg/ml. Conclusions: The study results suggest that CTSG has potential as a diagnostic biomarker for RA when used alongside other clinical and laboratory criteria. However, it should not be solely relied upon for evaluating RA activity.
背景：类风湿性关节炎（RA）是一种慢性自身免疫性疾病，影响着全球 1%的人口。它导致滑膜组织慢性炎症，导致关节破坏、生活质量低下和残疾。Cathepsin G（CTSG）是一种蛋白水解酶，可能是导致 RA 的一个因素。这些蛋白酶属于丝氨酸蛋白酶家族，在自身免疫性疾病中发挥作用。在炎症性关节炎的病例中，它们会导致骨和软骨的破坏以及免疫反应。本研究的目的是确定 CTSG 是否可作为诊断和评估 RA 活动的潜在生物标记物。研究方法研究涉及 132 名炎症性关节炎患者，采用 ELISA 方法测定了他们血清中的 CTSG 和抗瓜氨酸肽抗体（ACPA）水平。此外，还测定了其他常规生物标志物，包括 C 反应蛋白（CRP）、红细胞沉降率（ESR）和类风湿因子（RF）。结果显示RA患者的CTSG平均值（110.53 pg/ml ± 49.959）明显低于其他类型炎症性关节炎患者（132.65 pg/ml ± 30.199）。根据 DAS-28 ESR 和 DAS-28 CRP，研究发现四个疾病活动组的 CTSG 水平无显著差异（分别为 P = 0.585 和 P = 0.823）。此外，在新诊断的RA患者中，CTSG与糖尿病和治疗摄入量呈显著负相关（分别为P = 0.009和P = 0.041）。该研究首次将CTSG作为一种RA诊断工具进行评估，结果显示，在临界值≤133.33 pg/ml时，CTSG的灵敏度为70.1%，特异度为60.0%。结论研究结果表明，当与其他临床和实验室标准一起使用时，CTSG具有作为RA诊断生物标记物的潜力。但是，不应仅依靠它来评估 RA 的活动性。
{"title":"Role of Cathepsin G in Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis and Disease Activity Evaluation","authors":"Mays Saleh Khamees, Raad Abdulameer Alasady","doi":"10.36330/kmj.v20i1.16114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36330/kmj.v20i1.16114","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects 1% of the world's population. It causes chronic inflammation of synovial tissue, leading to joint destruction, poor quality of life, and disability. Cathepsin G (CTSG), which acts as a proteolytic enzyme, can be a factor in RA. These proteases belong to the serine protease family and have a role in autoimmune disorders. They can cause bone and cartilage destruction and an immune response in cases of inflammatory arthritis. The objective of this study is to determine if CTSG could serve as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and evaluation of the activity of RA. Methods: The study involved 132 patients with inflammatory arthritis, and their serum levels of CTSG and anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) were measured using ELISA. Other routine biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and rheumatoid factor (RF), were also measured. Results: The mean of CTSG was significantly lower in RA patients (110.53 pg/ml ± 49.959) than in those with other types of inflammatory arthritis (132.65 pg/ml ± 30.199). According to DAS-28 ESR and DAS-28 CRP, the study found no significant difference in CTSG levels across the four disease activity groups (P = 0.585, P = 0.823, respectively). Additionally, CTSG had a significant negative correlation with diabetes mellitus and treatment intake in newly diagnosed RA (P = 0.009, P = 0.041, respectively). This study is the first to evaluate CTSG as an RA diagnostic tool, showing a sensitivity of 70.1% and a specificity of 60.0% at a cut-off value of ≤133.33 pg/ml. Conclusions: The study results suggest that CTSG has potential as a diagnostic biomarker for RA when used alongside other clinical and laboratory criteria. However, it should not be solely relied upon for evaluating RA activity.","PeriodicalId":507092,"journal":{"name":"Kufa Medical Journal","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141336647","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}
Pub Date : 2024-06-15DOI: 10.36330/kmj.v20i1.15206
Luma Zeiny
Background: Preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) accounts for one- third of cases of preterm labour which is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. The time from the rupture of membranes until labour, i.e. the latent period (LP), is an important factor in neonatal outcome. Aim of the study: The present study aims to determine the sensitivity and specificity of measuring the thickness of myometrium for the prediction of LP. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional observational study was performed in Az-Zahraa Teaching Hospital in Najaf-Iraq during the period from the first of August 2016 to the first of October 2017. A total of 89 patients who admitted with the diagnosis of PPROM at the 26th to the 34th weeks of gestation with oligohydramnios were included in the study. The thickness of myometrium was measured via transabdominal ultrasound in the lower uterine segment (LSMT), anterior (AMT), posterior (PMT) and fundal (FMT) parts of uterus within 24 hours of membranes rupture. Results: The mean measurements of LSMT, AMT, PMT and FMT in patients with PPROM and oligohydramnios were 7.25±2.31, 7.87±3.45, 8.71±3.88 and 8.65±3.72 respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of measuring AMT for prediction of LP > 7 days were 80% and 53%; those for PFT were 80% and 34.1% respectively at a cut-off point of 6.5 mm while the FMT was found to be 60% sensitive and 34.1% specific. LSMT was 80% sensitive and 43.9% specific for recognition of LP > 7 days at a cut-off point of 7.5mm. Conclusions: measurement of the thickness of the myometrium may be a sensitive but non-specific tool for the prediction of the latent period.
{"title":"The Sensitivity and Specificity of Measuring the Thickness of Myometrium to Predict the Time of Spontaneous Labour in Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes and Oligohydramnios","authors":"Luma Zeiny","doi":"10.36330/kmj.v20i1.15206","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36330/kmj.v20i1.15206","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) accounts for one- third of cases of preterm labour which is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. The time from the rupture of membranes until labour, i.e. the latent period (LP), is an important factor in neonatal outcome. Aim of the study: The present study aims to determine the sensitivity and specificity of measuring the thickness of myometrium for the prediction of LP. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional observational study was performed in Az-Zahraa Teaching Hospital in Najaf-Iraq during the period from the first of August 2016 to the first of October 2017. A total of 89 patients who admitted with the diagnosis of PPROM at the 26th to the 34th weeks of gestation with oligohydramnios were included in the study. The thickness of myometrium was measured via transabdominal ultrasound in the lower uterine segment (LSMT), anterior (AMT), posterior (PMT) and fundal (FMT) parts of uterus within 24 hours of membranes rupture. Results: The mean measurements of LSMT, AMT, PMT and FMT in patients with PPROM and oligohydramnios were 7.25±2.31, 7.87±3.45, 8.71±3.88 and 8.65±3.72 respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of measuring AMT for prediction of LP > 7 days were 80% and 53%; those for PFT were 80% and 34.1% respectively at a cut-off point of 6.5 mm while the FMT was found to be 60% sensitive and 34.1% specific. LSMT was 80% sensitive and 43.9% specific for recognition of LP > 7 days at a cut-off point of 7.5mm. Conclusions: measurement of the thickness of the myometrium may be a sensitive but non-specific tool for the prediction of the latent period.","PeriodicalId":507092,"journal":{"name":"Kufa Medical Journal","volume":"4 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141337303","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}
Pub Date : 2024-06-15DOI: 10.36330/kmj.v20i1.14656
Baneen Abdul Hadi Jalaout Al-Hamdani, Saif Jabbar Yasir Al-Mayah
Background: Hepatitis B virus is a virus that attacks the liver, leading to viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer in humans. The diagnostic markers for hepatitis B, anti-HBc IgG and anti-HBs Ab, are widely recognized. A cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 called CTLA-4 is an immune checkpoint protein that stops the HBV infection from spreading. It accomplishes this by serving as a sort of inhibitory receptor, restricting the quantity of damage that an acute infection can cause to the hepatocyte and enhancing the infection's capacity to remain in the body throughout a chronic illness. Aim of the study: The study aims to evaluate serum CTLA-4 levels in individuals with HBsAg-negative, HBc IgG-positive, and HBs-positive Ab and explore the association between these findings and the existence and development of HBV infection. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study was performed from July to October 2023. The serum was taken from 200 individuals, all of whom were tested by using an immunochromatographic assay for HBsAb, HBsAg, HBcAb, HBeAg, and HBeAb and also by using an ELISA technique for CTLA-4 and HBc IgG. The statistical analysis was conducted by using SPSS version 26. Results: Serum CTLA-4 level positively correlated with HBsAg-negative, HBc IgG-positive, and HBs-positive patient antibodies (p = 0.000), serum HBs Ab positivity (P = 0.000), and total HBc Ab positivity (P<0.001), all linked to the amount of CTLA-4. Serum HBe Ab negativity was not linked to CTLA-4 (p = 0.181). Conclusions: Elevated serum CTLA-4 level in patients with HBs Ag-negative, HBc IgG-positive, and HBs-positive Ab.
{"title":"Evaluation of serum CTLA-4 levels in patients with HBs Ag (-)/HBc IgG (+)/Hbs Ab (+): Across sectional study in the Najaf Government","authors":"Baneen Abdul Hadi Jalaout Al-Hamdani, Saif Jabbar Yasir Al-Mayah","doi":"10.36330/kmj.v20i1.14656","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36330/kmj.v20i1.14656","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Hepatitis B virus is a virus that attacks the liver, leading to viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer in humans. The diagnostic markers for hepatitis B, anti-HBc IgG and anti-HBs Ab, are widely recognized. A cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 called CTLA-4 is an immune checkpoint protein that stops the HBV infection from spreading. It accomplishes this by serving as a sort of inhibitory receptor, restricting the quantity of damage that an acute infection can cause to the hepatocyte and enhancing the infection's capacity to remain in the body throughout a chronic illness. Aim of the study: The study aims to evaluate serum CTLA-4 levels in individuals with HBsAg-negative, HBc IgG-positive, and HBs-positive Ab and explore the association between these findings and the existence and development of HBV infection. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study was performed from July to October 2023. The serum was taken from 200 individuals, all of whom were tested by using an immunochromatographic assay for HBsAb, HBsAg, HBcAb, HBeAg, and HBeAb and also by using an ELISA technique for CTLA-4 and HBc IgG. The statistical analysis was conducted by using SPSS version 26. Results: Serum CTLA-4 level positively correlated with HBsAg-negative, HBc IgG-positive, and HBs-positive patient antibodies (p = 0.000), serum HBs Ab positivity (P = 0.000), and total HBc Ab positivity (P<0.001), all linked to the amount of CTLA-4. Serum HBe Ab negativity was not linked to CTLA-4 (p = 0.181). Conclusions: Elevated serum CTLA-4 level in patients with HBs Ag-negative, HBc IgG-positive, and HBs-positive Ab.\u0000 ","PeriodicalId":507092,"journal":{"name":"Kufa Medical Journal","volume":"3 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141337329","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}
Pub Date : 2024-06-15DOI: 10.36330/kmj.v20i1.15305
Sara Basim Zwain, Sami Raheem Al-Katib, Falah Mahdi Dananah, Basim MH Zwain
Background: The COVID-19 epidemic, which is still ongoing, has a significant effect on health care both in Iraq and worldwide. Further strain on health systems was caused by successive waves of altered viruses, further enhancing virus dissemination. Persistent symptoms may last for several months following the initial COVID-19 infection. The illness is called post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, or Long COVID (PASC). Long-term COVID-19 infection can affect various organs and systems, including the hematological system, and cause many symptoms. Hematological problems have been observed in several investigations with COVID-19 individuals. Poor outcomes and an increased risk of severe disease are linked to the majority of these changes. Objective: This study aims to find the post-COVID-19 effects on the hematological parameters. Methods: This study was a case-control investigation at the Al-Sader Teaching Hospital in Maysan City between October 13, 2023, and November 13, 2023. There are fifty-eight patients in all, along with fifty-eight controls. In this study, randomly selected controls were matched to patients with COVID-19 symptoms. Except for not having COVID-19 disease, the controls had to fulfill the same requirements as the cases. Clinical profiles and hematological markers were examined and contrasted between the two groups. Results: The data show no significant differences (P > 0.05) in age, BMI, and sex between cases and control group. The results confirm alterations in hematological parameters. Analysis of blood samples showed significantly a higher mean of RBC and a decline in MCHC, and MCV in comparison to the control. However, there are no significant differences in hemoglobin and hematocrit parameters between cases and control. Mean HCT% and HGB are significantly lower for the age group 18-29 years than for 30-39 and 40-49 years and the alterations were more noticeable in male COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: The results show altered hematological parameters after 3 years of COVID-19 infection. The changes include reduced Hg, MCH, and MCHC and higher RBC values that might affect oxygen transport through the body. The alterations were more noticeable in male COVID-19 patients, indicating that males are more affected by the disease than females. In light of the increasing number of individuals with Long-COVID, more research is required to determine the precise underlying causes of the extended altered RBC and hemoglobin value among different age groups.
{"title":"Long Term Effect of Post-Covid-19 Syndrome on Hematological Parameters in Iraqi People","authors":"Sara Basim Zwain, Sami Raheem Al-Katib, Falah Mahdi Dananah, Basim MH Zwain","doi":"10.36330/kmj.v20i1.15305","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36330/kmj.v20i1.15305","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The COVID-19 epidemic, which is still ongoing, has a significant effect on health care both in Iraq and worldwide. Further strain on health systems was caused by successive waves of altered viruses, further enhancing virus dissemination. Persistent symptoms may last for several months following the initial COVID-19 infection. The illness is called post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, or Long COVID (PASC). Long-term COVID-19 infection can affect various organs and systems, including the hematological system, and cause many symptoms. Hematological problems have been observed in several investigations with COVID-19 individuals. Poor outcomes and an increased risk of severe disease are linked to the majority of these changes. \u0000Objective: This study aims to find the post-COVID-19 effects on the hematological parameters. Methods: This study was a case-control investigation at the Al-Sader Teaching Hospital in Maysan City between October 13, 2023, and November 13, 2023. There are fifty-eight patients in all, along with fifty-eight controls. In this study, randomly selected controls were matched to patients with COVID-19 symptoms. Except for not having COVID-19 disease, the controls had to fulfill the same requirements as the cases. Clinical profiles and hematological markers were examined and contrasted between the two groups. \u0000Results: The data show no significant differences (P > 0.05) in age, BMI, and sex between cases and control group. The results confirm alterations in hematological parameters. Analysis of blood samples showed significantly a higher mean of RBC and a decline in MCHC, and MCV in comparison to the control. However, there are no significant differences in hemoglobin and hematocrit parameters between cases and control. Mean HCT% and HGB are significantly lower for the age group 18-29 years than for 30-39 and 40-49 years and the alterations were more noticeable in male COVID-19 patients. \u0000Conclusion: The results show altered hematological parameters after 3 years of COVID-19 infection. The changes include reduced Hg, MCH, and MCHC and higher RBC values that might affect oxygen transport through the body. The alterations were more noticeable in male COVID-19 patients, indicating that males are more affected by the disease than females. In light of the increasing number of individuals with Long-COVID, more research is required to determine the precise underlying causes of the extended altered RBC and hemoglobin value among different age groups.","PeriodicalId":507092,"journal":{"name":"Kufa Medical Journal","volume":"92 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141337704","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}
Pub Date : 2024-06-15DOI: 10.36330/kmj.v20i1.14843
Assawer Ahmed Al-awadei, Alhan A Qasim
Background: Stress is a condition that causes pressure and is caused by several factors in teens, such as unplanned events. Subjects and Method: This observational comparative study included 260 male students divided into three groups: low stress, moderate stress, and high stress who were provided according to the Adolescent Stress Questionnaire Scale (ASQ-S). Oral hygiene examination, including plaque index, was done according to Silness and Loe,1964 index, and calculus examination was done according to Ramfjord,1959 index, while gingival health examination was performed according to Loe and Silness,1967 index. Salivary pH, flow rate, salivary Vitamin B₁₂, and Folic acid were measured in unstimulated saliva samples from the low and high-stress groups. Results: It has been shown that the higher means of plaque and gingival indices among high-stress level students was statistically non-significant (p>0.05). The high-stress group has a reduced salivary flow rate, with significant differences (P ˂ 0.05). Vitamin B₁₂ and Folic acid levels were more critical in the high-stress group (P > 0.05). Among both low and high-stress groups, there was a negative, non-significant correlation between pH and flow rate with plaque and gingival indices. In high-stress students, the correlation of Vitamin B₁₂ and Folic acid with plaque and gingival index was damaging. Conclusion: Augmentation of stress is linked with disturbance of psychological well-being, which tends to influence oral hygiene and gingival health by lowering the rate of saliva flow and impacting the levels of Vitamin B₁₂ and Folic acid in saliva.
{"title":"Investigation the Influence of Stress on Salivary Features, Oral Hygiene and Gingival Health Condition among a Group of Adolescents Male Students","authors":"Assawer Ahmed Al-awadei, Alhan A Qasim","doi":"10.36330/kmj.v20i1.14843","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36330/kmj.v20i1.14843","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Stress is a condition that causes pressure and is caused by several factors in teens, such as unplanned events. Subjects and Method: This observational comparative study included 260 male students divided into three groups: low stress, moderate stress, and high stress who were provided according to the Adolescent Stress Questionnaire Scale (ASQ-S). Oral hygiene examination, including plaque index, was done according to Silness and Loe,1964 index, and calculus examination was done according to Ramfjord,1959 index, while gingival health examination was performed according to Loe and Silness,1967 index. Salivary pH, flow rate, salivary Vitamin B₁₂, and Folic acid were measured in unstimulated saliva samples from the low and high-stress groups. Results: It has been shown that the higher means of plaque and gingival indices among high-stress level students was statistically non-significant (p>0.05). The high-stress group has a reduced salivary flow rate, with significant differences (P ˂ 0.05). Vitamin B₁₂ and Folic acid levels were more critical in the high-stress group (P > 0.05). Among both low and high-stress groups, there was a negative, non-significant correlation between pH and flow rate with plaque and gingival indices. In high-stress students, the correlation of Vitamin B₁₂ and Folic acid with plaque and gingival index was damaging. Conclusion: Augmentation of stress is linked with disturbance of psychological well-being, which tends to influence oral hygiene and gingival health by lowering the rate of saliva flow and impacting the levels of Vitamin B₁₂ and Folic acid in saliva.","PeriodicalId":507092,"journal":{"name":"Kufa Medical Journal","volume":"79 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141338166","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}
Pub Date : 2024-06-15DOI: 10.36330/kmj.v20i1.14725
Jagar Omar Doski
Background: In the joints, the movements, active or passive, occur normally in certain physiological planes: axes or directions, and within certain limits. In certain pathologies, the joint kinematics may be affected in one of the following ways: limitation of the normal movements, movement beyond the normal limits, or movement in the non-physiological planes. Different terms were used to describe the abnormalities of the joint kinematics. Nowadays, terms like joint hypermobility, joint laxity, joint instability, and ligamentous laxity are, synonymously or not, still used in some literature in their correct place. The current article aimed to review the abnormalities of joint kinematics and the new concepts of optimum application of the terms used to describe them. It has reached to some conclusions like: limitation of joint movement is the term used to describe any incomplete joint movement within a physiological plane and standard limits; Joint hypermobility is the term used to describe the ability to do a joint movement in a physiological plane but beyond the usual limits. Joint instability is the term used to describe the liability of a joint to move in non-physiological planes.
{"title":"Terms Used to Describe Abnormalities of Joint Kinematics: An Overview","authors":"Jagar Omar Doski","doi":"10.36330/kmj.v20i1.14725","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36330/kmj.v20i1.14725","url":null,"abstract":"Background: In the joints, the movements, active or passive, occur normally in certain physiological planes: axes or directions, and within certain limits. In certain pathologies, the joint kinematics may be affected in one of the following ways: limitation of the normal movements, movement beyond the normal limits, or movement in the non-physiological planes. Different terms were used to describe the abnormalities of the joint kinematics. Nowadays, terms like joint hypermobility, joint laxity, joint instability, and ligamentous laxity are, synonymously or not, still used in some literature in their correct place. The current article aimed to review the abnormalities of joint kinematics and the new concepts of optimum application of the terms used to describe them. It has reached to some conclusions like: limitation of joint movement is the term used to describe any incomplete joint movement within a physiological plane and standard limits; Joint hypermobility is the term used to describe the ability to do a joint movement in a physiological plane but beyond the usual limits. Joint instability is the term used to describe the liability of a joint to move in non-physiological planes.","PeriodicalId":507092,"journal":{"name":"Kufa Medical Journal","volume":"3 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141337397","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}
Pub Date : 2024-06-15DOI: 10.36330/kmj.v20i1.16179
Hayder Abdulsalam Alnakkash, Raid Mohammed Ridha Umran, Alaa Jumaah Manji Nasrawi
Background: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a mother who gives birth to a healthy, term baby should stay in the hospital for as long as necessary to detect any possible issues and give caregivers time to get the child (and family) ready for release. The infant's risk of readmission may be heightened by diagnostic mistakes, or misdiagnosis, and inadequate assessment by healthcare personnel. In order to assess the frequency and cause of hospital readmissions within the first twenty-four hours of life, this study will examine the local pattern of neonatal readmissions in healthy infants. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 33 neonates who had a c-section birth, after being discharged, and readmission within 24 hours of delivery. The following newborn characteristics were examined: gestational age, birth weight, gender, duration of initial hospital stay (LOS), infant feeding method, and the type of ward from which the neonate was released following the initial evaluation. The following factors related to pregnancy and delivery were evaluated: advanced maternal age (>35 years), low socioeconomic status, low maternal education, high birth order (>2), joint family, rural area residents, primi gravida, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), chorioamnionitis, preeclampsia, diabetes, psychosocial issues, thyroid disorders, and epidural/spinal anesthesia. Results: Sixteen patients out of 33 readmitted neonates were male. the rate of neonatal readmission was 1.34%. Their average birth weight and gestational age were 2918.2 ± 619.2 gm and 36.8 ± 21.72 weeks respectively. They spent 2.62 ± 1.83 hrs. and readmitted at 7.82 ± 5.35 hrs. intervals. The main causes of readmission were vomiting and poor feeding. Regarding the maternal factors; epidural anesthesia and low education was the most significant risk factors. Conclusions: An important component of the quality-of-care consequences of existing discharge rules and procedures may be revealed by this study. We come to the conclusion that vomiting and poor feeding are the main causes of hospital readmission in the first 24 hours of life, necessitating a proper intervention in the early hours of life. The early development of efficient lactation should be the focus of efforts to lessen digestive issues.
{"title":"Causes of Neonatal Re-admission in 24 hours after Cesarean Section","authors":"Hayder Abdulsalam Alnakkash, Raid Mohammed Ridha Umran, Alaa Jumaah Manji Nasrawi","doi":"10.36330/kmj.v20i1.16179","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36330/kmj.v20i1.16179","url":null,"abstract":"Background: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a mother who gives birth to a healthy, term baby should stay in the hospital for as long as necessary to detect any possible issues and give caregivers time to get the child (and family) ready for release. The infant's risk of readmission may be heightened by diagnostic mistakes, or misdiagnosis, and inadequate assessment by healthcare personnel. In order to assess the frequency and cause of hospital readmissions within the first twenty-four hours of life, this study will examine the local pattern of neonatal readmissions in healthy infants. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 33 neonates who had a c-section birth, after being discharged, and readmission within 24 hours of delivery. The following newborn characteristics were examined: gestational age, birth weight, gender, duration of initial hospital stay (LOS), infant feeding method, and the type of ward from which the neonate was released following the initial evaluation. The following factors related to pregnancy and delivery were evaluated: advanced maternal age (>35 years), low socioeconomic status, low maternal education, high birth order (>2), joint family, rural area residents, primi gravida, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), chorioamnionitis, preeclampsia, diabetes, psychosocial issues, thyroid disorders, and epidural/spinal anesthesia. Results: Sixteen patients out of 33 readmitted neonates were male. the rate of neonatal readmission was 1.34%. Their average birth weight and gestational age were 2918.2 ± 619.2 gm and 36.8 ± 21.72 weeks respectively. They spent 2.62 ± 1.83 hrs. and readmitted at 7.82 ± 5.35 hrs. intervals. The main causes of readmission were vomiting and poor feeding. Regarding the maternal factors; epidural anesthesia and low education was the most significant risk factors. Conclusions: An important component of the quality-of-care consequences of existing discharge rules and procedures may be revealed by this study. We come to the conclusion that vomiting and poor feeding are the main causes of hospital readmission in the first 24 hours of life, necessitating a proper intervention in the early hours of life. The early development of efficient lactation should be the focus of efforts to lessen digestive issues.","PeriodicalId":507092,"journal":{"name":"Kufa Medical Journal","volume":"84 22","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141337826","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}
Pub Date : 2024-06-15DOI: 10.36330/kmj.v20i1.16144
Neam Arkan Mohsen, Alaa Jumaah Manji Nasrawi
Background: The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) represents a specialized healthcare setting dedicated to providing critical care for infants, children, and adolescents facing severe and life-threatening medical conditions. The rate of pediatric mortality in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) varies worldwide, reflecting the diverse healthcare landscapes and socioeconomic factors influencing pediatric critical care outcomes. The objective of this study was to describe the pattern of admission and outcome of patients who received intensive care. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study in which records of admissions (from 1st of January 2019 to 31 December 2023) were obtained from the PICU patient's file in Al Zahraa Teaching, Najaf, Iraq. Data used from the records included age, sex, residency, address, source of admission, diagnosis, duration of stay in the unit, need for intubation and mechanical ventilation, and patient outcome. Results: A total number of 1501 patients were admitted to the PICU during the study period. The patients were referred mainly from the Emergency Room 47% followed by the neonatal intensive care unit 21%. The case fatality rate was 54.1%. the main cause of death was RDS, sepsis, meningitis, and congenital heart diseases (29.2, 8.5, 6.6, and 6.6% respectively). 47.9% of PICU deaths occurred in patients admitted from the ER followed by NICU 24.2%. (P value 0.043, OR 1.082, 95% CI 1.002-1.168). The mean age of dead PICU patients was 15.697±32.79 months versus 23.301±39.91 months for discharged outcome (P value 0.000). Hospital stay length mean for PICU dead patients was 5.1±3.8 days versus 6.173±3.8 days for discharged patients (P value 0.000). That means the smaller age patients carry a higher risk of death in PICU, also the situation with fewer hospital stays days. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study showed the case fatality rate was high (54.7%.). The most common causes of admission and death were RDS (22.7% and 29.2% respectively). The highest percentage of death occurs in the infant age group (78.1%). Neither gender nor residency represents a risk factor for PICU patient's death but endotracheal intubation does. The fewer days of hospital stay carry a higher risk factor for death.
{"title":"Admission Pattern and Treatment Outcome in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Al Zahraa Teaching Hospital, Iraq, Najaf","authors":"Neam Arkan Mohsen, Alaa Jumaah Manji Nasrawi","doi":"10.36330/kmj.v20i1.16144","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36330/kmj.v20i1.16144","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) represents a specialized healthcare setting dedicated to providing critical care for infants, children, and adolescents facing severe and life-threatening medical conditions. The rate of pediatric mortality in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) varies worldwide, reflecting the diverse healthcare landscapes and socioeconomic factors influencing pediatric critical care outcomes. The objective of this study was to describe the pattern of admission and outcome of patients who received intensive care. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study in which records of admissions (from 1st of January 2019 to 31 December 2023) were obtained from the PICU patient's file in Al Zahraa Teaching, Najaf, Iraq. Data used from the records included age, sex, residency, address, source of admission, diagnosis, duration of stay in the unit, need for intubation and mechanical ventilation, and patient outcome.\u0000Results: A total number of 1501 patients were admitted to the PICU during the study period. The patients were referred mainly from the Emergency Room 47% followed by the neonatal intensive care unit 21%. The case fatality rate was 54.1%. the main cause of death was RDS, sepsis, meningitis, and congenital heart diseases (29.2, 8.5, 6.6, and 6.6% respectively). 47.9% of PICU deaths occurred in patients admitted from the ER followed by NICU 24.2%. (P value 0.043, OR 1.082, 95% CI 1.002-1.168). The mean age of dead PICU patients was 15.697±32.79 months versus 23.301±39.91 months for discharged outcome (P value 0.000). Hospital stay length mean for PICU dead patients was 5.1±3.8 days versus 6.173±3.8 days for discharged patients (P value 0.000). That means the smaller age patients carry a higher risk of death in PICU, also the situation with fewer hospital stays days. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study showed the case fatality rate was high (54.7%.). The most common causes of admission and death were RDS (22.7% and 29.2% respectively). The highest percentage of death occurs in the infant age group (78.1%). Neither gender nor residency represents a risk factor for PICU patient's death but endotracheal intubation does. The fewer days of hospital stay carry a higher risk factor for death.","PeriodicalId":507092,"journal":{"name":"Kufa Medical Journal","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141336318","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}
Pub Date : 2024-06-15DOI: 10.36330/kmj.v20i1.13900
Taqi Mohammed Jwad Taher, Diana Mazlum Ali
Background: Social media is an online communication tool that is now a necessary component of our everyday existence. It enables people to communicate, exchange data, and produce web content. This article aims to display the effect of social media on academic performance, social interaction, and mental health among a sample of Iraqi university students. Patients and methods: The study was conducted on 440 Iraqi students from different colleges, and the data were collected through a questionnaire. Results: The majority of the sample (98.4%) mentioned they currently use social media, and the mobile phone was the most used device (95.9%) for viewing social media. The study found that social media has both positive and negative effects on social interaction and academic performance. Most of the participants (60.7%) and (21.6%) agreed and strongly agreed that the use of social media is improving connection and information exchange with others. However, (30.9%) strongly agreed that social media may lead them to limit their time with friends and family members. Regarding academic performance, most of the sample (44.5%) strongly agreed that the use of social media may lead to wasting time specified for studying, and 26.8% of them strongly agreed that it distracted them from studying. More than half of those students (53.4%) agreed and strongly agreed that social media harms their academic performance in general. Conclusion: The study concluded that social media has a significant impact on the academic performance, social interaction, and mental health of university students, and it is important to spread awareness among them to reduce excessive and bad use of social media.
{"title":"Impact of Internet and Social Media on Academic Performance, Social Interaction, and Mental Health among a Sample of Iraqi University Students","authors":"Taqi Mohammed Jwad Taher, Diana Mazlum Ali","doi":"10.36330/kmj.v20i1.13900","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36330/kmj.v20i1.13900","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Social media is an online communication tool that is now a necessary component of our everyday existence. It enables people to communicate, exchange data, and produce web content. This article aims to display the effect of social media on academic performance, social interaction, and mental health among a sample of Iraqi university students. Patients and methods: The study was conducted on 440 Iraqi students from different colleges, and the data were collected through a questionnaire. Results: The majority of the sample (98.4%) mentioned they currently use social media, and the mobile phone was the most used device (95.9%) for viewing social media. The study found that social media has both positive and negative effects on social interaction and academic performance. Most of the participants (60.7%) and (21.6%) agreed and strongly agreed that the use of social media is improving connection and information exchange with others. However, (30.9%) strongly agreed that social media may lead them to limit their time with friends and family members. Regarding academic performance, most of the sample (44.5%) strongly agreed that the use of social media may lead to wasting time specified for studying, and 26.8% of them strongly agreed that it distracted them from studying. More than half of those students (53.4%) agreed and strongly agreed that social media harms their academic performance in general. Conclusion: The study concluded that social media has a significant impact on the academic performance, social interaction, and mental health of university students, and it is important to spread awareness among them to reduce excessive and bad use of social media.","PeriodicalId":507092,"journal":{"name":"Kufa Medical Journal","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141336742","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}
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