Background: The prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is rising in Iraq. Adherence to medications among SLE patients remains a significant problem, and nonadherence can lead to decreased quality of life (QoL) and poor disease outcomes. Objectives: To determine the efficacy of pharmacist interventions in enhancing medication adherence, QoL, and self-efficacy among SLE patients. In addition, to assess the influence of pharmacist intervention on the uptake and willingness to take the flu vaccine among patients with SLE. Methods: A pharmacist intervention study was conducted at the Rheumatology Unit in Baghdad Teaching Hospital. Participants obtained educational counseling and a self-assembled booklet. Each patient participated in two sessions; the initial session was conducted immediately after the completion of a baseline evaluation of adherence, QoL, and self-efficacy through a face-to-face interview, and the second session was held one month later. Each session continued for approximately 25-35 minutes. The evaluation of adherence, QoL, and self-efficacy was obtained again at the end of the study. Results: The study recruited 90 patients with a mean age of 34.29±9.9 years. The mean scores of adherence, physical, social, and psychological domains of QoL, and self-efficacy were significantly enhanced after the intervention. Still, the environmental domain of quality of life is non-significantly changed. Also, after the intervention, a significant rise was seen in the uptake and willingness to take the flu vaccine. Conclusion: Pharmacist-led intervention significantly improved medication adherence, quality of life, self-efficacy, and the uptake and willingness to take the flu vaccine among SLE patients.
Fibroblast growth factor-23, play an important role in atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction and vascular calcification. Sevelamer can improve vascular calcification, serum uric acid, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and Fibroblast growth factor-23. Aim of study Assessment the effect of sevelamer as phosphate binder against calcium carbonate on Fibroblast growth factor-23. Methods A prospective open-labelled study that included patients on hemodialysis. A total of 72 patients were screened, only 53 patients completed the 10 week period. Adults patients with serum phosphate as> 5.5 mg/dl were included. There were Group1: Includes 28 patients (19 males and 9 females receiving sevelamer carbonate (Renvela) tablet. Group 2: Include 25pati
... Show MoreOne of the most common public liver diseases over the world is fatty liver which contain alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver. One-fourth among general population are impact Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in the worldwide.Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) is known as an adipokine, mainly synthesized and secreted from the liver and form adipose tissues. RBP4 acts as a transporter and specifically bound to retinol from liver to others tissues. Visfatin is an adipocytokine and mainly produced from visceral fat tissue, skeletal muscles as well as liver. Vitamin A absorbed, transported as retinyl esters to the liver then hydrolyzed to the retinol form and storage in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) after reesterified with rigly
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The current study aimed to identify the quality of health services provided by the Omani health sector through the comparison between public and private hospitals in Dhofar Governorate, Oman. A questionnaire has been developed to collect data from 360 patients who received health services in one public Hospital (Sultan Qaboos) and three private Hospitals (Badr Al-Sama, Lifeline, and Al-Hakeeim). The data were analyzed using independent samples T-Test and One Way ANOVA. The results of the study showed that the quality levels of health services offered in private hospitals were better than public hospitals. The study results also reveled that there are significant differences between public hospitals and private hos
... Show MoreType 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease with chronic nature resulting from a combination of both factors genetic and environmental. The genetic contributors of T1D among Iraqis are unexplored enough. The study aimed to shed a light on the contribution between genetic variation of interleukin2 (IL2) gene to T1D as a risk influencer in a sample of Iraqi patients. The association between IL2−330 polymorphism (rs2069762) was investigated in 322 Iraqis (78 T1D patients and 244 volunteers as controls). Genotyping for the haplotypes using polymerase chain reaction test – specific sequence primer (PCR-SSP) for (GG, GT, and TT) genotypes corresponding to (G and T) alleles were performed. A significant association revealed a decreased freq
... Show MoreBackground: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a significant role in the activation of adaptive immunity and may have an essential role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Objectives: To assess the gene expression of TLR4 in individuals with RA compared to healthy individuals. Methods: From July to December 2022. A total of 100 individuals were encompassed in the study, consisting of 50 individuals diagnosed with RA, of whom 42 were females and 8 were males, with an average age of 45.22 years. Additionally, there were 50 healthy control participants, 40 of whom were females and 10 were males, with an average age of 45.64 years. To assess the TLR4 transcript levels, blood samples were collected from each participant, and RN
... Show MoreTransparent nano- coating was prepared by Sol-Gel method from titanium dioxide TiO2 which has the ability to self-cleaning coating used for hospitals, laboratories, and places requiring permanent sterilization. Three primary colors are selected (red, blue, and yellow) as preliminary study to the effect of these colors on the nano-coating. Three traditional oil paints color were used as base, then coated by a layer of TiO2-Sol and deposited on the paints. The optical properties of TiO2-Sol were measured; the maximum absorption wavelength at (λmax=387 nm), the refractive index (n=1.4423) and the energy band gap (Eg=3.2 eV). The structure properties found by X-ray diffraction of TiO
Abstract* Backgrounds The retention of the maxillary complete denture may be influenced by adequate recording in the patient’s mouth, marking, and carving of the post-dam on the maxillary cast. Failure to do so may lead to loss of retention. Successful denture construction with patient’s comfort could be achieved by effective methods of recording, marking, and carving of the post-dam. The aim of the study was to assess Iraqi dentists in their knowledge and application of the post-dam in maxillary complete dentures. Methods Questionnaires were distributed randomly through online Google Forms and 118 Iraqi dentists with different academic degree participated in the study. A multinomial logistic regression model was also used to ass
... Show MoreBackground. To identify the most common retention protocols practiced by Iraqi orthodontists using a specially designed e-survey. Furthermore, this study aimed to assess the effect of sociodemographic factors on the participant’s choice. Methods. Two hundred and twenty-five questionnaires with 23 multiple choice questions were sent to members of the Iraqi Orthodontic Society. The questionnaire was organized into four sections representing information about sociodemographic status of the orthodontists, factors affecting the selection of the retention system, commonly used retainers in the upper arch and lower arch, and duration of the retention system. The chi-square test was used to test the significant association between differe
... Show MoreObjectives: The study aim was to explore the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of Iraqi physicians regarding generic and locally manufactured medicines. Methods: A total of 124 physicians were involved in this cross -sectional study. The convenience sample was collected from five public hospitals in Baghdad. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed and collected in-person. Fisher's Exact Test was used to measure the association between physician years of experience, gender and categorical (perception and knowledge) variables. Results: Most respondent answers regarding the knowledge of generic medicines were incorrect. Only up to one-third of the participants knew that generic medicines are therapeutically eq
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