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Pattnaik SS, Sarangi SC, Mahey R, Tripathi M. Physical fitness in Indian women with epilepsy on anti-seizure medications and its association with reproductive status, quality of life and stigma: A cross-sectional study. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 156:109823. [PMID: 38704986 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the status of physical fitness, reproductive abnormalities, QOL and epilepsy associated stigma in women with epilepsy (WWE) and their association with ASM therapy and seizure frequency. METHODS This cross-sectional study included WWE of reproductive age (18-50 years) on antiseizure medications (ASMs) for at least three months before enrolment. Physical fitness was assessed using International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ) and Body composition analysis. Subjects were interviewed for menstrual abnormalities [menstrual disturbance or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)/hirsutism]. Validated questionnaires were used for assessment of, QOL (QOLIE-10) and Stigma in epilepsy (Epilepsy Stigma Scale). Sub-group analysis was done to compare the above parameters on the basis of a) type of therapy (mono or polytherapy), b) type of ASMs treatment (conventional, newer, or conventional + newer ASMs), and c) seizure type and (d) seizure frequency. Correlation and regression analysis were done to find out the association among different variables with physical fitness. RESULTS The overall prevalence of poor physical fitness, reproductive abnormalities, worsened QOL and stigma in the enrolled WWE (n = 203) were 21.18 %, 20.19 %, 52.7 %, and 21.67 %, respectively. Sub-group analysis revealed that WWE on monotherapy (n = 99) had higher median IPAQ score (p = 0.002), comparatively less reproductive abnormalities (24.03 %, p = 0.008), and higher stigma (24.03 %, p = 0.04) than polytherapy group. WWE on conventional ASMs had significantly higher IPAQ scores compared to newer and conventional + newer ASMs groups (p = 0.02). The prevalence of poor physical fitness and stigma was significantly higher in WWE with higher number of seizures (p = 0.007, <0.001, respectively). No significant difference in QOL was observed on the basis of ASM type and therapy; however, WWE with generalized onset seizures had worsened QOL compared to those with focal onset seizures (p = 0.04). A significant negative correlation was found among seizure frequency and IPAQ score in WWE (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION WWE on polytherapy were physically less active, higher occurrence of reproductive abnormalities, and stigma compared to the monotherapy group. WWE with higher seizure frequency had poor physical fitness, and higher stigma compared to those with lesser number of seizures. These findings may aid value in optimization of ASM treatment in WWE of reproductive age.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Reeta Mahey
- Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
| | - Manjari Tripathi
- Dept. of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
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Gammoh O, Al-Smadi A, Mansour M, Ennab W, AL Hababbeh S, Al-Taani G, Alsous M, Aljabali AAA, Tambuwala MM. The relationship between psychiatric symptoms and the use of levetiracetam in people with epilepsy. Int J Psychiatry Med 2024; 59:360-372. [PMID: 37837222 PMCID: PMC11044508 DOI: 10.1177/00912174231206056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Background: Mental health in people with epilepsy (PWE) is often overlooked, especially in developing countries.Purpose: Consequently, the current work had two objectives: (1) to estimate the burden of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and stress, and (2) to examine the association of these psychiatric/psychological symptoms with levetiracetam and other relevant clinical factors in a cohort of Jordanian PWE.Research Design: This is a cross-sectional study. The demographic and clinical data were recorded. Depression was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9, Arabic-validated version) and anxiety by the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7, Arabic-validated version). The insomnia severity index (ISI-A, Arabic version) was used to assess sleep quality, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-A, Arabic version) was used to measure perceived stress.Study Sample: Data were analyzed from 280 patients, of which 178 (63.6%) received levetiracetam as monotherapy or as adjuvant.Results: Depression was reported in 150 (53.6%), anxiety in 110 (39.3%), insomnia in 131 (46.8%), and clinically significant stress in 211 (75.4%). At univariate analysis, levetiracetam was not associated with psychiatric symptoms. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that severe depressive symptoms were associated with family history (OR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.42-4.33, P = .001) and seizure type (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.01-2.80, P = .04), severe anxiety symptoms were associated with family history (OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.12-3.23, P = .01), severe insomnia was associated with seizure type (OR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.33-3.5, P = .002) and severe stress was associated with marital status (OR = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.31-4.29, P = .004).Conclusions: The high psychological burden of PWE is a challenging issue that requires attention and prompt action to control its risk factors. Levetiracetam was not associated with psychiatric symptoms in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Gammoh
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Ahmed Al-Smadi
- Faculty of Nursing, Al al-Bayt University, Mafraq, Jordan
| | | | - Wail Ennab
- Department of Neurology, Al-Bashir Hospital, Amman, Jordan
| | | | - Ghaith Al-Taani
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Mervat Alsous
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Alaa AA Aljabali
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Murtaza M Tambuwala
- Lincoln Medical School, Brayford Pool Campus, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, UK
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Büyükbayram Z, Aksoy M, Yılmaz R. The effects of concealment of epilepsy on medication adherence in people with epilepsy: A cross-sectional study. Epilepsy Res 2023; 196:107220. [PMID: 37699282 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2023.107220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
AIM Adherence to antiseizure medication is of great importance in achieving seizure control and maintaining well-being for people with epilepsy. Therefore, it is important to assess medication adherence and factors affecting medication adherence in this patient group. This study aims to examine the effects of concealment of epilepsy on medication adherence in people with epilepsy. METHOD This cross-sectional study was conducted with 220 people with epilepsy. Data were collected using a patient information form, the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8), and the Concealment of Epilepsy Scale (CES) and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS The mean age of the participants was 49.84 ± 9.43 years, and 53.6% of them were male. Their mean MMAS-8 score was 4.25 ± 1.99%, and 72.3% had low medication adherence. Additionally, their mean CES score was 49.84 ± 9.43. The CES scores of the participants negatively predicted their MMAS-8 scores (p < 0.05), and medication adherence was positively predicted by female gender, the duration of diagnosis, the single administration of drugs per day, and employment status, whereas it was negatively predicted by the annual number of seizures (F=19.256, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION In this study, people with epilepsy were found to have low medication adherence and a high tendency to conceal epilepsy. Furthermore, the tendency to conceal epilepsy had a negative effect on medication adherence. IMPLICATIONS Psychosocial interventions aimed at reducing the tendency to conceal epilepsy can contribute to medication adherence in people with the condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeliha Büyükbayram
- Siirt University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine Nursing, Siirt, Turkey
| | - Meyreme Aksoy
- Siirt University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing Fundamentals, Siirt, Turkey.
| | - Rıdvan Yılmaz
- Gazi Yaşargil Education and Research Hospital, Diyarbakır, Turkey
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Goel P, Singh G, Bansal V, Sharma S, Kumar P, Chaudhry R, Bansal N, Chaudhary A, Sharma S, Sander JW. Psychiatric comorbidities among people with epilepsy: A population-based assessment in disadvantaged communities. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 137:108965. [PMID: 36343531 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Psychiatric disorders are frequent among people with epilepsy but often under-recognized. The diagnosis and treatment of these disorders in low- and low-middle-income countries (LMICs) are challenging. METHODS This cross-sectional survey included people recruited during a community epilepsy screening program involving 59,509 individuals from poor communities in Ludhiana in Northwest India. Adults (age ≥18 years) with confirmed epilepsy on antiseizure medications were screened for depression and anxiety using the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) twice over two years of follow-up. They were later interviewed for symptoms using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, which was then confirmed by assessments by an experienced psychiatrist. RESULTS Of the 240 people with confirmed epilepsy, 167 (70%) were adults, of whom, 116 (70%) eventually participated in the study. The NDDI-E with a cut-off of 15 identified depression in 14 (12%) of 116 people after one year of follow-up and 17 (15%) at two years. The GAD-7 using a cut-off of 6 identified 22 (19%) at one year and 32 (28%) with anxiety at two years. The area under the curves for NDDI-E was estimated as 0.62 (95%CI, 0.51-0.73; SE: 0.06; p = 0.04) and for GAD-7 as 0.62 (95%CI, 0.46-0.78; SE: 0.08; p = 0.12). Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale identified 63 (54%) people with psychiatric symptoms, for whom, a psychiatric diagnosis was confirmed in 60 (52%). A psychiatric diagnosis was associated with education below high school [Odds Ratio (OR): 2.59, 95%CI, 1.12-5.1; p = 0.03], later age of seizure onset (OR, 1.05, 95%CI: 1.0-1.10; p = 0.04), seizure frequency of at least one/year at enrolment (OR, 2.36, 95%CI: 1.0-5.58; p = 0.05) and the use of clobazam (OR, 5.09, 95%CI, 1.40-18.42; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION Depression and anxiety are common in people with epilepsy. Our findings underscore the low yields of screening instruments, NDDI-E and GAD-7, and comparatively better professionally-administered diagnostic assessments in resource-limited settings in LMICs. Moreover, previously established cut-offs do not apply to the community studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parveen Goel
- Research & Development Unit, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, India; Department of Neurology, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, India
| | - Gagandeep Singh
- Research & Development Unit, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, India; Department of Neurology, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, India; UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom.
| | - Vasu Bansal
- Department of Medicine, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, India
| | - Suman Sharma
- Research & Development Unit, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, India
| | - Pankaj Kumar
- Department of Psychiatry, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, India
| | - Rupesh Chaudhry
- Department of Psychiatry, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, India
| | - Namita Bansal
- Research & Development Unit, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, India
| | - Anurag Chaudhary
- Department of Social & Preventive Medicine, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, India
| | - Sarit Sharma
- Department of Social & Preventive Medicine, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, India
| | - Josemir W Sander
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom; Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter SL9 0RJ, United Kingdom; Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede 2103 SW, The Netherlands; Neurology Department, West of China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 61004, China.
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Aksoy M, Büyükbayram Z. Evaluating the knowledge of and attitudes toward epilepsy among Turkish undergraduate nursing students: A cross-sectional study. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 126:108477. [PMID: 34922329 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AIM This study was conducted to examine the knowledge of and attitudes toward epilepsy among nursing students. METHOD This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 369 nursing students. Data were collected through an anonymous online questionnaire prepared using the Introductory Information Form, Epilepsy Knowledge Scale (EKS), and Epilepsy Attitude Scale (EAS). Descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test, Student's t test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation test were used in the data analysis. A p value of 0.05 was considered the threshold for statistical significance. FINDINGS The sample of the study consisted of nursing students, and more than half of the students (63.4%) were females. 32.2% of the students were third-year students, and the mean age was 21.36 ± 2.12 years. The mean scores obtained on the EKS and the EAS were 10.03 ± 33.21 and 56.39 ± 5.40, respectively. A significant positive correlation was found between the knowledge and attitude scores of the students regarding epilepsy (p < 0.05), and students' attitude scores toward epilepsy increased with increased knowledge of the subject matter. Overall, female students had better knowledge levels and a more positive attitude toward epilepsy than male students (p < 0.05). Further, the students who had witnessed an epileptic seizure, knew someone with epilepsy, or provided care for patients with epilepsy, had higher scores on the EKS, and displayed better knowledge toward epilepsy (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Nursing students were found to have moderate knowledge of and a positive attitude toward epilepsy. The positive attitude toward epilepsy increased with the increasing knowledge of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meyreme Aksoy
- Siirt University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing Fundamentals, Siirt, Turkey. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7468-9822/
| | - Zeliha Büyükbayram
- Siirt University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine Nursing, Siirt, Turkey. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9152-6662/
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Temporal trends in the epilepsy treatment gap in low- and low-middle-income countries: A meta-analysis. J Neurol Sci 2022; 434:120174. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2022.120174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Amoudi M, Nairat Q, Shawahna R. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physiotherapists with regard to epilepsy and patients with epilepsy: A systematic scoping review. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 124:108367. [PMID: 34717245 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In today's healthcare systems, physiotherapists are one of the most important providers of care services to patients with disabilities including those with epilepsy. The aims of this systematic scoping review were to identify, summarize, and present narrative synthesis of qualitative evidence on knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physiotherapists toward epilepsy and patients with epilepsy. METHODS Primary studies were searched in Medline/PubMed, Embase, Science Direct, SpringerLink, CInAHL/EBSCO, Cochrane library, and Scopus as late as July 02, 2021. Appraisal of the methodological quality was conducted for the studies included in this systematic scoping review. Due to the heterogenous nature of the collected data, results of this study are presented as narrative synthesis. RESULTS A total of 11 were finally included in the qualitative synthesis. The selected studies were published in the period between 2016 and 2020. The studies included in this review had acceptable methodological quality in many of the 11 domains of the quality assessment tool. Contents of the included studies were grouped into the 11 themes and 8 subthemes. The major themes were related education/access to information, interaction with patients, witnessing seizures, barriers and promoters of adequate knowledge and attitudes, and interventions to improve knowledge and attitudes. CONCLUSION Currently, high-quality interventional studies are needed to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physiotherapists with regard to epilepsy and patients with epilepsy. Future studies are still needed to investigate if improving knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physiotherapists with regard to epilepsy and patients with epilepsy can improve health-related outcomes of the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mosab Amoudi
- Health Sciences Department, Arab American University, Palestine
| | - Qais Nairat
- Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Teachers' Training, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Ramzi Shawahna
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; An-Najah BioSciences Unit, Centre for Poisons Control, Chemical and Biological Analyses, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.
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Shawahna R, Jaber M, Maqboul I, Hijaz H, Abu-Issa M, Radwan F, Dweik M. Are medical students adequately prepared to provide quality care for patients with epilepsy? A cross-sectional study of their knowledge and attitude. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 120:107976. [PMID: 33957440 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study assessed preparedness of Palestinian medical students as future physicians to care for patients with epilepsy through assessing their knowledge and attitude. METHODS The current study was conducted in a cross-sectional design. A pre-validated study tool was used to collect sociodemographic and academic details of the students, test their knowledge using a 16-item test, and test their attitude using a 13-item test. RESULTS A total of 386 medical students completed the study tool. The median knowledge score was 75.0% (range: 62.5% to 87.5%). The median attitude score was 81.5% (range: 73.8% to 89.2%). Knowledge and attitude scores correlated positively (Spearman's rho = 0.25, p-value < 0.001). Students who were in their clinical training stage (OR = 4.22, 95% CI of 2.54 to 7.01), who had received a course/part of a course on epilepsy (OR = 2.55, 95% CI of 1.26 to 5.17), who perceived their knowledge of epilepsy as moderate (OR = 3.14, 95% CI of 1.87 to 5.28), and those who perceived their knowledge of epilepsy as high (OR = 11.91, 95% CI of 2.47 to 57.41) were more likely to score ≥ 70% in the knowledge test compared to those who were in their basic training stage, who had not received a course/part of a course on epilepsy, and who perceived their knowledge of epilepsy as low, respectively. CONCLUSION Findings of the current investigation may indicate that inclusion of courses on epilepsy early in the medical curriculum might promote knowledge of medical students with regard to epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramzi Shawahna
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; An-Najah BioSciences Unit, Centre for Poisons Control, Chemical and Biological Analyses, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.
| | - Mohammad Jaber
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; An-Najah National University Hospital, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Iyad Maqboul
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; An-Najah National University Hospital, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Hatim Hijaz
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; An-Najah National University Hospital, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Majd Abu-Issa
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Faris Radwan
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Mohammad Dweik
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
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Rashid H, Katyal J, Sood M, Tripathi M. Depression in persons with epilepsy: A comparative study of different tools in Indian population. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 115:107633. [PMID: 33309426 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Depression is an important co-morbidity in persons with epilepsy (PWE) and its timely identification is essential. The aim of the study was to assess and compare the psychometric properties of potentially suitable screening tools of depression in PWE in a tertiary care setting in India. METHODS After ethical clearance, 449 PWE above 18 years of age, on anti-seizure drugs (ASDs), attending epilepsy clinic in neurology outpatient department (OPD) of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, were recruited and evaluated for depression using different tools namely: Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D). Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI: Module A, version 6.0.0) was used as reference standard. The association if any of depression with PWE variables was also determined. RESULTS A variable percentage of PWE were positive for depression- 40.1% with MINI, 40.5% with NDDI-E, 44.3% with HAM-D and 45.4% with PHQ-9. Suicidal ideation was present in 4.5% of PWE. The sensitivity and specificity of scales using MINI as a reference standard were found to be maximal at scores ≥5, ≥8 and >11 for PHQ-9, HAM-D, and NDDI-E, respectively. The ROC analysis revealed a statistically significant difference among NDDI-E and PHQ-9 (p = 0.0268). Polytherapy in PWE had significant association with risk of depression (p < 0.01) and female PWE had 1.5 times the odds of depression as compared with males (95% CI, 1.02-2.2). CONCLUSION All the tools used in this study were found to be appropriate for use in PWE if cut-off points are validated. The choice of tool can be based on the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haroon Rashid
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Jatinder Katyal
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India.
| | - Mamta Sood
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Manjari Tripathi
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
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Fong SL, Lim KS, Tan L, Zainuddin NH, Ho JH, Chia ZJ, Choo WY, Puvanarajah SD, Chinnasami S, Tee SK, Raymond AA, Law WC, Tan CT. Prevalence study of epilepsy in Malaysia. Epilepsy Res 2021; 170:106551. [PMID: 33440303 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2021.106551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The lifetime prevalence of epilepsy varies greatly from 1.5-14.0 per 1000 persons among the Asian countries. We aim to study the prevalence of epilepsy in Malaysia to have a better insight into the burden of disease in the country. METHODS A population-based door-to-door survey was carried out throughout the country, using questionnaire for brief screening in ascertainment of epilepsy, using a questionnaire and its validated multilingual versions. Respondents who were screened positive underwent second-stage diagnostic phone interview by neurologists/ research assistants. RESULTS A total 16, 686 respondents participated in the survey and 646 (3.8 %) respondents were screened positive during the first stage interview. A total of 185 consented for second stage diagnostic interview and 118 (63.8 %) respondents were contacted successfully for the second stage diagnostic phone interview, of which 17 (14.4 %) respondents were diagnosed to have epilepsy. An additional 68 (57.6 %) respondents had febrile seizures only. After applying a weighting factor to each respondent to adjust for non-response and for the varying probabilities of selection, the adjusted lifetime epilepsy prevalence was 7.8 in 1000 population, and the adjusted prevalence for active epilepsy was 4.2 in 1000 population in Malaysia. CONCLUSION The prevalence of lifetime epilepsy in Malaysia is 7.8 per 1000 persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Lei Fong
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia
| | - Kheng-Seang Lim
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia.
| | - LeeAnn Tan
- Institute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
| | - Nabilah Hanis Zainuddin
- Biostatistics and Data Repository Sector, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
| | - Jun-Hui Ho
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia
| | - Zhi-Jien Chia
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia
| | - Wan-Yuen Choo
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Sow-Kuan Tee
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Azman Ali Raymond
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Sungai Buloh, Malaysia
| | - Wan-Chung Law
- Division of Neurology, Borneo Medical Centre, Malaysia
| | - Chong-Tin Tan
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia
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Singh G, Singhal S, Sharma S, Paul BS, Bansal N, Chaudhary A, Sharma S, Bansal RK, Goraya JS, Setia RK, Sander JW. Clinical characteristics of epilepsy in resource-limited communities in Punjab, Northwest India. Epilepsia Open 2020; 5:582-595. [PMID: 33336129 PMCID: PMC7733663 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe clinical characteristics of a community-based epilepsy cohort from resource-limited communities in Punjab, Northwest India. METHODS The cohort was gathered following a two-stage screening survey. We cross-sectionally examined and followed up the cohort for one year. A panel of neurologists assigned seizure types, syndromes, and putative etiologies and categorized drug responsiveness. RESULTS The cohort of 240 included 161 (67.1%) men, 109 (45.4%) illiterates and 149 (62.1%) unemployed. Current age was >18 years in 155 (64.6%) but age at epilepsy onset was <18 years in 173 (72.1%). Epilepsies due to structural and metabolic causes were diagnosed in 99 (41.3%), but syndromic assignments were not possible in 97 (40.4%). After one year, drug-resistant epilepsy was established in 74 (30.8%). Perinatal events (n = 35; 14.6%) followed by CNS infections (n = 32; 13.3%) and traumatic brain injury (n = 12; 5.0%) were common risk factors. Most of those with CNS infections (n = 19; 63.3%), perinatal antecedents (n = 23; 76.7%), and other acquired risk factors (n = 27; 90.0%) presented with epilepsy due to structural and metabolic causes. Perinatal events were the putative etiology for nearly 40.7% of generalized epilepsies due to structural and metabolic causes and 28.2% of all epilepsies with onset <10 years. SIGNIFICANCE Existing classifications schemes should be better suited to field conditions in resource-limited communities in low- and middle-income countries. The finding of drug-resistant epilepsy in nearly at least a third in a community-based sample underscores an unmet need for enhancing services for this segment within healthcare systems. Perinatal events, CNS infections, and head injury account for a third of all epilepsies and hence preventative interventions focusing on these epilepsy risk factors should be stepped up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gagandeep Singh
- Research & Development UnitDayanand Medical CollegeLudhianaIndia
- Department of NeurologyDayanand Medical CollegeLudhianaIndia
- NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research CentreUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - Sachi Singhal
- Research & Development UnitDayanand Medical CollegeLudhianaIndia
| | - Suman Sharma
- Research & Development UnitDayanand Medical CollegeLudhianaIndia
| | | | - Namita Bansal
- Research & Development UnitDayanand Medical CollegeLudhianaIndia
| | - Anurag Chaudhary
- Department of Social & Preventive MedicineDayanand Medical CollegeLudhianaIndia
| | - Sarit Sharma
- Department of Social & Preventive MedicineDayanand Medical CollegeLudhianaIndia
| | | | | | | | - Josemir W. Sander
- NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research CentreUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- Chalfont Centre for EpilepsyChalfont St PeterUK
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN)HeemstedeThe Netherlands
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Sureka RK, Gaur V, Gupta M. Impact of COVID-19 on People Suffering with Epilepsy. Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2020; 24:51-55. [PMID: 33911379 PMCID: PMC8061515 DOI: 10.4103/aian.aian_623_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common problems in neurology clinical practice and currently we are in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. The coronavirus pandemic is an epidemiological and psychological crisis, which is likely to affect persons with epilepsy. Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on patients with epilepsy and effects on their mental health. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional web-based survey carried out at the department of Neurology at a tertiary care hospital. A questionnaire was designed in the local language using Google Forms to assess basic knowledge regarding epilepsy, coronavirus, effects of COVID-19 and lockdown on epileptic patients and also effects on their mental health. The link to the online survey was distributed via WhatsApp messenger to epilepsy patients. Results: One hundred fifty-six cases were enrolled with 69.1% were below 34 years of age and male: female ratio was 1.2:1. Only 34.3% of the participants were employed and 50% of patients had an income of less than Rs. 3000 per month. Of the patients enrolled, 20.5% reported the “devil” and superstitions as a cause of epilepsy and only 10% of patients thought that tantric (holy priest) could treat the disease better than doctors. 53.8% of patients worried about getting COVID-19 and could not stop thoughts about being infected by coronavirus bothering them. 30.3% patients had increased seizure frequency during COVID-19 pandemic, of which the most common reason was that they forgot to take regular antiepileptic drugs (22.7%) or they had faced difficulty in obtaining medicine due to lockdown (12.1%). During the pandemic, 17% of patients reported depression symptoms and another 21% reported anxiety symptoms. Conclusion: The current COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected patients with epilepsy and increased seizure frequency, depression, anxiety, unemployment, and financial difficulty in obtaining medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajendra K Sureka
- Department of Neurology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Vikas Gaur
- Department of Psychiatry, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Medha Gupta
- Department of Neurology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
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Shawahna R. Agreement of Palestinian nursing students with recommendations to eliminate epilepsy stigma and change perception of the general public about epilepsy: A cross-sectional study. Epilepsy Behav 2020; 109:107126. [PMID: 32438121 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to assess the degree of agreement of Palestinian nursing students with recommendations and key messages to eliminate/reduce epilepsy stigma and change perception of the general public about epilepsy and people with epilepsy (PWE). METHODS A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among undergraduate nursing students. The study tool was a questionnaire with 24 items which collected the sociodemographic and academic characteristics of the participants (6 items) and agreements with 18 recommendations and key messages to eliminate/reduce epilepsy stigma. RESULTS A total of 342 nursing students completed the questionnaire with a response rate of 68.4%. The participants agreed with the 6 recommendations to inform media, improve awareness, and educate the general public on epilepsy (agreement rates: 87.7% to 92.4%), 4 recommendations to coordinate efforts to improve awareness and educate the general public on epilepsy and PWE (agreement rates: 89.8% to 93.0%), and 8 key messages to eliminate/reduce epilepsy stigma (agreement rates: 70.2% to 93.9%). In general, female students tended to express significantly higher levels of agreement with the recommendations and key messages (p-value < 0.05). CONCLUSION Results of the present study highlighted the importance of involving nurses and future nurses in eliminating/reducing epilepsy stigma and changing perception of the general public about epilepsy and PWE. Further studies are to be conducted to investigate if these recommendations and messages can eliminate or significantly reduce epilepsy stigma and change perception of the general public about epilepsy and PWE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramzi Shawahna
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; An-Najah BioSciences Unit, Centre for Poisons Control, Chemical and Biological Analyses, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.
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Yu JN, Yue CF, Wang KJ, Chi NN, Li X. Effect of cinnamaldehyde on Cav-1 and Survivin expression in epilepsy: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e20459. [PMID: 32501993 PMCID: PMC7306385 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000020459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This systematic review aims to assess the effect of cinnamaldehyde on Cav-1 and Survivin expression in epilepsy. METHODS We will search Cochrane Library, PUBMED, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, WANGFANG, VIP, CBM, and CNKI from their inceptions to the March 31, 2020, without language restrictions. Two authors will independently carry out searching literature records, scanning titles and abstracts, full texts, collecting data, and assessing risk of bias. RevMan 5.3 software will be used for statistical analysis. RESULTS This systematic review will investigate whether cinnamaldehyde is effective on Cav-1 and Survivin expression in epilepsy. CONCLUSION Its findings will provide helpful evidence for the effect of cinnamaldehyde on Cav-1 and Survivin expression in epilepsy.Systematic review registration: INPLASY202040152.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Xin Li
- First Ward of Neurology Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, China
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Shawahna R, Abdelhaq I. Exploring perceived benefits, motives, barriers, and recommendations for prescribing yoga exercises as a nonpharmacological intervention for patients with epilepsy: A qualitative study from Palestine. Epilepsy Behav 2020; 106:107041. [PMID: 32247178 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Yoga is believed to play a role in stabilizing the electroencephalogram and the autonomic nervous system, thus might help control seizures in people with epilepsy (PWE). This qualitative study was conducted to explore experiences of Palestinian PWE with regard to benefits, motives, barriers, and recommendations of prescribing yoga exercises as a nonpharmacological intervention. METHODS Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to recruit PWE who practiced yoga. Semi-structured in-depth interviews (n = 18) were conducted with the study participants. The interpretive description method was used to qualitatively analyze the data collected during the interviews. RESULTS Following the thematic analysis adopted for this study, four major themes emerged. These themes were as follows: perceived benefits of yoga, motives to practice yoga, barriers to practice yoga, and recommendations on effective yoga practice for PWE. The perceived benefits included improvements in management of seizures, psychological, physical, and social well-being. People with epilepsy were motivated by the health benefits of yoga. Barriers of adherence to practice included personal and logistic factors. The interviewees recommended tailoring yoga sessions to the needs of PWE. CONCLUSION This explorative qualitative study reported perceived benefits, motives, barriers, and recommendations of yoga as a nonpharmacological intervention for PWE. People with epilepsy used yoga as a beneficial nonpharmacological intervention to improve their health and reduce the negative effects of epilepsy on their physical and psychosocial well-being. Future studies are needed to investigate the health benefits of yoga when sessions are tailored to the needs of PWE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramzi Shawahna
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; An-Najah BioSciences Unit, Centre for Poisons Control, Chemical and Biological Analyses, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.
| | - Imad Abdelhaq
- Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Teachers' Training, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
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Shawahna R, Jaber M. Crossword puzzles improve learning of Palestinian nursing students about pharmacology of epilepsy: Results of a randomized controlled study. Epilepsy Behav 2020; 106:107024. [PMID: 32193093 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to investigate if crossword puzzles as active learning tools can improve the knowledge retention of nursing students in pharmacology of epilepsy and improve their performance in writing the correct spelling of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). METHODS The present study was a randomized controlled prospective parallel study in which a control group design with pretests and posttests were used among nursing students. Students were randomly allocated to either control group (n = 114) who received routine learning or intervention group (n = 110) who received crossword puzzles. Both control and intervention groups had to complete multiple-choice question (MCQs) and spelling pretests and posttests. RESULTS Scores of the MCQs and spelling pretests were not statistically different (p-value > 0.05) for participants in all achievement categories in both control and intervention groups. In the intervention group, scores in the first and second MCQs and spelling posttests were significantly higher than their corresponding scores in the pretest scores for participants from the all achievement categories (p-value < 0.05) and scores of the first and second MCQs and spelling posttests were not significantly different (p-value > 0.05). Data analyses showed that there were significant normalized changes between scores of students in across all achievement categories. CONCLUSION Findings of this study suggested that crossword puzzles were effective in improving the learning of nursing students about the pharmacology of epilepsy and writing correct spelling of AEDs. Educators should consider using crossword puzzles as active learning tools to improve knowledge of nursing students about the pharmacology of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramzi Shawahna
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; An-Najah BioSciences Unit, Centre for Poisons Control, Chemical and Biological Analyses, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.
| | - Mohammad Jaber
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; An-Najah National University Hospital, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
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Shawahna R, Jaber M. Assessing knowledge and attitudes of Palestinian undergraduate nursing students toward epilepsy and patients with epilepsy: A cross-sectional study. Epilepsy Behav 2020; 102:106811. [PMID: 31812037 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study assessed knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate nursing students toward epilepsy and patients with epilepsy (PWEs). Associations between different sociodemographic and academic variables and knowledge and attitude scores were also assessed. METHODS The present study was conducted in a cross-sectional observational design among Palestinian undergraduate nursing students using a prevalidated and reliable questionnaire of 38 items. After collecting sociodemographic and academic characteristics, students answered a knowledge test (16 items) and attitude test (13 items). RESULTS The questionnaire was completed by 342 nursing students. The median knowledge score was 65.6 with an interquartile range (IQR) of 31.3, and the median attitude score was 81.5 with an IQR of 20.0. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that higher knowledge scores were predicted by being female in gender (p-value <0.05), had a course/studied about epilepsy (p-value <0.001), self-rated knowledge about epilepsy as high (p-value <0.05), and ever witnessing a PWE experiencing seizures (p-value <0.001). Higher attitude scores were predicted by self-rated knowledge about epilepsy as high (p-value <0.001), had a course/studied about epilepsy (p-value <0.05), and ever witnessed a PWE experiencing seizures (p-value <0.05). CONCLUSION Nursing students had moderate knowledge of epilepsy and had generally positive attitudes toward PWEs. Findings of this study highlighted knowledge gaps and areas for improvement. As knowledge scores were positively correlated with attitudes, probably, findings of this study might suggest that educational/training interventions can improve knowledge as well as positive attitudes of nursing students with regard to epilepsy and PWEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramzi Shawahna
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; An-Najah BioSciences Unit, Centre for Poisons Control, Chemical and Biological Analyses, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.
| | - Mohammad Jaber
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; An-Najah National University Hospital, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
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