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Abosheaishaa H, Nassar M, Abdelhalim O, Bahbah AA, Abbas S, Morsi SM, Ghallab M, Alagha Z, Omran A, Elfert K, Bandaru P, Forlemu AN, Reddy M. Relation between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and carotid artery intimal media thickness as a surrogate for atherosclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 36:592-607. [PMID: 38489662 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000002721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by hepatic steatosis without heavy alcohol consumption or other chronic conditions, encompasses a spectrum from non-alcoholic fatty liver to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis leading to cirrhosis. This analysis aimed to investigate the correlation between NAFLD and carotid intimal media thickness (C-IMT), a non-invasive surrogate for atherosclerosis. METHODOLOGY Database searches, including PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library, yielded studies up to April 2023. Included were studies exploring the NAFLD-C-IMT relationship in populations aged >18 years. Exclusions comprised non-English papers, those involving animals or pediatric populations and studies lacking control groups. RESULTS No statistical significance was noted between mild and moderate NAFLD compared to the control group regarding C-IMT [95% confidence intervals (CI): -0.03, 0.12] and (95% CI: -0.03, 0.21), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference only in the Severe NAFLD group ( P value 0.03). NAFLD with and without metabolic syndrome showed statistically significant differences compared to control regarding C-IMT (95% CI: 0.04, 0.12) and (95% CI: 0.01, 0.07), respectively. Fifty-nine studies were mentioned without classification of NAFLD severity and revealed a high statistically significant difference between NAFLD and controls regarding C-IMT with (95% CI: 0.09, 0.12, P < 0.00001). Stratified analysis according to sex was done in two studies and revealed statistical differences between NAFLD and control regarding C-IMT in both groups. CONCLUSION This meta-analysis underscores a significant association between NAFLD and increased C-IMT, emphasizing the importance of assessing C-IMT in NAFLD patients to identify cardiovascular risk and tailor therapeutic interventions for improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazem Abosheaishaa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/NYC Health + Hospitals Queens, New York
| | - Mahmoud Nassar
- University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, New York, USA
| | - Omar Abdelhalim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/NYC Health + Hospitals Queens, New York
| | | | - Sharif Abbas
- Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Samah M Morsi
- John's Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Radiology, Duke University, Department of Radiology
| | - Muhammad Ghallab
- Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/NYC Health + Hospitals Queens, New York
| | - Zakaria Alagha
- Marshall University, Joan Edward School of Medicine, West Virginia, New York, USA
| | - Ahmed Omran
- Trinitas Regional Medical Center|RWJBH, Lindon
| | | | - Praneeth Bandaru
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | | | - Madhavi Reddy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/NYC Health + Hospitals Queens, New York
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Alsharif MA, Bahbah AA, Ghonaim MM, Omran JA, Rihan MM, Zayed MA, Tabour MS, Alwardany MH, Aboshady OA. Usage and attitude of medical students towards mobile medical applications during and after COVID-19 lockdown: repeated cross-sectional study. BMC Med Educ 2024; 24:233. [PMID: 38438883 PMCID: PMC10913541 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-024-05216-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift toward e-learning, particularly in medical education. Mobile medical applications (apps) have become integral tools for e-learning due to the prevalence of smartphones among medical students. Therefore, we aim to assess the usage and attitude of undergraduate Egyptian medical students towards mobile medical apps during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. METHODS This is a two-phase repeated cross-sectional study using an online, pilot-tested, and self-administered survey conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt. Phase 1 was during the academic year 2019-2020 (during lockdown), and phase 2 was during the academic year 2021-2022 (after lockdown). Out of the 4800-target population for each phase, a sample size of 140 medical students was randomly selected from each study year, resulting in a total sample size of 840 students for all six academic and clinical years for each phase. RESULTS A total of 566 students in phase 1 and 616 students in phase 2 responded to the survey, with response rates of 67.62% and 73.33%, respectively. In phase 1, 55.7% of students reported using medical apps, with no significant difference between males and females (60.1% vs. 53.8%; p = 0.17) or between academic and clinical years (56.3% vs. 54.7%; p = 0.7). In phase 2, the percentage increased to 70.9%, with a significant difference between males and females (80% vs. 62.9%; p < 0.001) and between academic and clinical years (79.8% vs. 63%; p < 0.001). Medical dictionaries were the most commonly used apps, whereas medical calculators were the least common in both phases. Regarding their attitude, most students (65.1% and 73.9% in phases 1 and 2, respectively) expressed confidence in using medical apps, while 81.3% in phase 1 and 88.1% in phase 2 agreed that using medical apps is a flexible method of learning. Lack of knowledge regarding which app to download was the most reported cause of limitation in medical app usage by 37.8% of the students in phase 1 and 40% in phase 2. CONCLUSION Our study revealed that the COVID-19 lockdown led to a significant increase in the use of mobile medical apps among Egyptian medical students. Despite the positive attitude of students towards these apps, multiple challenges still need to be addressed to ensure their optimal utilization in medical education.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Omar Ali Aboshady
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt.
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Allam AR, Elsayed MA, Daghash IT, Abdelaziz AM, Mostafa OM, Sabra HK, Eldaboush AM, Ahmed NMB, Elweza RT, Adwy ES, Hammad AE, Kabbash IA, Allam AH, Bahbah AA, Ewis MI, Mohamed Shawqi M, Behery MB, Mohamed El-Said Y, Radwan AE, KhallafAllah MT, Aboshady OA, Gouda MA. Colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer in Egypt: a nationwide cross-sectional study. BMC Cancer 2024; 24:131. [PMID: 38273265 PMCID: PMC10809530 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-024-11828-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current guidelines advocate for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in adults who are at risk by using direct visualization methods such as colonoscopy. However, in Egypt, there is a paucity of data regarding the current practice of colonoscopy screening. Moreover, more information is needed about the knowledge and attitudes of potential participants regarding the procedure and possible barriers that can limit their participation. METHODS We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study using an interview-based survey of patients aged 45 years or above who presented to outpatient clinics of nine university hospitals throughout Egypt. Participants were surveyed to assess their compliance with CRC colonoscopy screening guidelines, their knowledge of and attitude towards colonoscopy screening, and their perspective on potential barriers to colonoscopy screening. RESULTS A total of 1,453 participants responded to our survey in the nine study centers. Only a minority of participants (2.3%) were referred for CRC screening. Referral rates were higher among those who knew someone with a history of CRC (5.3% vs 1.5%, p < 0.001) or had a discussion with their physician about CRC (25.8% vs 0.7%, p < 0.001). Few responders (3.2%) had good knowledge regarding CRC screening. After introducing the concept of CRC screening to all participants, most patients (66.7%) showed a positive attitude towards having the procedure. Financial burden and fear of results were the two most frequently cited barriers to undergoing CRC screening (81.1%; and 60.1%, respecteively). CONCLUSIONS Despite the positive attitude, there is insufficient knowledge about CRC screening among eligible participants in Egypt. This has probably contributed to low compliance with current CRC screening guidelines and needs to be addressed at the national level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ali M Abdelaziz
- Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Omar Ali Aboshady
- Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
- College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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