Knowledge of Tunisian physicians about electronic cigarettes.

INTRODUCTION: The electronic cigarette is a new-generation smoking product whose mechanism of use could, in theory, minimize adverse health effects. AIM: Determine the knowledge and perceptions of a sample of Tunisian doctors regarding electronic cigarettes. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study over a two-month period with a sample of Tunisian doctors. We used an online self-questionnaire on physicians' knowledge and perceptions of e-cigarettes. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 216 physicians. Of the participants, 97.2% were familiar with e-cigarettes, 56.5% reported low knowledge, and 83.4% expressed motivation to learn more about e-cigarettes. Overall, 83.8% of doctors felt that electronic cigarettes are harmful to the user's health. Use of this product would increase the risk of cancer according to 73.1% of participants, the risk of cardiovascular disease according to 68.5% of participants, and the risk of chronic lung disease according to 79.2% of participants. The perception of e-cigarettes as harmful to the user's health was associated with the physicians' medical specialty (p=0.032). The recommendation of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool was negatively correlated with addictology training (p=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: Physicians' knowledge of electronic cigarettes is heterogeneous, reflecting the current lack of information and consensus.

Charles Bonnet Syndrome Related to a Pituitary Adenoma: A Case Study in a Tunisian Woman.

According to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 11th Revision (ICD-11) definition, "Charles Bonnet Syndrome" (CBS) refers to the experience of complex visual hallucinations in a person who has experienced a partial or complete loss of vision. Pituitary adenoma is a rare situation that may be associated with CBS. We report a case of CBS in a Tunisian 44-year-old female with pituitary macroadenoma. The patient reported visual hallucinations which persisted after transsphenoidal adenomectomy. She had no prior psychiatric history. She did not take any medication that could produce hallucinations. After Olanzapine initiation, hallucinations were completely resolved. It is the first Tunisian case of CBS reported in English language. This peculiar condition seems to be under-recognized in our country. Clinicians should be aware that visual hallucinations may concern patients without psychiatric disorders.

The first Tunisian case of postorgasmic illness syndrome: A case report.

Postorgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is a rare and singular syndrome. About fifty cases have been reported in the medical literature. Through a clinical observation, we illustrate the first case diagnosed in Tunisia and the difficulties in the etiological diagnosis and the therapeutic management of this syndrome. Given the shortage of cases reported in the literature, the syndrome of POIS remains poorly identified and subsequently misdiagnosed. The clinical diagnosis is relatively simple, yet etiological and therapeutic questions remain to overcome.

Correlates of benzodiazepine dependence in patients with depression followed up in a psychiatric outpatient unit in Tunisia.

Benzodiazepines may be prescribed to manage anxiety and insomnia in patients with depression. However, as noticed during our daily practice, a considerable proportion of patients treated for depression and receiving benzodiazepines developed a dependence to these medicines. Our aims were to estimate the proportion of patients with depression who develop a benzodiazepine dependence and to identify its correlates. We conducted a comparative study in Razi Hospital's outpatient psychiatry unit (Tunisia). We included patients aged 18 to 65 years who were diagnosed with depression during the first three quarters of 2014. Included patients were prescribed benzodiazepines. Follow-up period was of 2 years. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify dependence-associated factors. We included 54 patients, and 52% developed a benzodiazepine dependence during the follow-up period. Two associated factors were identified: a daily mean benzodiazepine dose of more than 9.5 milligrams of diazepam equivalents prior to taper off (p = .001) and a benzodiazepine taper-off initiated after the fifth week of benzodiazepine intake onset (p = .007). The proportion of patients who developed a benzodiazepine dependence was high. Low doses and time-limited benzodiazepine prescription should be taken into consideration when managing patients with depression in order to prevent dependence.

Sexual disorders in patients with vitiligo.

Vitiligo is a dermatosis that alters the quality of life, self-esteem and body image We evaluated, through a review of the literature sexual disorders (SD) in patients with vitiligo. Few studies were available. Those most likely to have "sexual difficulties", among persons with vitiligo, would be those with low self-esteem. Relational problems with the opposite sex are mainly related to feelings of shame and embarrassment. Large depigmented skin area and genital involvement seem predictive of the occurrence of sexual disorders. All items of the sexual function (desire, excitement, vaginal lubrication / erection, ability to reach orgasm, and satisfaction from orgasm) may be affected.

Sexuality during the postpartum period: study of a population of Tunisian women.

INTRODUCTION: The birth of a child is a milestone in a woman's life. Sexual health concerns are common in postpartum as women face psychological and physical difficulties. However, studies about sexuality during postpartum are rare in Tunisia. AIM: To evaluate the sexual function of a population of women in postpartum, and identify possible particularities and associated factors of the studied population. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study of women who gave birth in the six months preceding the study. A questionnaire was sent viaa social networking service. RESULTS: Our population of 100 women had an average age of 31.4 years. Women lived in urban areas, were married, have gone to university, were mostly primiparous (73%), and had vaginal delivery (53%). The average time to have sex again after delivery was nine weeks. In postpartum, sexuality showed modifications such as a change in sexual practices and a decreased frequency of sexual intercourse (73% of cases). Some factors influenced the resumption of sexuality, such as instrumental vaginal delivery, breastfeeding, body image disturbances (37%), fatigue (24%) and lack of availability (60%). The major sexual dysfunctions reported during postpartum were: desire disorders (31%), altered vaginal lubrication (31%), painful intercourse (14%) and decreased sexual satisfaction (33%). CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the importance of identifying the sexual disturbances faced by women during postpartum.

Impact of pregnancy on sexuality : a cross-sectional study of 100 tunisian women.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a period during which anatomical, physiological and psychological changes may affect couple sexuality. AIM: To determine the knowledge and practices in sexuality, and identify the particularities of the sexual function during pregnancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study of pregnant women who responded to a questionnaire sent by Internet through a social network. RESULTS: Ninety-one percent of the 100 enrolled women were aged 25 to 34 years; 97% had a university education, and 66% were in the third quarter. Ninety-four percent of women thought that sexual intercourse is possible during pregnancy. The main reason to continue having sex during pregnancy was to have pleasure for either partner (87%). The reasons not to have sex were mainly fatigue (63%) and discomfort (51%). The main sources of information were the Internet (82%) and physicians (70%). During pregnancy, 92% of women continued to have sex with, however, a reduced frequency compared to the period before pregnancy. Fifty-five percent of women had a decreased desire level, and sexual satisfaction was also decreased in 43% of women. Sexual desire and lubrication were present half the time or more in the second quarter in, respectively, 69% and 55% of pregnant women. The difference with pregnant women in the first and third quarters was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our study focused on women who had most often access to scientific information about pregnancy and sexuality. The pleasure was the main reason to continue having sexual activity. The second quarter was the most sexually "rich" period.