Epidemiological profile of patients attending the maxillofacial prosthodontics unit at Ibn Sina University Hospital in Rabat, Morocco: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: the present study aimed to establish an epidemiological profile of patients consulting the unit of maxillofacial prosthodontics in Rabat. Results deriving from this study will help enhance the quality of patient care in our center and can also serve as a comparison tool with other maxillofacial teams around the world. Methods: during 11 months all patients consulting the unit of maxillofacial prosthodontics in our center were included. We opted for a questionnaire with 3 variables: socio-demographics, clinical examination data, and the type of prosthetic treatment adopted. The study was conducted in the Department of Removable Prosthodontics in the Center of Consultation and Dental Treatment of Rabat Morocco (CCDTR) from September 2020 to July 2021. Results: the study population consisted of 91 patients, with a majority of male patients at 53% (n=48). During our study period, the proportion of patients under one-year-old was predominant, accounting for 38.4% (n=35) of the total sample. Among the patients in the sample, 72.5% (n=66) had no profession, while 66% (n=60) had a low income. Regarding medical insurance, the majority of our patients, 85.5% (n=78), were covered by Public Health Insurance for the Low-income Population (PHILP). Among the total sample, 57.1% (n=52) consulted for a combination of pain function and aesthetics. Additionally, 61.5% (n=56) were referred by teaching hospitals. For the type of oro-facial defect, 52.7% (n=48) of the sample consisted of newborns with congenital facial cleft. Out of the 91 patients, 36 had maxillofacial tumors, with 47.6% (n=17) of them presenting squamous cell carcinoma. Furthermore, 63.7% (n=58) of the prosthetic treatments adopted involved presurgical orthopedic treatments for newborns with facial cleft. Conclusion: the study on the epidemiological profile of patients attending the maxillofacial prosthodontics unit at Ibn Sina University Hospital in Rabat, Morocco provides important insights. The findings highlight the predominance of male patients and the prevalence of oro-facial defects in newborns. Socioeconomic factors, such as low income and lack of profession, are significant considerations. The majority of patients are covered by the PHILP, indicating the importance of medical insurance. These findings contribute to improving healthcare planning and specialized care for this patient population.

Invasive Pneumococcal Infections Among Moroccan Children: Pneumococcal Vaccination Challenges in the Mature Vaccine Era.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae, a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality, disproportionately affects children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Despite vaccination efforts, the challenge of serotype replacement highlights the ongoing struggle against invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) in Morocco, emphasizing the need for updated public health strategies and vaccine efficacy assessments. METHODS: This study was conducted at the Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center and the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center from 2019 to 2022, focusing on hospitalized children. It involved the analysis of 74 strains of IPD, assessing the distribution of pneumococcal serotypes and their antibiotic sensitivity in the post-vaccination era. RESULTS: The prevalence of meningitis or meningo-encephalitis was found to be 66% among the study subjects, with the most frequent serotypes being 3, 19A, 6B, 14, and 11. These serotypes varied significantly by age and location. Coverage rates for the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, PCV-10 and PCV-13, were 20.27% and 56.75%, respectively. Notably, 43% of the strains were non-vaccine serotypes, with serotypes 3 and 19 accounting for 36% of the infections in children, indicating a lack of vaccine efficacy against these types. Additionally, 31.3% of the strains were Penicillin non-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae (PNSP), with 81.25% associated with non-vaccine serotypes. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the persistence of IPD in Moroccan children, revealing significant challenges despite vaccination efforts. With the reintroduction of PCV-13, concerns about the efficacy against non-vaccine serotypes, particularly 3 and 19A, remain. Continuous surveillance and adaptable vaccination strategies are essential to combat these serotype replacements and ensure the effectiveness of future preventive measures.

Severity of neuromeningeal tuberculosis in Morocco: a critical evaluation of epidemiological trends and treatment efficacy.

Introduction: neuromeningeal tuberculosis (NMT) is a significant public health challenge in Morocco because of its acute severity and high mortality rates. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic, and disease progression characteristics of NMT in the Kenitra province. Methods: a retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of patients diagnosed with NMT at the Diagnostic Center of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases in Kenitra from 2014 to 2017. Results: among the 33 identified NMT cases, predominantly males (57.6%) were affected, with an age range of 4-76 years and a median age of 25 years. Extrapulmonary manifestations were prevalent, constituting 78.8% (n=26) of all cases, with meningeal localization in 45.5% (n=15) of confirmed cases. Furthermore, 9.1% (n=3) of cases were associated with unconfirmed cerebral tuberculosis (TB), and 12% (n=4) exhibited miliary TB. Familial transmission and comorbidities were identified as significant factors in disease progression. More than half of the patients received standardized antibacillary treatment during hospitalization, which lasted between 9 and 12 months. Treatment outcomes were generally positive (73%), but a 12% case fatality rate and 15% loss to follow-up were observed. Conclusion: this study highlights the complex clinical and public health challenges posed by NMT in Morocco. It emphasizes the need for improved health strategies that not only increase public awareness but also enhance the accessibility and quality of diagnostic services and treatment options.

Performance evaluation of the national tuberculosis control program 2016-2020: Souss-Massa region, Morocco.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis constitutes a public health problem in Morocco. In an environment where results-based management and the evaluation of public policies become an imperative; the evaluation of the performance of the national tuberculosis control program finds its interest. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analyze the performance of the tuberculosis control program in the Souss Massa region, based on the systemic approach model over a five-year period 2016-2020. METHODS: This is a descriptive secondary data analysis carried out in the Souss-Massa region in southern Morocco over a five year period 2016-2020. Data collection was carried out through the health information system of the NTCP and the various periodic reports produced by the primary health care establishments and diagnostic centers for tuberculosis and respiratory diseases, the delegations and the regional health directorate of the Ministry of Health. RESULTS: The incidence of tuberculosis has fluctuated between 63 and 72 cases/100,000 inhabitants; the average number of cases detected is 1871 cases per year; the survey completion rate is 57.10%; the therapeutic success rate varies between 82% and 89%, the treatment failure rate varies between 0.62% and 2.32%; the death rate varies between 0.63% and 2.92%; the failure rate for tuberculosis/HIV cases is between 3.10% and 6.09%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the program tracer indicators at the level of the Souss-Massa region show that the latter combs to achieve the target objectives.

Prevalence and determinants of frailty among the elderly in the province of Essaouira, Morocco.

Introduction: Morocco is no exception to the global phenomenon of an ageing population. The number of people aged 60 and over rose from one million to 4.5 million between 1970 and 2022. In terms of health, 64.4% of Moroccan seniors are affected by at least one chronic disease, and almost a third suffer from disability. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and identify the factors associated with frailty among the elderly in the Essaouira province of Morocco. Methods: a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional survey of 384 people aged 65 and over attending health centres in Essaouira province was conducted between March 2022 and January 2023. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The Fried phenotype was used to assess frailty in the participants. Results: according to Fried's phenotype, 46.4% of the elderly were frail. Multivariate analyses showed that frailty was associated with family type [OR=1.9; 95% CI 1.4-2.6], professional activity [OR=2.2; 95% CI 1.2-3.9], financial difficulties [OR=1.7; 95% CI 1.1-2.8] and undernutrition [OR=2.9; 95% CI 1.7-4.8]. Conclusion: implementing a screening strategy and speeding up the process of generalising social protection are actions that will make it possible to reduce the prevalence of frailty among the elderly, prevent its complications and act on its main determinants in Morocco.

Cardiovascular risk factors in Moroccan women: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the major cause of disability and premature death. This is due to the ascending trend of consuming an unhealthy diet and obesity which increases the risk of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The main aim of this review was to fill the knowledge gap by providing an up-to-date overview of the prevalence of CVD risk factors among women and to estimate the pooled prevalence among adolescent and pregnant women in Morocco. METHODS: The review included original cross-sectional studies reporting the prevalence of CVD risk factors in Moroccan women aged ≥ 15 years, published between January 2008 and December 2022. The databases searched included MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar and national government publications (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023426809). RESULTS: Initially, 1471 articles were identified, and 76 studies were included. The most commonly reported CVD risk factor was obesity (reported in 56 studies), the prevalence of obesity varies according to the age groups of women with the rate being particularly high in urban women aged ≥ 35 years (ranging of 14-44.9%). Followed by diabetes (ranging from 7.2 to 12.6%) with a high rate in menopausal women. Hypertension prevalence ranged from 29.8 to 39.29%. Among adolescents, the overall prevalence of obesity was 3.15% (95% CI: 2.6%, 3.7%) and the prevalence of physical inactivity was 56.5% (95% CI: 36.9 - 76%). Among pregnant women, the overall prevalence of obesity was 26.8% (95% CI: 15.5 - 38.2%). Gestational diabetes and hypertension were 15.2% (95% CI: 6.3 - 24.1%) and 7.07% (95% CI: 2.5 - 11.6%), respectively. CONCLUSION: This review highlights the significant burden of CVD risk factors among Moroccan women, with a high prevalences of diabetes, obesity, hypertension. The prevalences of these risk factors varies with age, being notably higher in older age groups. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions to address these risk factors. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies and standardized assessment tools to enhance the robustness of prevalence estimates and inform effective prevention strategies.

Veterinary perspectives on the urbanization of leishmaniosis in Morocco.

BACKGROUND: Leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum, L. major and L. tropica is endemic in Morocco. Growing evidence of both human and canine Leishmania infections in urban centres has been reported. Since many forms of the disease are zoonotic, veterinarians play an important role in leishmaniosis control by intervening at the parasite host level. This study aimed to bring together One Health principles to connect canine and feline leishmaniosis epidemiology within urban centres of Morocco (Rabat and Fez) and assess the level of awareness of Moroccan veterinarians about facing this threat. METHODS: A molecular survey was conducted for Leishmania DNA detection in canine (n = 155) and feline (n = 32) whole-blood samples. Three conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocols were implemented. The first PCR aimed at identifying infected animals by targeting Leishmania spp. kinetoplast minicircle DNA (kDNA). The second and third PCR targeted the Leishmania internal transcribed spacer region (ITS-1) and the Leishmania small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSUrRNA) gene, respectively, aiming at identification of the infecting species after Sanger sequencing-positive amplicons. Total immunoglobulin G (IgG) against Leishmania spp. was evaluated in 125 dogs by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) using an in-house protocol, including three Leishmania-specific antigens (SPLA, rKDDR and LicTXNPx). Sera from 25 cats were screened for total IgG to Leishmania spp. by an indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). An online questionnaire was presented to Moroccan veterinarians addressing their knowledge and practices towards animal leishmaniosis. RESULTS: Overall, 19.4% of the dogs tested positive for Leishmania kDNA and ITS-1 and sequencing revealed infection with L. infantum among PCR-positive dogs. These animals presented a wide range of ELISA seropositivity results (16.7%, 34.9% and 51.6%) according to the tested antigens (rKDDR, SPLA and LicTXNPx, respectively). Use of kDNA-PCR revealed 12.5% cats positive to Leishmania spp. otherwise found to be seronegative by IFAT. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable prevalence of infection was identified in dogs from urban centres of Morocco. Additionally, this is the first report of feline infection with Leishmania spp. in this country and in urban settings. Moroccan veterinarians are aware that animal leishmaniosis is endemic in Morocco, representing a public health threat, and are knowledgeable about canine leishmaniosis diagnosis and treatment.

Prevalence and determinant factors of depression and anxiety in people with chronic kidney disease: a Moroccan cross-sectional study.

Introduction: the chronic kidney disease (CKD), is associated with various psychiatric conditions and poorer quality of life. The main objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among CKD patients and to assess their determinant factors. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study in a Moroccan university hospital. Patients aged ≥18 years and followed for more than one year for a stage 3 to 5 CKD, not under renal replacement therapy (RRT) were included. The data were collected using a questionnaire and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). The association between depression and anxiety sub-scores and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was assessed using simple and multiple linear regression. Results: eighty-three patients (mean age 61.7 ± 14.1 years, and 61.4% were women), were included. Regarding the stages of CKD, 10.7% were in stage 3, 52.2% in stage 4, and 25% in stage 5 of CKD. The median of the depression sub-score was 5.00 (IQR (2.00; 10.0)). The median of the depression sub-score was 5.00 (IQR (2.00; 10.09)), and the median of the anxiety sub-score was 6.00 (IQR (4.00; 9.00)). It also shows that 22.0% of patients had depression (stage 4 = 23.8%, stage 5 = 36.8%) and 22.2% had anxiety (stage 4 = 26.2%, stage 5 = 33.3%). Both depression and anxiety scores were significantly associated with the eGFR before (p<0.001, p= 0.001 respectively) and after adjustment (p=0.001, p=0.002 respectively). Conclusion: according to this study depression and anxiety are strongly related to eGFR.

Association between biomass exposure and COPD occurrence in Fez, Morocco: results from the BOLD study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between biomass exposure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a representative sample of adults from the Moroccan population METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Fez as part of the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study, which included apparently healthy subjects aged 40 years and above. Biomass exposure was defined as self-report use of various biomass types for heating or cooking. The Wood Heating Exposure Index, and the Cooking Biomass Exposure Index were used to assess biomass exposure. Participants underwent post-bronchodilator spirometry and COPD was defined as having a forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ratio <0.7. Descriptive, univariate and multivariable statistical analyses adjusting for potential confounders including age, sex, smoking, education level, Mokken scale (wealth index) and occupational dust exposure were performed for the general population and separately for men and women. RESULTS: A total of 760 subjects were included, comprising 350 men and 410 women. In the multivariable analyses, we found a statistically significant association between a higher Wood Heating Exposure Index and COPD in men (adjusted OR=3.8; 95% CI: 1.4 to 10.4). While for women, a high Cooking Biomass Exposure Index was the main factor potentially linked to the increased risk of COPD (adjusted OR=7.2; 95% CI: 1.7 to 30.0). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that biomass exposure is a significant risk factor for COPD development in both men and women, independently of the smoking status which is known as its main risk factor.

Adverse Effects of Gliptins in Type 2 Diabetics in Morocco.

INTRODUCTION: Gliptins are a relatively recent class of oral antidiabetic agents used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study is to identify the adverse effects of gliptins in patients with type 2 diabetes, compare the tolerability of these drugs with data from the literature, and determine patients' behavior in the face of these adverse effects with a view to optimizing their management. METHODS: Our study is cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical, involving 100 patients aged over 20 years, followed at the Endocrinology Department of the Military Hospital Mohammed V. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 63 years, with a sex ratio F/H of 1.13. The median age of diabetes in the patients was 13 years, with an average blood glucose level of 1.64 and an average hemoglobin A1c of 8.26. The comorbidities were 30% cardiovascular disease, 25% hypertension, and 14% dyslipidemia, and 30% of patients had no comorbidities. Forth-six percent of patients reported adverse events and 54% did not report any adverse event. Twenty-eight percent of the adverse events were gastrointestinal, 18% skin disorders, 14% urinary tract infections, 12% hypoglycemia, 12% nervous system disorders, 8% airway infections, and 8% general disorders. CONCLUSION: This study shows that gliptins remain a safe option as the side effects seem fairly well tolerated by patients. Adverse events may impact patient compliance and pose a problem of adherence to treatment. Thus, it would be advantageous to develop therapeutic education for diabetic patients to detect and manage adverse effects.

Résumé Introduction:Les gliptines sont une classe relativement récente d'antidiabétiques oraux utilisés dans le traitement du diabète de type 2. Le but de cette étude est d'identifier les effets indésirables des gliptines chez les patients diabétiques de type 2, de comparer la tolérance de ces médicaments avec les données de la littérature et de déterminer le comportement des patients face à ces effets indésirables afin d'optimiser leur prise en charge.Méthodes:Notre étude est transversale, descriptive et analytique, portant sur 100 patients âgés de plus de 20 ans, suivis au service d'endocrinologie de l'hôpital militaire Mohammed V.Résultats:L'âge moyen des patients était de 63 ans, avec un sex-ratio F/H de 1,13. L'âge médian d'apparition du diabète chez les patients était de 13 ans, avec une glycémie moyenne de 1,64 et une hémoglobine A1c moyenne de 8,26%. Les comorbidités étaient les suivantes: 30 % de maladies cardiovasculaires, 25 % d'hypertension et 14 % de dyslipidémie; 30 % des patients n'avaient aucune comorbidité. Quarante-six pour cent des patients ont signalé des effets indésirables et 54 % n'ont signalé aucun effet indésirable. Vingt-huit pour cent des effets indésirables étaient d'ordre gastro-intestinal, 18 % des troubles cutanés, 14 % des infections urinaires, 12 % des hypoglycémies, 12 % des troubles du système nerveux, 8 % des infections des voies respiratoires et 8 % des troubles généraux.Conclusion:Cette étude montre que les gliptines restent une option sûre car les effets secondaires semblent assez bien tolérés par les patients. Les effets indésirables peuvent avoir un impact sur la compliance des patients et poser un problème d'adhésion au traitement. Ainsi, il serait avantageux de développer l'éducation thérapeutique des patients diabétiques pour détecter et gérer les effets indésirables.

Epidemiological profile of dermatophytes at the parasitology-mycology laboratory at Mohammed VI University Hospital in Oujda.

BACKGROUND: dermatophytoses are a current fungal infection, caused by keratinophilic fungi (dermatophytes) able to invade the nails, hair and skin of humans and animals. AIM: the aim of this study was to establish the epidemiological and mycological profile of dermatophytes isolated in the parasitology-mycology laboratory of the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Oujda. METHODS: this is a 48-month retrospective study from January 2019 to December 2022.The study includes samples taken or sent to our parasitology-mycology laboratory for mycological study. A direct examination and culture were performed on each biological specimen. Species identification was based on macroscopic and microscopic colony criteria. RESULTS: in the present report we reviewed 950 mycological samples. Dermatophytes were isolated in 505 (53.15%) cases. The most common infections were tinea unguium (n=353; 69.90%), followed by tinea corporis (n=123; 5.74%) and tinea capitis (n=29; 5.98%). Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently incriminated species. CONCLUSION: dermatophytes are the most frequent mycoses in humans. They are generally benign and often develop in a chronic and frequently recurrent pattern. Mycological examination is essential. It confirms the fungal origin and isolates the species responsible, in order to identify the source of contamination and implement an appropriate treatment.

[Addiction to psychoactive substances among resident physicians in Morocco: A multicenter cross-sectional study]. / Addiction aux substances psychoactives chez les médecins résidents au Maroc : étude transversale multicentrique.

Introduction Substance use among resident physicians is an underestimated, poorly understood, and serious problem because of its negative consequences for the health of physicians and also for the health and safety of the patients in their care. Objective To estimate the prevalence and identify factors associated with addictive behaviors among resident physicians at different university hospitals in Morocco. Method We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study involving resident doctors from the 7 university hospital centers in Morocco. Resident doctors were invited to participate voluntarily in the study by completing an anonymous self-questionnaire created on Google Forms and sent via email. Results The questionnaire was completed by 310 resident physicians, representing 11.07% of the total population of resident physicians in Morocco. Among the participants, 16.1% (n=50) reported consuming one or more psychoactive substances, including 11.1% (n=37) for tobacco, 10% (n=31) for alcohol, and 6.1% (n=19) for cannabis. The consumption of ecstasy and cocaine was observed in 0.7% (n=2) for each substance. Additionally, 11.9% (n=37) of resident physicians had psychiatric disorders, and 3.2% (n=10) had attempted suicide at least once. The consumption of psychoactive substances among resident physicians was statistically significantly associated with the male gender (4.59 [2.20-9.57]; p=0.000), as well as with surgical specialty (0.48 [0.26-0.88]; p=0.017). Conclusion At the end of this work, we found that the use of psychoactive substances is frequent among resident doctors, which explains the need for preventive measures and appropriate management.

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Colorectal Cancer Risk Among Moroccan Population: Hospital-Based Case Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant public health problem, including Morocco. The Mediterranean Diet (MD) has demonstrated potential anticancerogenic effects toward CRC in Northern Mediterranean countries. Using a Modified Mediterranean Diet (MMD) score adapted to southern countries, we investigated the relationship between adherence to the MD and the risk of CRC among the Moroccan population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the study, we recruited 395 cases matched with 395 controls by sex and age (± 3 years). Using an adapted Food Frequency Questionnaire, we assessed the dietary intakes of participants to calculate the MMD score. We estimated the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for both basic and adjusted models to evaluate the relationship between adherence to the MD and the risk of CRC. RESULT: We observed a significant inverse association between adherence to the MD and CRC risk. In the adjusted model, moderate adherence to the MD was associated with 52% lower risk of CRC [odds ratio (OR*): 0.48 and 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.37-0.69], while high adherence to the MD was associated with 61% lower risk of CRC compared to the lowest category. When stratified by sex, both moderate [OR*: 0.36 (CI95%: 0.27-0.55)] and high [OR*: 0.43 (CI95%:0.27-0.74)] adherence were inversely correlated with CRC risk for women, while for men, only high adherence was inversely correlated with the risk of CRC [OR*: 0.3 (CI95%:0.19-0.5)]. CONCLUSION: Adherence to MD is associated with a decreased risk of CRC, an association that may be influenced by tumor location, sex, and age. Despite certain differences between northern and southern countries, the MD can be an effective preventative measure against CRC for populations in the Southern Mediterranean region.

Study of Body Composition by Biphotonic X-ray Absorptiometry in a Moroccan Female Population, an Indicator of Obesity?

INTRODUCTION: Our purpose was to study the body composition in a healthy female Moroccan adult group, and to help physicians to evaluate nutritional status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five hundred and nineteen healthy women aged from 20 to 80 years were included in the study. Bone mineral density at the hip and lumbar spine and the body composition parameters were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry: fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), and percentage (%) of body fat. The FFM index (FFMI) and the FM index (FMI) were calculated. We analyzed the population by age and body mass index (BMI) defined groups. RESULTS: The mean age of the population was 53.14 ± 13.69 years with an average BMI of 29.30 ± 5.04 kg/m2. Means of FM and FFM were 33.93 ± 9.18 kg and 36.91 ± 5 kg, respectively, with FM and FFMI of 13.65 ± 3.66 kg/m2 and 14.85 ± 1.91 kg/m2, respectively. The % FM, FFM, and their corresponding indices increased with age; a statistically significant difference was observed between the 20 and 39 age categories and the two other categories. The BMI category analysis showed that FFMI and FMI increased in obese women with a statistically significant difference between the four groups. Age and BMI were correlated significantly with the different parameters. CONCLUSION: This is the first Moroccan study to present body composition indexes in healthy Moroccan female adults. These reference values may be useful for the clinical evaluation of body composition and nutritional status.

Résumé Introduction:Notre objectif était d'étudier la composition corporelle dans un groupe adulte marocain féminin en bonne santé et d'aider les médecins à évaluer l'état nutritionnel.Matériaux et méthodes:Cinq cent dix-neuf femmes en bonne santé âgées de 20 à 80 ans ont été incluses dans l'étude. La densité minérale osseuse à la hanche et la colonne vertébrale lombaire et les paramètres de composition corporelle ont été mesurées par absorptiométrie à double énergie X: masse grasse (FM), masse sans graisse (FFM) et pourcentage (%) de graisse corporelle. L'indice FFM (FFMI) et l'indice FM (FMI) ont été calculés. Nous avons analysé la population par des groupes définis par l'âge et l'indice de masse corporelle (IMC).Résultats:L'âge moyen de la population était de 53,14 ± 13,69 ans avec un IMC moyen de 29,30 ± 5,04 kg / m2. Les moyennes de FM et de FFM étaient de 33,93 ± 9,18 kg et 36,91 ± 5 kg, respectivement, avec FM et FFMI de 13,65 ± 3,66 kg / m2 et 14,85 ± 1,91 kg / m2, respectivement. Le% FM, FFM et leurs indices correspondants ont augmenté avec l'âge; Une différence statistiquement significative a été observée entre les 20 et 39 catégories d'âge et les deux autres catégories. L'analyse de la catégorie IMC a montré que l'IFMI et l'IFM ont augmenté chez les femmes obèses avec une différence statistiquement significative entre les quatre groupes. L'âge et l'IMC étaient corrélés de manière significative avec les différents paramètresConclusion:il s'agit de la première étude marocaine à présenter des indices de composition corporelle chez des adultes marocains sains. Ces valeurs de référence peuvent être utiles pour l'évaluation clinique de la composition corporelle et de l'état nutritionnel.

Breast cancer treatment and its impact on survival in Morocco: a study over a decade.

BACKGROUND: In Morocco, much progress has been made in breast cancer treatment. However, there is limited information on survival outcomes of breast cancer patients according to their therapeutic management. METHODS: A pattern-of-care study was conducted in Morocco's two main oncology centres: Rabat and Casablanca and has shown that major progress has been made in the quality of care with survival rates comparable to those in developed countries. The present study focuses on the different therapeutic strategies used in breast cancer and their impact on prognosis. Patients were classified into two categories: those considered as appropriately managed and those who were not. RESULTS: A total of 1901 women with stage I to III breast cancer were included in this study, the majority (53%) were adequately managed and had better disease-free survival (DFS) rates than those who were not: DFS at 3 years (88% versus 62%) and at 5 years (80% versus 50%). Potential significant determinants of better management were: treatment in Rabat's oncology centre, treatment between 2008 and 2012, being aged younger than 60 years, and early TN stage. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the value of proper integrated and coordinated management in a comprehensive cancer centre, to improve breast cancer survival.

Psychoactive substance use and associated factors among Mohammed first university students, Oujda, Morocco: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The use of psychoactive substances, including tobacco, alcohol, and others, remains a major public health problem. However, few studies have been conducted on Moroccan university students. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of substance use among students at Mohammed First University, Oujda, Morocco. METHODS: We conducted this cross-sectional study with students enrolled at one of the Mohammed First University of Oujda's institutes as part of the 2021-202 academic year. We used a self-administered survey to collect data anonymously. We cleaned the data and then entered it into IBM SPSS Statistics 21 for analysis. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics as well as univariate and multivariate analysis. We considered a P value < 0.05 as the level of significance. RESULTS: In this study, out of 500 students we asked to complete the survey, 478 responded; the response rate was 95.6%. The average age was 21.1 ± 3.0, and the M/F sex ratio was 0.97. The lifetime prevalence of psychoactive substance use among Oujda University students was 28.7%. The most commonly used substances were tobacco (24.1%), alcohol (15.9%), cannabis (13.4%), sedatives (6.9%), stimulants (5.2%), and cocaine (4.4%). Male sex, age > 20 years, self-financing, school failure (one year repeated or more), the practice of a leisure activity, the presence of a personal medical or psychiatric history, and the presence of a family medical history were all significantly associated with the use of psychoactive substances. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed a significant prevalence of psychoactive substance use among university students in Oujda, highlighting the need for interventions at various levels. Further analytical studies are necessary to better understand the initiation and maintenance of psychoactive substance use and to identify all associated factors to enhance prevention strategies against substance use disorders.

Molecular investigation and infection patterns of seven viruses of honey bee (Apis mellifera L, 1758) populations from southeastern Morocco.

An epidemiological survey of honey bee viruses was conducted on 87 clinically healthy beehives located in southeastern Morocco. The sampled colonies were analyzed by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR / Real Time RT-qPCR with the aim of detecting and / or quantifying the following viruses: acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV), deformed wing virus (DWV), sacbrood virus (SBV), black queen cell virus (BQCV), Kashmir bee virus (KBV) and Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV). With the exception of the last two of these viruses, all the other five were detected with different prevalence rates. DWV showed the highest prevalence rate (89.65 %), followed by BQCV (17.24 %), ABPV (8.04 %), CBPV (4.59 %), and SBV (2.29 %). This study represents the first molecular detection of BQCV in the country. Among all investigated colonies, only eight were virus free (9.2 %). By contrast, single infection was detected in 64.37 % of colonies, 21.8 % showed mixed infection with two viruses, while 4.6 % showed three. Nucleotide sequences of a portion of the DWV polyprotein gene obtained for six honey bee samples showed the greatest nucleotide identity with sequences of DWV from Sweden and Ireland. The negative effect of migratory beekeeping as opposed to stationary beekeeping was highlighted given that stationary beehives showed infection with up to three viruses only, while migratory beehives showed up to five viruses. The results of this study are of crucial importance as they shed light on the current status of honey bee health in southeastern Morocco.

Is serum albumin a pivotal biomarker in anticipating acute pancreatitis outcomes?

This study aimed to assess the significance of serum albumin levels within 24 h of patient admission in correlation with the incidence of outcomes and mortality in patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. A retrospective study was conducted over a 5-year period, from January 2018 to December 2023, at the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Oujda, Morocco. The study included 371 patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis. Hypoalbuminemia (≤ 30 g/L) was observed in 124 patients (33.4% of cases), and these patients had a higher mean age compared to those with normal albumin levels (P = 0.003). Hypoalbuminemia was significantly associated with persistent Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) (70.8% vs. 29.2%, P = 0.000), a higher BISAP score (66.7% vs. 33.3%, P = 0.000), and a higher CTSI score (51.7% vs. 48.3%, P = 0.000). Hypoalbuminemia was also associated with the presence of pleural effusion (P = 0.000). The mortality in the sample was 4.6%, and it was significantly associated with hypoalbuminemia (76.5%, P = 0.000). In conclusion, serum albumin levels within 24 h of patient admission appear to be a significant prognostic biomarker in acute pancreatitis, particularly in anticipating persistent organ failure and mortality.

Unveiling Blastocystis epidemiology in Morocco: subtype diversity among clinical patients with and without gastrointestinal manifestations in the Meknes region.

Blastocystis is an intestinal protist frequently identified in humans and other animals, though its clinical significance remains controversial. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis in faecal samples from symptomatic (n = 55) and asymptomatic (n = 50) individuals seeking medical care in Meknes, Morocco. Detection of the protist was accomplished through coproparasitological examination and culture in Jones medium. Culture-positive samples were subjected to molecular analyses (PCR and Sanger sequencing) based on sequences of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Epidemiological questionnaires on demographics and potential risk factors were collected from participating patients. The overall Blastocystis infection rate was 51.4% (54/105), with no differences between symptomatic (52.7%, 29/55) and asymptomatic (50.0%, 25/50) individuals. Sequence analyses identified three Blastocystis subtypes, with ST3 being the most prevalent (42.0%), followed by ST1 (34.0%), and ST2 (12.0%). Regarding intra-subtype diversity, allele 4 was found within ST1; alleles 11/12 and alleles 34/36 (alone or in combination) were identified within ST2 and ST3 respectively. Allele 34 in ST3 (40.8%) and allele 4 in ST1 (34.7%) were the most common genetic variants circulating in the surveyed clinical population. A statistically significant association between ST2 and the presence of flatulence was observed. This is the first study assessing the epidemiology and genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. in the Meknes region, Morocco.

Suicide, suicide attempts and self-harm in Moroccan prisons.

PURPOSE: High rates of suicide and self-harm are reported in prisons in Western countries, while fewer studies exist from a non-Western context. This study aims to identify rates of suicide, non-fatal suicide attempts and self-harm in Moroccan prisons and to better understand the context, methods, tools, predictors and profile of persons engaged in the acts. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The authors report findings from a mixed-methods study carried out before an intervention project. The study consists of a systematic literature review, an analysis of suicide case files, a quantitative survey on suicide attempts and self-harm, as well as interviews and focus group discussions. The authors calculate suicide, suicide attempt and self-harm rates and present descriptive data on the incidents. The authors use regression models to explore the association between the number of incidents per individual and selected predictors, adjusting for clustering by institution. FINDINGS: Over a four-year period, 29 detained persons in Morocco died by suicide (average annual suicide rate 8.7 per 100,000). Most were men under the age of 30. Hanging accounted for all but one case. In one year, 230 suicide attempts were reported. Over a three-months period, 110 self-harm cases were reported from 18 institutions, cutting being the most common method. Self-harm was significantly more prevalent among persons with a life sentence or repeated incarcerations. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: To make the study manageable as part of an intervention project, the authors collected data on suicides and suicide attempts from all prisons, while data on self-harm were collected from fewer prisons and over a shorter time period. The authors did not collect comparable information from detained persons who did not die by suicide, attempt suicide or self-harm. This prevented comparative analyses. Further, it is possible that self-harm cases were not reported if they did not result in serious physical injury. Data were collected by prison staff; thus, the voice of incarcerated persons is absent. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study provided a solid basis for designing an intervention project including the development of a national prison policy and guidelines on suicides, suicide attempts and self-harm and a country-wide training program for prison staff. It also led to a better surveillance system, allowing for trend analysis and better-informed policymaking. The qualitative results helped create an understanding of how staff may trivialize self-harm. This was integrated into the training package for staff, resulting in the creation of prison staff trainers who became the strongest advocates against the notion that self-harm was best ignored. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first published data on suicide and self-harm in Moroccan prisons. It underscores the necessity for the intervention project and gives valuable insights into suicide and self-harm in a non-Western prison context. Further research is needed to assess whether the findings are typical of the region.