Anxiety and sleep quality in a sample of Lebanese healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak.

A cross-sectional, survey based study was conducted in order to assess mental health outcomes among healthcare workers in a private university hospital involved in the COVID-19 response in Lebanon. The main objective was to quantify symptoms of anxiety and sleep quality using self-rating scales (the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) respectively), while identifying factors that might affect those symptoms. A total of 628 healthcare workers completed the survey; 409 (66.2%) were younger than 40 years, and 441 (71.4%) were women. Of all participants, 503 (81.4%) were nurses, 52 (8.4%) were physicians and 63 (10.2%) were residents. Registered nurses, residents, women, and younger participants presented higher scores on both scales than other categories of participants. Among factors related with COVID-19, those associated with higher scores were having relatives affected by the virus (22.2%), being excessively exposed to media (12.9%), and increasing the consumption of substances/alcohol (31.2%) during this period. Factors associated with higher risk of anxiety symptoms after multivariable logistic regression analysis were: female sex, young age, poor sleep quality, and living with elderly. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the psychological wellbeing of health care workers involved in the acute COVID-19 outbreak in Lebanon.

Endometriosis treatment with shock waves: A novel approach.

Endometriosis affects 10-15% of women. When medication is unsatisfactory, not well tolerated or unwanted, surgery remains the sole option. There is a need for a less invasive treatment. We suggest the application of shock wave therapy (SWT) to endometriotic nodules (including deep infiltrating endometriosis), endometriomas and adenomyosis. We hypothesize pain relief via an antiinflammatory effect, an antioxidant effect and neural pathways modulation, as well as a direct effect on the lesions by the energy thus delivered. Questions to be answered before a clinical application is tested include route of administration (external versus internal transducers), dose regimen, optimal duration of treatment and type of shock waves used (focalised versus radial).

External carotid artery branches involvement in reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome.

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterized by segmental vasoconstriction and dilatation of intracranial arteries, usually revealed by headaches, which spontaneously resolve in few weeks. We report a patient with RCVS, revealed by thunderclap headaches, involving both internal and external carotid artery (ECA). She received fluoxetin for depression and took a great amount of cannabis in the last months. While angio-MR, transcranial Doppler and CSF analysis were normal, cerebral angiography disclosed stenoses and dilatations of the middle cerebral artery. It also showed an involvement of maxillary arteries. Fluoxetin and cannabis were stopped. After few days, she had no more headaches. At 8th week, angiography was normalized confirming the RCVS. ECA angiogram may help reaching a diagnosis in patients with suspected RCVS when intracerebral abnormalities are minor or absent.

[Congenital prenatal hemangioma: diagnosis and treatment]. / Hémangiome congénital à révélation anténatale.

An echogenic tumor (22 x 22 mm) isolated from the anterior part of the left leg at 27 WA of pregnancy suggested an angiomatous structure. This mass appeared to be well vascularized on Doppler examination. Three-dimensional imaging showed connections with adjacent tissues. The limbs were mobile. Delivery of a 3990-g-boy occurred normally. On the anterior part of the left leg, there was a plate-shaped mass with a pink hole at the superior part. Excision under general anesthesia was performed at the first month because of the risk of rupture and bleeding. The dissection was easy with the deep plane. Healing was complete 10 days after the surgical procedure and the aesthetic aspect was good 1 year later. Histological findings of the suspect mass emphasize the vascular aspect of the tumor. A hemangioma capillary with venous structures in the dermal hypodermic area was found.

[Surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence by suburethral transobturator tape]. / Cure chirurgicale de l'incontinence urinaire d'effort par bandelette sous-urétrale transobturatrice.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the suburethral transobturator tape in the treatment of female urinary stress incontinence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of 39 slings. Three patients (7%) were lost to follow-up. Analysis was carried on 19 out/in procedures (mainly ObTape and Uratape slings) and 17 in/out procedures (TVT-O slings). Nine patients (25%) had a history of previous stress incontinence surgery. In 21 cases (58%) there was a concomitant surgical procedure, including genital prolapse repair (12) and total hysterectomy (6). Phone interviews were conducted with the validated questionnaires MHU and Ditrovie short form. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 17 minutes (10-30). Three vaginal wounds (8%) were immediately repaired. Two urinary retentions (5%) were managed by suprapubic catheterization for more than 10 days. With a mean follow-up of 12 months (4-23) the subjective effectiveness on stress incontinence was 89% (cure: 58%; improvement: 31%). Urge incontinence symptoms were cured in 47% of mixed incontinences. Two patients reported an important dysuria. Two sling exposures occurred. Quality of life scores were significantly improved (mean 1,7 versus 3,2, p=0,002). The level of satisfaction reached 89% (very satisfied: 50%; satisfied: 39%). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This technique is safe and effective. Our results are nevertheless inferior to those previously reported. Prospective randomised studies comparing the two surgical routes are required.