High rate of hypertension control among treated patients attending a teaching primary healthcare centre in Jordan.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine the hypertension control rate and its associated factors among treated patients attending a teaching primary healthcare centre in Jordan. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 286 patients with HTN, treated with medications, who attended Jordan University of Science and Technology primary healthcare centre in Irbid, Jordan, from July through September 2018. Data were abstracted from the patient's medical records and personal interviews. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine independent factors associated with hypertension control. RESULTS: Blood pressure control rate was 90.9% and was significantly higher among patients who were married (p=0.02), with higher income level (p<0.01), non-smokers (p=0.01), free of diabetes mellitus or dyslipidaemia (p=0.048), highly consuming fruits and vegetables (p<0.01), non-obese (p<0.01), adherent to blood pressure medications (p=0.02) and among patients on lower number of antihypertensive medications (p=0.01). Multivariate analysis with adjusted OR of factors associated with hypertension control were higher fruit and vegetable intake (p<0.01), higher income level (p=0.02) and medication adherence (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Participants in this study achieved a relatively high rate of blood pressure control. Associated factors with this rate were higher fruit and vegetable intake, higher income level and medication adherence. For better hypertension control, patients should be advised to adhere to their medications and consume more fruits and vegetables besides other lifestyle changes.

Prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in type 2 diabetic patients taking metformin, a cross-sectional study in primary healthcare.

Background: Several studies documented that metformin use contributes to vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, there has been a lack of data assessing this issue in Jordan. Aims: Assess the vitamin B12 serum levels, frequency of vitamin B12 deficiency, and related factors among Jordanian patients with T2DM patients treated with metformin. Methods: a total of 447 subjects attending a primary health care center were included in this cross-sectional study consisting of T2DM patients who use metformin and a control group of non-diabetics. Serum B12 levels were evaluated and B12 deficiency was defined as serum B12 levels ≤ 200 pmol/L. Associations of B12 serum levels or B12 deficiency with other factors like gender, age, and duration of T2DM were analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in serum B12 levels nor the frequency of vitamin B12 deficiency between T2DM metformin-treated patients and control groups. Among metformin-treated patients there was no difference relating to age, type 2 diabetes mellitus duration, proton pump inhibitors use, and metformin use (duration, dose) between patients with or without B12 deficiency. Conclusion: The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency among T2DM patients on metformin treatment in this study was high (48.9%). However, the treatment with metformin and the dose of metformin use was not associated with vitamin B12 deficiency.

Neonatal Para-urethral Cyst: A Report of Three Cases.

BACKGROUND: Para -urethral cysts are rare benign lesions, especially in newborns. They are often asymptomatic but can be present with obstructive sequels. CASES: We present the cases of 3 female newborn infants who were found to have a para-urethral cyst at birth with a characteristic finding of a displaced urethral opening. They were treated with the least invasive technique with total resolution on follow-up and good parental prospective. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Para-urethral cysts are sparsely reported and diagnosis is based on physical examination, although imaging studies sometimes are needed. They are expected to resolve spontaneously; therefore, management aims to prevent obstructive consequences. However, treatment can be conservative or surgical according to the patient presentation. Further reports of this rare disease will improve management planning and outcomes.

Prevalence and Pattern of Dyslipidemia and Its Associated Factors Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are growing health problems, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of dyslipidemia and its associated factors among patients with T2DM. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with T2DM attending Family Medicine Clinics in Jordan between August 2017 and March 2019. The socio-demographics, clinical features, medications, and laboratory findings were collected. These laboratory findings included high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TGs). Results: A total of 870 patients with T2DM were included. The prevalence of dyslipidemia among patients with T2DM was 91.4%. The most common patterns of dyslipidemia were low HDL-C (66.2%), high LDL-C (62.1%), and hypertriglyceridemia (58.2%). Female gender, obesity, and hypertension were associated with diabetic dyslipidemia patterns. T2DM duration and poor glycemic control were associated with high LDL-C and hypercholesterolemia. Hypertriglyceridemia was associated with poor glycemic control and smoking. Conclusion: Dyslipidemia is highly prevalent among patients with T2DM. Evidence -based interventions are needed to prevent and control dyslipidemia among patients with T2DM in Jordan.

Family medicine practice challenges during Covid-19 outbreak, curfew and phased re-opening, lessons to be learned from jordanian experience.

BACKGROUND: Rapid outbreak of Novel Corona Virus Disease (Covid-19) had a significant disrupts and challenges to many of well-established, traditional structure of medical Care, The family medicine practice in Jordan as many other countries has been challenged and severely strained due to the pandemic as well as the strict lockdowns and curfew that implanted in order to control the spread of the disease, in which major if not all family medicine outpatient's clinics were temporary suspended which negatively impact proper health care delivery to many patients. OBJECTIVE: This is to report the challenges we have been faced in Family medicine practice during Corona virus pandemic and it is related strict lockdowns periods, on both patient's care and education levels. METHODS: A Retrospective review of the family medicine out patient's visits at Jordan University of science and technology medical center before the pandemic, during the Pandemic lockdown and curfew, and after the phased opening and resuming the practice under new safety precautions and measures, results we compared.

Quality of life among patients on levothyroxine: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid disorders affect the life quality of patients in various aspects. The present work aims at investigating the effect of thyroid hormonal status on the quality of life (QoL) among patients receiving Levothyroxine at the level of primary healthcare. METHODS: All patients receiving Levothyroxine at an academic primary healthcare center were included in a cross-sectional evaluation. QoL was measured by the Thyroid-Related Patient-Reported Outcome questionnaire (ThyPRO). The conducted analysis was based on the last thyroid hormones level during the last year and questionnaire scores where higher scores indicated lower QoL. RESULTS: We included 127 patients; all domains of their QoL questionnaire were affected. The highest scored domain of the ThyPRO was tiredness, while the least was goiter symptoms. An association between the affected QoL and thyroid hormones could not be built. Certain domains of the ThyPRO were influenced by the existence of comorbid diseases. CONCLUSIONS: QoL was impacted in patients receiving Levothyroxine, regardless of hormonal status. Management of comorbid diseases and patients' concerns are advised to be taken into consideration to achieve a satisfying treatment. We highly recommend the integration of health life quality assessments in primary health care systems.

Ingested sharp foreign body presented as chronic esophageal stricture and inflammatory mediastinal mass for 113 weeks: Case report.

INTRODUCTION: Impacted foreign bodies in the esophagus have the potential to cause serious complications. Ingested sharp objects carry the risk of acute complications as: perforation, acute mediastinitis, and acute bleeding. Rarely, such foreign bodies might migrate through the esophageal wall and present as chronic esophageal foreign body. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 36-month-old girl presented with solid food dysphagia and regurgitation proved to be secondary to esophageal stricture after 26 months of accidental ingestion of aluminum can tab which has migrated through the wall of the upper esophagus into the mediastinum. After two trials of endoscopic treatment; she underwent thoracotomy and partial esophagectomy. Multiple trials of dilation and Mitomycin C injection were followed because of re-stricture. CONCLUSION: Foreign body impaction or secondary stricture needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with new onset dysphagia and regurgitation. Metallic Foreign body might be even radiolucent. Practitioners should keep a high index of suspicion for a retained esophageal FB in the child with gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms that do not respond to standard therapy.

Pattern of burn injury at north of Jordan.

To the best of our knowledge, pattern of burn injury was not reported yet at our region, our hospital considered the only tertiary referral center with the only burn unit at the region since 2001 till date, a retrospective analysis of our computerized filing system recorded 527 burn patients between 2001-2016, mean age was 26 years; 1.27:1 was the male to female ratio, 79 patients were found to have major burns, 46% of admissions were below 20 years' age, 92% was at domestic site of affection and 65% due to flame burn followed by scald burn in about 23%. The limbs were the most affected body site, majority of patients were below 15% TBSA and partial thickness, 77 patients found to have inhalational injury. Our mean hospital stay was 16 days and mortality was 8.2%. Mortality was associated with high TBSA affection, depth and flame type. This study shows the pattern of burn at north of Jordan, preventive measures by education and observation will reduce the incidence of burn and its sequel, non-flammable cook plates and stoves will probably help in decrease burn morbidity and mortality.