Phenol as a novel sclerosing agent: A safety and efficacy study on experimental animals.

BACKGROUND: Varicose and ectatic cutaneous vessels are common chronic conditions that might need surgical treatment. There are several treatment modalities, but all can cause complications and have significant recurrence rates. A new effective and safe treatment with low or no recurrence is needed. Phenol seems to be a potential therapeutic agent. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of phenol as a sclerosing agent in the treatment of varicose veins and other vascular ectatic conditions. METHODS: The dorsal ear veins of white New Zealand rabbits were injected with 0.1 ml of a sclerosing agent. Four experimental groups were used to test the sclerosant efficacy of different concentrations of phenol (1%, 5%, 20% and 50%). Sodium tetradecyl sulphate (STS), a commonly used sclerosing agent, was used as a positive control, while normal saline was used as a negative control. The blood vessels of the treated ears were photographed before and 1 h, 2 days, 8 days and 45 days after treatment. Biopsies from the treated areas were obtained for histologic examinations. RESULTS: A concentration of 1% phenol was too low to cause significant vascular changes, whereas a concentration of 5% phenol caused 90% lumen narrowing. Interestingly, 1% STS only caused 25% lumen narrowing. Concentrations of 20 and 50% phenol caused 100% lumen narrowing but caused haemorrhage and necrosis. Toxicity monitoring showed no apparent haematologic, cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic or renal toxicity associated with the concentrations of phenol used in this study. CONCLUSION: A concentration of 5% phenol appears to be a potent and safe sclerosing agent for ectatic small vessels. This provides a significant new therapeutic option, which may eventually advance to the clinic and have an impact on the treatment of patients suffering from varicose veins and other vascular ectatic conditions.

Perceptions, attitudes and practices toward research among senior medical students.

We aimed to explore perceptions, attitudes and practices toward research among medical students. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among senior medical students at the King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Hundred and seventy two students participated in the study, with 97 males (65.5%). The majority of the students agreed that research is important in the medical field (97.1%, 167/172). A total of 67.4% (116/172) believed that conducting research should be mandatory for all medical students. During medical school, 55.3% (88/159) participated in research. The obstacles that prevented the students from conducting research included lack of professional supervisors (84.7%, 143/169), lack of training courses (88.8%, 151/170), lack of time (72.3%, 123/172) and lack of funding (54.1%, 92/170). Although the majority of students believe that research is important in the medical field, only around half of the students participated in research during medical school.

Low-level laser therapy: a useful technique for enhancing the proliferation of various cultured cells.

The aim of this work is to review the available literature on the details of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) use for the enhancement of the proliferation of various cultured cell lines including stem cells. A cell culture is one of the most useful techniques in science, particularly in the production of viral vaccines and hybrid cell lines. However, the growth rate of some of the much-needed mammalian cells is slow. LLLT can enhance the proliferation rate of various cell lines. Literature review from 1923 to 2010. By investigating the outcome of LLLT on cell cultures, many articles report that it produces higher rates of ATP, RNA, and DNA synthesis in stem cells and other cell lines. Thus, LLLT improves the proliferation of the cells without causing any cytotoxic effects. Mainly, helium neon and gallium-aluminum-arsenide (Ga-Al-As) lasers are used for LLLT on cultured cells. The results of LLLT also vary according to the applied energy density and wavelengths to which the target cells are subjected. This review suggests that an energy density value of 0.5 to 4.0 J/cm(2) and a visible spectrum ranging from 600 to 700 nm of LLLT are very helpful in enhancing the proliferation rate of various cell lines. With the appropriate use of LLLT, the proliferation rate of cultured cells, including stem cells, can be increased, which would be very useful in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Internet use by the public to search for health-related information.

BACKGROUND: The use of the Internet to search for health-related information (HRI) has become a common practice worldwide. Our literature review failed to find any evidence of previous studies on this topic from Saudi Arabia. OBJECTIVE: To determine the public use of the Internet in Saudi Arabia to search for HRI and to evaluate patients' perceptions of the quality of the information available on the Internet compared to that provided by their health care providers. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire about Internet use to search for HRI was distributed randomly to male and female outpatients and visitors attending a public University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from January to May 2010. A Chi-squared test was used to assess the association between different categorical variables. Multiple logistic regression was used to relate the use of the Internet to search for HRI with various socio-demographic variables. RESULTS: The questionnaire response was 80.1%, with completion of 801 of the 1000 distributed questionnaires; 50% (400/801) of respondents were males. The mean age of respondents was 32±11 years. The majority of respondents used the Internet in general (87.8%), and 58.4% of them (363/622) used the Internet to search for HRI. The majority stated a doctor was their primary source of HRI (89.3%, 654/732). This practice was considered useful by 84.2%, and the main reason behind it was sheer curiosity (92.7%, 418/451). Other reasons included not getting enough information from their doctor (58.5%, 227/413) and not trusting the information given by their doctor (28.2%, 101/443). Forty-four percent (205/466) searched for HRI before coming to the clinic; 72.5% of those discussed the information with their doctors and 71.7% (119/166) of those who did so believed that this positively affected their relationship with their doctor. Searching the Internet for health information was observed more frequently among the 30-39 year age group (OR=2.0, 95% CI 1.1-3.7), females (OR=3.8, 95% CI 2.3-6.4), individuals with university or higher education (OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.8), employed individuals (OR=2.7, 95% CI 1.4-4.9) and high income groups (OR=2.8, 95% CI 1.5-5.1). CONCLUSIONS: A proportion of the public searches the Internet to obtain HRI for various reasons, which could have consequences on their health and relationship with their doctors. Therefore, doctors should be aware of the health information available online to help guide patients to reliable websites. Health authorities should also be aware of the issue to offer regulations and solutions.

Local side effects caused by hair dye use in females: cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Despite its association with a number of side effects, hair dye use is common worldwide. OBJECTIVE: To explore the local side effects of hair dye use and to relate these effects to features of hair dyeing. METHODS: A questionnaire about hair dye use was distributed to a random sample of 650 female patients at various outpatient clinics in 2008. RESULTS: A total of 567 females returned the questionnaire (87.2% response rate). Of these respondents, 82.6% (464 of 562) had used hair dye products in the past. The mean age at first use was 22.23 ± 7.05 years, and the median time between two consecutive dyes was 6 months. Of these respondents, 76.8% (354 of 461) used permanent dyes. Participants reported that they suffered skin redness caused by hair dyes (15.1%, 65 of 431), had scaling (14.4%, 60 of 417), or had itchiness (31.3%, 134 of 428). In addition, 74% (262 of 354) of the participants reported that they had issues with the texture or condition of hair following hair dye use; 77.7% (314 of 404) reported split ends, whereas 69.6% (273 of 392) reported hair dryness, 69.4% (256 of 369) lusterless hair, 77.2% (308 of 399) excessive hair loss, and 53.6% (210 of 392) excessive hair graying. Furthermore, 55.1% (196 of 356) of the participants reported a slowing of hair growth. The total number of hair dyeing events was associated with increased hair loss (p  =  .04) and excessive graying (p < .001) after controlling for all relevant variables. CONCLUSION: Hair dye is associated with local side effects to the skin and hair. Increased public awareness of these risks could help inform consumer choices and reduce excessive use.

Public perceptions and attitudes toward vitiligo.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have discussed attitudes of vitiligo patients toward their disease. However, no studies have addressed this issue from the public's point of view. OBJECTIVE: To explore the perceptions, attitudes, and misconceptions of the public toward vitiligo. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to attendees of primary health care centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between January and August 2010. RESULTS: Overall, 924 of the 1,000 distributed questionnaires were returned, and 429 were males (46.8%). Moreover, 33.1% (303 of 916) believed that vitiligo is contagious or did not know that it is not. The cause of vitiligo was thought to be infectious by 20.4% of respondents (182 of 894), inherited by 40.5% (365 of 902), autoimmune by 41.2% (370 of 899), and due to a lack of hygiene by 22.5% (199 of 883). Unmarried individuals and those with less education were more likely to state that vitiligo is caused by an infection (.  =  .02, .  =  .03, respectively). Younger individuals and those with less education were more likely to think that vitiligo is caused by a lack of hygiene (.  =  .01, .  =  .001, respectively). More than half of the participants (56.1%, 504 of 898) would be unwilling to marry a vitiligo patient. Younger individuals and males were less likely to marry a vitiligo patient (.  =  .01, .  =  .05, respectively), whereas those of lower income were more likely to accept it (.  =  .002). CONCLUSIONS: Various misconceptions and negative attitudes about vitiligo among the public are prevalent. Educating the public about vitiligo could ultimately lead to better psychosocial well-being of vitiligo patients.

Misconceptions about laser treatment among dermatology patients.

BACKGROUND: The use of lasers is very common in dermatology; however, many patients fear it and have various misconceptions about it. A literature search failed to show any studies on this topic. OBJECTIVE: To explore the various misconceptions of patients about lasers in dermatology. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire containing 21 questions about laser use in dermatology was distributed randomly to patients attending the dermatology clinic at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from February to April 2009. RESULTS: The response rate was 79.3%, with 714 of the 900 distributed questionnaires being returned; the individuals sampled included 348 men (48.73%). When asked about the nature of laser, 40% (279 of 698) reported that they did not know. About 36% (251 of 698) knew it was radiation of stimulated light amplification, while 10.2% (71 of 698) reported it to be nuclear radiation. Among study participants, 51.5% (364 of 707) believed that laser was harmful to children, while 51.1% (357 of 699) believed it was unsafe during pregnancy, and 21.4% (146 of 683) thought it could cause skin cancer. Laser was believed to treat most skin diseases by 47.7% (330 of 692) of those interviewed, among whom 24.1% said that they would not accept laser treatment if it was suggested to them by a dermatologist. A stance against laser (16.3%) was most common among men (P<0.001), the illiterate (P=0.006), and those with lower education (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Various misconceptions about laser treatment among patients are prevalent, especially among less educated individuals. Educating the community about laser could solve this problem.

Knowledge and practices of, and attitudes towards, the use of hair dyes among females visiting a teaching hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Use of hair dye is extremely common worldwide. However, our literature search failed to find studies concerning the knowledge and attitudes of the public with regard to hair dyes. We sought to explore the knowledge and practices of, and attitudes towards, the use of hair dye among females. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional survey conducted on females who attended various outpatient clinics at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a tertiary referral hospital open to the general public. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire about the use of hair dyes was distributed randomly among females attending the outpatient clinics at a university hospital in 2008. RESULTS: The response rate was 87.2%, with completion of 567 of the 650 distributed questionnaires. The mean (SD) age of respondents was 32.0 (10.2) years. Among respondents, 82.6% (464/562) had at some point dyed their hair. Furthermore, 69.3% (334/482) had dyed their hair in the past 12 months. The mean (SD) age of the participants when they first dyed their hair was 22.2 (7.1) years (range, 7-50). Of the participants, 76.8% (354/461) used permanent dyes, and about the same percentage of participants believed such dyes were the safest hair dye type. However, 52.4% (278/531) of the participants believed that hair dyes are harmful, and 36% (191/531) believed that hair dyes could cause cancer. Younger females tend to dye their hair less frequently (P<.001), whereas those with less education tend to dye their hair more frequently (P=.013). CONCLUSION: Use of hair dye is very common among females. Because the practice starts at a very young age, we conclude that hair dyes are overused and misused. The public should be informed about the risks associated with excessive hair dye use.

Eyebrow bleaching among females: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Eyebrow bleaching is a common practice among women with dark hair that allows for alterations in the eyebrows' shape without the use of hair removal. A literature search on this topic failed to reveal any extant studies. OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence, associated motives, and side effects of eyebrow bleaching among women. Methods A questionnaire about eyebrow bleaching was distributed randomly to female patients attending the outpatient clinics at a university hospital between June and August 2008. RESULTS: The response rate was 87.2%; with 567 of the 650 distributed questionnaires returned. The mean age was 32.01±10.17 years. 48.4% (253/522) of the participants reported having bleached their eyebrows. Of these individuals, 55.8% (101/181) experienced side effects related to eyebrow bleaching. These side effects included increased or decreased density of the eyebrow hair, and redness, itching, and scaling of the eyebrow skin. The motives behind eyebrow bleaching varied widely, but were primarily esthetic in nature. Younger women, students, and participants with higher monthly incomes reported bleaching their eyebrows a greater number of times than others (P<0.001, 0.04 and 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: In this sample of female patients, eyebrow bleaching was reported to be a common practice. Bleaching was associated with local side effects in over 50% of those who use the technique. Thus, there is a need to educate the public about these side effects.