Predictive factors and quality of life assessment among patients with spinal cord injury in the Middle East: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is impairment of the spinal cord that adversely affects patients' health and quality of life (QoL). The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) and related factors in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury in Middle Eastern countries. METHODS: PubMed, Ovid Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EBSCOhost, psycINFO, and Google Scholar were systematically searched for eligible studies published in peer-reviewed journals up till October 2023. RESULTS: Out of 1060 papers found in the literature, only 18 studies from Iran, Lebanon, and Turkey met the inclusion criteria. The majority of the studies employed the SF-36 scale to assess for QoL. In general, all SCI patients had reduced QoL scores when compared to the healthy population. Some of the factors such as age, education level, the level of injury, time since injury onset, marriage, and job opportunities were correlated with SCI subjects QoL. Our papers were assessed and found to be of both good and high quality. CONCLUSION: This review emphasizes the significant shortage of QoL studies among SCI patients in the Middle East countries and highlights the importance of improving the QoL of this marginalized population. This work should enhance the governments to establish rehabilitation centers, social and economic support systems, and mental health services to diminish complications arising from SCI.

Prevalence of anxiety and depression among Lebanese women using oral contraceptives: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Oral contraceptives (OCs) are used worldwide, including Lebanese women. However, the association between OCs use and anxiety or depression remains unclear. This study aims to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression among Lebanese women using oral contraceptive pills and investigate the differential impact of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) versus progestogen-only pills (POPs) on mental health outcomes. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of Lebanese women using OCs between January and March 2023. Nine hundred nighty seven out of the 2051 women who took part in the survey met our criteria and were included in this study. Data on anxiety and depression were collected using validated and reliable scales, the Arabic versions of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Questionnaire (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Statistical analyses, including multivariate analysis, were performed to assess the association between OCs type (COC vs. POP) and anxiety/depression. RESULTS: The prevalence of anxiety and depression among Lebanese women taking OCs was found to be 39.9% and 64.3%, respectively. Furthermore, the study revealed that POP users had 2.8 times higher odds of developing anxiety (adjusted odds ratio ORadj = 2.8 with 95% confidence interval CI of 1.770 to 4.435) p-value < 0.001 and 9.2 times higher odds of developing depression (adjusted odds ratio ORadj = 9.2 with 95% confidence interval CI of 5.790 to 14.506) p-value < 0.001 compared to COC users. CONCLUSION: The results of this study shed light on the elevated prevalence of anxiety and depression among Lebanese women using OCs and emphasized the varying effects of COCs and POPs on their mental health outcomes. Further research is needed to comprehensively understand this association, considering both the dosage and specific type of oral contraceptive to improve the overall well-being of women using these contraceptives.

Neuroanatomical regions associated with non-progressive dysarthria post-stroke: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Dysarthria is a common and persisting sequela to stroke. It can have a negative influence on psychological wellbeing, and quality of life. This systematic review aimed to describe and identify the neuroanatomical regions associated with non-progressive dysarthria following stroke. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Ovid Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane, Scopus, and ScienceDirect was conducted to identify all relevant articles published in peer-reviewed journals up to December 2021. Following data extraction, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) quality assessment tools were used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies. RESULTS: Out of 2186 papers found in the literature related to dysarthria post-stroke, 24 met the inclusion criteria. Eligible articles assessed 1150 post-stroke subjects. Out of them, 420 subjects had dysarthria from isolated lesions. Regarding dysarthric subjects with ischemic strokes, 153 sustained supratentorial infarctions, while 267 had infratentorial infarctions. The majority had pontine infarctions (n = 142), followed by infarctions in the corona radiata (n = 104), and the cerebellum (n = 64). CONCLUSION: This systematic review is the first step toward establishing a neuroanatomical model of dysarthria throughout the whole brain. Our findings have many implications for clinical practice and provide a framework for implementing guidelines for early detection and management of dysarthria post-stroke.

Assessment of non-progressive dysarthria: practice and attitude of speech and language therapists in Lebanon.

BACKGROUND: Non-progressive dysarthria is an acquired motor speech disorder resulting from neurological diseases such as stroke and traumatic brain injury. The evidence base for the assessment of non-progressive dysarthria remains limited with professional practices relying mainly on therapists' clinical experience. Limited information on the assessment practices of Lebanese speech and language therapists (SLTs) is available. Such information is crucial for the development of adequate therapy services for clients with non-progressive dysarthria. This study aims to explore the assessment practices and attitudes of Lebanese SLTs working with adults with non-progressive dysarthria and to investigate their adherence to the framework of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lebanon between March and May 2021. Data was collected through an online survey that included information on socio-demographic characteristics, practices, and attitudes of SLTs who assess adults with non-progressive dysarthria. RESULTS: A total of 50 Lebanese SLTs responded to the survey. The majority of SLTs (78%) assessed clients with non-progressive dysarthria across all ICF domains. SLTs reported dissatisfaction with the available assessment tools (64%) and reliance on informal tools (84%). In addition, 68% of the SLTs suggested the crucial need for the development of Arabic formal assessments that can quantitatively evaluate dysarthria and determine severity. The survey also showed that the respondents demonstrated a preference for the use of impairment-based tools. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the assessment practices of Lebanese SLTs, generally, follow the international trend and the recommended professional guidelines. Further research initiatives should be held to develop Arabic formal assessment tools for non-progressive dysarthria.

Knowledge and practice of physicians during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in Lebanon.

BACKGROUND: As the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve, physicians must be equipped with adequate knowledge, skills on the prevention measures, and confidence in diagnosing and treating COVID-19 patients. Therefore, it is of great interest to assess the knowledge and practices of Physicians to identify existing gaps and improve occupational safety and viral surveillance. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lebanon between 28th March and 11th April 2020. Data was collected through an online survey that included information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, practice, physicians fear towards COVID-19 as well as their perceptions regarding actions/policies implemented by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) and their health care facilities. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify the factors associated with good knowledge of COVID-19 and good practice toward its prevention. Adjusted odds ratio and their 95% confidence intervals were reported. RESULTS: Our survey revealed that the majority of Lebanese physicians had good knowledge about the disease (89.5%) while approximately half of the respondents adopted good preventive practices (49.7%). The odds of having good knowledge was 2.16 times higher among physicians aged 40 and above (adjusted OR = 2.16 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.08 to 4.34) compared to their counterparts aged less than 40 years old. Our results also showed that the odds of good practice was 2 times higher among frontline compared to the second line workers (adjusted OR = 2.01 with 95% CI of 1.21 to 3.34). Physicians with an experience of 10 years and above were 3.35 times more likely to have good practice compared to their counterparts (adjusted OR = 3.35 with 95% CI of 1.60 to 7.02). Finally, participants with good knowledge of COVID-19 were 2.04 times more likely to have a good practice (OR = 2.04 with 95% CI of 1.01 to 4.12). CONCLUSION: Lebanese physicians revealed a good level of knowledge; however, they had limited comprehension of the precautionary measures that protect them from this virus. Our findings have important implications for the development of strategies suitable for improving the level of practice among physicians and enhance prevention programs.

Prediction of quality of life by Helsinki computed tomography scoring system in patients with traumatic brain injury.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess the association between the Computed Tomography (CT) findings on admission, according to the Helsinki computed tomography CT score, and patient's Quality of Life (QoL) following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Lebanon. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 49 males suffering from war induced TBI. Participants were stratified into two groups based on the date of injury. Helsinki CT score was calculated for CT scans of participants. Outcomes were assessed using QoL scales including the Project for the Epidemiological Analysis of Critical Care Patients scale (PAEEC). RESULTS: Correlation analysis showed that QoL, up to 4 years post-TBI, was significantly associated with Helsinki CT classification. Group 1 of subjects living with TBI for 1-2 years revealed a correlation coefficient r = 0.536, p-value = 0.027, whereas, group 2 including subjects who are injured since 3-4 years, had a correlation coefficient r = 0.565, p-value = 0.001. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that patients with traumatic brain injury experienced significant quality of life deterioration up to 4 years post-TBI. Our findings propose the important role of Helsinki score in predicting the quality of life among patients with TBI.

Assessment of knowledge and practice of dentists towards Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): a cross-sectional survey from Lebanon.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) epidemic is a public health emergency of international concern. Dentists are exposed to the enormous risk of COVID-19 infection during this epidemic. This study aims to assess the knowledge and practice of dentists toward the COVID-19 epidemic in Lebanon. METHODS: We conducted an online survey using the snowball-sampling technique. Information on socio-demographic data, knowledge, practice, and additional information required concerning COVID-19 were collected. RESULTS: Our results showed that the majority of the Lebanese dentists had good knowledge (91.3%), and nearly half of the respondents had a good practice (58.7%) regarding COVID-19. The most common information source was the World Health Organization (73.7%). Multiple linear regression showed that specialist dentists who completed training on COVID-19 with a high level of knowledge had better practice. CONCLUSIONS: Lebanese dentists revealed good knowledge regarding COVID-19. However, dentists had limited comprehension of the extra precautionary measures that protect the dental staff and patients from this virus. Our findings have important implications for the development of strategies suitable for improving the level of practice among dentists and enhance prevention programs.

PulseNet Lebanon: An Overview of Its Activities, Outbreak Investigations, and Challenges.

Background: Foodborne diseases are still a major health issue in Lebanon, although some steps have been taken forward in food safety. To this purpose, PulseNet Lebanon, a foodborne diseases tracking network, was established in 2009, through the collaboration between the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and the American University of Beirut (AUB). Materials and Methods: Three papers published regarding the PulseNet project were summarized. Initially, clinical and food samples, collected within the surveillance network scope, were identified by using the respective API for Salmonella and Listeria spp. Salmonella spp. were further serotyped by using the Kauffman and White method. Campylobacter spp. were determined by the 16 S rRNA sequencing method. Antimicrobial susceptibility to a number of antibiotics was determined by using the disk diffusion method for Samonella and Campylobacter spp. Genomic diversity was determined by using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Results: Results indicated that 290 clinical and 49 food isolates were identified as Salmonella. Serotyping revealed the prevalence of ten and seven serotypes in the clinical and food samples, respectively. Fifty-one isolates from chicken ceca and carcass were identified to be Campylobacter spp. Fifty-nine samples were identified to be Listeria monocytogenes. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed a wide range of resistance among the different samples. PFGE showed a variation in pulsotypes among the Salmonella serotypes. PFGE also linked certain outbreaks to their food sources. This method also demonstrated 13 subtypes with 100% similarity among the L. monocytogenes isolates. Finally, the Camplyobcater spp. were grouped into nine clusters with a minimum similarity of 43.5% using RAPD. Conclusion: This summary of results shows the importance of implementing a "farm-to-fork" approach in the surveillance of foodborne disease outbreaks in Lebanon, allowing the detection of pathogens causing foodborne disease outbreaks in a timely fashion.

Switching temporary hemodialysis catheters to long-term catheters: exchange versus de-novo placement, any difference in line infection?
.

BACKGROUND: Shifting from a short-term catheter to a long-term one is done either by removing the old catheter and placing a new long-term one via fresh new puncture site, or by replacing the old catheter with a long-term one over a guidewire. AIM: We aimed to describe our technique in changing a temporary line to a long-term catheter (LTC) over a guidewire and to determine the incidence of line-related infections following this procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective pilot study was conducted between 2005 and 2010 at the American University of Beirut Hospital. We compared the first group (A), which consisted of 20 patients who underwent exchange of a short-term dialysis catheter with a tunneled one over a guidewire using our technique, to a second group (B) of 60 patients who underwent de-novo LTC placement. The two groups were matched by age, with a follow-up of at least 1 month. RESULTS: The technical success rate of the catheter-conversion procedure was 100%. Our results revealed no significant difference of catheter duration between the two groups, with median duration of 6.5 vs. 4.0 days for group A and group B, respectively (p = 0.21). Moreover, there was also no significant mean time difference between any infection and long term catheter (LTC) insertion among the two groups (p = 0.31). Furthermore, there was no difference of catheter infection between the two groups (p = 0.1). CONCLUSION: We concluded that there was no difference in terms of side effects or risk of infection in the guidewire group when compared to standard technique.
.

Perspective of Lebanese oncologists on the symptom burden among adult cancer patients.

Background: Proper approach to symptom control in cancer patients requires a good understanding of the prevalence of the various symptoms these patients have. Aim: This study aims at assessing the Lebanese oncologists' point of view concerning the symptom burden among cancer patients of Lebanon and comparing their opinions to the real complaints of patients themselves. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of the Lebanese medical oncologists. Thirty-six physicians filled out a questionnaire regarding their demographics as well as the symptom profile of their patients. Those results were compared to the ones obtained from our previous study about symptom profile as reported by patients. Results: Fatigue was the symptom most our patients suffered from according to their physicians (64.167%). Also, a good percentage of physicians agreed that patients suffer from appetite loss, pain, weight loss, and nausea. When compared to the patients' reports of their own symptoms, a statistically significant difference existed between the two profiles for the majority of symptoms (14 out of 19). Also, for the majority of symptoms, physicians were found to underestimate the percentage of patients suffering from each symptom. Conclusion: This study shows that there is a statistically significant difference between the physicians' and the patients' perspectives on most of the common distressing symptoms. This entails more detailed questioning of the cancer patients about their distressing symptoms.

Role of baseline echocardiography prior to initiation of anthracycline-based chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Anthracycline adjuvant therapy has taken a particular role in the treatment of early stage breast cancer with an associated decrease in rates of both relapse and death. Their success however has been limited by their myelosuppression and their well-established risk of cardiac dysfunction. Guidelines have emerged that would limit the maximum lifetime dose of anthracyclines and make a baseline assessment and periodic monitoring of cardiac function part of the routine practice, which could be cumbersome, and may condemn the patient to an unwarranted modification of his/her regimen. Our study aimed at assessing the incidence of abnormal baseline echocardiography in asymptomatic women with breast cancer prior to anthracycline therapy and establishing risk criteria associated with abnormal echocardiograms at baseline. METHODS: 220 Patients seen at AUBMC (American University of Beirut Medical Center) who had non- metastatic breast cancer, and had an echocardiography performed before starting anthracycline chemotherapy were chosen. Data about demographic characteristics, tumor characteristics, baseline echocardiography results, and change in clinical decision was collected. Patients with suboptimal (less than 50%) ejection fraction (EF) on baseline echocardiography were analyzed for the prevalence of cardiac risk factors. Results were compared to those among the overall study group using Fisher's Exact test. A p- value of = < 0.05 was used as reference for statistical significance. RESULTS: All 220 of our patients had received a baseline echo prior to initiation of anthracycline therapy. 6.7% of these patients had already some abnormality in wall motion but only 2.7% had a suboptimal ejection fraction. 1.3% had a change in chemotherapy regimen based on ejection fraction. The patients with depressed EF had higher rates of CAD (coronary artery disease), diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia than the overall study group but without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Our study, as well as the previous contingent studies raise the question about routine echocardiography prior to anthracycline therapy and might eventually lead to a modification of current practice guidelines.

Assessing Surgical Outcomes for Cage Plate System versus Stand-Alone Cage in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a common surgical procedure for addressing cervical spine conditions. It involves the utilization of either cage plate system (CPS) or stand-alone cage (SC). The objective of our study is to compare perioperative complications, patient-reported clinical outcomes measures, and radiographic outcomes of SC versus CPS in ACDF. METHODS: We carried out a literature search in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, Web of science, Medline, and Google Scholar. All studies comparing the outcomes between CPS versus SC in ACDF were included. RESULTS: Forty-one studies, 33 observational and 8 randomized clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. We found that both devices demonstrated comparable effectiveness in monosegmental ACDF with respect to Japanese Orthopedic Association Score, Neck Disability Index score, visual analog score, and fusion rates. CPS demonstrated superior performance in maintaining disc height, cervical lordosis, and exhibited lower incidence rates of cage subsidence. SC showed significant advantages over CPS in terms of shorter surgical duration, less intraoperative bleeding, shorter duration of hospitalization, as well as lower incidence rates of early postoperative dysphagia and adjacent segment disease. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the included studies had monosegmented fusion, and there wasn't enough data to set recommendations for the multisegmented fusions. Larger studies with longer follow-up are necessary to draw more definitive conclusions to provide evidence for clinicians to make clinical decisions.

Cultural assimilation of adult Syrian refugees in Lebanon: Effect modification by religiosity and sex on the relation between cultural adversities and common mental health disorders.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to explore the prevalence and determinants of common mental health disorders (CMHDs, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], depression, and anxiety) in Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Specifically, we examined how the associations between cultural adversities (discrimination, unemployment, and separation from family) and CMHDs are modified by levels of religiosity and sex. METHOD: Between March and June 2017, a cross-sectional study was conducted targeting adult Arab Syrian refugees residing in Beirut and Southern Lebanon. Eligibility criteria comprised being a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees-registered Syrian refugee residing in Lebanon, 18 years and older, and having no history of mental disorder or physical disability. A total of 191 refugees agreed to participate and complete a battery of six questionnaires. Exposures were measured using a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Postmigration Living Difficulties Checklist, the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, and the Belief into Action Scale, while outcomes were measured using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 and the Depression and Anxiety Scale-21 Items. RESULTS: Half (50.3%) of our sample had high PTSD risk, 73.8% had high depression risk, and 73.8% had high anxiety risk. Stratified analysis revealed religiosity and sex to be effect modifiers of the associations between cultural adversities and CMHDs. Specifically, cultural adversities were only significantly associated with CMHDs in the low religiosity stratum and males. Only unemployment was a significant risk factor for PTSD in both males (OR = 4.53, 95% CI [1.44, 14.27]) and females (OR = 2.77, 95% CI [1.14, 6.74]). CONCLUSIONS: Religiosity and sex are effect modifiers of the associations between cultural adversities and CMHDs. Religious and spiritual interventions in mental health care should be adopted in refugee settings. Moreover, there is an urgent need for capacity-building initiatives addressing social determinants of mental health among Syrian refugees in Lebanon. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Sleep Quality and Nicotine Dependence Among Lebanese University Residents and Fellows: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and objectives Sleep quality and nicotine addiction are important public health issues with significant negative impacts on individual well-being and the performance of healthcare professionals. This study aims to determine the prevalence and association of nicotine dependence and poor sleep quality among residents and fellows enrolled in the Lebanese University. Methods A cross-sectional study using the snowball-sampling technique was conducted in Lebanon between January and March 2023. Data were collected through an online survey that included information on socio-demographic characteristics, nicotine dependence, and sleep quality. A total of 350 residents and fellows were included in the study. Bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were carried out to identify the factors associated with sleep quality. Adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were reported. Results One quarter (25.1%) of the residents and fellows were smokers; among them, 44.3% smoked I Quit Ordinary Smoking (IQOS), 14.8% smoked cigarettes, 10.2% smoked waterpipe (WP), 12.5% smoked cigarettes and WP, and 18.2% smoked IQOS and WP. According to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), 34.3% of participants had poor sleep quality. Smokers had 12.5 times higher odds of experiencing poor sleep quality compared to non-smokers (adjusted odds ratio ORadj = 12.58 with 95% confidence interval [CI] of 7.07-22.36; p-value <0.001). In addition, smoking a combination of two types of tobacco products (cigarettes with WP or IQOS with WP) posed the highest risk of poor sleep quality, with an adjusted odds ratio of 31.54 (95% CI of 9.15-45.74, p-value <0.001). Elevated Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and Lebanon Waterpipe Dependence Scale (LWDS-11) scores indicated an increased risk of poor sleep quality (adjusted odds ratio ORadj = 4.69 with 95% CI of 2.179-10.10; p-value <0.001; and adjusted odds ratio ORadj =1.27 with 95% CI of 1.04-1.55; p-value 0.019, respectively). Conclusion Our study found a significant association between nicotine dependence and poor sleep quality among medical residents and fellows, with smokers being more susceptible to sleep disturbances. The high prevalence of IQOS smoking among medical residents and fellows in Lebanon highlights the urgent need for comprehensive research investigating the effects of heated tobacco products. Furthermore, our study reveals a critical insight into the potential additive effects of nicotine, suggesting that the concurrent use of multiple tobacco products may further elevate the risk of poor sleep quality. Recognizing the implications of our findings, it is imperative to develop targeted interventions and educational programs that promote healthier sleep habits and facilitate smoking cessation among medical residents and fellows.

Racial Disparities and Surgical Outcomes After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Analysis 2015-2020.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to assess the effect of race on outcomes in patients undergoing anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). METHODS: We identified 57,913 adult patients who underwent elective ACDF spine surgery from 2015 to 2020. Data were extracted from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database. Demographics, comorbidities, perioperative course, and 30-day postoperative outcomes were stratified by race. RESULTS: A total of 57,913 patients, white (n = 49,016), African American (AA; n = 7200), Native American (NA; n = 565), and Asian (n = 1132) underwent ACDF fusion surgery. AA patients had higher comorbidities, including diabetes (24.7%), dyspnea (5.9%), and hypertension (61.6%) compared with the other groups (P < 0.001). NA and AA were higher tobacco users, (33.1%) and (28.7%), respectively (P < 0.001). Most of the patients reported in this dataset had single-level surgeries. AAs had a longer average hospital stay (2.51±7.31 days) and operative time (144.13±82.26 min) (P < 0.001). Lower risk of superficial surgical site infection (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj], 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22-0.77; P = 0.005) and greater risk of reintubation (ORadj, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.25-2.17; P < 0.001), pulmonary embolism (ORadj, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.27-2.79; P = 0.001), renal insufficiency (ORadj, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.38-7.20; P = 0.006), and return to the operating room (ORadj, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.18-1.65; P < 0.001 were reported in AAs compared with whites. NAs showed an increased risk of superficial surgical site infection compared with whites (ORadj, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.05-6.36; P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Racial disparities were found to independently affect rates of complications after surgery for ACDF.

Computed tomography findings as early predictors of long-term language impairment in patients with traumatic brain injury.

This study aims to assess the relationship between computed tomography (CT) findings, during the acute phase of hospitalization, and long-term language impairment in people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Another aim was to assess the receptive and expressive abilities of subjects with TBI based on the location of the injury. This is a retrospective observational study including 49 participants with TBI due to war injuries. The Arabic Diagnostic Aphasia Battery (A-DAB-1) was administered to the participants and the Helsinki CT score was computed to quantify brain damage. The results showed that the Helsinki CT score was negatively correlated with the total score of the A-DAB-1 (r = -0.544, p-value < 0.0001). Simple linear regression supported such findings and reflected an inversely proportional relationship between both variables (p-value < 0.0001). When compared with subjects having right hemisphere damage, subjects with left hemisphere and bilateral brain damage performed more poorly on language tasks respectively as follows: A-DAB-1 overall score (92.08-66.08-70.28, p-value = 0.021), Content of descriptive speech (9.57-6.69-7.22, p-value = 0.034), Verbal fluency (6.57-3.54-3.89, p-value = 0.002), Auditory comprehension (9.71-7.54-7.78, p-value = 0.039), Complex auditory commands (9.71-7.65-7.56, p-value = 0.043), Repetition (9.75-7.08-7.61, p-value = 0.036), Naming (9.93-7.15-8.11, p-value = 0.046). Following TBI, CT findings on admission can significantly predict long-term language abilities, with left side lesions inducing poorer outcomes.

Cervical intradural traumatic neuroma without history of trauma: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic neuroma typically refers to a reactive process in the injured peripheral nerve, characterized by an excessive growth of axons, Schwann cells, and fibroblasts at the proximal end of the nerve after its interruption. The authors report a case of a traumatic neuroma in the cervical nerve root in a patient with no history of trauma. OBSERVATIONS: The patient presented with sensation loss in the right-hand ulnar distribution, right flank around the T4-11 region, and right small toe along with motor power weakness over the right upper and lower extremity. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intradural extramedullary mass lesion with extension along the C7 nerve root. Histological examination showed traumatic neuroma. A total resection of the lesion along with the resolution of sensory and motor deficits was achieved directly after surgery. LESSONS: Traumatic neuroma should always be kept in the armamentarium for diagnosis of an intradural nerve sheath tumor.

Prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) among the Lebanese University students: associated risk factors and repercussion on mental health.

Introduction: Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a psychological illness characterized by persistent and intrusive preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in appearance. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of BDD and investigate its association with mental health status (depression and anxiety), religiosity, eating disorder risk, and self-esteem among Lebanese University students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in March 2020, involving students from the Lebanese University. Data were collected using the dysmorphic concern questionnaire (DCQ), Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSE), religiosity scale, patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), generalized anxiety disorder assessment (GAD-7), Eating Attitude test-26 scale (EAT-26). Results: A total of 6,448 participants were enrolled in our study. The overall prevalence of BDD among university students was (6.4%).Our results showed that Lebanese students with BDD were more likely to have anxiety ORadj 1.3 (95% CI: 1.2-1.7) p-value 0.001, depression ORadj 1.2 (95% CI: 1.15-1.5) p-value 0.007, and eating disorder (Bulimia & Food preoccupation ORadj 1.06 (95% CI: 1.03-1.2) p-value 0.0, and oral control ORadj 1.09 (95% CI: 1.05-1.1) p-value < 0.001) compared to those with no BDD. We also found that students with BDD had Lower Self-esteem ORadj 0.88 (95% CI: 0.78-0.9) p-value < 0.001), and less likely to be religious ORadj 0.88 (95% CI: 0.82-0.9) p-value 0.02) compared to those with no BDD. Conclusions: This pioneering study sheds light on the prevalence of BDD among Lebanese university students and its associated factors. Our findings underscore the importance of early detection of BDD during adolescence and young adulthood, necessitating timely psychological intervention to prevent chronicity and complications.

Evaluation of the accuracy of new modalities in the assessment and classification of lumbar lordosis: A comparison to Cobb's angle measurement.

Background: Because of the association of lumbar lordosis with some clinical conditions such as low back pain, the chiropractic field has emphasized the significance of evaluating the lumbar lordotic status, by measuring Cobb's angle, regarded as the radiological gold standard, for the assessment of lumbar lordosis, on lateral radiographs. However, research has shown that this technique has some considerable drawbacks, mostly in terms of low accuracy and high variability between clinicians when compared with other radiological modalities. The main objective was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of newly established radiological measurements with one of Cobb's angle methods, for the characterization of lumbar lordosis status in a sample of Lebanese patients aged 15 and above. Material and methods: This retrospective single-center study consisted of measuring Cobb's L1-S1 and Cobb's L1-L5 angles, along with the novel established measurements which are the derivative and the normalized surface area, on 134 lateral radiographs of the lumbar spine of Lebanese patients aged fifteen years old and above, gotten from the Radiology department at Zahra'a's Hospital in Beirut, performed by two observers using MATLAB. Inter-rater agreement was assessed by calculating the Intra-class correlation coefficients. Spearman correlation was analyzed between both Cobb's angle methods and with the derivative and normalized area respectively. 54 patients of the sample were diagnosed by two radiologists, according to their LL status. ROC curve analysis was performed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the four techniques used. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0 (NY, USA); P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: According to the ROC curve analysis the new methods, which are the derivative and the normalized surface area, displayed lower diagnostic accuracy (AUCderivative = 0.818 and 0.677, AUCsurface area = 0.796 and 0.828) than Cobb's L1-L5 (AUCL1-L5 = 0.924 and 0.929 values) and L1-S1 (AUCL1-S1 = 0.971 and 0.955) angles, in the characterization of hypo and hyperlordotic patients, respectively, in our Lebanese sample consisting of patients aged 15 and above, because of their lower area under the curve's values compared to the traditional Cobb's techniques. The Cobb's L1-S1 has shown to have the highest diagnostic accuracy among the four methods to characterize normal patients from hypo and hyperlordotic ones, by referring to its highest area under the curve's values. However, the sensitivity of Cobb's L1-L5 angle in characterizing hyperlordotic patients was similar to the one of the normalized surface area with a value of 100%.Conclusion: among the four modalities, the new methods didn't show a better diagnostic accuracy compared to the traditional modalities. Cobb's L1-S1 displayed the highest diagnostic accuracy despite its drawbacks. Further prospective studies are needed to validate the cut-offs obtained for Cobb's L1-S1 angle in our sample.

The Radboud dysarthria assessment: validity and reliability of the Arabic version.

PURPOSE: To cross-culturally adapt and validate the Radboud Dysarthria Assessment (RDA) and the speech component of the Radboud Oral Motor inventory for Parkinson's disease (ROMP-speech) into the Arabic language among Lebanese subjects with dysarthria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 50 participants with dysarthria. The Arabic versions of the RDA (A-RDA) and the ROMP-speech (A-ROMP-speech) were administered in addition to the Arabic Speech Intelligibility test, the Lebanese Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10lb) and semantic verbal fluency tasks. The maximum performance tasks were analyzed using the Praat software. The A-RDA qualitative recording form and the A-ROMP-speech were assessed for construct validity and internal consistency. The convergent validity of the maximum performance tasks, the severity scale, and the A-ROMP-speech were evaluated. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis of the qualitative recording form extracted 3 factors explaining 82.973% of the total variance, and it demonstrated high internal consistency (α = 0.912). The maximum performance tasks of the RDA correlated significantly with the corresponding Praat scores. The severity scale and the A-ROMP-speech correlated fairly to strongly with the Arabic Speech Intelligibility test (rs=-0.695 and -0.736, p < 0.001) and the VHI-10lb (r = 0.539 and 0.640, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The A-RDA and the A-ROMP-speech are valid and reliable dysarthria tools among Lebanese subjects.

The present study cross-culturally adapts and validates a dysarthria assessment tool in the Arab culture.The Arabic Radboud Dysarthria Assessment (A-RDA) and the speech component of the Arabic Radboud Oral Motor inventory for Parkinson's disease-speech component (A-ROMP-speech) are valid and reliable measures to be used among Lebanese individuals with dysarthria.The use of the A-RDA and the A-ROMP-speech will contribute to better therapeutic outcomes and will lead to a common language among speech and language therapists.