Intrastromal corneal ring segments for keratoconus patients: up to 12 years follow up.

PURPOSE: Intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation is a surgical technique developed with the purpose of avoiding the progression of corneal protrusion and is considered a viable option for managing patients with keratoconus as it stabilizes or improves vision thus delaying or excluding the need of more advanced surgical intervention such as penetrating keratoplasty. However, long term follow up is still limited to determine its actual success in achieving this goal. The current project aims to provide an extended follow up reporting a mean followup of around 5 years, extending up to 12.5 years. METHODS: We recruited patients who performed their ICRS between 2008 and 2013. We contacted patients for a follow up exam with a possible corneal tomography. For each patient, we obtained baseline pre operative data and latest follow up data which included visual acuity, subjective refraction, clinical slit-lamp exam, and corneal tomography. We compared the change in best corrected visual acuity and maximum keratometry readings from clinical visits before ring implantation to the latest follow up. RESULTS: A total of 68 eyes for 53 patients were included. The mean duration of follow up was 53.87 (± 38.8) months, with a maximum duration of 153 months. We found a significant improvement in corrected and uncorrected visual acuity, keratometries and refraction during the follow up period. On correlation analysis, strong negative significant correlation was found between duration since surgery and change in uncorrected visual acuity (p = 0.03, ρ = 0.338) and mean keratometry values (p = 0.033, ρ = 0.296). At the latest follow up for majority of patients with more than 100 weeks of follow up (12 eyes), uncorrected visual acuity were equal to or worse than baseline. CONCLUSION: This study represents the largest follow up for ICRS implanted in keratoconus patients. Improvement of visual acuity following ICRS implantation can be expected in the first few years, after which, a decline occurring thereafter.

Defining an optimal cut-off point for reticulocyte hemoglobin as a marker for iron deficiency anemia: An ROC analysis.

Reticulocyte hemoglobin (CHr) is a measure of the amount of hemoglobin in reticulocytes and a marker of cell hemoglobinization. In this study, we aimed to find the optimal cut-off point for reticulocyte hemoglobin to diagnose iron deficiency anemia using multiple methods. A total of 309 patients were included. The median age at diagnosis was 54 years. Most were females (71.2%). 68% had iron deficiency anemia. Patients with IDA had significantly lower levels of CHr compared to those who had non-IDA (p < 0.0001). The optimal cut-off value of CHr for detecting IDA, determined using various methods, was 30.15 pg. This cut-off point had a sensitivity of 87.8% and a specificity of 77.7%. CHr showed a significant positive correlation with hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, serum iron, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation and a significant negative correlation with total iron-binding capacity. CHr levels correlate with most established laboratory tests for IDA. It reliably detects IDA. Our results indicate the importance of CHr in diagnosing IDA, and that CHr should be used more widely in suspected cases of IDA since it is a cheap, fast, and reliable test.

Determinants of breastfeeding attitudes of mothers in Jordan: A cross-sectional study.

Breastfeeding provides the optimal nutrition for an infant. However, breastfeeding practice is on decline globally. Attitude toward breastfeeding may determine the practice. This study aimed to examine postnatal mothers' attitude to breastfeeding and its determinants. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and data on attitude were collected using the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS). A convenience sample of 301 postnatal women were recruited from a major referral hospital in Jordan. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, pregnancy and delivery outcomes were collected. SPSS was used to analyze the data and identify the determinants of attitudes to breastfeeding. The mean total attitude score for participants was 65.0 ±7.15, which is close to the upper limit of the neutral attitude range. Factors associated with attitude that is positive to breastfeeding were high income (p = 0.048), pregnancy complications (p = 0.049), delivery complications (p = 0.008), prematurity (p = 0.042), intention to breastfeed (p = 0.002) and willingness to breastfeed (p = 0.005). With binary logistic regression modelling, determinants of attitude positive to breastfeeding were highest income level and willingness to breastfeed exclusively (OR = 14.77, 95%CI = 2.25-99.64 and OR = 3.41, 95%CI = 1.35-8.63 respectively). We conclude that mothers in Jordan have neutral attitude to breastfeeding. Breastfeeding promotion programs and initiatives should target low-income mothers and the general population. Policymakers and health care professionals can use the results of this study to encourage breastfeeding and improve breastfeeding rate in Jordan.