Depression rates and health-seeking behavior in primary care: Andersen model of health- care utilization.

Depression imposes a tremendous burden on the health-care systems. Many patients prefer informal (family & friends) over formal mental health services (MHS) provided by professionals. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression among primary care patients and to examine the factors predicting seeking MHS using the Andersen Health Care Utilization Model. We interviewed 300 primary care patients in Jordan. The mean age was 39.85 ± 14.45, and 80% were women. 35.7% had depression, and 28.7% had significant depression impairing daily function. The most commonly reported source of help was family members and less than one-third had the intention to seek formal MHS. The predisposing-factors domain was the only predictive of seeking MHS in depression and suicide, whereas the 'enabling' and 'need' domains were not. Knowledge, stigma and life satisfaction were predictive of seeking formal MHS. Raising awareness and empowering doctors to screen for depression is needed as less than a third would seek formal MHS.

Rate of late radial artery occlusion following cardiac catheterization at Jordan University Hospital.

Background: A recanalizing-process might decrease the incidence of radial artery occlusion (RAO) at a late assessment postcatheterization opposed to an early assessment. In this study, we evaluated the rate of RAO at a late postcatheterization period. Materials & methods: A retrospective case-control design was adapted including 148 patients who underwent trans-radial cardiac catheterization 7 to 18 months ago. The primary outcome was to assess RAO at the mentioned period while the secondary outcomes were to assess risk factors and symptoms associated with occlusion. RAO was assessed by Doppler ultrasound. Result: Thirteen patients (8.8%) had RAO in a median follow-up time of 13 months. Hand disability as measured by QuickDash score was significantly associated with RAO. Conclusion: This study adds a new insight on late RAO after coronary catheterization in Jordan and the region. Our findings support an ischemic mechanism contributing to long-term hand dysfunction.

Lay abstract Background: Certain complications might arise after heart catheterization through the hand, a procedure during which a catheter (long thin tube) is inserted into a blood vessel in the hand and threaded through to your heart. Occlusion (closure and blockage) of the blood vessel of the used hand is a common side effect of the procedure, and can occur a long time after the procedure takes place. Some scientists think that more people have blockage of the blood vessels soon after the procedure, rather than later on, possibly due to reopening of the vessel with time. Materials & methods: In this study, we evaluated the percentage of occluded blood vessels in patients who underwent catheterization several months earlier. We examined the blood vessels used for catheterization and collected data from patients who had the procedure 7­18 months before the study. Result &conclusion: Thirteen patients (8.8%) had occlusion of their blood vessels which was associated with symptoms of pain and numbness. Our study further supports the idea that symptoms after catheterization could be related to decreased blood supply of the hand due to occlusion of the blood vessels used for the catheterization.