Prevalence of proteinuria and its associated factors in hypertensive diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertensive diabetic patients are at increased risk for chronic kidney disease. Proteinuria is an early sign of kidney damage. Limited research is available on proteinuria and on its associated factors in hypertensive patients with diabetes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of proteinuria and its associated factors in hypertensive diabetic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The current retrospective study utilized medical records and hospital computers to collect sociodemographic and medical information about the study patients in two major hospitals in Jordan. Binary regression analysis was used to find the factors that are significantly and independently associated with the presence of proteinuria. RESULTS: Data from 522 hypertensive diabetic patients were investigated. Factors including age (OR=0.691; 95% CI: 0.930-0.994; p<0.01), high-density lipoprotein level (OR=0.450; 95% CI: 0.211-0.960; p<0.05), and higher glomerular filtration rate (OR=0.964; 95% CI: 0.950-0.977; p<0.01) were associated with proteinuria among the study patients. In contrast to metformin (OR=0.237; 95% CI: 0.098-0.572; p<0.01), patients who received insulin (OR=1.992; 95% CI: 1.136-3.492; p<0.05), thiazide diuretics (OR=1.848; 95% CI: 1.108-3.083; p<0.05), calcium channel blockers (OR=1.833, 95% CI: 1.110-3.028, p<0.05), or beta-blockers (BBs) (OR=2.199, 95% CI: 1.257-3.848, p<0.01) had a higher likelihood of having proteinuria. CONCLUSIONS: For preserving kidney function, it is deemed necessary to perform regular checkups for proteinuria among hypertensive diabetic patients, particularly in young patients, patients with low levels of high-density lipoprotein, and those with a lower glomerular filtration rate.

Glycemic control and its associated factors in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Inadequate glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes is growing worldwide. Earlier research studies investigated the predictors of poor glycemic control among patients with diabetes, but not among hypertensive patients who have type 2 diabetes as a comorbid disease. The aim of this study was to explore the factors associated with poor glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the present retrospective study, the medical records of two major hospitals were used to collect sociodemographic, biomedical, disease and medication-related information about patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Binary regression analysis was conducted to find the predictors of the study outcome. RESULTS: The data from 522 patients were collected. High physical activity (OR=2.232; 95% CI: 1.368-3.640; p<0.01), receiving insulin (OR=5.094; 95% CI: 3.213-8.076; p <0.01) or GLP1 receptor agonist (OR=2.057; 95% CI: 1.309-3.231; p<0.01) increased the odds of having controlled blood glucose. Increased age (OR=1.041; 95% CI: 1.013-1.070; p<0.01), elevated high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (OR=3.727; 95% CI: 1.959-7.092; p<0.01), and lower triglycerides (TGs) levels (OR=0.918; 95% CI: 0.874-0.965; p<0.01) were also associated with improved glycemic control among the study participants. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the current study participants showed uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. Low physical activity, not receiving insulin or GLP1 receptor agonist, younger age, low HDL and high TG levels were independently associated with poor glycemic control. Future interventions should place a strong emphasis on the value of consistent physical activity and a stable lipid profile in enhancing glycemic control, particularly in younger patients and those who are not receiving insulin or GLP1 receptor agonist therapy.

An audit on the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes about the uses and side-effects of antibiotics among outpatients attending 2 teaching hospitals in Jordan.

This study aimedto assess general knowledge, beliefs and attitudes of people towards the use of antibiotics. Individuals referring to the outpatient pharmacies of 2 major teaching hospitals in the north of Jordan completed a self-administered, validated questionnaire. A total of 1091 individuals (56.8% males) participated in the study. Of these, 20.1% of the participants stated that antibiotics were used for bacterial infections, while 18.3% thought they were used for viral infections and 43.6% for mixed bacterial/viral infections. The average knowledge score of the participants about antibiotic uses and side-effects was low. Middle-aged participants and those with an education beyond high school had significantly higher knowledge scores about antibiotics use. Almost 75% of the participants disagreed that antibiotics could be given without a prescription.

An audit on the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes about the uses and side-effects of antibiotics among outpatients attending 2 teaching hospitals in Jordan

This study aimed to assess general knowledge, beliefs and attitudes of people towards the use of antibiotics. Individuals referring to the outpatient pharmacies of 2 major teaching hospitals in the north of Jordan completed a self-administered, validated questionnaire. A total of 1091 individuals [56.8% males] participated in the study. Of these, 20.1% of the participants stated that antibiotics were used for bacterial infections, while 18.3% thought they were used for viral infections and 43.6% for mixed bacterial/viral infections. The average knowledge score of the participants about antibiotic uses and side-effects was low. Middle-aged participants and those with an education beyond high school had significantly higher knowledge scores about antibiotics use. Almost 75% of the participants disagreed that antibiotics could be given without a prescription

Public awareness and views on unlicensed use of medicines in children.

AIMS: To explore awareness and views of the general public on unlicensed use of medicines in children and on the participation of children in clinical trials. METHODS: Members of the public completed a questionnaire survey administered by face-to-face interview in public areas in N. Ireland. The main outcome measures were the views on unlicensed use of medicines in children and on clinical trials in children. RESULTS: One thousand participants (59.2% female) took part; 610 were parents. Most participants (86%) had no previous knowledge about unlicensed use of medicines in children. Being a parent did not influence this nor did being a parent of a child who suffered from a health problem (P > 0.05). Most participants (92%) felt that parents should be told about unlicensed use of medicines, with the doctor most frequently selected as the person who should inform parents. At the outset, only 1.8% of participants felt that the use of medicines in children was unsafe. However, having been informed about unlicensed use of medicines, this proportion increased dramatically (62.4%; P < 0.001). Views on whether participants would enter a child of their own into a clinical trial varied according to the health status of the child (P < 0.05) i.e. a child in good health (3.9%) vs a child with a life-threatening condition (41.9%). CONCLUSIONS: There is limited public knowledge of unlicensed use of medicines in children and a general reluctance to involve children in clinical trials unless the child to be involved has a life-threatening condition.