Awareness and knowledge about glaucoma among patients attending outpatient clinics of Jordan University Hospital.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the level of awareness and knowledge about glaucoma among Jordanians and determine the relationship between glaucoma knowledge and selected variables. METHODS: This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted at a central hospital. Face-to-face interviews were performed to obtain sociodemographic data and information about glaucoma from Jordanian participants attending different outpatient clinics of Jordan University Hospital (JUH). A convenient sample of 488 participants aged 16 years and above were recruited. Consent form was signed by each participant before starting the interview. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 45.71 ± 15.44 years, ranging 16 to 89 years. There were 163 (33.4%) females and 325 (66.6%) males. 81.6% of participants had heard of glaucoma. Only 34.2% of participants defined glaucoma correctly. 52.4% of participants had a low level of knowledge about glaucoma. The main source of information was from family members, relatives, and friends (66.6%); however, this source inversely influenced the level of knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate a high level of awareness of glaucoma among Jordanians but low-to-average knowledge about it. Health education programs should be activated at all levels of health- and eye-care services to increase knowledge about glaucoma and prevent the irreversible loss of vision due to the second main cause of blindness worldwide.

Discrepancies between elderly patient's self-reported and prescribed medications: a social investigation.

AIMS: To study some characteristics of the elderly people attending the family practice clinic at the Jordan University Hospital (JUH) and to evaluate their knowledge of the prescribed drugs. METHODS: A total of 400 elderly people (180 men and 220 women) aged 71 ± 5.8 years were studied regarding sociodemographic characteristics and the use of medicinal and nonmedicinal remedies. In addition, agreement between self-reported drug information and information taken from the medical records was also evaluated. FINDINGS: Almost one-third of the patients had full agreement between their knowledge of total number of drugs they take and the numbers found in the medical records, whereas 43.4% underestimated and 21.8% overestimated these numbers. Five drugs/classes were accurately estimated by the patient (methyldopa, ezetimibe, warfarin, statins and antigout drugs). Underestimation was noticed in 17 drugs/classes and overestimation in 14. The significantly underestimated drug classes were biphoshponates, proton pump inhibitors, sulfonylureas and antiepileptic drugs. CONCLUSION: Some aspects of elderly people were evaluated regarding their medication knowledge. Almost two-third of the patients did not take their drugs in the proper way. The results of the study highlight the importance of taking several actions by all healthcare workers and by the community to optimise health care provided for elderly people.

Prevalence of vitamin-mineral supplement use among Jordan University students.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, reasons, source of information of vitamin-mineral supplement uses, and their relationship with selected demographic and lifestyle characteristics among Jordan University students. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out at Jordan University, Amman, Jordan from March to September 2005. The survey included 1,187 students aged 17-28 years. A multistage stratified sampling technique was used to recruit the participants from different majors at Jordan University. A self-administered questionnaire containing questions on use of vitamin-mineral supplement during the last year, demographic, and lifestyle characteristics was completed. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of vitamin-mineral supplement use during the last year reported by students was 27.4% (males 22%, and females 30.2%). Vitamin-mineral supplement use among university students was significantly (p<0.05) associated with age, gender, family monthly income, smoking status, physical activity, vegetarian status, and body mass index. The most frequently used supplements were multivitamins (10.4%) and multivitamins-multi minerals (10%). The most frequently given reason for supplement use was for treatment. The main frequently reported source of information was a physician (45.8%). CONCLUSION: The overall prevalence rate of vitamin-mineral supplement use is very low. Supplement users are more likely to be: females, nonsmokers, of higher income, physically active, vegetarians, and of normal body mass index. The main reason for supplement use is for treatment, and the major source of information on supplements is by physicians and pharmacists.

Factors affecting satisfaction of patients after orthognathic surgery at a University Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze factors that influence patient's satisfaction with orthognathic treatment and evaluate patient's perception of changes in physical and psychosocial aspects. METHODS: In a retrospective clinical study conducted at Jordan University Hospital, Amman, Jordan between December 2006 and December 2007, we examined 38 patients who had orthognathic surgery after an average follow-up of 20 months. Examination included evaluation of nerve function and temporomandibular function with Helkimo index. Patients filled out a questionnaire on treatment satisfaction, and perception of physical and psychosocial changes after treatment. RESULTS: Patients were generally satisfied with the result, 82% agreed they would undergo treatment again. They were divided into very satisfied n=25 and less satisfied n=13 groups according to satisfaction score, with statistically significant differences found between them concerning diagnosis, and follow-up period, with all vertical maxillary excess patients very satisfied and 75% of asymmetrical deformities patients less satisfied, and less satisfaction by patients more than one year postoperatively p=0.006. Patients perceived improvement in oral function, general health, appearance and interpersonal skills. Lower rates of joint and muscular pain, and increased mobility of lower jaw correlated with better patients' perception of health and appearance. CONCLUSION: Although patients' report high satisfaction levels, several factors such as the temporomandibular joint function could affect patients' psychosocial adjustment after treatment. Sufficient information for patients on the treatment course is required to improve satisfaction. Controlling these factors could improve patients' quality of life.

Toxicity and biouptake of lead and arsenic by Daphnia pulex.

Acute and chronic toxicity studies were conducted on Daphnia pulex using synthetic lead and arsenic water samples. For acute studies, solutions with 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0 mg/L lead and arsenic along with a control were used. The chronic studies were conducted for 21 days using 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mg/L lead and arsenic solutions along with a control. Results indicated that the LC50 (48 hour) was 4.0 and 3.4 mg/L for lead and arsenic, respectively. Results from chronic studies suggest that the exposure to lead solutions significantly (P < 0.05) impaired the reproduction rates of Daphnia at the 1 mg/L concentration. However, the reproduction rates were enhanced at low concentrations of arsenic (up to 0.5 mg/L). A second chronic study was conducted to confirm this finding. Results from the second study indicated that lead exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.05) toxicity at 0.5 mg/L concentration, while reproduction rates in all concentrations of arsenic solutions were not significantly different from the controls. Metal analysis on exposed Daphnia, following nitric acid digestion procedures, indicated that Daphnia bio-accumulated 75.3-97.2% of the lead added to the experimental containers. This high lead biouptake coupled with the fast growth, high reproduction rates, and short life cycle all suggest that a Daphnia-based remediation (growth and partial harvest) may a viable treatment alternative that is worth considering. However, further field studies have to be conducted to verify this alternative. Biouptake or sequestration by Daphnia of arsenic at all tested concentrations was negligible, thereby, suggesting selective uptake or sequestration by daphnia under the tested pH and temperature conditions.

Quantitative morphometric study of the skeletal muscles of normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVES: Quantitative morphometry under light microscope was applied to analyze changes in the number and the diameters of skeletal muscle fibers and their myonuclei in the extensor digitorum longus and rectus femoris muscles of normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats. ANIMALS: Twelve adult male albino Fischer rats each weighing 300 g were used in the study. INTERVENTIONS: Streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetes was induced by a single intravenous injection of STZ (75 mg/kg body weight) via the tail vein. Six normal and 6 STZ-diabetic rats were sacrificed; samples of the extensor digitorum longus and rectus femoris muscles were taken, fixed in modified Bouin's fluid and processed for paraffin sectioning. The muscle samples were properly oriented during paraffin embedding for cross and longitudinal sectioning. Sections from each block were cut, processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Randomly selected samples from normal and STZ-diabetic rats were analyzed using a 100x objective lens of a light microscope. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The diameters of the fibers and the length of the myonuclei were determined from the longitudinal sections while the diameters and number of fibers and myonuclei were measured from the cross sections. A length measuring 10x reticule fitted to the microscope eye piece was used for the direct measurement of the fibers and myonuclei profiles. Morphometric measurement from each rat was determined and the data were pooled for the control and diabetic groups of rats. All data presented are means with standard error and were statistically analyzed using the Student's t-test. RESULTS: Histological examination of the stained sections from diabetic rats revealed the presence of areas of inflammation and necrosis in the myofibers of both muscles. The estimated mean diameter of the muscle fibers in the STZ-diabetic rats was reduced by 36% and 31% respectively in the longitudinal and cross sections of the extensor digitorum longus. Similarly, the diameter of the fibers of the rectus femoris in the longitudinal and the cross sections were reduced by 44% and 31%, respectively. On the other hand, a corresponding increase in the number of fibers per unit area was recorded in both muscles of the STZ-diabetic rats which amounted to 13% and 16%, respectively as compared to those of normal rats. Analysis of the myonuclei in normal and diabetic rats revealed a slight decrease in their length and diameter which amounted to 4% and 6%, respectively for the extensor digitorum longus and to 4% and 18%, respectively for the rectus femoris. The estimated numerical density of myonuclei per unit area was 10% lower in both muscles of the diabetic rats. CONCLUSIONS: Skeletal muscular atrophy is a well-documented complication in longstanding diabetes and has been attributed to the direct effect of low serum insulin on the motor end plates and on the synthesis of contractile proteins. The present morphometric study illustrates a reduction in the diameter of the myofibers of the extensor digitorum longus and rectus femoris muscles of STZ-diabetic rats. A slight but significant decrease in the length and diameters of the myonuclei between the diabetic and the normal rats was recorded. The results also indicate more evident morphologic changes in the myofibers of the hindlimb muscle.

Estimated risk of coronary heart disease in obese adult males in Northern Jordan.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between obesity, lipid profile and blood pressure, and to quantify the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) for the next 10 years, using the Framingham risk scoring scheme among Jordanian adult males. METHODS: We conducted this study in Al-Sarieh, Jordan during the period March to May 2001. A total of 306 apparently healthy adult males, aged 30-50 years completed all the study procedures. We selected the participants using a multi-stage cluster sampling design. Dietary history and smoking habits were obtained using a pre-tested questionnaire and interview. Blood samples were obtained and examined for lipid profiles. We measured the blood pressures, as well as the weight and height to calculate the body mass index (BMI). The sample was categorized into 3 groups using the World Health Organization classifications for BMI. The risk of CHD was calculated using a scoring scale according to Framingham scheme. Analyses of data were carried out using the Chi-square test, and the Analysis of Variance. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 39 years with a mean BMI of 28.2 kg/m2. The percentage of current smokers was 44.1%. The mean of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and systolic blood pressure, increased significantly with increasing BMI categories, whereas the mean of high density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased with increasing BMI categories. Prevalence of medium and high risk of CHD significantly increased as BMI categories increases. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of estimated CHD risk for the next 10 years in moderate and high CHD categories increases as the BMI categories increases among Jordanian adult men in Al-Sarieh area.