[Comparative study of inflammatory and non-inflammatory locally advanced breast cancer - the experience of a Moroccan hospital]. / Étude comparative du cancer du sein localement avancé inflammatoire et non inflammatoire : expérience d'un centre hospitalier marocain.

OBJECTIVES: The locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) covers large tumor heterogeneity. It consists of non-inflammatory LABC and inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). This study aimed to compare the epidemiological, clinical and pathological, as well as the prognosis of IBC versus non-inflammatory LABC. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 150 cases of IBC and non-inflammatory LABC collected in medical oncology department of the CHU Hassan II of Fez during a period of 4 years [January 2009-January 2013]. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Analysis of the various prognostic factors was performed according to the Cox model. RESULTS: IBC represented 28.7% of LABC. The median age was 47 years. The median tumor size was greater in non-inflammatory LABC compared with IBC (9.5 versus 6cm; P=0.0014). Lymph node invasion was more common in the IBC (49.7% versus 45.9%; P=0.01). An SBR grade 3 was more frequently noted in the IBC (P=0.011). The two groups were well balanced with regard to HR, HER2 status and pathologic complete response. Non-inflammatory LABC had the best OS and DFS (24 vs. 22 months; P=0.03 and 18 vs. 17 months; P=0.025 respectively). CONCLUSION: IBC has a worse prognosis compared to non-inflammatory LABC. New therapeutic approaches are needed to improve the prognosis of these patients.

Translation and validation of EORTC QLQ-H&N 35 into Moroccan Arabic for ENT head and neck cancer patients in Morocco.

Disease-specific quality of life (QOL) measures have enhanced the capacity of outcome measures to evaluate subtle changes and differences between groups. As many of the QOL measures have been developed in English, they require translation to ensure their usefulness in a multi-cultural and/or international society. Published guidelines provide formal methods to achieve cross-culturally comparable versions of a QOL tool. The aim of this study was to adapt the head and neck specific module of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-H&N 35 questionnaire) into Moroccan Arabic and to determine its psychometric properties. After translation, back translation and pretesting of the pre-final version, the translated version was submitted to a committee of professionals composed by otolaryngologists and epidemiologists. The psychometric properties were tested in patients with ENT cancer. Internal consistency was tested using Cronbach's alpha and the test-retest reliability using interclass correlation coefficients. Construct validity was assessed by examining item convergent and divergent validity. It was also tested using Spearman's correlation between QLQ-H&N 35 scales and EQ-5D. The study was conducted in 120 patients. The Moroccan version was internally reliable, Cronbach's α ranged from 0.71 for "trouble with social contact" to 0.94 for "senses impairment", indicating good internal consistency. Test-retest reliability was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient, which ranged from 0.64 for "speech trouble" to 0.89 for "physical activities". The instrument demonstrated a good construct and concomitant validity. We have developed a semantically equivalent translation with cultural adaptation of EORTC QLQ-H&N 35 questionnaire. The assessment of its measurement properties showed that it is quite reliable and a valid measure of the effect of cancer on the quality of life in Moroccan patients.

Prognostic factors of Atractylis gummifera L. poisoning, Morocco.

In Morocco, acute Atractylis gummifera L. poisoning represents the leading cause of death by plant poisoning especially for children. All cases received in the Moroccan poison control centre from January 1981 to December 2009 (n = 467) were included in a retrospective study of the characteristics and risk factors of A. gummifera L. poisoning. The most vulnerable age group was children (63.4% of cases). Most cases were due to accidental exposure (75.5%), but some were from therapeutic use (18.1%) or attempted abortion (7.4%). Patients presented with moderate poison severity signs (grade 2) in 22.3% of cases or severe signs (grade 3) in 21.0%. The mortality rate was 39.2%. The majority of deaths (81.1%) occurred in children aged < 15 years following accidental exposure. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that risk factors for mortality were coma (OR = 20.5); hepatitis (OR = 52.7) and rural residence (OR = 7.26), while gastric decontamination was a protector factor (OR = 0.26).

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the knee and hip health-related quality of life (OAKHQoL) in a Moroccan Arabic-speaking population.

The aim of this study was to adapt the knee and hip osteoarthritis quality of life questionnaire (OAKHQoL) into Moroccan Arabic and to determine its psychometric properties. After translation, back-translation and pretesting, the translated version was submitted to an expert committee. The psychometric properties were tested on patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis. Internal consistency was tested using Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α), and the test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Construct validity was assessed by examining item-convergent and divergent validity and by comparing the average scores between age groups and walk perimeter groups. The study was conducted on 131 patients (115 with osteoarthritis of the knee and 16 with osteoarthritis of the hip). The "physical activities" (α = 0.93), "mental health" (α = 0.84) and "pain" (α = 0.88) dimensions of the Arabic version were internally reliable. The ICC were adequate to good; 0.83 for "physical activities", 0.65 for "mental health" and 0.70 for "pain" dimensions. The instrument demonstrated good construct validity; all items exceeded the 0.4 criterion for convergent validity, except items 13 and 41 and most of the correlations between items and their own scale were significantly higher than their correlations with other scales. A semantically equivalent translation has been developed with cultural adaptation of OAKHQoL. It is quite reliable and a valid measure of the effect of osteoarthritis on the quality of life on Moroccan patients.

Association between smoking status, other factors and tuberculosis treatment failure in Morocco.

BACKGROUND: The association between smoking and tuberculosis (TB) treatment failure has not yet been assessed in Morocco. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of smoking on the failure rate of patients with TB. METHODS: A cohort of 727 new TB cases was followed between 2004 and 2009. Socio-demographic measurements and smoking status were collected by questionnaire. Treatment failure was defined according to international guidelines. Univariate analyses were used to assess associations of treatment failure with smoking status and demographic characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounding. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 35.0 ± 13.2 years. The monthly household income was <€180 for 71.4% of the patients. The rate of treatment failure was 6.9%. Failure was significantly higher among smokers (9.1% vs. 4.5%; P < 0.01), alcohol drinkers (18.5% vs. 4.9%; P < 0.01), and those with a monthly income of <€180 (8.4% vs. 3.3%; P < 0.01). After adjusting for confounding variables, smoking and low income remained significantly associated with treatment failure (adjusted OR 2.25, 95%CI 1.06-4.76, and 3.23, 95%CI 1.12-9.32). CONCLUSION: Smoking is associated with TB treatment failure in Morocco. Anti-smoking interventions should be incorporated into current TB case management.

Burden of smoking in Moroccan rural areas.

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of current smoking among rural Moroccans. The population study included 3438 individuals aged 15 years and above from both sexes. The crude prevalence of current smoking (currently smoked and had smoked > 100 cigarettes in lifetime) was 16.9% in the adolescent and adult rural population: 31.0% among men and 1.1% among women. The majority of smokers 74.4% of men and 68.8% of women) began smoking before age 20 years. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age, sex, marital status, occupation and region of residence were the strongest determinants of current smoking. These results showed a high prevalence of smoking among males in the rural population of Morocco.

Burden of smoking in Moroccan rural areas

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of current smoking among rural Moroccans. The population study included 3438 individuals aged 15 years and above from both sexes. The crude prevalence of current smoking [currently smoked and had smoked > 100 cigarettes in lifetime] was 16.9% in the adolescent and adult rural population: 31.0% among men and 1.1% among women. The majority of smokers [74.4% of men and 68.8% of women] began smoking before age 20 years. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age, sex, marital status, occupation and region of residence were the strongest determinants of current smoking. These results showed a high prevalence of smoking among males in the rural population of Morocco

[Prevalence and risk factors for nosocomial infections in Hassan II University Hospital, Fes, Morocco]. / Prévalence et facteurs de risque des infections nosocomiales au CHU Hassan II de Fès (Maroc).

We determined the prevalence and risk factors for nosocomial infection at Hassan II University Hospital and the causative microorganisms among 282 inpatients. The mean duration of hospitalization was 16.4 (SD = 15) days. The prevalence of nosocomial infection was 6.7%. Infections at the site of the operation were the commonest. No catheter-related infection was noted. The main organisms isolated were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida albicans. The occurrence of a nosocomial infection was significantly associated with surgical operation (P = 0.005), presence of urinary catheter (P = 0.002) and length of hospital stay greater than 3 weeks (P = 0.04).