Exploring the symptoms and sleep disorders associated with migraines in women of Syria: A cross-sectional observational study.

Background and Aim: Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder characterized by recurring episodes of debilitating headache accompanied by associated symptoms and sleep disorders. This study aims to investigate migraine-associated symptoms in female migraineurs within the Syrian population and the relation between migraines and sleep issues. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted among the Syrian population. A total of 1009 women were enrolled in this study, including women without a history of migraine (Control group) and migraineurs (Case group) who had received a diagnosis of migraine from a hospital or private clinic. Data about migraine-related symptoms, including tingling, visual disturbances, Nausea/Vomiting, and epileptic seizures as well as sleep-related symptoms such as interrupted sleep, frequent awakenings, insomnia, snoring, and narcolepsy were gathered. Chi-square test was used to examine the relation between migraines and sleep issues. Results: A total of 1009 women were enrolled in this study including 531 migraineurs and 478 healthy women. The study revealed that the most commonly experienced symptoms during migraine attacks were nausea/vomiting and visual disturbances, followed by tingling. Total Unduplicated Reach and Frequency analysis showed that visual disturbances and nausea/vomiting were the two most frequent symptoms that co-occurred during migraine attacks. The study also demonstrated a significant relationship between snoring, insomnia, and narcolepsy with migraine (p = 0.038), with these sleep disorders being more prevalent among migraineurs. Conclusion: The findings indicate a significant association between migraines and sleep disorders, with migraineurs being at a significantly higher risk of experiencing poor sleep quality compared to healthy women. Addressing sleep disorders is crucial in managing patients with migraines. This study is the first of its kind in the Syrian population, providing valuable insights into the symptoms and sleep disorders associated with migraines in this population.

Exploring How People Interact With Dental Misinformation on Social Media: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Social media has been widely utilized to spread health-related information, which has led to the possibility of spreading medical misinformation. The extent of the issue is unknown, even though policymakers, researchers, and medical professionals agree that health misinformation must be controlled and combated. OBJECTIVE: A cross-sectional study was conducted by the faculty of dentistry at Damascus University. METHODS: This quantitative cross-sectional study used a voluntary questionnaire distributed online in social media groups. Participants were of different ages, genders, and educational levels. RESULTS: Of the 301 questionnaires collected, 291 were analyzed. The study sample comprised secondary education certificates, university students, and postgraduate students. 96.6% of the study sample used two or more SM applications. 71.5% of the study sample uses Facebook more than other applications for dental information research, followed by Instagram (14.8%), Telegram (8.2%), and finally WhatsApp (5.5%). There was a significant difference between the age of the respondents and the SM application they used most (p = 0.027). 46.4% of the study sample were neutral in their answer about what they believed in the trust of information on SM sites, followed by 42.3% who did not agree with the trust of information on SM sites and 11.3 who agreed. 89.7% of the study sample visit the dentist when facing a medical problem, while 10.3% follow advice on SM sites. There was a significant difference between the age of respondents and the source they relied on when facing a medical problem (p = 0.019). 50.2% of the study sample sometimes feels that the advice on SM sites is marketing for a company or product or advertising for doctors and not others. CONCLUSION: In particular, understanding the methods and prevalence of health misinformation, as well as the current gaps in knowledge in this area, will help us to guide future research and, more specifically, to develop evidence-based digital policy action plans targeted at addressing this public health issue through various social media platforms.

Evaluation of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) Associated With the Acceleration of Canine Retraction by Piezosurgery in Comparison With Low-Level Laser Therapy: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background and objectives Recently, both surgical and non-surgical interventions have gained popularity in accelerating orthodontic tooth movement, but there is no randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing both modalities in terms of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) during maxillary canine retraction. Therefore, this trial aimed to assess the PROMs associated with either low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or piezocision-assisted acceleration in the context of maxillary canine retraction. Materials and methods This was a single-blinded, single-center, three-arm RCT. A total of 54 patients (12 males, 42 females, mean age 20.65 ± 2.85) whose treatment needed upper-first-premolar extraction to facilitate canine retraction were enrolled and randomly divided into three groups: piezocision group (PG), LLLT group (LLLTG), and the control group (CG). Standardized questionnaires using a visual analog scale were distributed to patients at five assessment times: 1 (T1), 3 (T2), 7 (T3), 14 (T4), and 28 days following the canine retraction initiation (T5). The patients' pain, discomfort, swelling, chewing difficulty, satisfaction, and acceptance were recorded. Results Regarding pain and discomfort, the levels were significantly lower in the LLLTG during the first two weeks of canine retraction compared to the other two groups (p<0.017). At the same time, these levels were significantly greater in the PG than the CG in the first week of canine retraction (p<0.017). Patients in the PG had a "mild to moderate" perception of swelling at T1 and T2, which was significantly different than that of the other two groups (p<0.001). Regarding chewing difficulty, the levels in the LLLTG were significantly lower than those in PG at the first three assessment times (p<0.017). Patients' satisfaction with canine speed was significantly greater in the intervention groups compared to the CG (p<0.001). In contrast, no statistically significant differences were found between the three groups regarding satisfaction with gum appearance surrounding the canine (p=0.061) and acceptance (p=0.125). Conclusion The LLLT-assisted canine retraction was associated with significantly lower negative patient-reported outcomes during the first two weeks of retraction than piezocision-assisted retraction. However, the levels of pain and discomfort were significantly greater in the piezocision-assisted retraction group than those in the conventional canine retraction group, which in turn were greater than those with the LLLT-assisted canine retraction group during the first week of retraction. Patient satisfaction and acceptance were high with both piezocision and LLLT interventions.

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures of Flapless Corticotomy with Low-Level Laser Therapy in En Masse Retraction of Upper Anterior Teeth: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial.

(1) Background: This study aimed to compare patient-reported outcome measures when accelerating en masse retraction between the piezocision procedure and the subsequent application of low-level laser therapy (FC+LLLT), with the piezocision alone (FC), and in a control group. (2) Methods: A three-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted involving 60 patients (41 females and 19 males) with Class II division I malocclusion. The en masse retraction was performed using NiTi closed coil springs attached to miniscrews. The LLLT was performed using an 808 nm Ga-Al-As diode laser. Patient responses regarding pain, discomfort, swelling, and chewing difficulties were reported at ten assessment points. (3) Results: The greatest pain levels were observed 24 h after the application of force during the first and third months of retraction. The mean pain, discomfort, swelling, and chewing difficulties were significantly smaller in the control group than in the FC and FC+LLLT groups. High satisfaction levels were reported in all three groups (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: The accelerated en masse retraction via piezocision, followed by a small course of LLLT, was accompanied by significantly fewer pain, discomfort, and chewing difficulties than the control group. LLLT is a valuable addition to piezocision, with an improved patient experience.

Cleft lip and palate risk factors among otorhinolaryngology: Head and neck surgery patients in two hospitals.

Cleft lip and/or palate is the most prevalent type of head and neck deformity, accounting for 65% of cases. The occurrence of this condition is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Cleft defects are classified into 2 types: syndromic cleft lip and palate syndrome and non-syndromic cleft lip and palate syndrome. Cleft lip with or without cleft palate is the most common type of cleft defect, and the surgical repair is the primary treatment option for patients. Our study was a retrospective case-control study that included 132 cases of patients with cleft defects and 132 healthy babies without cleft defects serving as controls. Personal information, including the name, age, and origin of the participants, was collected. Additionally, we collected information on all potential risk factors, including medical history, daily habits, consanguinity between parents, and family history. Information was collected in Excel and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences and a Chi-Square test was performed to determine the results and their relationship to cleft lip and palate. Our study identified various risk factors that have a significant association with cleft lip and palate with a P-value <5% in addition to factors that are not considered risk factors. Using relative risk analysis, we were able to rank the top 5 most significant and influential risk factors. The most impactful factor was not taking folic acid during pregnancy. The primary risk factors associated with cleft lip and palate include a family history of the condition, lack of folic acid supplementation, maternal age over 35 years, and high temperatures exceeding 39 °C. Consequently, we recommend that mothers who intend to conceive should take folic acid supplements at a dose of 0.4 to 0.8 mg during the initial trimester of pregnancy. Additionally, we advise careful monitoring of all risk factors, particularly during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Cholera in Syria, a crisis following crises: Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice in a cohort of syrian population.

Cholera is an acute bacterial disease caused by intestinal infection with Vibrio cholerae. It is one of the major re-emerging communicable diseases in Syria following the Syrian crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. The current study was undertaken to explore the level of awareness in a cohort of the Syrian population by testing their knowledge and investigating their attitudes and practices. An internet-based survey that queried knowledge of cholera transmission, prevention, risk factors, and treatment was designed. Of particular interest was revealing sources of information associated with higher knowledge. Furthermore, individual attitudes and practices towards the disease were collected and analyzed. Participants were 1521, mostly females (68.3%), 18-25 years old (56.4%), single (72.7%), and college degree holders (75.9%). The main sources of information on cholera were school/college (31.7%), social media (28.7%), family and friends (13.2%), and online search engines (11.3%). The average total knowledge of the cohort was 40.39%. The participants >40 years old, highly educated, living in urban areas, and females demonstrated higher knowledge of cholera. Schools/colleges and online search engines were associated with better knowledge. Most of the cohort showed serious attitudes and considered cholera a very dangerous disease. They were very concerned about cholera resurfacing in the country and were worried about getting infected. The majority of the cohort were leading their lives favorably by eating out/takeaway <5 times a month; however, their practices regarding handling raw produce were suboptimal. Succeeding cholera re-emergence, females, highly educated, and >40 years old participants were more committed to changing practices and taking stricter safety measures. As cholera imposes a health threat not only to Syrians but to the people of the whole Middle East, preventive strategies were suggested, mainly raising awareness with more focused media means and vaccination of people at high risk in the affected areas of the governorates.