Cooling Efficiency of Sleeveless 3D-Printed Surgical Guides with Different Cylinder Designs.

Background and Objectives: Surgical guides might impede the flow of coolant to the implant drills during the preparation of the implant bed, potentially contributing to increased temperatures during bone drilling. The objective of this experimental study was to assess the cooling efficiency of various guiding cylinder designs for sleeveless surgical guides used in guided surgery. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, surgical guides with three different guiding cylinder designs were printed. One group had solid cylinders (control) and two test groups (cylinders with pores and cylinders with windows). Forty customized polyurethane blocks with type III bone characteristics were fitted into the guide and fixed in a vise, and implant bed preparations were completed using a simplified drilling protocol with and without irrigation. An infrared thermographic camera was used to record the temperature changes during drilling at the coronal, middle, and apical areas. ANOVA test and Games-Howell post hoc test were used to determine significant thermal differences among groups. Results: A significant thermal increase was observed at the coronal area in the group without irrigation (39.69 ± 8.82) (p < 0.05). The lowest thermal increase was recorded at the surgical guides with windows (21.451 ± 0.703 °C) compared to solid (25.005 ± 0.586 °C) and porous surgical guides (25.630 ± 1.004) (p < 0.05). In the middle and apical areas, there were no differences between solid and porous cylinders (p > 0.05). Conclusions: 3D-printed sleeveless surgical guides with window openings at the guiding cylinders reduce the temperature elevation at the cortical bone in guided implant surgery.

Toxascaris leonina infected domestic cat (Felis catus) in Egypt; PCR-based molecular characterization of nematode eggs: a potential hazards to human health.

This molecular-epidemiological study was conducted in several locations in Cairo and Giza Governorates in domestic cats (Felis catus) to detect the most common intestinal helminths in feces and molecularly characterize this nematode. So, three hundred domestic cats were admitted to different clinics around Cairo and Giza Governorates with severe diarrhea, even watery, between January 2023 and April 2023. The ages of the cats ranged from 1 to 2.5 years old. Blood, sera, and urine samples were collected for further investigation of the health condition of the animals. Toxascaris leonina was the major intestinal parasite found in cat stools, with a prevalence rate of 5% (15 cats). Toxascaris leonina (T. leonina) eggs had oval elliptical surfaces and thick cuticles. An embryo was located inside the smooth outer shell wall of the shell. The animals suffer from normocytic normochromic anemia with leukocytosis, relative lymphocytosis, and thrombocytopenia. The amplification of the ITS-rDNA region from the ascaridoid nematodes was successfully performed using NC5 and NC2 primers. The PCR product of the ITS-rDNA fragment was sequenced and yielded 860 bp. The accession number of the sequenced ITS-rDNA region was OQ735413, submitted to Gene Bank, and based on the blast analysis of NCBI, the current ascaridoid nematode proved to be genetically related to the family Ascarididae and identified as T. leonina.

Efficacy and Safety of Mechanical Thrombectomy in Elderly and Non-Elderly Patients with Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is recommended for large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke. However, most of the studies that investigated the superiority of MT over best medical management (BMM) alone included preponderantly non-elderly patients. Thus, there is uncertainty in relation to the efficacy of MT in the elderly. We aim to compare the effect of BMM to BMM plus (MT) among elderly and non-elderly patients with (LVO). METHODS We performed a systematic search of medical databases from inception to April 2023 to identify randomized studies that reported the functional outcome at 90 days by age for patients with LVO treated with MT vs. BMM. Patients were divided into elderly (>70 or >80 years, depending on the cut-off used in each study) and non-elderly. Outcomes were defined as excellent (modified Rankin Scale [mRS]≤1), good (mRS≤3), poor (mRS≥5), or death. Effect sizes were calculated by using random effects meta-analyses. Results were represented by odds ratio (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS A total of 2,195 patients were included in the analysis (≥70 years, 7 trials, n= 696; ≥80 years, 2 trials, n=139). Non-elderly patients treated with MT had higher odds of excellent outcome (OR 3.05; 95% CI 2.23-4.18) and good outcome (OR 2.70; 95% CI 1.94-3.74), and lower odds of poor outcome (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.40-0.72) and death (OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.41-0.96). Similarly, elderly patients treated with MT had higher odds of excellent (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.05-5.45) and good outcomes (OR 2.18; 95% CI 1.43-3.33) and lower odds of poor outcome (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.33-0.70) and mortality (OR 0.50; 0.26-0.95). When outcomes were analyzed by age subgroups, MT was associated with higher odds of good outcome in patients ≥70 years (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.26-3.03) and ≥80 years (OR 4.43, 95% CI 1.02-19.23). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION MT increases the likelihood of achieving a good outcome in elderly and non-elderly patients without increasing the risk of severe disability or death. MT, when otherwise clinically indicated, should be considered over BMM alone in both age groups.

Adverse Skin Reactions to Personal Protective Equipment Among Healthcare Workers in Oman During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.

Background During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) were required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) for unusually prolonged periods of time in order to protect themselves. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of adverse skin reactions to PPE among HCWs from occupational and domestic exposure in Oman. Methods This was a cross-sectional study that used a self-administered questionnaire, modified based on the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire, and was conducted in different categories of healthcare facilities in Oman from September to December 2020. This study involved 431 different categories of HCWs. Stata statistical software, version 12 (StataCorp, College Station, TX), was used to analyze the data, with a P value <0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results Findings indicated that 58.24% of HCWs reported new skin symptoms since the pandemic started, compared to 33.41% of HCWs who had skin symptoms before the pandemic (P<0.001). From the multivariate analysis, being female (odds ratio, or OR, 3.512; 95% confidence interval, or CI: 2.193-5.625), allergic rhinitis diagnosis (OR 2.420; 95% CI: 1.097-5.347), history of skin symptoms (OR 3.166; 95% CI: 1.856-5.400), and total glove use time (OR 1.160; 95% CI: 1.078-1.247) were associated with an increased risk of acquiring new skin symptoms. Conclusion This study demonstrates that there is some association between the prolonged use of PPE during an event such as a pandemic and a previous history of allergic rhinitis and skin symptoms. This study also emphasizes the importance of appropriate protective skin care before and after the use of PPE.

Nano drug (AgNPs capped with hydroxychloroquine): Synthesis, characterization, anti-covid-19 and healing the wound infected with S. aureus.

Almost existing anti-viral drugs are only organic molecules that are able to circumvent the system the virus works with, which leaves it facing the immune system of our bodies and then kills it. Unfortunately, this type of pharmacological fight did not succeed in a way to overcome this virus, so it became necessary to think outside the box, to find a drug that would kill the virus or alter its protein structure. This research aims to prepare silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) by the green method depending on the reaction of the silver nitrate (safe for humans) with the phoenix dactylifera extract (safe for humans) and then coated with the hydroxychloroquine (HQ, known antiviral drug). This substance will fight the virus with different mechanisms (i) silver will carry the drug to cells easily, and then (ii) nano silver will perform a physical inhibition of the virus and thus reduce its susceptibility to binding to host cells. In addition, (iii) silver nanoparticle is much smaller than the size of the virus which qualifies it to cross into the virus and change the structure of RNA. Furthermore, (iv) it is possible for silver to interact with the amino and carboxylic ends in the virus proteins. The results of TCID50 shows that the prepared nano drug is able to reduce the viability of covid-19 to about 22% using 400 mg/ml of AgNPs/HQ. The resulted nanodrug was also used for healing the wound infected with S. aureus and the histological results revealed that all of the disease symptoms improved, with the epidermal layer multiplying quickly and the infected wounds healing quickly.

Cutaneous Manifestations of COVID-19: An Experience From Oman.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the cutaneous manifestations in COVID-19 disease in Oman. METHODS: The study was conducted in two phases with initial cross-sectional data collection with subsequent telemedical investigations of late skin manifestations including confirmed COVID-19 patients evaluated at Al-Nahdha Hospital and local health centers in Muscat from March 22 to June 2, 2020. RESULTS: The total number of patients included in the study was 374. Cutaneous manifestations were observed in 1.87% (n=7) of patients at presentation with an additional 1.6% (n=5) on follow-up. The types of skin reactions included maculopapular rash (n=6), urticaria (n=2), transient pruritic erythema (n=1), pruritic palmoplantar erythema (n=1), pustular eruption (n=1) and flare-up of atopic dermatitis (n=1). CONCLUSIONS: The low percentage of skin lesions is not contradicting previous data and it might just reflect under-reporting of skin rash in the context of the presence of more severe symptoms in our sample population. Skin lesions can still be utilized to treat patients as suspected cases until proven otherwise as it can be a silent clue in asymptomatic patients.

Clinical outcomes of maternal and neonate with COVID-19 infection - Multicenter study in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: To this end, the influence of COVID-19 on pregnant women and their neonates is not completely clear. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to investigate maternal and neonatal clinical outcomes with confirmed COVID-19 infection. Besides, it investigates the likelihood of vertical transmission of COVID-19 infection from pregnant women to their neonates. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted in three medical centers during the period from March to November 2020. Data were collected from the available medical records in the respective hospitals using a standardized questionnaire on maternal and neonatal clinical outcomes. All pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19 infection across the three hospitals and their neonates were eligible to participate in this study. Descriptive statistics were presented as a median and interquartile range (IQR) or frequencies and percentages as appropriate using SPSS 24.0 software. RESULTS: This study has identified a total of 288 pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19 infection over the study period of a median age of 30 years and median GA at diagnosis 38 weeks (IQR: 39 -33) as well as 27% of them were obese (n=78). The majority of pregnant women were symptomatic with cough (n=92, 31.9%) being the most frequent COVID-19 symptom followed by fever and dyspnea (n=36, 12.5%). Two-hundred and four pregnant delivered (70.84%) and caesarean sections were prevalent among 35.8% of them. The most common adverse pregnancy outcome was premature (n=31, 15.5%), followed by fetal distress (n=13, 6.5%), preeclampsia (n=4, 2.0%), and one pregnant woman died. The laboratory results exhibit that temperature higher than 38 (n=27), leukopenia (n=19), neutropenia (n=54), ALT (n=12), AST (n=31), and thrombocytopenia (n=35) were less frequent among pregnant women while lymphopenia (n=126), hemoglobin levels lower than 13.0 (n=218), deceased albumin levels (n=195) were most frequent among them. However, a small proportion of pregnant women were admitted to the ICU (3.8%). The most frequent maternal treatments were antibiotics (n=81), antiviral (n=49), and corticosteroid (n=24). Of 204 neonates, four had died and all the remaining neonates were alive. The median gestational age at delivery was 39 weeks (IQR: 35-40). Most neonates had normal laboratory results. However, 14 had lymphopenia (7.0%), 22 had neutropenia (11.0%), and 11 had thrombocytopenia (5.5%). Four infants had low hemoglobin levels of less than 13.0 (2.0%) and 81 had hyperbilirubinemia (e.g., total bilirubin of higher than 23; 40.5%). Approximately less than one-half of neonates required admission to the NICU (n=86, 43%), 7% of them required respiratory support of mechanical ventilation, and none of them get infected with COVID-19 disease. CONCLUSION: This multicenter study suggests that the majority of pregnant women had mild or moderate disease symptoms. Nevertheless, this study did not find any evidence of possible vertical transmission of COVID-19 infection from mothers to their babies. This study may provide a baseline for further studies focusing on investigating long-term maternal and neonate's outcomes and possible vertical transmission of COVID-19 from mothers to their newborn babies.

Prevalence and Determinants of Immediate and Long-Term PTSD Consequences of Coronavirus-Related (CoV-1 and CoV-2) Pandemics among Healthcare Professionals: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to rise. In order to control the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals have been subjected to increased exposure to work stress. In this systematic review, we aimed at investigating the prevalence and determinants of immediate and long-term post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) effects on healthcare professionals by the COVID-19 (SARS CoV-2) and SARS-2003 (SARS CoV-1) pandemics. METHODS: This systematic review was conducted according to the recommendations of the Protocols for Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. Only studies reporting the prevalence of PTSD (frequency, percentage) and related risk factors (adjusted odds ratio (OR)) in healthcare professionals (HCPs) during the SARS CoV-2 and SARS CoV-1 pandemics were included. The following databases were screened: Medline, Embase, PsychINFO, and Health Psychosocial Instrument (HaPI). RESULTS: Six of eight studies reported PTSD symptoms among healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in China (three), Singapore (one), India (one), and the United States of America (USA) (two), while two studies reported symptoms during the SARS-2003 pandemic in China (one) and Singapore (one). Sample sizes ranged from 263 to 5062 with a combined total of 10,074 participants. All of the studies self-reported the level of exposure to coronaviruses (CoV-1 and CoV-2) and severity of PTSD. Seven studies reported the prevalence of immediate PTSD and determinants, while one study reported delayed-onset PTSD (3 years after CoV-1 pandemic). Determinants of immediate PTSD were reported for the CoV-2 pandemic, while those for long-term PTSD were reported for the CoV-1 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive understanding of the prevalence and determinants of immediate or long-term pandemic PTSD for healthcare workers can improve prevention, diagnosis, and management. Rigorous research measuring the prevalence of PTSD and its associated risk factors (adjusted OR) for the CoV-2 pandemic are envisaged. Although strategies to resolve immediate PTSD are key, long-term PTSD must not be overlooked.

Association of vitamin D deficiency to the risk of preeclampsia in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D levels have shown significant geographical distribution, therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate its relationship to a specific geographic area with a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency to the important maternal manifestation of preeclampsia. This study established the association of vitamin D deficiency to preeclampsia among women of reproductive age. METHODS: It is a retrospective case-control study done to measure serum vitamin D levels in pregnant women receiving care at the King Fahad Medical City Riyadh with preeclampsia (n=100) and normal pregnancy (controls, n=200) from 2012 to 2014. Odds of developing preeclampsia with vitamin D deficiency were calculated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean serum vitamin D level was 25.35?ng/ml in controls and 15.95?ng/ml in pre-eclampsia women. Comparing to those who had a serum vitamin D level of <50ng/ml, the odds ratio of developing preeclampsia in women with vitamin D deficiency was 4.2 (95% CI=1.23-14.35) while adjusting for age, BMI and duration of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of developing preeclampsia might increase by up to 4-fold in women with vitamin D deficiency. Since preeclampsia could lead to maternal and neonatal complications, vitamin D could be added during pregnancy to decrease these adverse consequences.

Fragile X Gray Zone Alleles Are Associated With Signs of Parkinsonism and Earlier Death.

BACKGROUND: Premutation size (55-199 CGG repeats) in the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene cause fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, but it is unclear whether smaller "gray" zone expansions of 41-54 repeats are also associated with movement disorders. The objectives of this study were to determine the association between the FMR1 gene gray zone expansions, AGG interspersions, and the presence of parkinsonism and motor and cognitive function in an elderly community-based population. METHODS: Automated FMR1 polymerase chain reaction was performed on existing samples from 2 longitudinal aging studies whose subjects agreed to brain donation. A detailed clinical evaluation including a modified Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score, a composite score of global motor function, 17 cognitive tests summarized as a global measure of cognition, and neuropathological examination were obtained for genotyped participants. RESULTS: The average age of the population (n = 2362) was 85.9 ± 7.3 years, and average age at death was 88.6 ± 6.4 years (n = 1326), with 72% women. The prevalence of FMR1 gray zone alleles was 5.2% (122 of 2362). There was no difference between participants with gray zone expansions or those lacking AGG interspersions compared with normal participants in global cognition, global motor function, clinical diagnosis, or pathological changes. Gray zone alleles were associated with signs of parkinsonism in men (P = 0.01), and gray zone carrier men were more likely to die (hazard ratio, 2.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-4.16). CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest study to investigate gray zone alleles in a community population. The key findings are that in men, the gray zone allele is associated with signs of parkinsonism and higher risk of death, but not with intranuclear neuronal inclusions. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Marjoram extract down-regulates the expression of Pasteurella multocida adhesion, colonization and toxin genes: A potential mechanism for its antimicrobial activity.

Due to the emergence of virulent and antibiotic-resistant microbes, natural antimicrobials from herbal origins have been given more attention as an alternative therapy. This study provides an in vitro research framework to investigate the antibacterial activities of 5 herbal (marjoram, garlic, onion, cinnamon and black seed) oil extracts against 16 multidrug-resistant (MDR) and virulent P. multocida serogroup A isolates recovered from dead and clinically diseased rabbits. Pathogenicity of the screened isolates was further proven experimentally and was verified by PCR analyses of 5 randomly selected virulence genes encoding attachment and colonization proteins (ptfA, pfhA, and omp87), sialidases (nanB) and dermonecrotoxin (toxA). A total of 12 P. multocida isolates were highly pathogenic with the possession of all examined virulence genes, while the other 4 isolates were of lower pathogenicity with expression of the target genes except toxA. In vitro anti-P. multocida activities of the 5 extracts and their synergism rates with 4 antibiotic drugs revealed that marjoram and cinnamon extracts had the highest antibacterial activities and the highest synergism rates against the screened isolates. Pasteurella multocida virulence gene expression profiles were assessed via real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) in response to marjoram extract. The quantitative analyses showed less than five-fold reduction in the targeted virulence genes expression in presence of marjoram extract compared with the control. The findings from this study document a novel molecular inhibitory activity of marjoram against P. multocida multiple virulence genes and provide a proof of concept for its implementation as an alternative candidate for the treatment of pasteurellosis in farm animals in future.

Effect of vitamin D3 supplementation in pregnancy on risk of pre-eclampsia - Randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D plays pivotal role in decidualization and implantation of the placenta. Recent researches have shown that low level of vitamin D3 "25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D)" in serum is a risk factor for pre-eclampsia. Latest evidence supports role of vitamin D3 deficiency treatment in reducing the risk of pre-eclampsia. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of antenatal supplementation of vitamin D3 on the risk of pre-eclampsia and to explore the dose effect in attaining the vitamin D3 normal level. METHOD: An open labelled randomized controlled study was conducted on 179 pregnant women presenting in King Fahad Medical City antenatal clinic from Oct 2012-Oct 2015. Patients with age less than 20 years or more than 40 years, pregnancy with fetal anomalies, history of hypertension, pre-eclampsia, recurrent miscarriage, chronic renal or hepatic disease and malignancy were excluded from the study. Serum 25[OH]D was analysed during the first trimester (between 6 and 12 weeks of pregnancy). Patients with vitamin D3 deficiency (serum levels <25 nmol/L) were included in the study and randomized for vitamin D3 supplementation 400 IU (Group 1) versus 4000 IU (Group 2). Both groups were compared for the prevalence of pre-eclampsia and dose effect on vitamin D level. RESULTS: Of 179 gravidae enrolled, 164 completed the trial. Mean maternal 25[OH]D was significantly increased in group 2 from 16.3 ± 5 nmol/mL to 72.3 ± 30.9 nmol/mL compared with group 1 from 17.5 ± 6.7 nmol/mL to 35.3 ± 20.7 nmol/mL (p > 0.0001). The relative risk reduction (RRR) for attaining ≥75 nmol/L before delivery was significantly higher (RRR 93.2 [CI 79-98] when treated with 4000 IU. The total incidence of pre-eclampsia in the study population was 4.3%. In comparison to group 1, the group 2 reported fewer pre-eclampsia events during the study period (8.6% versus 1.2%; p < 0.05). The total number of IUGRs was lesser in the group 2 (9.6%) versus group 1 (22.2%); p = 0.027. However, other obstetric outcomes were comparable between both groups. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D supplementation in the deficient group reduces the risk of pre-eclampsia and IUGR in a dose dependant manner. However larger clinical trials are essential to investigate optimum dosage of vitamin D3 in this group.

Lower vitamin D levels in Saudi pregnant women are associated with higher risk of developing GDM.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has serious consequences such as increased risks of preeclampsia, macrosomia and cesarean delivery. Even though the mechanistic basis of GDM has not been completely understood, several risk factors have been identified and one of these is vitamin D. However, the link between vitamin D deficiency and development of GDM is yet to be proven with certainty. METHODS: This study aimed to investigate the link between the incidence of GDM and serum vitamin D level in pregnant women of Saudi Arabia. 515 Saudi women (ages 18-46) in their 24-28th week of pregnancy, visiting various hospitals of Riyadh, participated in this study. Serum vitamin D and various biochemical and anthropometric parameters were determined in the first trimester and the recruits were screened for GDM by OGTT according to IADPSG criteria in their 2nd trimester. The association between vitamin D deficiency and development of GDM was calculated based on odds ratio of the incidence of GDM among vitamin D deficient and normal women. RESULTS: In this study cohort of 515 pregnant women, in the first trimester vitamin D deficiency (< 50 nmol/l) was detected in 425 (82.5%). On their 2nd visit (2nd trimester), 116 (27.7%) were diagnosed with GDM out of 419 with OGTT, according to IADPSG criteria. GDM risk was significantly higher among vitamin D deficient than non-deficient women (Odds Ratio: 2.87; Confidence Interval: 1.32-6.25; P = 0.008) even after adjusting for season, sun exposure and vitamin D intake (OR: 2.9; CI: 1.07-7.89). Of the various anthropometric and biochemical parameters, the GDM women differed significantly from non-GDM women with respect to serum levels of triglycerides (in mmol/l) (1.3 ± 0.6; 1.5 ± 0.6, p = 0.018) and fasting glucose (in mmol/l) [4.7 (4.3-5.2); 5.1 (4.6-5.6), p < 0.01]. Also, fasting glucose level in the 2nd trimester correlated inversely to serum vitamin D level determined during the 1st trimester (r = - 0.121; p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Results of our study reveal a significantly higher risk of development of GDM among pregnant women having deficient vitamin D status.

Molecular Detection of Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Among Infants with Congenital Anomalies in Khartoum State, Sudan.

Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection still represents the most common potentially serious viral complication in humans and is a major cause of congenital anomalies in infants. This study is aimed to detect HCMV in infants with congenital anomalies. Study subjects consisted of infants born with neural tube defect, hydrocephalus and microcephaly. Fifty serum specimens (20 males, 30 females) were collected from different hospitals in Khartoum State. The sera were investigated for cytomegalovirus specific immunoglobin M (IgM) antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and for Cytomegalovirus DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Out of the 50 sera tested, one patient's (2%) sample showed HCMV IgM, but with no detectable DNA, other 4(8.2 %) sera were positive for HCMV DNA but with no detectable IgM. Various diagnostic techniques should be considered to evaluate HCMV disease and routine screening for HCMV should be introduced for pregnant women in this setting. It is vital to initiate further research work with many samples from different area to assess prevalence and characterize HCMV and evaluate its maternal health implications.

Quality of life of Nigerian informal caregivers of community-dwelling stroke survivors.

BACKGROUND: Caregivers play important roles in the collaborative efforts that characterize successful stroke rehabilitation, and their quality of life (QoL) may have implications for outcome of care. AIM: This study explored the QoL of caregivers of community-dwelling stroke survivors in north-eastern Nigeria. METHODS: Fifty-nine caregivers of community-dwelling stroke survivors attending physiotherapy out-patients departments of two government hospitals in the city of Maiduguri participated in the study. Information on participants' age, gender, employment status, educational background, relationship with the stroke patient, and time after onset of stroke were obtained through interview, while their QoL was assessed with WHOQoLBREF questionnaire. Demographic and QoL data were summarized with descriptive statistics, and influence of caregivers and care recipients' factors on QoL was analysed using Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Majority of caregivers were males (55.9%) and provided care for their parents (69.5%) who had suffered stroke within 1 year prior to study (72.9%). Mean scores on all QoL domains were above average with the physical domain recording the lowest scores. Caregivers' factors of age, educational background and employment, and duration poststroke onset were significantly associated with domains of QoL. CONCLUSION: Although QoL of stroke caregivers was fair across domains, the physical domain recorded the lowest mean scores. Older age, lack of formal education, unemployment and caring for stroke patients within the second year poststroke were associated with lower QoL scores. Information from this study may aid in identifying those caregivers who require support programmes and care the most.