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Al-Adawi S, Al-Naamani A, Jaju S, Al-Farsi YM, Dorvlo ASS, Al-Maashani A, Al-Adawi SSH, Moustafa AA, Al-Sibani N, Essa MM, Burke DT, Qoronfleh MW. Methylphenidate improves executive functions in patients with traumatic brain injuries: a feasibility trial via the idiographic approach. BMC Neurol 2020; 20:103. [PMID: 32192470 PMCID: PMC7081568 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-020-01663-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Road traffic accidents are known to be the main cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is also a leading cause of death and disability. This study, by means of the idiographic approach (single-case experimental designs using multiple-baseline designs), has examined whether methylphenidate (MPH - trade name Ritalin) had a differential effect on cognitive measures among patients with TBI with the sequel of acute and chronic post-concussion syndromes. The effect on gender was also explored. Methods In comparison with healthy controls, patients with TBI (acute and chronic) and accompanying mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were screened for their integrity of executive functioning. Twenty-four patients exhibiting executive dysfunction (ED) were then instituted with the pharmacological intervention methylphenidate (MPH). The methylphenidate was administered using an uncontrolled, open label design. Results The administration of methylphenidate impacted ED in the TBI group but had no effect on mood. Attenuation of ED was more apparent in the chronic phases of TBI. The effect on gender was not statistically significant with regard to the observed changes. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first feasibility trial from the Arabian Gulf to report the performance of a TBI population with mild cognitive impairment according to the IQCODE Arabic version. This investigation confirms anecdotal observations of methylphenidate having the potential to attenuate cognitive impairment; particularly those functions that are critically involved in the integrity of executive functioning. The present feasibility trial should be followed by nomothetic studies such as those that adhere to the protocol of the randomized controlled trial. This evidence-based research is the foundation for intervention and future resource allocation by policy- or public health decision-makers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
| | - Aziz Al-Naamani
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Sanjay Jaju
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Yahya M Al-Farsi
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Atsu S S Dorvlo
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Ali Al-Maashani
- Department of Neurosurgery, Khoula Hospital, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
| | | | - Ahmed A Moustafa
- School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Marcs Institute of Brain and Behaviour, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Nasser Al-Sibani
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Musthafa M Essa
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
| | - David T Burke
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - M Walid Qoronfleh
- Research & Policy Department, World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), Qatar Foundation, P.O. Box 5825, Doha, Qatar.
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Al-Ghannami SS, Al-Adawi S, Ghebremeskel K, Cramer MT, Hussein IS, Min Y, Jeyaseelan L, Al-Sibani N, Al-Shammakhi SM, Al-Mamari F, Dorvlo ASS. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Parental Factors in School Children Aged Nine to Ten Years in Muscat, Oman. Oman Med J 2018; 33:193-199. [PMID: 29896326 DOI: 10.5001/omj.2018.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and specific parental risk factors that may contribute to the development of ADHD in children. Methods The study was conducted in Oman among fourth-grade students (aged nine to 10 years). A standardized Arabic version of the National Initiative for Children's Health Quality Vanderbilt Assessment Scale (Teachers questionnaire) was used to determine the presence of ADHD. Parental factors such as socioeconomic status, education, and occupation were documented. Results The prevalence rate of ADHD was 8.8%. Poor maternal education status, low familial socioeconomic status, and paternal occupation were significantly associated with an increased risk of ADHD. Conclusions This was the first study that examined familial and parental characteristics of children with ADHD as potential risk factors for the condition. Such psychosocial factors could be employed to further the development of more proficient preventative measures and remedial services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samia S Al-Ghannami
- Lipidomics and Nutrition Research Centre, School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, London, UK.,Department of Nutrition, Ministry of Health, Muscat, Oman
| | - Samir Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos
| | - Kebreab Ghebremeskel
- Lipidomics and Nutrition Research Centre, School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, London, UK
| | - Mathias T Cramer
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos
| | - Izzeldin S Hussein
- Nutrition Department, UNICEF Oman, Eastern Mediterranean Region / Middle East and North Africa
| | - Yoeju Min
- Lipidomics and Nutrition Research Centre, School of Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, London, UK
| | - Lakshmanan Jeyaseelan
- Department of Statistics and Health Information, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman
| | - Nasser Al-Sibani
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos
| | | | | | - Atsu S S Dorvlo
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, HO Volta Region, Ghana
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Al-Mandhari A, Al-Zakwani I, Al-Kindi M, Tawilah J, Dorvlo ASS, Al-Adawi S. Patient safety culture assessment in oman. Oman Med J 2014; 29:264-70. [PMID: 25170407 DOI: 10.5001/omj.2014.70] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To illustrate the patient safety culture in Oman as gleaned via 12 indices of patient safety culture derived from the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSPSC) and to compare the average positive response rates in patient safety culture between Oman and the USA, Taiwan, and Lebanon. METHODS This was a cross-sectional research study employed to gauge the performance of HSPSC safety indices among health workers representing five secondary and tertiary care hospitals in the northern region of Oman. The participants (n=398) represented different professional designations of hospital staff. Analyses were performed using univariate statistics. RESULTS The overall average positive response rate for the 12 patient safety culture dimensions of the HSPSC survey in Oman was 58%. The indices from HSPSC that were endorsed the highest included 'organizational learning and continuous improvement' while conversely, 'non-punitive response to errors' was ranked the least. There were no significant differences in average positive response rates between Oman and the United States (58% vs. 61%; p=0.666), Taiwan (58% vs. 64%; p=0.386), and Lebanon (58% vs. 61%; p=0.666). CONCLUSION This study provides the first empirical study on patient safety culture in Oman which is similar to those rates reported elsewhere. It highlights the specific strengths and weaknesses which may stem from the specific milieu prevailing in Oman.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Al-Mandhari
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Ibrahim Al-Zakwani
- Department of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman; Gulf Health Research, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Moosa Al-Kindi
- Statistics & Health Information, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Jihane Tawilah
- World Health Organization Representative, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Atsu S S Dorvlo
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Samir Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 35, Al-Khoudh 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. ; ;
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Al-Ghafri G, Al-Sinawi H, Al-Muniri A, Dorvlo ASS, Al-Farsi YM, Armstrong K, Al-Adawi S. Prevalence of depressive symptoms as elicited by Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) among medical trainees in Oman. Asian J Psychiatr 2014; 8:59-62. [PMID: 24655629 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2013.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2013] [Revised: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the increasing recognition that medical training tends to coincide with markedly high levels of stress and distress, there is a dearth of validated measures that are capable of gauging the prevalence of depressive symptoms among medical residents in the Arab/Islamic part of the world. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study is two-fold. First is to examine the diagnostic validity of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) using an Omani medical resident population in order to establish a cut-off point. Second is to compare gender, age, and residency level among Omani Medical residents who report current depressive symptomatology versus those who report as non-depressed according to PHQ-9 cut-off threshold. RESULTS A total of 132 residents (42 males and 90 females) consented to participate in this study. The cut-off score of 12 on the PHQ-9 revealed a sensitivity of 80.6% and a specificity of 94.0%. The rate of depression, as elicited by PHQ-9, was 11.4%. The role of gender, age, and residency level was not significant in endorsing depression. CONCLUSION This study indicated that PHQ-9 is a reliable measure among this cross-cultural population. More studies employing robust methodology are needed to confirm this finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghaniya Al-Ghafri
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
| | - Hamed Al-Sinawi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
| | - Abdullah Al-Muniri
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
| | - Atsu S S Dorvlo
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
| | - Yahya M Al-Farsi
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, MA, USA.
| | - Kerry Armstrong
- Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety-Queensland (CARRS-Q), Queensland University of Technology, 130 Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia.
| | - Samir Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a dearth of studies describing the characteristics of ADHD among schoolchildren attending child psychiatry clinics in the Arab world. Most of the previous quests have focused on community surveys or themes that hampered international comparison. AIM This study screened for the presence of ADHD as well as investigates the psychosocial and educational history relevant for the diagnosis of ADHD among children. METHOD Consecutive schoolchildren attending child psychiatric consultations were screened for the presence of ADHD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental disorders (DSM) criteria. RESULT A total of 221 schoolchildren suffering from ADHD were identified according to the DSM. The year incidence was 0.16. Males constituted the majority presenting with ADHD. The contribution of consanguinity and a history of acquired brain injury were common features. The majority were attending mainstream education as pharmacotherapy is the only option available for managing ADHD. CONCLUSION This study is one of the few from this part of the world using DSM criteria to diagnose ADHD. The implications of the present findings are discussed in the context of the available literature and the specific situation in Oman.
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Al-Adawi S, Hoaglin H, Vesali F, Dorvlo ASS, Burke DT. Effect of amantadine on the sleep–wake cycle of an inpatient with brain injury. Brain Inj 2009; 23:559-65. [DOI: 10.1080/02699050902970745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Abstract
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE To compare the functional outcomes of patients with anoxic brain injury (ABI) and patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) following inpatient rehabilitation. RESEARCH DESIGN Retrospective chart review. METHODS AND PROCEDURES Data on 68 patients with brain injury (34 with ABI and 34 with TBI) were collected. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS The ABI and TBI groups were demographically similar, except that patients with ABI were more likely to be married. Both groups significantly improved their function and were similar upon discharge. For the ABI group, there were trends toward a shorter length of stay, increased total FIM efficiency and decreased cost of stay when compared with the TBI group. The patients with ABI tended to be discharged to a sub-acute rehabilitation facility more than those in the TBI group. CONCLUSIONS This study is important because it shows that patients with ABI benefit from inpatient rehabilitation and made significant functional gains comparable to the gains of patients with TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrugeshkumar K Shah
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical Schol, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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Kayano M, Yoshiuchi K, Al-Adawi S, Viernes N, Dorvlo ASS, Kumano H, Kuboki T, Akabayashi A. Eating attitudes and body dissatisfaction in adolescents: Cross-cultural study. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2008; 62:17-25. [PMID: 18289137 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1819.2007.01772.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Sociocultural factors are thought to be important in the pathogenesis of eating disorders. However, there have been few studies comparing eating behavior among various cultural populations. The aim of the present study is to compare attitudes towards bodyweight and shape, and desire for thinness in Japanese male and female subjects with those in people from other countries and of different ethnic origin. METHODS The subjects were 411 Japanese, 130 Indian, 135 Omani, 113 Euro-American and 196 Filipino adolescents. The Eating Attitude Test-26 and the Drive for Thinness subscale of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 were used to assess eating attitudes and fat phobia. RESULTS Subjects from India, Oman and the Philippines demonstrated eating attitudes that were similar to or worse than subjects from Western countries and Japan, although their desire for thinness was not as strong. The relationship between body mass index and eating attitudes or fat phobia in Indian, Omani and Filipino subjects differed from that in subjects from Western countries and Japan. In addition, both males and females showed disturbed eating attitudes in the Indian, Omani, and Filipino subjects. CONCLUSION There are differences in eating attitudes and the drive for thinness among different cultural groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mami Kayano
- Department of Stress Science and Psychosomatic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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Al-Adawi S, Dorvlo ASS, Al-Naamani A, Glenn MB, Karamouz N, Chae H, Zaidan ZAJ, Burke DT. The ineffectiveness of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for diagnosis in an Omani traumatic brain injured population. Brain Inj 2008; 21:385-93. [PMID: 17487636 DOI: 10.1080/02699050701311059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rehabilitation of the traumatic brain injury (TBI) patient is especially challenging in non-western populations as the phenotypic indicators as well as the neurobehavioral assessments for the survivors of brain injury are limited. OBJECTIVE The study screened for the prevalence of anxiety and depressive states among patients with TBI and examined the validity of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to identify TBI patients with comorbid affective dysfunctions, specifically anxiety and depressive disorders, in an Omani population. METHODS Sixty-eight survivors of TBI were screened with the semi-structured, Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) and the HADS. A receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was calculated to discriminate the power of the HADS for every possible threshold score. RESULTS The semi-structured interview revealed the prevalence rate of 57.4% for depressive disorder and 50% for anxiety disorder. The sensitivity (53.8%) and specificity 75.9%, gave the best compromise using the cut-off score of 4, suggesting HADS is not a useful screening tool for this particular population. CONCLUSIONS Phenotypic indicators as detected by CIDI revealed that prevalence of affective dysfunctionality is common among this TBI population. Although the HADS is the most widely used screening instrument in other clinical populations, it does not appear to be a reliable resource in identifying depression and anxiety in people with traumatic brain injury in Oman.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
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Viernes N, Zaidan ZAJ, Dorvlo ASS, Kayano M, Yoishiuchi K, Kumano H, Kuboki T, Al-Adawi S. Tendency toward deliberate food restriction, fear of fatness and somatic attribution in cross-cultural samples. Eat Behav 2007; 8:407-17. [PMID: 17606239 DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2006.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2006] [Revised: 11/20/2006] [Accepted: 12/21/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare Omani and western teenagers attending schools in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman and Filipino teenagers residing in Manila, Philippines on indices of deliberate food restriction and dieting behavior. METHODS The sample consisted of 444 students who were assessed using the cross-culturally valid measure, Eating Attitude Test-26, a subscale of Eating Disorder Inventory to gauge the presence of the drive for thinness or 'fat phobia' and the Bradford Somatic Inventory to elicit the presence of somatization. RESULT Significant differences in attitudes to eating, body image and somatization between the western and non-western teenagers were found. CONCLUSION This paper suggests that trajectories of eating disorder, such as body image disturbances as expressed in fat phobia and somatization, tend to vary from culture to culture and underscore the view that some of the health related behavior among adolescents need to be examined within socio-cultural contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nonna Viernes
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 35, Al-Khoudh 123, Muscat, Oman
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Dorvlo ASS, Bakheit CS, Al-Riyami A, Morsi M, Al-Adawi S. A study of fertility patterns of ever married women in oman. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J 2006; 6:33-40. [PMID: 21748133 PMCID: PMC3074913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the relation between age, education, residence and fertility rate and change in fertility rate between 1994/95 and 1999/2000. METHODS The data for the study was extracted from the Oman National Health Survey, 2000. The birth histories data was used to extract data on woman years and births in the periods 1990 to 1994 and 1995 to 2000. RESULTS The marital fertility rate in 1999/2000 was 7.12 births. The rates for rural and urban dwellers were 8.07 and 6.75 respectively in 1999/2000. Corresponding rates in 1994/95 (8.65, 8.30 and 9.69 respectively) were significantly higher than those in 1999/2000 for all categories, indicating a reduction in rates. In both periods the higher the education level of the mother the lower her fertility. CONCLUSION Education was a strong determinant of fertility. This study confirms that the higher the education of the woman the lower her fertility and that fertility is on the decline in Oman.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsu S S Dorvlo
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Charles S Bakheit
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Asya Al-Riyami
- Department of Studies and Research, Ministry of Health, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Magdi Morsi
- Department of Studies and Research, Ministry of Health, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Samir Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman
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Al-Jabri AA, Dorvlo ASS, Al-Rahbi S, Al-Abri J, Al-Adawi S. Knowledge of tuberculosis among medical professionals and university students in Oman. East Mediterr Health J 2006; 12:509-21. [PMID: 17333788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
This study in Oman investigated knowledge about tuberculosis among 142 medics (medical students, paramedics) and 133 non-medics (arts and social science students). Knowledge was assessed using a validated questionnaire with 28 statements on general knowledge, risk factors and diagnosis of tuberculosis. As expected, tuberculosis knowledge was significantly higher among medics but there was no significant difference between men and women. Although medics had better knowledge in general, some of the technical statements were answered correctly by higher proportions of non-medics.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Al-Jabri
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
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Al-Adawi S, Burke DT, Dorvlo ASS. The effect of methylphenidate on the sleep-wake cycle of brain-injured patients undergoing rehabilitation. Sleep Med 2006; 7:287-91. [PMID: 16564212 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2005.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2004] [Revised: 11/04/2005] [Accepted: 11/05/2005] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE A number of neuro-stimulants are routinely used as part of post-acute care of hospitalized brain-injured patients. To our knowledge, the effect of these stimulants on the sleep-wake cycles of brain-injured patients undergoing rehabilitation has not been addressed. We examined the effect of one of the most commonly used neuro-stimulants, methylphenidate, on the sleep-wake behavior of brain-injured patients undergoing rehabilitation at a dedicated brain injury clinic. PATIENTS AND METHOD For this study, records of patients admitted between January and December 1999 were scrutinized retrospectively for the data on observationally defined sleep-wake distribution. A total of 30 patients diagnosed with traumatic brain injury were identified as having been observed for a full 24h a day for at least 10 days. Some of these patients (n=17) were administered methylphenidate on clinical grounds. They served as the experimental group, while the unmedicated patients (n=13) served as controls. For the present analysis, the sleep-wake cycles were arbitrarily designated as nighttime and daytime, respectively. A cumulative sleep-wake quantity in a 24-h period was also observed. RESULT The average number of hours of sleep during a 24-h period was not significantly different for the two cohorts. Similar trends emerged for the nighttime and daytime observations. On the whole, methylphenidate appears not to have unfavorable effects on sleep-wake cycles, presently defined as nighttime, daytime and 24-h, in the traumatic brain injury population. CONCLUSION This study sought to gain better understanding of the effect of methylphenidate on daytime sleepiness and nighttime sleep, and the data suggest that administration of methylphenidate does not appear to have an adverse effect on sleep-wake quantity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, P.O. Box 35, Al-Khoudh 123, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the functional outcomes of patients with anoxic brain injury (ABI) due to cardiac and non-cardiac aetiologies. DESIGN Retrospective chart review over 4 years. SETTING Freestanding rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS Thirteen patients with cardiac ABI and 13 patients with non-cardiac ABI. INTERVENTION Comprehensive, multi-disciplinary inpatient rehabilitation services. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Rehabilitation hospital length of stay (LOS) and cost; Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores and its various sub-sets on admission and discharge; FIM efficiency and change; and discharge disposition. RESULTS Patients with cardiac ABI were similar in gender and ethnicity when compared to patients with non-cardiac ABI but were older (average age 52 vs 42) with a higher percentage of cardiac patients married (77% vs 39%). No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups on all sub-sets of the FIM on admission and discharge as well as the different FIM efficiencies. However, there was a trend for the cardiac ABI patients to have a greater efficiency in improving mobility during rehabilitation when compared to non-cardiac ABI patients. The rehabilitation hospital LOS was approximately 28 days less for patients with cardiac ABI (41.49 vs 69.84 days), but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.26). The mean rehabilitation cost for patients with cardiac ABI was approximately $14,000 less than that for those with non-cardiac ABI ($44,181 vs $58,187). This difference was not statistically significant (p=0.15). Cardiac ABI patients were more likely to be discharged directly to home from rehabilitation when compared to non-cardiac ABI patients (p=0.06). CONCLUSION This pilot study demonstrates some differences in the recovery patterns of patients with ABI who had a cardiac aetiology and those who had non-cardiac aetiologies. While both groups experienced similar progress during rehabilitation, those with cardiac ABI made gains with a shorter LOS and less rehabilitation costs when compared to non-cardiac ABI patients. These data suggest a trend towards greater cost and length of stay for patients with ABI who had non-cardiac aetiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- D T Burke
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Abstract
This study tests the relation between eye-movements and thought processing. Subjects were given specific modality tasks (visual, gustatory, kinesthetic) and assessed on whether they responded with distinct eye-movements. Some subjects' eye-movements reflected ongoing thought processing. Instead of a universal pattern, as suggested by the neurolinguistic programming hypothesis, this study yielded subject-specific idiosyncratic eye-movements across all modalities. Included is a discussion of the neurolinguistic programming hypothesis regarding eye-movements and its implications for the eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing theory.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T Burke
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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Al-Adawi S, Al-Salmy H, Martin RG, Al-Naamani A, Prabhakar S, Deleu D, Moosa S, Dorvlo ASS. Patient's perspective on epilepsy: self-knowledge among Omanis. Seizure 2003; 12:11-8. [PMID: 12495643 DOI: 10.1016/s1059131102001504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Improving patients' knowledge has been suggested to improve their symptoms and prognosis. Very little is known about epileptic patient's knowledge of their illness in cross-cultural settings. This pilot study investigated what Omani patients know about their disorder. Patients attending a tertiary hospital completed a structured knowledge questionnaire to elicit information pertaining to aetiology, safety, compliance with medication regimes, legal and employment issues concerning epilepsy.Although correctly endorsing issues related to their medication, this cross-cultural sample was found to have limited knowledge about their condition. In particular, most patients were unable to give accurate indications of epilepsy, neither were they able to give correct responses to questions pertaining to safety and compliance. There is a need for improving patient's knowledge. As with other chronic disorders, people with epilepsy in Oman should receive systematic health education about how to manage the condition most effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioural Medicine and Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
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Al-Adawi S, Dorvlo ASS, Burke DT, Moosa S, Al-Bahlani S. A survey of anorexia nervosa using the Arabic version of the EAT-26 and "gold standard" interviews among Omani adolescents. Eat Weight Disord 2002; 7:304-11. [PMID: 12588059 DOI: 10.1007/bf03324977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the validity of the Eating Attitude Test (EAT) in identifying the presence and severity of eating pathology in male and female Omani urban adolescents and to establish cut-off scores that matched those of anorexia identified by gold standard interviews without fear of fatness criteria. METHODS Both females (n=126) and males (n=136) were screened using the Arabic version of the EAT-26 and interviewed using a semi-structured, Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) in order to investigate the relationship between false positives and false negatives at various EAT-26 cut-off points. A receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was calculated to discriminate the power of the EAT-26 for every possible threshold score. RESULTS The EAT-26 identified 29% of the subjects as probable anorexic cases as against 9.5% identified during the structured interview based on the anorexia gold standard (32% males and 68% females). The sensitivity and specificity of the EAT-26 were respectively 24% and 69.6%. When using the ROC curve, a cut-off score of 10 gave the best compromise between sensitivity (64%) and specificity (38%). DISCUSSION Although the EAT-26 is the most widely used screening instrument in cross-cultural studies, it does not appear to be reliable in identifying probable cases of anorexia among Omani adolescents. The use of a gold standard interview without fat phobia criteria indicated that the rate of anorexia nervosa may be more prevalent among males than previously estimated. This intriguingly high preponderance of males is discussed in terms of prevailing demographic trends in Oman.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
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Al-Adawi S, Dorvlo ASS, Al-Ismaily SS, Al-Ghafry DA, Al-Noobi BZ, Al-Salmi A, Burke DT, Shah MK, Ghassany H, Chand SP. Perception of and attitude towards mental illness in Oman. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2002; 48:305-17. [PMID: 12553410 DOI: 10.1177/002076402128783334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As conceptions of mental illness are often dictated by prevailing socio-cultural factors and the philosophy of the time, there is little research to substantiate how mental illness is perceived in the Arab world in the light of both traditional and more recent modernization and acculturation processes. AIMS To examine whether social factors exert an influence on a person's attitude towards people with mental illness (PWMI) in the rapidly changing country of Oman. METHODS This study compares the response elicited from medical students, relatives of psychiatric patients and the general Omani public on the causes of mental illness, attitudes toward PWMI and the care and management of people with mental illness. RESULTS This study found no relationship between attitudes towards PWMI, and demographic variables such as age, educational level, marital status, sex and personal exposure to people with mental illness. Both medical students and the public rejected a genetic factor as the cause of mental illness; instead they favoured the role of spirits as the aetiological factor for mental illness. There were favourable responses on statements regarding value of life, family life, decision-making ability, and the management and care of mental illness. However, both medical students and the public thought that PWMI tend to have peculiar and stereotypical appearances and the majority preferred that facilities for psychiatric care should be located away from the community. Although the relatives of psychiatric patients were concerned about the welfare of mental patients, their responses varied and were often contingent upon their expectations. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that neither socio-demographic factors nor previous exposure to PWMI was related to attitudes towards PWMI. Although the attitudes of Omanis toward PWMI appear to fluctuate in complex ways, traditional beliefs on mental illness have yet to be eroded by exposure to a biomedical model of mental illness. This study largely supports the view that the extent of stigma varies according to the cultural and sociological backgrounds of each society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Al-Adawi
- Department of Behavioural Sciences and Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
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Al-Adawi S, Dorvlo ASS, Burke DT, Al-Bahlani S, Martin RG, Al-Ismaily S. Presence and severity of anorexia and bulimia among male and female Omani and non-Omani adolescents. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2002; 41:1124-30. [PMID: 12218434 DOI: 10.1097/00004583-200209000-00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The population of Oman is a heterogeneous mix of nationalities providing a natural setting for studying the cross-cultural differences in the presence and severity of eating disorders as well as an opportunity for evaluating the performance of measurement instruments for these disorders. METHOD Disordered eating screening instruments (the Eating Attitude Test and the Bulimic Investigatory Test) were administered to Omani teenagers, non-Omani teenagers, and Omani adults. RESULTS On the Eating Attitude Test, 33% of Omani teenagers (29.4% females and 36.4% males) and 9% of non-Omani teenagers (7.5% of males and 10.6% females) showed a propensity for anorexic-like behavior. On the Bulimic Investigatory Test, 12.3% of Omani teenagers showed a propensity for binge eating or bulimia (13.7% females and 10.9% males). Among the non-Omani teenagers, 18.4% showed a tendency toward bulimia, with females showing a slightly greater tendency than males. In contrast, barely 2% of Omani adults showed either a presence of or a severity of disorderly behavior with food. CONCLUSION Omani teenagers scored significantly higher than other ethnic groups and Omani adults. This finding is discussed in the light of emerging evidence from many parts of the world suggesting that cultural transition, compounded by demographic constraints, plays a significant role in abnormal eating attitudes.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the demographics, precipitating factors, substances and methods used for deliberate self-harm in Oman. METHODS Data were extracted from the Accident and Emergency (A & E) records of patients treated at the A & E units in Muscat from 1993 to 1998. Data were obtained form the history, and clinical findings resulting form deliberate self-harm. RESULTS During the 5-year study period, 123 persons presented to various hospitals in the Muscat area with injuries that resulted form deliberate self-harm. Most of these cases were women, students and unemployed. There was a high incidence of family, marital and psychiatric or social problems. The methods of self-harm were most often analgesics (such as paracetamol) and non-pharmaceutical chemicals. CONCLUSIONS The rate of self-injurious behaviour is low in Oman, compared with other countries, including other Islamic countries. The data illustrate a rising rate and a tendency to ingest toxic doses of analgesics or non-pharmaceutical chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziad A J Zaidan
- Department of Behavioural Medicine, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
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