Hyperglycemia is common among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and is associated with high risk of mortality and morbidity. However, the relationship between admission plasma glucose (APG) levels and mortality in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with AMI needs further investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between APG level and short-term mortality and morbidity after AMI.
This is a prospective study of 79 consecutive patients with AMI followed up for 90 days. Medical history, as well as demographic and clinical baseline characteristics, of the patients was obtained from Al-Watni Governmental Hospital medical records. The patients were divided into four groups based on APG levels. Patients' health status was followed up by phone call interviews with the patients and their families. Follow-up data were further confirmed using patients' medical records at the hospital. The phone interviews investigated all causes of death or congestive heart failure (CHF) or re-infarction.
The mean age of patients was 61.9 ± 12.3 years. At the time of hospital admission, the median PG level was 162 mg/dl. During the 3-month follow-up, overall mortality was 20.3% and was increased to 56.3% in patients with glucose levels >200 mg/dl. Mortality was comparable (21.9% vs. 19.1%; P > 0.05) between diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Nonfatal adverse outcomes in the form of combined CHF and re-infarction were highest in group IV and lowest in group I.
Our study demonstrates that high APG level is common in patients with AMI and is associated with high risk of mortality and morbidity among patients with or without diabetes mellitus. In fact, our study showed that nondiabetic patients with high APG have higher risk of mortality than patients with a known history of diabetes mellitus.
Background The Hepatitis B (HB) infection is
a significant health problem in Palestine, which is categorized as an HB virus
moderate endemic area, with the HB carrier rate ranging from 2-6%. The aim of
this study is to determine the risk factors of Hepatitis transmission in the
northern areas of Palestine in order to help prevent and control this prevalent
health problem.
Methods A case–control study was
implemented to achieve the study objectives. One hundred HB virus seropositive
cases and another 100 seronegative controls were included in the study.
Univariate analysis and a logistic regression model were performed to examine
probable risk factors of acquisition of HB infections.
Results Univariate
analysis showed that HB case-patients were more likely to report having a
history of blood transfusion, dental visits, hospitalization, Hejamat, sharing
shaving equipments, intravenous drug use, or living abroad than controls were.
The logistic regression model revealed a history of dental visits to be the
most significant risk factor, (P value <0.001, OR 5.6; 95% CI 2.8-11.1).
Conclusion
The
presence of these risk factors emphasizes the need for both increasing the
uptake of HB vaccine and implementing risk-targeted public health education.
Development and enforcement of appropriate infection control guidelines for
dental care services are important to prevent HB virus transmission as well.
Emergency Room of Alia Governmental hospital in Hebron district, south of West Bank, Palestine.
To determine the factors associated with chronic asthma severity among asthma patients attending the emergency rooms in Palestine.
A cross-sectional study using previously validated questionnaires.
Among the 121 patients, 45.5% had moderate/severe asthma. Most days' regular intake of oral theophylline, and using ≥5 courses/year of oral steroids were more likely to be associated with moderate/severe asthmatics (p < 0.05). Moderate/severe asthmatics compared with mild asthmatics were more likely to use inhaled short B2-agonists more frequently (most days, 50% vs. 17%; p < 0.05) and in higher concentrations (≥1 cannister/month, 78% vs. 29%; p < 0.05). They were also more likely to get regular treatment (p < 0.05) and to report their inability to afford/obtain asthma medicines (p > 0.05).
Access to health services doesn't necessarily ensure a good quality of care for asthmatics. The effectiveness of oral theophyline in controlling the more severe asthma symptoms should be reconsidered. We recommend a training program for health professionals and an educational one on self-management for the asthma patients.
Aims : Hyperglycemia is common among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and is associated with high risk of mortality and morbidity. However, the relationship between admission plasma glucose (APG) levels and mortality in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with AMI needs further investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between APG level and short-term mortality and morbidity after AMI.
Materials And Methods : This is a prospective study of 79 consecutive patients with AMI followed up for 90 days. Medical history, as well as demographic and clinical baseline characteristics, of the patients was obtained from Al-Watni Governmental Hospital medical records. The patients were divided into four groups based on APG levels. Patients' health status was followed up by phone call interviews with the patients and their families. Follow-up data were further confirmed using patients' medical records at the hospital. The phone interviews investigated all causes of death or congestive heart failure (CHF) or re-infarction.
Results : The mean age of patients was 61.9 ± 12.3 years. At the time of hospital admission, the median PG level was 162 mg/dl. During the 3-month follow-up, overall mortality was 20.3% and was increased to 56.3% in patients with glucose levels >200 mg/dl. Mortality was comparable (21.9% vs. 19.1%; P > 0.05) between diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Nonfatal adverse outcomes in the form of combined CHF and re-infarction were highest in group IV and lowest in group I.
Conclusion :Our study demonstrates that high APG level is common in patients with AMI and is associated with high risk of mortality and morbidity among patients with or without diabetes mellitus. In fact, our study showed that nondiabetic patients with high APG have higher risk of mortality than patients with a known history of diabetes mellitus
Aims :Hyperglycemia is common among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and is associated with high risk of mortality and morbidity. However, the relationship between admission plasma glucose (APG) levels and mortality in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with AMI needs further investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between APG level and short-term mortality and morbidity after AMI.
Materials And Methods : This is a prospective study of 79 consecutive patients with AMI followed up for 90 days. Medical history, as well as demographic and clinical baseline characteristics, of the patients was obtained from Al-Watni Governmental Hospital medical records. The patients were divided into four groups based on APG levels. Patients' health status was followed up by phone call interviews with the patients and their families. Follow-up data were further confirmed using patients' medical records at the hospital. The phone interviews investigated all causes of death or congestive heart failure (CHF) or re-infarction.
Results :The mean age of patients was 61.9 ± 12.3 years. At the time of hospital admission, the median PG level was 162 mg/dl. During the 3-month follow-up, overall mortality was 20.3% and was increased to 56.3% in patients with glucose levels >200 mg/dl. Mortality was comparable (21.9% vs. 19.1%; P > 0.05) between diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Nonfatal adverse outcomes in the form of combined CHF and re-infarction were highest in group IV and lowest in group I.
Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that high APG level is common in patients with AMI and is associated with high risk of mortality and morbidity among patients with or without diabetes mellitus. In fact, our study showed that nondiabetic patients with high APG have higher risk of mortality than patients with a known history of diabetes mellitus
Aims : Hyperglycemia is common among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and is associated with high risk of mortality and morbidity. However, the relationship between admission plasma glucose (APG) levels and mortality in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with AMI needs further investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between APG level and short-term mortality and morbidity after AMI.
Materials And Methods :This is a prospective study of 79 consecutive patients with AMI followed up for 90 days. Medical history, as well as demographic and clinical baseline characteristics, of the patients was obtained from Al-Watni Governmental Hospital medical records. The patients were divided into four groups based on APG levels. Patients\' health status was followed up by phone call interviews with the patients and their families. Follow-up data were further confirmed using patients\' medical records at the hospital. The phone interviews investigated all causes of death or congestive heart failure (CHF) or re-infarction.
Results: The mean age of patients was 61.9 ± 12.3 years. At the time of hospital admission, the median PG level was 162 mg/dl. During the 3-month follow-up, overall mortality was 20.3% and was increased to 56.3% in patients with glucose levels >200 mg/dl. Mortality was comparable (21.9% vs. 19.1%; P > 0.05) between diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Nonfatal adverse outcomes in the form of combined CHF and re-infarction were highest in group IV and lowest in group I.
Conclusion : Our study demonstrates that high APG level is common in patients with AMI and is associated with high risk of mortality and morbidity among patients with or without diabetes mellitus. In fact, our study showed that nondiabetic patients with high APG have higher risk of mortality than patients with a known history of diabetes mellitus.
Objective: Stroke is a major health problem, yet no studies on stroke have been reported from Palestine. This one-year, hospital-based study was conducted to determine the prevalence of risk factors and the in-hospital mortality rate in patients with ischemic stroke.
Method: All patients admitted to Al-Watani government hospital and diagnosed with ischemic stroke between September 2006 and August 2007 were included in the study. Data were obtained by retrospective review of medical charts. Pearson Chi-square and independent t test were used in the univariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of in-hospital mortality rates among the patients. Statistical testing and graphics were carried out using SPSS 15.
Results: We identified 153 ischemic stroke patients (83 females and 70 males) of whom 92 were having a first-ever stroke (FES). Patients had several prevalent modifiable risk factors such as hypertension (HTN) (66%), diabetes mellitus (DM) (45.8%), and renal reduced renal function (crcl < 60 ml/ min) (33.9%). Twenty-six (17%) of the patients died during hospitalization. Four variables were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality: history of previous stroke (P= 0.004), crcl at admission (P=0.004), number of post-stroke complications (P=0.001), and age (P=0.043). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the number of post-stroke complications (P= 0.001) and previous stroke (P=0.03) were significant independent predictors of in-hospital mortality.
Conclusion: Screening and better control of risk factors, especially HTN, DM and renal dysfunction, are required to decrease the incidence and in-hospital mortality among patients with ischemic stroke.