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From
the Editor
This is the first issue this
year and we would like to thank our readers,
authors, the editorial board, reviewers, and
our publishing manager and company for their
continuous support for the success this landmark
journal in the field of family medicine.
In this issue two papers from Saudi Arabia
deal with use of audiovisual technology in the
healthcare sector. Alghamdi J.S et al; evaluated
the effectiveness of educational videos against
patients’ fixed beliefs and lack of knowledge
in comparison with traditional educational methods.
It investigates the effectiveness of these tools
in overcoming patients’ psychological barriers
toward insulin therapy. This randomized, controlled
trial used the validated insulin treatment appraisal
scale (ITAS) to evaluate patients’ psychological
barriers. An educational video and brochure
were developed, each containing the same contents.
The study was conducted in King Abdulaziz city
housing with a total sample size of 126, divided
into an intervention group (shown the video)
and a control group (given the brochure). This
study showed no superiority of the video over
the brochure, which costs less and required
less effort to produce. Algahtani F et al; tried
to validate an audiovisual tool created for
the evaluation of its usefulness in breaking
the insulin barrier, by making a video which
is simple, accessible and informative at the
same time. The video explains the nature of
type two diabetes, the progression of the disease
and the options of treatment and the side effects.
The subject included 178 staff personals that
met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The
staff consisted of family medicine physicians
and residents, medical interns, nurses, medical
students and other medical staff e.g. clinical
pharmacist, dietitian, medical educator. The
study shows a positive response by healthcare
personnel toward the audio-visual material which
aimed to break insulin barriers in diabetic
patients. This material can be used by a diabetic
multidisciplinary team as an educational tool
as it will leave the patient with better understanding
of insulin which will lead to better control
of diabetes and increase compliance.
AL-Alwan, A.A et al; evaluated the role of
ultrasound in congenital cataract. A total of
242 patients aged less than one year referred
from pediatrics ophthalmologist in their hospital
(Queen Rania children hospital) with clinical
suspicion of congenital cataract over the period
June 2015 till December 2017 and were evaluated
by orbital ultrasound to evaluate the posterior
chamber. The authors concluded that Ultrasound
is a valuable diagnostic modality in assessing
the posterior chamber in patient with unilateral
or bilateral congenital cataract to rule out
associated posterior chamber abnormalities which
will influence the prognosis and management
plan.
Mohamed, O.M.I et al; evaluated the effectiveness
of a Pre-Ramadan structured educational program
for diabetic patients. A Randomized single blinded
control trial was conducted in Al Bateen Primary
Healthcare clinic in Abu Dhabi, Ambulatory Health
Services (AHS). Patients were allocated randomly
to either an intervention or control group;
60 diabetic patients were chosen using simple
randomization. The intervention group received
a pre-Ramadan structured educational program
by a trained family physician. The control group
received standard/usual diabetic care. Pre-/post-Ramadan
data was collected for both groups. Comparison
between both groups was done using Chi-square
test and independent samples Student’s
t-test, p 0.05 was considered statistically
significant. The authors concluded that a pre-Ramadan
structured educational program as per IDF/DAR
guidelines for diabetic patients who intend
to fast in Ramadan, significantly reduces their
risk of hypoglycemia by up to 50%. The physician
review and modification of medications, in accordance
guidelines is one of the most important factors
in reducing the frequency of hypoglycemia.
Helvaci, M.R et ; looked at the effect of excess
weight on blood pressure (BP) which may be the
major cause of inflammation. The authors took
consecutive patients between the ages of 35
and 70 years. There were 105 cases (18.9%) in
the normal weight, 240 cases (43.2%) in the
overweight, and 208 cases (37.4%) in the obesity
groups with similar mean ages (48.0, 50.4, and
52.3 years, respectively, p>0.05 for both).
Parallel to BP, prevalence of diabetes mellitus
(DM), hyperbetalipoproteinemia, dyslipidemia,
and coronary artery disease (CAD) increased
parallel to increased body mass index again
(p<0.05 nearly in all steps). The authors
concluded that excess weight affects 80.7% of
the population at and above the age of 35 years
in Turkey, and obesity is found nearly four-time
more common in females. Parallel to the increased
body mass, prevalence of sustained NT decreased
and WCH and HT increased beside the increased
prevalence of other parameters and consequences
of the metabolic syndrome including DM, hyperbetalipoproteinemia,
dyslipidemia, and CAD.
A report on micro-needling and lymphadenitis
as side effects is also included. Micro-needling
and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is recently gaining
popularity; growing internationally, highly
enriched plasma that contains a large concentrations
of platelets which secrete various growth factors,
and is used in a wide variety of surgical and
cosmetic procedures, including hair re-growth,
facial wrinkles and skin rejuvenation. To conclude,
micro-needling is a minimally invasive procedure.
Therefore, I urge that every individual and
every medical practitioner pay more attention
to the impending side effects of the procedure,
in order to document the cases and report them
with their reasoning. Also, to not underestimate
the procedure because many think it’s a
trivial, simple procedure with no potential
risks, and it is not.
Chief Editor:
A. Abyad
MD, MPH, AGSF, AFCHSE
Email: aabyad@cyberia.net.lb
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