Measuring quality of life in patients with psoriasis using the Arabic version for Morocco of the Dermatology Life Quality Index

Background  Psoriasis has been demonstrated to have substantial impacts on dermatology‐related functional limitations and health‐related quality of life (HRQL). This study evaluated the HRQL in Moroccan psoriatics using the Arabic version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and examined the psychometric properties of the questionnaire. Materials and methods  The Moroccan Arabic version of the DLQI was developed and approved by the author of the questionnaire. The DLQI was administered to inpatient and outpatient adult psoriatics. Some participants completed the DLQI for a second time. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. Reliability of the DLQI was tested using Cronbach’s coefficient alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Factor structure was tested by explanatory and confirmatory factor analysis. Construct validity was tested by known‐groups comparison using the generalized linear model to assess factors influencing patients’ HRQL. Results  A total of 176 psoriatics completed the questionnaire. The mean age was 36 ± 14 years. The mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score was 11.8 ± 7.9. The mean DLQI score was 12.7 ± 5.9 (the higher the score the greater the impairment of HRQL). Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.84. ICC was 0.97. The principal component analysis confirmed the bidimensional structure of the questionnaire. Factors associated with poorer HRQL were higher PASI (P < 0.001), pustular and erythrodermal clinical forms (P < 0.001), and older age (P = 0.001). Conclusions  The Arabic version for Morocco of the DLQI is reliable and valid. Severity of the psoriasis, older age, and severe clinical forms influence the HRQL of patients.     

AZF microdeletions and partial deletions of AZFc region on the Y chromosome in Moroccan men

Aim： To evaluate for the first time the frequency of Y chromosome microdeletions and the occurrence of the partial deletions of AZFc region in Moroccan men, and to discuss the clinical significance of AZF deletions. Methods： We screened Y chromosome microdeletions and partial deletions of the AZFc region of a consecutive group of infertile men （n = 149） and controls （100 fertile men, 76 normospermic men）. AZFa, AZFb, AZFc and partial deletions of the AZFc region were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） according to established protocols. Results： Among the 127 infertile men screened for microdeletion, four subjects were found to have microdeletions： two AZFc deletions and two AZFb＋AZFc deletions. All the deletions were found only in azoospermic subjects （4/48, 8.33%）. The overall AZFc deletion frequency was low （4/127, 3.15%）. AZF microdeletions were not observed in either oligoasthenoteratozoospermia （OATS） or the control. Partial deletions of AZFc （gr/gr） were observed in a total of 7 of the 149 infertile men （4.70%） and 7 partial AZFc deletions （gr/gr） were found in the control group （7/176, 3.98%）. In addition, two b2/b3 deletions were identified in two azoospermic subjects （2/149, 1.34%） but not in the control group. Conclusion： Our results suggest that the frequency of Y chromosome AZF microdeletions is elevated in individuals with severe spermatogenic failure and that gr/gr deletions are not associated with spermatogenic failure.     

Phase‐contrast helium‐3 MRI of aerosol deposition in human airways

One of the key challenges in the study of health‐related aerosols is predicting and monitoring sites of particle deposition in the respiratory tract. The potential health risks of ambient exposure to environmental or workplace aerosols and the beneficial effects of medical aerosols are strongly influenced by the site of aerosol deposition along the respiratory tract. Nuclear medicine is the only current modality that combines quantification and regional localization of aerosol deposition, and this technique remains limited by its spatial and temporal resolutions and by patient exposure to radiation. Recent work in MRI has shed light on techniques to quantify micro‐sized magnetic particles in living bodies by the measurement of associated static magnetic field variations. With regard to lung MRI, hyperpolarized helium‐3 may be used as a tracer gas to compensate for the lack of MR signal in the airways, so as to allow assessment of pulmonary function and morphology. The extrathoracic region of the human respiratory system plays a critical role in determining aerosol deposition patterns, as it acts as a filter upstream from the lungs. In the present work, aerosol deposition in a mouth–throat phantom was measured using helium‐3 MRI and compared with single‐photon emission computed tomography. By providing high sensitivity with high spatial and temporal resolutions, phase‐contrast helium‐3 MRI offers new insights for the study of particle transport and deposition. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Violence toward physicians in emergency departments of Morocco: prevalence,predictive factors,and psychological impact

Introduction  

Anyone working in the hospital may become a victim of violence. The effects of violence can range in intensity and include the following: minor physical injuries, serious physical injuries, temporary or permanent physical disability, psychological trauma, and death. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of exposure, characteristics, and psychological impact of violence toward hospital-based emergency physicians in Morocco.     

Relationship between spine osteoarthritis,bone mineral density and bone turn over markers in post menopausal women

Background  

Several studies have observed an inverse relationship between osteoporosis and spinal osteoarthritis, the latter being considered as possibly delaying the development of osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to determine the association between individual radiographic features of spine degeneration, bone mineral density (BMD) and bone-turn over markers.     

Acute kidney injury related to pregnancy in developing countries: etiology and risk factors in an intensive care unit

Background: The aim of this study was to determine etiologies, risk factors and prognosis of pregnancy-related acute kidney injury (AKI) in an intensive care unit. Methods: Patients included in this retrospective study had a gestational age exceeding 20 weeks of amenorrhea. We defined and classified AKI according to the criteria of the RIFLE classification. Patients were separated into 2 groups: group 1 with AKI and group 2 without AKI. Results: Obstetric admission cases (n=137) were compiled, including 46 cases of AKI. Comparison of the different variables between groups 1 and 2 revealed a statistically significant difference regarding home birth (p=0.004), severe hypotension (p=0.007), icterus (p=0.001), oligoanuria (p=0.001), hyperuricemia (p=0.01), thrombopenia (p=0.001) and hepatic cytolysis (p=0.001). The incidences of HELLP syndrome, abruptio placentae and disseminated intravascular coagulation were higher in the AKI group. Maternal mortality was 28.3% in group 1. Conclusion: The incidence of AKI in developing countries ranges from 4% to 36% depending on the study. In India and Pakistan, cases of pregnancy-related AKI occur mainly during the first trimester of pregnancy and are related to severe states of sepsis. In Morocco, AKI occurs mainly in the third trimester in a context of hypertensive disorders. Maternal mortality varies between 6% and 30% depending on the study. AKI is a frequently occurring complication in developing countries. It is reversible as shown by total recovery of renal function, but this depends on early and appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Nevertheless, the best treatment remains prevention.     

Ultrasound measurements of brain tissue pulsatility correlate with the volume of MRI white-matter hyperintensity

White-matter hyperintensity (WMH) is frequently seen in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but the complete physiopathology of WMH remains to be elucidated. In this study, we sought to determine whether there is an association between the maximum brain tissue displacement (maxBTD), as assessed by ultrasound, and the WMH, as observed by MRI. Nine healthy women aged 60 to 85 years underwent ultrasound and MRI assessments. We found a significant negative correlation between maxBTD and WMH (ρ=−0.86, P<0.001), suggesting a link between cerebral hypoperfusion and WMH.