Abstract Background Emotional intelligence (EI) is a vital competency in the medical field, contributing to communication, empathy, and resilience. In the Middle East, traditional medical curricula often fail to incorporate EI training, despite its importance being adequately recognized. This study evaluates the impact of a structured elective on emotional intelligence among third-year medical students at an Egyptian medical school. Methods A quasi-experimental pre-post design was employed, focusing on the first two levels of the Kirkpatrick evaluation model: Reaction (learner satisfaction) and Learning (acquisition of knowledge and skills). The intervention employed interactive techniques, including small-group discussions, role-playing, reflective writing, and multimedia presentations. Learner satisfaction was assessed using a validated Students’ Evaluation of Teaching (SETs) survey. EI knowledge and competencies were measured with a 22-item knowledge test and the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT) administered before and after the course. Quantitative data were analyzed using paired t-tests, Cohen’s d, and an Agreement Index; qualitative feedback from open-ended questions was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Following the intervention, there were notable improvements in EI knowledge (mean score increased from 11.81 to 14.42, p < 0.001) and overall, EI scores (122.36 to 126.69, p < 0.001), with significant effect sizes (Cohen’s d = 0.94 and 2.03, respectively). Students expressed high satisfaction with interactive activities and reflective exercises (Agreement Index = 4.9/5). Although some suggested a more integrated approach to clinical scenarios, qualitative feedback highlighted improvements in self-awareness, empathy, and clinical relevance. Conclusions A brief, constructivist, curriculum-integrated EI elective led to significant improvements in EI knowledge, self-reported EI, and learner satisfaction among Egyptian medical students, supporting the feasibility and value of systematic EI instruction in undergraduate medical curricula. These findings provide quasi-experimental evidence from the Middle East that EI competencies can be developed through targeted educational interventions.
Depression is a prevalent mental health issue among the elderly, negatively impacting their quality of life and increasing healthcare costs. Handgrip strength (HGS) measures muscular strength and is associated with various health outcomes, including depression. However, research on the association between HGS and depressive symptoms among older adults in low- and middle-income countries is limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms and examine their association with handgrip strength among middle-aged and older adults in Egypt. A cross-sectional study. A total of 299 community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 50 years were recruited using convenience sampling across five Egyptian governorates. Data were collected through structured, face-to-face interviews conducted by trained healthcare professionals. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Arabic-translated and locally validated EURO-D scale. HGS was evaluated using a simplified manual muscle test: participants were asked to firmly grip the assessor’s fingers, with strength rated on a 3-point scale based on the ability to resist finger pulling. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of depressive symptoms (EURO-D score ≥ 4), with significance set at p < 0.05. This study revealed that the prevalence of depressive symptoms among the participants was 62
Background Neurocritical care manages life-threatening neurological disorders and prevents secondary brain injury. Epidemiological data in developing regions like Egypt are limited. Stroke is the leading cause of neurocritical intensive care unit (NICU) admissions globally, followed by seizures and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Outcomes vary due to comorbidities, demographics, and complications. This study aimed to identify common NICU admission causes, assess outcome predictors, and evaluate complications in a tertiary Egyptian hospital. Methods An observational longitudinal prospective study was conducted at Kobry El-Kobba Medical Complex NICU, Cairo, Egypt, from September 2023 to February 2024, enrolling 614 patients with acute neurological insults. Assessments included history, physical/neurological exams, labs, imaging (CT/MRI), and specialized tests (CSF analysis, nerve conduction). Outcomes were measured using modified Rankin Scale (mRS) for stroke, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) for multiple sclerosis, and GBS disability scale, focusing on functional status at discharge and mortality. Results Median age was 58 years (IQR: 40-70); 87.6% male. Common comorbidities: diabetes (41.7%), hypertension (30%). Primary diagnoses: stroke (63.2%), seizures (19.9%), GBS (8%). Ischemic stroke comprised 51.8% of strokes, with large artery atherosclerosis (64.2%) as top TOAST subtype. Stroke mortality: 4.6%; pneumonia frequent complication. Axonal neuropathy dominated GBS (37%). Favorable stroke outcomes (mRS 0-2): 45.5%. Conclusion Stroke predominates NICU admissions; diabetes and hypertension predict poorer outcomes. Bolstering NICU resources and early interventions may enhance prognosis and minimize complications in tertiary care. Keywords: Neurocritical care, Stroke, Outcomes, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Tertiary hospital.
Background Chronic immune-mediated diseases are characterized by persistent inflammation, fluctuating symptoms, and illness-related uncertainty, placing patients at elevated risk for psychological distress. Although depression and anxiety are highly prevalent, less is known about how illness-specific fears and protective psychological resources interact within individuals. This study applied a network approach to examine the interrelations among fear of progression, depression, anxiety, resilience, self-compassion, and well-being in patients with immune-mediated diseases. Methods A cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted among 395 adult patients with physician-diagnosed immune-mediated diseases in Saudi Arabia. Participants completed validated Arabic versions of the PHQ-9, GAD-7, Fear of Progression Questionnaire–Short Form, Brief Resilience Scale, Self-Compassion Scale–Short Form, and WHO-5 Well-Being Index. A regularized Gaussian graphical model was estimated using LASSO with EBIC model selection. Centrality (expected influence) and bridge expected influence were examined. Network stability was evaluated using bootstrapping procedures. Results Clinically significant depression was observed in 56.6% of participants, and clinically significant anxiety in 62.37%, while 85% reported dysfunctional fear of progression. The network revealed strong interconnections between anticipatory anxiety and illness-related fears. Fear of severe medical treatments and catastrophic anticipation emerged as highly central nodes. Resilience (the ability to recover from stress) functioned as a bridge between psychopathology and well-being clusters. Self-compassion components showed inverse associations with depressive self-evaluative symptoms. Conclusion The findings suggest that, in chronic immune-mediated disease, illness-related anticipatory fear may represent a core organizing process in psychological adaptation. Resilience appears to be embedded within the symptom network as a potential regulatory buffer. These results support integrative psychosomatic models emphasizing dynamic interactions among illness-related uncertainty, affective processes, and adaptive resources.
Abstract Background Accurate assessment of diastolic dysfunction in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is crucial for guiding treatment strategies, yet conventional echocardiographic parameters often have limited sensitivity for estimating left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP). Left atrial reservoir strain (LARS) has recently emerged as a promising non-invasive indicator. Purpose To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of LARS for detecting elevated left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) in STEMI patients after successful primary PCI, and to assess differences according to culprit vessel location. Methods This single-center observational cross-sectional study included 103 STEMI patients who underwent successful primary PCI. Invasive LVEDP was measured post-procedure, with elevated LVEDP defined as >18 mmHg. Comprehensive echocardiography with speckletracking analysis for LARS was performed within 24 hours. Patients were stratified by culprit artery (LAD vs. non-LAD). Correlation analysis, ROC curves, and multivariate regression were used to assess diagnostic performance. Results LARS showed a strong inverse correlation with LVEDP (r = –0.58, p < 0.001), outperforming E/e′ (r = 0.45). A LARS cutoff ≤22.5% identified elevated LVEDP with 78% sensitivity and 73% specificity (AUC = 0.79). Diagnostic accuracy varied by infarct location: LAD infarctions demonstrated excellent performance (AUC = 0.87; r = –0.71) with an optimal cutoff ≤23.0%, whereas non-LAD infarctions showed moderate accuracy (AUC = 0.70; r = –0.42). In multivariate analysis, LARS remained the strongest independent predictor of LVEDP (β = –0.45, p < 0.001). Crucially, left atrial function was more impaired in the LAD group, as shown by a significantly lower LARS (21.2% vs. 23.5%, p=0.008). Conclusion LARS is a superior non-invasive marker for estimating elevated LVEDP in STEMI patients, with significantly enhanced performance in LAD-related infarction due to a tight pathophysiological coupling, and more moderate in non-LAD infracts. Our proposed diagnostic matrix and location-stratified algorithm provide a practical framework to implement this evidence, moving from a one-size-fits-all approach to personalized hemodynamic assessment. By multi-parametric algorithm that integrates LARS with conventional parameters, we provide a roadmap for translating this advanced echocardiographic measure into confident, evidence-based clinical decision-making.Multi-Parametric Interpretation Matrixwider dynamic range of pathology
