Sarcopenia, characterized by loss of muscle strength and mass, is a growing public health concern, especially in aging populations. However, its burden among younger adults in low- and middle-income countries remains underexplored. To estimate the prevalence of probable sarcopenia among Egyptian adults aged 30 years and older and identify associated risk factors. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 350 adults attending outpatient clinics at Cairo University Hospitals. Assessments followed EWGSOP2 criteria using the SARC-F questionnaire and handgrip strength measurement. Participants were classified as having probable sarcopenia based on low handgrip strength, as per the primary EWGSOP2 criterion. The overall prevalence of probable sarcopenia, defined according to EWGSOP2 criteria, was 67.4

Abstract Background Family planning is considered one of the most effective health-promoting strategies, with the ability to prevent approximately 30% of maternal mortality and 10% of child mortality. In Egypt, there have been remarkable governmental efforts and legislation for over 50 years. This study aims to conduct a secondary data analysis of existing survey datasets to compare and explore trends in the prevalence of modern contraception use across five national surveys conducted between 2000 and 2014 in Egypt. Methods This secondary data analysis relies on the five most recent Egyptian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS) conducted in the years 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008, and 2014. EDHS is a nationally representative survey following a multistage stratified cluster sampling design, producing estimates generalisable to the Egyptian national population and providing information on important maternal, child health and family planning indicators. Ever-married females aged 15–49 years were included, and those who were pregnant, infecund, or never-married were excluded. The total population included in the five surveys was 82,458, while the eligible females for this analysis were 51,329, for whom modern contraceptive prevalence use and factors associated with it, including sociodemographic, birth-related, and access to health care factors, were assessed. Results The mean age was 32.8 (± 8.1) years. The mean modern contraception (MCC) usage was 74.4% over all surveys. The most recent survey (EDHS 2014) showed a decline to 73.1%, down from 75.4% in 2008. Women aged 35 to 44 had a higher chance of having MCC (OR 95% CI 1.42 (1.18–1.70)), while women aged 15 to 24 had a lower chance (0.73 (0.60–0.88)). Women with middle and high household wealth indices, professional working women, and women with more than three living children showed higher odds of using MCC compared to their counterparts, with odds ratios of 1.33 (1.15–1.55), 1.88 (1.53–2.31), 1.25 (1.04–1.51), and 1.23 (1.07–1.42). Mode and place of last delivery, together with the source of contraception method, play a vital role in MCC use [1.23 (1.07–1.42), 1.31 (1.03–1.68) & 2.49 (2.19–2.83)]. Conclusion Although MCC usage averaged 74.4% across the five surveys, this study highlights persistent differences in modern contraceptive use in Egypt, with notable gaps by age, residence, and socioeconomic status.

BackgroundSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with 0.4 million new cases diagnosed annually. With its wide variety of visible and invisible manifestations, people living with SLE report being exposed to stigmatization, which impacts their personal and professional lives. However, the current literature is unclear on whether healthcare management teams assess this concern during follow-up. This study aims to synthesize existing evidence on the prevalence and determinants of stigma among people living with SLE.MethodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis gathered evidence from observational studies identified from three databases on 16 July 2025. Dual independent screening, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment (using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale) were performed. Results were synthesized using descriptive statistics, narrative synthesis, and indicator-level meta-analyses.ResultsWithin the past two decades, 11 studies comprising 2254 people living with SLE reported and measured stigma- and discrimination-related events using various scales. Stigma was found to be prevalent across its three constructs: interpersonal, perceived, and intrapersonal stigma. This review demonstrated that people living with SLE reported a moderate overall burden of stigma (34.71 [95% CI 26.15, 43.27]), with average stigma scores indicating psychological impact. Additionally, nearly one in two persons (46% [95% CI 28-66%]) experienced at least one form of stigma or discrimination, most commonly social isolation and unfair treatment. Mental health associations were correlated with higher stigma burden.ConclusionThis review demonstrates that stigma and discrimination are not just social challenges but also critical determinants of health. With cautious interpretation, pooled evidence reveals a consistent high prevalence of stigma and discrimination, which act as "toxic" stressors, creating a vicious cycle with psychological stress and psychiatric manifestations and disease activity. There is an urgent clinical need to move beyond a mere biological approach to disease assessment and management and to begin screening for the "invisible" burden of invalidation and discrimination.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously termed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), shares pathophysiological links with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), but their clinical association remains underexplored. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the association between MASLD and clinically diagnosed HFpEF and trying to quantify the magnitude of this association across available clinical studies. This review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42025644064), we systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus (from inception to February 2025) for studies reporting clinical HFpEF prevalence in MASLD versus non-MASLD cohorts, using the following search terms: (“metabolic associated fatty liver disease” OR “MAFLD” OR “metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease” OR “MASLD” OR “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease” OR “NAFLD”) AND (“heart failure with preserved ejection fraction” OR “HFpEF” OR “diastolic heart failure” OR “preserved ejection fraction”) Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95

Non-diabetic hypoglycemia presents a substantial diagnostic challenge due to its diverse and often nonspecific symptomatology. The resultant delay in diagnosis can lead to a myriad of misdiagnoses. This misidentification not only prolongs patient suffering but also elevates the risk of severe complications, such as permanent neurologic damage and mortality. Recognizing the clinical nuances of non-diabetic hypoglycemia is paramount for timely and accurate diagnosis, which ultimately enhances patient outcomes and safety. A position statement has been formulated by the Arabic Association for the Study of Diabetes and Metabolism (AASD) to address the complexities of diagnosing non-diabetic hypoglycemia. This statement highlights the challenges and pitfalls, covering key areas such as the vast spectrum of non-diabetic hypoglycemia within underreported subspecialties. It aims to elucidate the critical need for heightened clinical awareness and multidisciplinary management approaches to mitigate the profound impacts on patient health. Additionally, the statement provides guidance for overcoming barriers to optimal care. The team has distilled their experience into clinical algorithms to simplify information for healthcare professionals. Non-diabetic hypoglycemia is a rare condition that requires a comprehensive approach, including detailed history, medication review, and physical examination. Common pitfalls in diagnosis and management should be understood to avoid unnecessary evaluation and costs while avoiding misdiagnosis of patients with treatable or serious disorders.

BACKGROUND:Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains one of the biggest health challenges facing the world, with approximately 39 million people reported to be living with the virus. Despite low prevalence rates in the Middle East and North Africa region, Jordan faces a growing trend of new infections driven by factors such as refugees, migration, and socioeconomic status. Premarital examination is a requirement for Jordanian couples to get married and would play a role in sexually transmitted disease (STD) awareness and prevention, including HIV. OBJECTIVES:The purpose of this research is to assess the impact of premarital examinations on HIV knowledge, attitudes, and stigma in ever-married women aged 15-49 in Jordan. DESIGN:Cross-sectional design. METHODS:Data were retrieved from the most recent Jordan Population and Family Health Survey, a nationally representative survey of health dynamics. Premarital examinations and comprehensive HIV knowledge were assessed by survey modules covering history of premarital examination and tests performed and respondents' understanding of HIV transmission and prevention. Participants were categorized based on their responses to five key statements about HIV/AIDS. RESULTS:In this study, there were 14,689 respondents. The mean age (±SD) of the participants was 34.5 (±8.5) years. Most of them (92%) were currently married. More than half of the respondents underwent premarital medical checkups. However, discriminatory attitudes toward people living with HIV were high among respondents. Only 8.7% of the respondents showed adequate comprehensive HIV knowledge; their level of understanding regarding modes of transmission and misconceptions about prevention also varied. The adjusted model showed that there was no significant difference in HIV knowledge between those who had a premarital exam and those who had not. However, higher education levels were associated with better HIV knowledge. CONCLUSION:The findings indicate that the level of HIV knowledge among Jordanian women is poor and was not associated with undergoing premarital examination and counseling. This suggests redesigning the mandatory premarital examination and counseling to have stronger STDs and HIV awareness and prevention components. This change may improve knowledge and encourage safer health behaviors, thus helping to combat stigma and misinformed views about HIV in Jordan.

BackgroundIn recent years, the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in health care has been gaining popularity in various medical domains, including dermatology. Recent advances in AI have led to the development of several AI-based diagnostic tools that use machine learning algorithms to rapidly analyze images of skin lesions, interpret visual data, and assist dermatologists in the diagnosis of skin conditions.ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnostic accuracy of Google Lens in the diagnosis of dermatological conditions in primary care settings, with a focus on its strengths, limitations, and potential impact on clinical practice.Patients and methodsThis prospective observational diagnostic accuracy study was conducted on 136 adult patients who were attending their first consultation for skin conditions consultations at family medicine and dermatology outpatient clinics. For every skin condition, the diagnoses that was predicted by the app was compared with the clinical diagnosis provided by the dermatologist and the family physician.ResultsMost participants were female (61.7%) and presented with localized lesions (80.9%). The most frequently photographed skin regions were the hand, back, and face. Compared with dermatologist's diagnosis, Google Lens achieved a diagnostic accuracy of 53.7% (95% CI: 45.2; 62.2) when considering the first option provided and 71.3% (95% CI: 66.6; 79.1) when considering the first three options.ConclusionGoogle Lens application has demonstrated promising results for diagnosing skin conditions that can support institutional missions of medical knowledge and practice improvement.

Background: Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV (PLHIV) in healthcare settings are significant barriers to achieving Egypt's 95-95-95 targets and ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Misconceptions among healthcare professionals (HCPs) can negatively affect testing, treatment, and care outcomes. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of HCPs toward PLHIV at Cairo University Hospitals.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between March and June 2021 (n = 344 HCPs, mean age = 31.1 years, female = 52%), including physicians, nurses, and house officers, using an online, self-administered questionnaire adapted from the UNAIDS standardised tool for measuring HIV-related stigma and discrimination. The survey covered five domains: sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, practices, and institutional policies.Results: Only 30.3% of participants (n = 104) had received HIV/AIDS training in the past year. The training received had a median training duration of 12 hours (IQR: 7-21). While 86.6% (n = 298) correctly identified that a healthy-looking person can have HIV, misinformation was prevalent in other areas. Furthermore, 77.3% were unaware of the "undetectable = untransmittable" ("U=U") concept. Discriminatory attitudes and stigmatising behaviour driven by illiteracy of HIV/AIDS issues were evident. More than half of the participants strongly agreed that their facility had adequate supplies and standardised procedures to reduce HIV transmission risk, and 31.4% stated that their facility lacked written guidelines to protect patients with HIV from discrimination.Conclusion: Persistent knowledge gaps, fear of occupational exposure, and moral judgments toward PLHIV were evident among HCP. Targeted stigma-reduction interventions through continuous professional education, enforcement of institutional anti-discrimination policies, and incorporation of HIV prevention principles into healthcare curricula are urgently needed.

Abstract Background Non-communicable diseases burden is rising globally; women are disproportionately affected by both non-communicable diseases burden and lack of access to health care. Research on the relationship between access to health care and non-communicable diseases control are limited. We aimed to assess the relationship between women’s access to health care and three non-communicable diseases control. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 420 women diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, hypertension and/or Asthma. Access to health care was assessed through pretested validated Arabic version of access 31 questionnaire. The control status of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and asthma was assessed according to the American Diabetes Association HbA1c targets, World Health Organization Guidelines, and the Global Initiative for Asthma control assessment tool, respectively. The associations were assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results (83%) of the participants had poor access to health care, of those, (39.0%) achieved non-communicable diseases control, while (16.9%) participants had good access to health care, of them, (83.1%) had their non-communicable diseases controlled. This difference in non-communicable diseases control proportions across access to care groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Women with good access to health care had higher odds (Adjusted Odds Ratio 6.33, 95% confidence interval: 3.24–12.55) of having their non-communicable diseases controlled compared with those with poor access. Conclusion Improving access to health care is essential for achieving better non-communicable diseases control.

Premature and early menopause, defined as the cessation of menstruation before the age of 45, is associated with several long-term health risks, including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and reduced life expectancy. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of menopause before age 45 among Egyptian women using data from the 2014 Egyptian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS). A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 11,016 women aged 30–45. The overall prevalence of early menopause was 1.9

Clinical research is an important academic function for maximizing the health benefits of interventions. This growing field requires creative trials to build expertise for health researchers and practitioners simultaneously. The purpose of this research was to assess the impact of clinical research training on the knowledge of family medicine postgraduate trainees. A quasi experimental study was conducted on 49 family medicine master’s and MD candidates in the family medicine department, Cairo university. Knowledge about clinical research was assessed before and after enrollment in the “Fundamentals of Clinical Research” online course. The trainees’ feedback about the course was assessed using an evaluation form. 49 participants’ responses were analyzed. They had a mean (± SD) age of 35.4 (± 8.7) years and 10.2 (± 8.7) years of practice. The majority were female (93.9

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are common cause of acute kidney injury, but chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk of NSAIDs is controversial. Prior systematic reviews are outdated with some methodological flaws. We conducted this systematic review to clarify the association between chronic NSAIDs use and occurrence and/or progression of CKD. Methods: MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Science direct were searched for observational and interventional studies from inception to May 2023. Qualitative synthesis was performed. The meta-analysis used pooled odds ratios (OR) and hazard ratios (HR) to estimate the association between chronic NSAID use and CKD occurrence or progression. Results: Forty studies with a total of 1757118 participants were included in the systematic review; of them 39 studies were suitable for meta-analysis. 56% of our included studies were recent, published within the last 10 years. The meta-analysis revealed a significant association between chronic NSAIDs use and CKD occurrence and progression. The pooled odds ratio was 1.24 (95% CI: 1.11-1.39, p <0.001, I-2 = 91.21%), and the pooled hazard ratio was 1.50 (95% CI: 1.31-1.7, p <0.001, I-2 = 90.77%). The pooled hazard ratio (HR) for individuals with no CKD at baseline was 1.31 (95% CI, 1.26-1.40), while for those with preexisting CKD, the HR was significantly higher at 1.67 (95% CI, 1.38-2.02). The HR for individuals with no specific chronic disease was 1.6 (95% CI, 1.32-1.94). For populations with diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or hypertension (HTN), the HR was 1.35 (95% CI, 1.27-1.43), and for those with rheumatic disease, the HR was 1.36 (95% CI, 0.88-2.10). Conclusions: Long-term NSAID use increases the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) occurrence and progression, especially in individuals with pre-existing CKD, who have a 67% risk compared to the general population's 60%. A patient-centered approach for safe and effective pain management is crucial, with special caution for those with pre-existing CKD.

Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) manifests in early childhood and significantly impairs social and communicative functions. Parents of children with ASD typically experience higher levels of stress compared to parents of children with other disabilities or health issues. This study investigates how a home-based early intervention known as the Portage program influences parenting stress and improves family awareness by using the Parental Stress Scale (PSS), and Family Awareness Scale. We enrolled 41 children diagnosed with ASD and their parents in this study. The median age of the children was 4 years, with a predominance of males (80%). We measured changes in parenting stress and family awareness as primary outcomes, with the children's behavior as a secondary outcome. Results Post-intervention assessments showed statistically significant improvements in parenting stress and family awareness (P < 0.001). Additionally, notable improvements were observed in the children's social, language, self-help, cognitive, and motor skills, as well as general developmental age and ratio. Conclusions A 3-month engagement with the Portage program markedly reduced stress among parents and increased family awareness regarding ASD. Significant advancements were also noted in multiple developmental domains of the children involved.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented international health crisis, which has invoked massive consequence on healthcare workers' mental health and wellbeing. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and burnout among house officers amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt to assess the effect of this pandemic on their mental health.ResultsA total of 254 house officers were included in this study, and their responses were analyzed. Anxiety, burnout, and depression were reported among 35%, 32%, and 22% of participants, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis found that higher levels of overall worry were associated with anxiety, but not depression or burnout. Having a good personal protective equipment attitude was a significant predictor of both anxiety and burnout. Participants with depression had a higher likelihood of also having a burnout, but a lower likelihood of having anxiety. Overall worry related to the pandemic, depression, and clinical burnout status were all significantly associated with anxiety.ConclusionsThe study found that anxiety, depression, and burnout are highly prevalent among house officers, who are newly graduated medical professionals. These findings suggest the need for specific programs to address the wellbeing of these individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major worldwide healthcare problem with subsequent serious complications including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hence, taking cognizance of HBV impact is critical for future planning of its control and prevention. Objectives To assess the prevalence of HBV in Egypt, analyse the demographic characteristics of HBV-infected patients and examine the common routes of its transmission. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of data from the Egyptian Health Issues Survey (EHIS), which employed a nationally representative sample of 16,004 individuals. The survey participants were categorized into two groups: group A, HBV positive, and group B, HBV negative. Comparative analysis was performed to identify demographic features and define possible risk factors. Results The total number of participants included in the study was 16,004. The mean age (± SD) was 33.5 ( ± 12.4 ) years. The prevalence of HBV was 1.52%. Demographic analysis showed that HBV was more prevalent among males, married people, people with jobs and smokers ( P = 0.0011 , 0.002 , < 0.001 and 0.0036 ) respectively. Employing an adjusted multivariate logistic regression model, we observed an increased likelihood of HBV infection in married adults who received cupping without blood and who did not know if they had schistosomiasis injection therapy. Conclusion The application of special screening programs to highly susceptible patients and treatment optimization is recommended for the elimination of HBV. EHIS indicates the likely success of the previous Egyptian control plan for viral hepatitis through reducing several risk factors.

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had a tremendous effect on individual’s lives worldwide. The pandemic’s significant socioecological impact is one of the many burdens children confront in the current crises. As a result, this study was designed to determine the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on preschoolers, particularly the consequences of COVID-19 infection. This study involved 138 children aged 2–5.11 years old who were classified into two groups based on their COVID-19 infection history, which was documented via a PCR test. All participants were assessed by the Socioeconomic Scale and The Children’s Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Results COVID-19 infection was found in 21.7% of the children who participated in this study. Furthermore, children with COVID-19 had a higher percentage of clinical rating on the CBCL Profile of DSM-5 scales for affective problems (13.3 vs. 7.4%), anxiety problems (13.3 vs. 9.3%), pervasive developmental problems (20 vs. 13%), and oppositional defiant problems (6.7 vs. 5.6%) than children without COVID-19. Anxiety and somatic problems had a positive correlation with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of children. Conclusions Children infected with COVID-19 were more likely to have psychological issues, such as affective disorders, anxiety problems, pervasive developmental problems, and oppositional defiant problems. These psychological issues had a relationship with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of children.

Background : Due to COVID 19 pandemic, several universities have experienced a paradigm shift from classroom to online teaching/ learning. The digital transformation of learning management systems has become a necessity rather than a luxury. Especially baby boomers and generation x may struggle to cope with the challenging transformation; hence there is a dire need for a faculty development program to achieve the goal of that transformation and bridge the gaps in faculty’s technology skills and competencies. Objectives : The primary purpose of the virtual medical faculty development program (VFDP) is to equip educators with technology competencies shown to be conducive to remote online learning. Methodology : An interventional prospective study was held in a university setting. A need analysis was conducted to prioritize the critical technological skills of for faculty members. Based on this analysis, only the indispensable skills that participating faculty members were expected to acquire were included in the program. From each department, 3- 4 Faculty participants were recruited to join in the program with an overall 93 enrolled participants from 26 departments in the Medical School . The intervention comprised five sessions, a session every other day, and lasted for ten days. The Kirkpatrick model was utilized to evaluate the program. Results : Almost 81% of faculty members completed the program and 80 % of participants were satisfied with the content of the program. There was a statistically significant difference between the perceived ability of the participants to share and record video lectures before and after the VFDP (p value <0.001). Conclusion : The virtual medical faculty development program (VFDP) has supported the participating faculty in developing their needed technological competencies required to bridge the gap of remote teaching/learning.