Psychological Support for Healthcare Workers in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Psychological Support for Healthcare Workers in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Francisco Marmol Bernal (1) and Mohamed Farouk Allam (2*)

1. Delegación Territorial de Salud, Cordoba, Spain

2. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain

 

Juniper Online Journal of Public Health 2024; 9(3): 555762.

 

DOI: 10.19080/JOJPH.2024.09.555762

 

• What is the current psychological state of HCWs following the COVID-19 pandemic?

• Do HCWs require psychological support in the aftermath of the pandemic?

• Which professional category within the healthcare sector was more profoundly affected?

• Did the COVID-19 pandemic lead HCWs engaged in clinical practice to seek alternative roles, distancing themselves from direct patient contact?

• Are HCWs adequately trained to confront potential health disasters or future pandemics?

• What insights can be gleaned from COVID-19 regarding the care for the general population and, specifically, for HCWs?

• Is there a need to formulate new plans addressing potential health disasters or pandemics, with a specific focus on providing care for HCWs?

• Did the COVID-19 pandemic serve as either a motivating factor or a deterrent for the new generation considering careers in the health sector?

 

Keywords: Mental Health; Psychological Support; Depression; Healthcare Workers; COVID-19.

 

Francisco Marmol B, Mohamed Farouk A. Psychological Support for Healthcare Workers in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic?. JOJ Pub Health. 2024; 9(3): 555762.

 

https://juniperpublishers.com/jojph/JOJPH.MS.ID.555762.php

A Comprehensive Review of Colchicine: An Ancient Drug with many Therapeutic Potentials. International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Phytopharmacological Research

A Comprehensive Review of Colchicine: An Ancient Drug with many Therapeutic Potentials. International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Phytopharmacological Research

 

Kholoud Elshiwy (1), Ghada Essam El-Din Amin (1,2), Mohamed Nazmy Farres (3), Rasha Samir (3), Mohamed Farouk Allam(1,4*)

1. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

2. Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

3. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

4. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba 14004, Spain.

 

International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Phytopharmacological Research 2024;14(4):17-22.

 

DOI: 10.51847/Hsll58k7kS

 

ABSTRACT

In this study, we aimed to review the literature and formulate a comprehensive understanding of colchicine and its therapeutic potential. Colchicine is one of the oldest treatments which are still used today. Colchicine is an alkaloid agent that has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. It has been used to treat inflammatory diseases such as gout, familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), and Behcet’s disease. Colchicine's ability to reduce inflammation is linked to its interaction with tubulin, a cytoskeletal structure. Colchicine inhibits neutrophil adhesion, migration, and chemotaxis. Tyrosine phosphorylation, which is crucial for neutrophil activation, is specifically inhibited by colchicine. Additionally, colchicine inhibits neutrophil deformability, which influences neutrophil extravasation. Colchicine inhibits the production of superoxide and the release of interleukin 1β and IL-6. Colchicine decreases the production of inflammasomes that stimulate caspase-1 activation and release of interleukins. Colchicine has gained attention during the COVID-19 pandemic to treat severe COVID-19 cases and to decrease mortality. Colchicine is considered a safe drug with high availability and affordability. Colchicine metabolism is affected by cytochrome P450 (CYP3A4) and P glycoprotein inhibitors, and renal and hepatic function impairment. The most documented adverse effects of colchicine are gastrointestinal symptoms e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.

 

Key Words: Colchicine, Mechanism of action, Indications, Review, Ain Shams University.

 

Elshiwy Kh, Amin GEED, Farres MN, Samir R, Allam MF. A Comprehensive Review of Colchicine: An Ancient Drug with Many Therapeutic Potentials. Int J Pharm Phytopharmacol Res. 2024;14(4):17-22.

 

https://eijppr.com/article/a-comprehensive-review-of-colchicine-an-ancient-drug-with-many-therapeutic-potentials-nyokaryx62ld1th?html

Innovative Topical Therapy for Extensive Psoriasis: A New Approach to Treatment

Innovative Topical Therapy for Extensive Psoriasis: A New Approach to Treatment

 

José Miguel Ingelmo Calvo (1), José Ruiz Cobo (2), Mohamed Farouk Allam (3)*

1. Department of Plastic Surgery, Hospital HM Malaga, Malaga, Spain.

2. Distrito Sanitario Costa del Sol, SUAP Torremolinos, Malaga, Spain.

3. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

 

European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences 2024;6(6):6-8.

 

DOI: 10.24018/ejmed.2024.6.6.2200

 

Abstract

We present a case of a patient with extensive psoriasis successfully treated with “Psorisbye,” our newly developed foamy lotion. A 36-year-old male presented to our outpatient clinic with extensive psoriatic lesions affecting the chest, abdomen, back, arms, and forearms. His past medical history was unremarkable. The patient’s primary concern was severe itching associated with the psoriatic lesions. Upon examination, extensive erythrodermic psoriatic lesions were observed, covering approximately 50% of the head and neck, 70% of the trunk, and 70% of both upper and lower limbs. He was advised to use our newly patented lotion, “Psorisbye,” once daily for one month, during which he applied a total of 480 ml over 28 days. No antihistamine was administered during this treatment period. After 28 days of using “Psorisbye,” the patient returned to the clinic, reporting significant improvement in itching and noticeable remission of the red lesions. A comparison of the lesions before and after 28 days of treatment showed a remarkable reduction in his PASI score, improving from 43.7 to 2.8. Our case report demonstrated promising results in treating extensive erythrodermic psoriatic lesions with “Psorisbye.” However, clinical trials with a larger sample size and longer follow-up are essential to further evaluate remission periods and assess any potential adverse effects of applying this innovative topical therapy to large body surface areas.

 

Keywords: Extensive psoriasis, Malaga, Psoriasis Area Severity Index, topical therapy.

 

Calvo JMI, Cobo JR, Allam MF (2024). Innovative Topical Therapy for Extensive Psoriasis: A New Approach to Treatment. European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 6(6), 6–8.

 

https://www.ej-med.org/index.php/ejmed/article/view/2200

The effect of probiotic supplementation on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis score in patients attending a tertiary hospital clinic in Cairo, Egypt

The effect of probiotic supplementation on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis score in patients attending a tertiary hospital clinic in Cairo, Egypt

 

Alaa Ahmed Abd El Hamid (1), Azza Emam Mohamed (2), Manal sabry Mohamed (2), Ghada Essam El-Din Amin (1,3), Hagar Ahmed Ahmed Elessawy (2) and Mohamed Farouk Allam (1*)

 

1 Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

2 Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Internal Medicine Department, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

3 Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

 

*Correspondence: Mohamed Farouk Allam (farouk.allam@med.asu.edu.eg)

Abd El Hamid et al. BMC Gastroenterology (2024) 24:354.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-024-03424-3

 

Abstract

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by hepatic fat accumulation (>5% of liver tissue) in the absence of alcohol abuse or other chronic liver diseases. NAFLD can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to assess the efficacy of probiotic (lactobacillus) supplementation on NAFLD fibrosis score. Methodology: A double-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted in the family medicine clinic of a tertiary hospital, enrolling patients with sonographic evidence of NAFLD. Fifty patients were divided into two groups: the Probiotic group received lifestyle modification instructions along with daily probiotic supplementation for twelve weeks, with regular monthly follow-up visits. The Standard Treatment group received low-fat diet and lifestyle modification instructions only. Results: The mean age of participants was 46.10 years (SD 10.11), with 70% females and 30% males. The study found a statistically significant difference in liver enzymes (ALT and AST) and BMI in the probiotic group before and after intervention. However, there was no significant difference in NAFLD fibrosis score between the two groups. Conclusión: Short-term probiotic treatment resulted in improvements in ALT, AST, and BMI in the probiotic group, but did not significantly affect NAFLD fibrosis score. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is warranted.

 

Trial registration The clinical trial was registered at Protocol Registration and Results System with number NCT06074094 (12/09/2021).

 

Keywords: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, Probiotics, NAFLD fibrosis score.

 

Abd El Hamid AA, Mohamed AE, Mohamed MS, Amin GEE, Elessawy HAA, Allam MF. The effect of probiotic supplementation on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) fibrosis score in patients attending a tertiary hospital clinic in Cairo, Egypt. BMC Gastroenterol. 2024 Oct 8;24(1):354. doi: 10.1186/s12876-024-03424-3. PMID: 39379797; PMCID: PMC11462796.

 

https://bmcgastroenterol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12876-024-03424-3

New Topical Therapy for Moderate Psoriasis: An Open-Label, Pilot Study

New Topical Therapy for Moderate Psoriasis: An Open-Label, Pilot Study

José Miguel Ingelmo Calvo (1), José Ruiz Cobo (2), Mohamed Farouk Allam (3)*

1. Department of Plastic Surgery, Hospital HM Malaga, Malaga, Spain.

2. Distrito Sanitario Costa del Sol, SUAP Torremolinos, Malaga, Spain.

3. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

 

International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Phytopharmacological Research (eIJPPR) 2024;14(2):31-34.

 

https://doi.org/10.51847/8b1eX1xZRO

 

Abstract

Psoriasis is a persistent, recurring condition characterized by numerous complications. Currently, there is no definitive cure for psoriasis, and treatments typically provide temporary relief of symptoms. Patent 202030824, an innovative cream for psoriasis local treatment, was issued by the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Tourism. This product is called "Psorisbye," and it's a foamy lotion that contains clobetasol, propylene glycol, spironolactone, milk-peptide complex, and papaverine hydrochloride. We report on five cases of mild psoriasis that responded well to our recently developed foamy lotion treatment. Our pilot study is an open-label intervention study involving patients with moderate psoriasis. Initially, each patient underwent a comprehensive assessment, encompassing a thorough history-taking and clinical examination. Next, instructions were given to each patient to use our recently developed foamy lotion once a day for a week, using a total of 120 ml of the product during this time. The patients had a follow-up evaluation in the outpatient clinic following a 7-day period of local application. Every patient noted a remission of scaling lesions and claimed a significant reduction in itching sensations. The mean pre-treatment PASI of the patients was 20.28 (SD 6.1), while the mean post-treatment PASI was 1.8. Our preliminary investigation indicated promising results in the treatment of moderate psoriasis with "Psorisbye". Notwithstanding these encouraging results, a longer follow-up is necessary to assess the length of psoriasis remission and any possible adverse effects related to this novel topical medication.

 

Key Words: Psoriasis, Topical therapy, Psoriasis area severity index, Case series, Malaga.

Calvo JMI, Cobo JR, Allam MF. New Topical Therapy for Moderate Psoriasis: An Open-Label, Pilot Study. Int J Pharm Phytopharmacol Res 2024;14(2):31-4. https://doi.org/10.51847/8b1eX1xZRO

https://eijppr.com/article/new-topical-therapy-for-moderate-psoriasis-an-open-label-pilot-study-rrp5cpnekgzdr3i

The effects of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus and colchicine on the control of symptoms, duration, and disease progression of mild and moderate cases of COVID-19: Randomized controlled clinical trial

The effects of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus and colchicine on the control of symptoms, duration, and disease progression of mild and moderate cases of COVID-19: Randomized controlled clinical trial

Samar Osama Hassan (1), Ahmed Nour El-Din Hassan (2,3), Manal Sabry Mohamed (4), Mohamed Nabil Badawy Al Ashram (4), Mina Michael Nesim (4), Mohamed Farouk Allam (1)

1. Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
2. Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
3. Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Galala University, Egypt.
4. Internal Medicine department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

Microbes and Infectious Diseases 2024;5(3):901-910.

Doi: 10.21608/MID.2024.281579.1877

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a newly emerging human disease caused by a novel coronavirus, causing a global pandemic crisis. Probiotics and/or colchicine may be considered as options for treatment since they have anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Results: A total of 150 patients with mild and moderate severity of COVID-19 were enrolled in the study, 50 patients in each arm; around one third (34.7%) of the participants were aged between 29 and 39 years; one-quarter (24.7%) were aged between 18 and 28 years and 40.6% were aged 40 years and above. The mean duration of symptoms improvement was 12, 11 and 12 in the colchicine, probiotic, and control groups, respectively. Improvement of inflammatory markers over time occurred in each of the three groups, with no statistically significant difference between them. Conclusion: Probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus and colchicine shows no significant effect on the symptoms, duration, and progression of mild and moderate cases of COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19, RCT, Ain Shams University, Cairo.

Hassan SO, Hassan AN, Mohamed MS, Al Ashram MNB, Nesim MM, Allam MF. The effects of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus and colchicine on the control of symptoms, duration, and disease progression of mild and moderate cases of COVID-19: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Microbes and Infectious Diseases, 2024. doi: 10.21608/mid.2024.281579.1877

Web page: https://mid.journals.ekb.eg/article_352344.html

https://mid.journals.ekb.eg/article_352344_11d92885b09d83a148c09a43886771b0.pdf

 

Role of Melatonin in Management of COVID-19: A Systematic Review

Role of Melatonin in Management of COVID-19: A Systematic Review

Ghada Essam El-Din Amin (1,2), Salwa Mostafa Mohammad Abdel Rahman (3), Rehab Mohamed Ali Mohamed (1), Mohamed Farouk Allam (1,2)

1. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

2. Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

3. Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

 

Microbes, Infection and Chemotherapy 2024; 4: e1982.

 

DOI: 10.54034/mic.e1982

 

Abstract

Background: the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global healthcare and economic systems. The clinical manifestation of the disease varies from flu-like symptoms to severe pneumonia and, in some cases, death. Melatonin and its metabolites play a crucial role in immunomodulation and possess anti-oxidative properties, capable of directly and indirectly scavenging reactive oxygen species. Objective: the aim of the present systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of melatonin in the management of COVID-19 patients and its role in expediting the return of patients to their baseline health. Methodology: the literature review was conducted up to August 2022, resulting in the identification of 533 articles after sorting them by authors and year of publication. Following the removal of 223 duplicate articles, 310 abstracts were screened, leading to the exclusion of 281. Subsequently, 29 full-text studies were evaluated for eligibility, with 22 being excluded. Finally, seven studies met the inclusion criteria and were included for further qualitative and quantitative analyses. Results: the findings revealed a noteworthy reduction in hospital stay among patients who received melatonin compared to those who received a placebo (standardized mean difference: -0.50, Standard error: 0.15, 95% CI: -0.80, -0.20, P value: 0.001). Melatonin was associated with a significant decrease in mortality in COVID-19 patients when compared to the placebo (Pooled RR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.56, P value: 0.002). However, there were no significant differences between melatonin and placebo regarding the need for hospitalization, ICU admission, artificial ventilation, and the requirement for oxygen therapy. Conclusion: melatonin may decrease the mortality rate among patients with COVID-19. Melatonin may reduce the duration of hospital stay in patients with COVID-19. Melatonin had no effect on the following outcomes in COVID-19 patients: the need for hospitalization, ICU admission, artificial ventilation and the need for oxygen therapy.

Key word: coronavirus disease 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome, Middle East respiratory syndrome.

Amin, G. E. E.- din, Abdel Rahman, S. M. M., Mohamed , R. M. A., & Allam, M. F. (2024). Role of Melatonin in Management of COVID-19: A Systematic Review. Microbes, Infection and Chemotherapy, 4, e1982.

https://revistas.unheval.edu.pe/index.php/mic/article/view/1982

The potential therapeutic effect of vitamin D supplementation for managment of SARS-COV-2: a systematic review/meta-analysis

The potential therapeutic effect of vitamin D supplementation for managment of SARS-COV-2: a systematic review/meta-analysis

Lobna Mohamed Bahaa El-Din Mohamed (1), Mohamed Nazmy Farres (2), Ghada Essam El-Din Amin (3,4), Mohamed Farouk Allam (1,4), Rasha Samir (5) 

1. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

2. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

3. Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

4. Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, October 6 University, Cairo, Egypt.

5. Department of Internal Medicine, Armed Forces College of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt.

 

Microbes, Infection and Chemotherapy 2024; 4: e1964.

 

DOI: 10.54034/mic.e1964

 

Abstract

Background: vitamin D deficiency has long been associated with decreased immune function and can lead to viral infections. Studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection. However, it is unclear whether treatment with vitamin D can reduce the associated risk of COVID-19 infection. Objective: the current meta-analysis aimed to determine whether vitamin D supplementation had a positive or negative impact on COVID-19 patients. Materials and methods: for this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched the following databases; CENTERAL, Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, EMBASE and Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB, for studies published till February 20, 2022, using key terms. Besides, reference lists of relevant studies were identified. We considered randomized trials (RCTs) and cohort studies as potentially eligible when patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection and received vitamin D supplementation versus a placebo or standard-of-care control. We identified a total of 718 articles, of which 4 RCTs and 3 cohort studies which meet eligible criteria. The seven studies included in our meta-analysis involved 1238 subjects. We considered 7 outcomes to be measured in our meta-analysis which are duration of COVID-19 illness till recovery, need for O2 therapy, need for ICU admission, need for artificial ventilation, fatal prognosis, time to negative PCR and need for hospitalization. Results: vitamin D supplement decreased the period of hospital stay in SARS-CoV2 positive patients. There was no clear protective effect of vitamin D supplementation on the need for oxygen therapy. There was no reduction on need for ICU admission in SARS-CoV2 patients treated with vitamin D supplementation. There was a significant reduction on need for artificial ventilation in patients treated with vitamin D supplementation. Our meta-analysis showed that there is no reduction on fatal prognosis in patients treated with vitamin D supplementation. Only one RCT evaluated time to negative PCR; this study was conducted in India and showed that vitamin D supplementation helped to achieve SARS-CoV-2 RNA negativity in greater proportion of COVID-19 patients with vitamin D supplementation. Conclusion: administration of vitamin D after diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection reduces the period of hospital stay and also reduces the need for artificial ventilation.

 

Keywords: Vitamin D Supplementation, SARS-COV-2, Management, Meta-analysis, Ain Shams University.

 

Bahaa El-Din, L. M., Farres, M. N., Amin, G. E. E.-D., Allam, M. F., & Samir, R. (2024). The potential therapeutic effect of vitamin D supplementation for management of SARS-COV-2: a systematic review/meta-analysis. Microbes, Infection and Chemotherapy, 4, e1964.

 

https://revistas.unheval.edu.pe/index.php/mic/article/view/1964

Rate of post Covid-19 symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Rate of post Covid-19 symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis

 

Nesma Nabil Ahmed Elgohary (1), Mohamed Nazmy Farres (2), Diaa Marzouk Abdelhamid , Salwa Mostafa Mohamed (3), Mohamed Farouk Allam (1)

 

1. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

2. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

3. Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

 

Microbes, Infection and Chemotherapy 2024; 4: e198.

 

DOI: 10.54034/mic.e1981

 

Abstract

 

Background. Covid-19 pandemic has led to global pandemic and substantial health, economic and social impact. The causative agent is coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) which belongs to the coronavirus family. The clinical picture of the infection ranges from a flulike symptoms to severe pneumonia and mortality. Till January 2022, the cumulative number of cases exceeded 600 million worldwide with mortality rate of more than 6 million. Objective: to identify rate of total and individual presentations of post COVID-19 conditions. Methodology: the literature was reviewed till 1st July 2022, in six databases, we identified 5486 articles; after removal of duplicates and screening for eligible studies according to inclusion criteria, 17 studies were included for further qualitative and quantitative analysis. Results: the results showed high rate of post COVID-19 condition among patients. With prevalence rate of 5 to 10%, fatigue was the most reported symptom with prevalence of 34% among patients (RE: 0.33%, 95%CI: 0.32-0.35). The second highest common symptom was breathlessness with prevalence of 31% (RE: 0.31, 95%CI: 0.20-0.43). Mental health symptoms including anxiety and depression were also distinctly frequent. We also reported on different neurocognitive symptoms including attention and memory problems with rate of 16% (RE: 0.16, 95%CI: 0.11-0.22) and 19% (RE: 0.19, 95%CI: 0.14-0.26) respectively. Conclusion: it is apparent that a significant percentage of individuals with COVID-19 (45%) continue to grapple with a variety of persistent symptoms. Among these, fatigue and dyspnea emerge as highly prevalent issues consistently reported across various groups of patients. However, it is evident that a considerable portion of patients also contend with a diverse array of other lingering symptoms, displaying variability both in number and severity.

 

Key word: Sars-CoV-2, Covid-19, post Covid-19, prevalence, dyspnea, fatigue, mental health.

 

Elgohary NNA, Farres MN, Abdelhamid DM, Mohamed SM, Allam MF. Rate of post Covid-19 symptoms: a systematic review and metaanalysis. Microbes Infect Chemother. 2024; 4: e1981.

https://revistas.unheval.edu.pe/index.php/mic/article/view/1981

Innovative Topical Therapy for Otic Eczema

Innovative Topical Therapy for Otic Eczema

José Miguel Ingelmo Calvo (1), José Ruiz Cobo (2), Mohamed Farouk Allam (3)

 

1. Department of Plastic Surgery, Hospital HM Malaga, Spain.

2. Distrito Sanitario Costa del Sol, SUAP Torremolinos, Spain.

3. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt.

 

European Journal of Clinical Medicine 2024;5(3):334-335.

 

DOI: 10.24018/clinicmed.2024.5.3.334

 

An innovative topical treatment for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis has recently received patent approval from the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Tourism. This topical treatment Psorisbye, presented in the form of a lotion, includes a combination of clobetasol, papaverine hydrochloride, spironolactone, a milk-peptide complex, and propylene glycol. A 56-year-old female presented to our outpatient clinic with bilateral otic eczema. The patient had no significant past medical history and primarily complained of intense pruritus in the lesions. The patient was advised to use our recently patented lotion, Psorisbye, once daily for 7 days. Two days after beginning the treatment, the patient experienced significant relief from itching sensations. By the 8th day, during an examination at the outpatient clinic, a notable improvement in the scaled lesions was observed. While the preliminary results exhibited by Psorisbye in the context of this specific case are indeed promising, the imperative to establish its efficacy and reliability necessitates the initiation of further investigations characterized by more expansive sample sizes and prolonged follow-up periods.

 

Keywords: Malaga, Otic eczema, Topical treatment.

 

Calvo, J. M. I., Cobo, J. R., & Allam, M. F. (2024). Innovative Topical Therapy for Otic Eczema. European Journal of Clinical Medicine, 5(3), 1–2.

 

https://www.ej-clinicmed.org/index.php/clinicmed/article/view/334

Effect of intermittent fasting on weight loss and maintenance of the lost weight in overweight and obese individuals (a systematic review and meta-analysis)

EFFECT OF INTERMITTENT FASTING ON WEIGHT LOSS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE LOST WEIGHT IN OVERWEIGHT AND OBESE INDIVIDUALS (A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS)

Ayat Farouk Manzour, Dina Nabih Kamel Boulos, Waleed Salah- El Din

and Mohamed Farouk Allam

 

Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

 

Ain Shams Medical Journal 2024;75(1):131-140.

 

ABSTRACT:

Background: Long-term continuous caloric restriction (CCR) has demonstrated efficacy in reducing body weight in obese individuals. Adhering to daily CCR proves to be challenging in practical situations. Recent research suggests that intermittent fasting (IF) could enhance adherence to dietary restrictions.

Aim of the Study: The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the impact of IF interventions in comparison to the conventional CCR on weight loss and the sustenance of lost weight among overweight or obese individuals.

Methods: Comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. After removing duplicates, we excluded studies that did not have a randomized controlled design, studies involving animals or individuals under eighteen years, and studies published in languages other than English. The final included studies were 12 randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs).

Results: Among the 12 studies, only one demonstrated a noteworthy reduction in body weight (BW) with the IF protocol compared to CCR. No significant differences were observed in terms of body mass index (BMI) reduction or waist circumference (WC) reduction across the studies. IF exhibited significantly better results of weight loss maintenance (WLM) in only one study.

Conclusion: IF and CCR demonstrate similar reductions in BW, BMI, and WC. IF emerges as an appealing alternative to traditional CCR for weight control. WLM remains underexplored and necessitates dedicated RCTs. Larger clinical trials are essential to determine whether certain individuals respond more favorably to IF compared to CCR.

 

Keywords: Intermittent fasting, Meta-analysis, Continuous Caloric Restriction, weight loss maintenance, Ain Shams University.

 

AF Manzour, DNK Boulos, W Salah-El Din, MF Allam. Effect of intermittent fasting on weight loss and maintenance of the lost weight in overweight and obese individuals (a systematic review and meta-analysis). Ain Shams Medical Journal 2024.

 

https://journals.ekb.eg/article_353787_db939181915181d859eabbdfa54bdc24.pdf

The role of colchicine in the management of COVID-19: a Meta-analysis

The role of colchicine in the management of COVID-19: a Meta-analysis

 

Kholoud Elshiwy (1), Ghada Essam El-Din Amin (1,2), Mohamed Nazmy Farres (3), Rasha Samir (3), Mohamed Farouk Allam (1,4) 

 

1. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

2. Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

3. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

4. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.

 

BMC Pulmonary Medicine 2024 Apr 20;24(1):190. 

 

DOI: 10.1186/s12890-024-03001-0

 

Abstract

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has robustly affected the global healthcare and economic systems and it was caused by coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The clinical presentation of the disease ranges from a flu-like illness to severe pneumonia and death. Till September 2022, the cumulative number of cases exceeded 600 million worldwide and deaths were more than 6 million. Colchicine is an alkaloid drug that is used in many autoinflammatory conditions e.g., gout, familial Mediterranean fever, and Behçet's syndrome. Colchicine inhibits the production of superoxide and the release of interleukins that stimulate the inflammatory cascade. Colchicine decreases the differentiation of myofibroblast and the release of fibrotic mediators including transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) that are related to the fibrosis. Moreover, colchicine has been used to traet viral myocarditis caused by CMV or EBV, interstitial pneumonia, and pericarditis resulting from influenza B infection. Additionally, colchicine is considered safe and affordable with wide availability.

Objective: The aim of the current study was to assess the evidence of colchicine effectiveness in COVID-19 treatment.

Methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was done till May 2022 and yielded 814 articles after ranking the articles according to authors and year of publication. Only 8 clinical trials and cohort studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included for further steps of data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Results: This meta-analysis involved 16,488 patients; 8146 patients in the treatment group and 8342 patients in the control group. The results showed that colchicine resulted in a significant reduction in the mortality rate among patients received colchicine in comparison with placebo or standard care (RR 0.35, 95%CI: 0.15-0.79). Colchicine resulted in a significant decrease in the need for O2 therapy in patients with COVID-19 (RR 0.07, 95%CI 0.02-0.27, P = 0.000024). However, colchicine had no significant effect on the following outcomes among COVID-19 patients: the need for hospitalization, ICU admission, artificial ventilation, and hospital discharge rate. Among the PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients, colchicine decreased the hospitalization rate (RR 0.75, 95%CI 0.57-0.99, P = 0.042). However, colchicine had no effect on mortality and the need for mechanical ventilation among this subgroup.

Conclusion: Colchicine caused a significant clinical improvement among COVID-19 patients as compared with the standard care or placebo, in terms of the need for O2, and mortality. This beneficial effect could play a role in the management of COVID-19 especially severe cases to decrease need for oxygen and to decrease mortality among these patients.

Keywords: Ain Shams University; COVID-19; Colchicine; Coronavirus; Management; Meta-analysis; SARS-CoV-2.

 

Elshiwy K, Amin GEE, Farres MN, Samir R, Allam MF. The role of colchicine in the management of COVID-19: a Meta-analysis. BMC Pulm Med. 2024 Apr 20;24(1):190. 

 

https://bmcpulmmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12890-024-03001-0