Arabic Version Research Articles

Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Validation of the Arab Version of the Adolescent Food Parenting Questionnaire (AFPQ) in Kut City, Iraq.

Background Food parenting behaviors have been increasingly critical to adolescent nutritional health. These behaviors play a decisive role in shaping food intake and weight status in adolescents through autonomy support, coercive control, modeling habits, healthy structure, and determining snacking patterns. To our knowledge, there is no available food parenting questionnaire in the Arabic version; therefore, a reliable and validated Arabic version of the questionnaire to assess food parenting behavior among Iraqi adolescents is required. The aim of this study was to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Adolescent Food Parenting Questionnaire (AFPQ) into Arabic (AFPQ-A) for adolescents aged 16 to 18 in Kut City, Iraq. Methodology The original version of AFPQ was translated according to a 10-step protocol after being authorized by the developer. The modified kappa statistic (κm), the sum content validity index/universal agreement (S-CVI/UA) method, the scale-level content validity index average (S-CVI/Ave), and the item-level content validity index (I-CVI) were used by four independent experts to assess the content validity of the AFPQ for adolescents and parenting. Face validity was assessed among the adolescents (n = 30) and their respective parents. Results The translation process into the Arabic version produced minor modifications to the original questionnaire. The S-CVI/Ave score for the parent version was 0.95, while the I-CVI/UA score was 0.81 for the adolescent version. The κm values of 1.00 were found in the majority of the items. These scores indicated that the AFPQ items possessed good content validity. Both the parent and adolescent versions demonstrated excellent face validity, with the sum of face validity index/average (S-FVI) scores of 0.95 and 0.94, respectively. Conclusion The AFPQ-A has been demonstrated to be a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of food parenting behaviors in Iraqi adolescents.

Pain Self-Management in Individuals With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain During Lebanon's Overlapping Crises

ObjectivesWith Lebanon facing multiple crises simultaneously, it is important to understand how Lebanese adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) are self-managing their pain amidst challenging circumstances. This study aimed to describe the pain self-management strategies Lebanese adults with CMP are using, as measured by the Arthritis Pain Self-Management Inventory (APSI), and to determine how helpful they perceive these strategies to be for pain relief. A secondary aim was to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the APSI in Lebanese adults with CMP. MethodsA descriptive design was used and a convenience sample of 154 Lebanese adults with CMP completed the Arabic version of the APSI and self-report measures of pain intensity and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. ResultsThe APSI demonstrated acceptable content and cultural validity in Lebanese adults with CMP. Self-directed arthritis education was the strategy used by the largest number of participants, although it was perceived as the second least helpful for pain relief. The second and third most common strategies used were rest/relaxation, warm baths, and maintaining a healthy weight. The most helpful strategy was maintaining a healthy weight, followed by watching religious television, music therapy, and the use of braces or splints. ConclusionsLebanese adults with CMP should actively participate in their pain management plan and be educated on the various strategies they could use to effectively self-manage their pain.

Comparison of ََQuality of Life and Treatment Satisfaction among Sample of Iraqi Patients Using Anticoagulant Therapy (Warfarin or Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants)

Background: Oral anticoagulation medication, warfarin and non-vitamin k antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) may require long term use which may affect patients’ satisfaction with their treatment and their quality of life (QOL). Objective: To compare the quality of life and treatment satisfaction among groups of patients using different anticoagulant therapies (warfarin and NOAC). Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study was performed at Ibn Al-Bitar Hospital for cardiac surgery in Baghdad in the period between December 2022 to May 2023. The study population included a convenient sample of patients receiving either warfarin or non-vitamin k antagonist oral anticoagulants treatment. The Arabic version of the short form 12 (SF-12) questionnaire and the Anti-Coagulant Treatment Satisfaction Scale (ACTS) questionnaire were used to assess the quality of life and satisfaction with treatment respectively. Results: The study included 181 patients in total. The mean physical and mental quality of life scores for study participants were 42.3±9.92 and 52.6±10.36 respectively. There was no significant difference in the QOL between patients taking warfarin and those on non-vitamin k antagonist oral anticoagulants treatment. The mean total satisfaction score was 65.4±6.73. Patients receiving non-vitamin k antagonist oral anticoagulants had significantly higher satisfaction compared to those receiving warfarin (P=0.000). The physical score correlated significantly with gender, educational level, employment status, number of chronic medications and number of chronic diseases. The total satisfaction score correlated significantly with gender, number of chronic medications, number of side effects and duration of anticoagulation. There was a significant correlation between the QOL and treatment satisfaction (P=0.000). Conclusion: Treatment with non-vitamin k antagonist oral anticoagulants showed comparable QOL and higher treatment satisfaction than that of warfarin. Better treatment satisfaction can improve patients’ QOL which may ultimately enhance their adherence to treatment.

Preparation and Characterization of Isradipine as Surfactant-Free Dry Emulsion

Background: Oral anticoagulation medication, warfarin, and non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) may require long-term use which may affect patients’ satisfaction with their treatment and their quality of life (QOL). Objective: To compare the quality of life and treatment satisfaction among groups of patients using different anticoagulant therapies (warfarin and NOAC). Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed at Ibn Al-Bitar Hospital for cardiac surgery in Baghdad in the period from December 2022 to May 2023. The study population included a convenient sample of patients receiving either warfarin or non-vitamin k antagonist oral anticoagulants treatment. The Arabic version of the short form 12 (SF-12) questionnaire and the Anti-Coagulant Treatment Satisfaction Scale (ACTS) questionnaire were used to assess the quality of life and satisfaction with treatment respectively. Results: The study included 181 patients in total. The mean physical and mental quality of life scores for study participants were 42.3±9.92 and 52.6±10.36 respectively. There was no significant difference in the QOL between patients taking warfarin and those on non-vitamin k antagonist oral anticoagulant treatment. The mean total satisfaction score was 65.4±6.73. Patients receiving non-vitamin k antagonist oral anticoagulants had significantly higher satisfaction compared to those receiving warfarin. The physical score correlated significantly with gender, educational level, employment status, number of chronic medications, and number of chronic diseases. The total satisfaction score correlated significantly with gender, number of chronic medications, number of side effects, and duration of anticoagulation. There was a significant correlation between the QOL and treatment satisfaction. Conclusion: Treatment with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants showed comparable QOL and higher treatment satisfaction than that of warfarin. Better treatment satisfaction can improve patients’ QOL which may ultimately enhance their adherence to treatment.

Examining the multifaceted factors of night eating syndrome among adults in Saudi Arabia: A nursing perspective

BackgroundNight Eating Syndrome (NES) is a prevalent eating disorder that significantly impacts individuals' quality of life and well-being. However, most NES research has focused on adolescent populations, leaving a significant gap in our understanding of its prevalence and predictors among adults, particularly in the MENA region. This study, therefore, presents a novel contribution by filling this gap and determining the prevalence of NES and its predictors among adults in Abha, Saudi Arabia. DesignA descriptive correctional design was conducted on 714 adults randomly recruited from primary healthcare centers (PHCCs). MethodsA self-administered questionnaire, which comprised a demographic and lifestyle data sheet and the Arabic version of the NES questionnaire, was used for data collection. Results13.3 % of the participants reported having full syndrome of NES, with 16.1 % of males and 22.5 % of females reporting high NES awareness. Meanwhile, 14.4 % of the participants were non-emotional eaters. This finding is significant as it sheds light on the high prevalence of NES among Saudi adults. Significant differences were observed between NES and higher education, sleeping patterns, smoking habits, dietary type, and exercise routines, with an OR of 1.422, 40.78, 6.14, 66.70, and 4.47, respectively, and a p-value of <0.001. ConclusionNES was a common eating disorder among Saudi adults. Higher education, inadequate sleep, smoking, unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise were the most significant predictors of NES. These findings underline the importance of addressing these factors in preventing and managing NES. Social media campaigns, awareness campaigns, and cognitive behavioral and mindfulness therapies could effectively address NES. However, further research is necessary to identify underlying causes and assess their association with comorbidities, providing a clear direction for future studies.

Inequalities in health literacy between European population and newly arrived male sub-Saharan migrants in Europe.

Increases in migration pressure from sub-Saharan Africa to Europe have increased in recent years. Despite this trend, the health literacy needs of migrants in host communities have not been sufficiently studied. This research aims to explore the health literacy of migrants newly arriving in Europe and compare it with the health literacy levels of the European population, utilizing data obtained from the European health literacy survey. A convenience sampling cross-sectional study was conducted at the Temporary Immigrant Stay Center in Melilla (Spain) in June 2022 using a validated French and Arabic version of the 16-item European health literacy survey questionnaire. A total of 106 sub-Saharan migrants ≥ 18 years of age were surveyed. The general health literacy index of the migrants was 30.02 points (on a scale of 50), placing it in the 'problematic' level. Of the participants, 57.54% had a limited ability to obtain, understand and apply health information and make appropriate health-related decisions. The largest gap compared to European citizens was observed in skills to understand information related to disease prevention. These results reinforce that migrant status is a social determinant of low health literacy and suggest that health professionals should extend their educational role to this vulnerable group.

Validation of the Arabic version of the Obstructive Sleep Apnea-18 quality of life questionnaire for evaluating children with sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome

Validation of the Arabic version of the Obstructive Sleep Apnea-18 quality of life questionnaire for evaluating children with sleep apnea–hypopnea syndrome

Assessing the Translation of Direct Speech in “Wuthering Heights” into Arabic

The present study tackles the translation of direct speech forms in Bronte’s novel "Wuthering Heights" into Arabic. The significance of this study stems from the fact that English direct speech forms in literary texts might pose substantial challenges when translated into Arabic due to their semantic connotations and structural peculiarities. The study aims at assessing the translation of English direct speech forms in "Wuthering Heights" novel into Arabic. It also aims at investigating the problems that may arise during the translation of direct speech forms in this novel into Arabic. Wuthering Heights is Emily Bronte’s unique novel. It is a story of love and revenge, this exciting and vivid novel depicts a deep and devastating love between its two main characters, the stubborn, charming Catherine and the handsome, dark-skinned, impulsive Heathcliff, both of whom are as wild as the Yorkshire moors where the novel takes place The study hypothesizes that translating direct speech in literary texts poses serious difficulties for the translators. To test the validity of the hypothesis, the study includes a practical chapter which tackles the translation of (25) excerpts that have been chosen from Wuthering Heights novel along with four Arabic translation versions. The Arabic renderings are those of the Arabic Cultural Centre (2016), Rifaat Naseem (1975), Helmi Murad (2003) and Hanna Saeed (2021). The analysis is implemented according to the model proposed by Vinay and Darbelnet (1958) which tackles the different kinds of translation approaches and strategies available for the translator when handling the task of translating various kinds of texts. The study concludes that novice and unskilled translators might encounter serious difficulties and challenges in translating direct speech expressions due to the multiple meanings and connotations inherent in such expressions. It also concludes that context plays a vital role in defining the most appropriate rendering for the SL text.

Шахматы как отражение культурного пространства Арабского халифата

The article examines the phenomenon of chess culture in the era of the Arab caliphate. It is shown that the golden age of shatranj (the Arabic version of chess) coincided with the rapid development of Arabic culture and science, thus reflecting the socio-cultural realities of that time. It is revealed that the treatise “The ethics of Chess” by the Arab thinker Raghib Ishafani demonstrates philosophical ideas in relation to the game of chess. The popularity of shatranj, which was demonstrated by the interest of state leaders and the holding of the first chess competitions in history, is noted, and attention is focused on the reason for its widespread use. The similarity of the rules of chess and the religious beliefs of the mutazilites, manifested in the concept of freedom of choice, is demonstrated. The reasons preventing the further development of the shatranj in the Arab caliphate are explained. It is shown that this fact was due to the religious mentality of the Arab-Islamic type of culture and the slow nature of the development of the social institutions of the East. It is noted that the further filiation of ideas from the Arab world to Europe led to the development of chess not only as a game, but also as a model reflecting the cultural and social processes taking place in society.

The Role of Environmental and Socioeconomic Factors in Mental Health Well-being: Insight from Jordan

Background and aims: Depression, anxiety, and stress are among the most common psychological disorders affecting people worldwide. These conditions can influence mental well-being, resulting in sustained feelings of sadness, worry, and hopelessness. This study aims to examine the relationship between environmental factors and psychological disorders (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress) and to explore the relationship between socioeconomic factors and these psychological disorders, methods: Depression, anxiety, and stress were measured using the Arabic version of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 items (DASS-21). Spearman's Rank Correlation was used to examine the relationship between environmental and socioeconomic factors and (anxiety, depression, and stress). The results were considered significant at P value ˂ 0.05, and the confidence interval (CI) was 95%. Results: The study included 409 participants. with a mean age of 36.42 years (SD ± 13.259). The majority were female (59.4%), married (57.2%), had a bachelor’s degree (46.5%), and were employed full-time (51.3%). The majority had an income of less than 500 JOD per month (53.5%). A negative significant relationship was found between Depression, anxiety, and stress and all environmental and socioeconomic factors except the proximity of green areas Conclusion: Environmental and socioeconomic factors were found to be significantly associated with mental health, indicating that both environmental and personal financial safety play crucial roles in influencing psychological well-being. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at improving access to natural environments and enhancing home security may be beneficial in promoting mental health and reducing depression, anxiety, and stress levels within the population.

Effect of Hamstring Active Release Technique in Cervicogenic Headache

Objectives: To investigate the effect of Hamstring active release technique on pain intensity level, headache intensity, pressure pain threshold, cervical flexion rotation range of motion and Hamstring flexibility in patients with cervicogenic headache. Methods: Fifty-six patients with cervicogenic headache participated in the study, aged 25-45 years. Patients were randomized into two groups of 28 individuals each. Group A was given conventional physiotherapy only in the form of ultrasonic therapy, stretching as well as strengthening exercises. Group B was given conventional physiotherapy and active release technique for Hamstring. Each group was treated three times a week for one month. Pain intensity level, headache intensity, pressure pain threshold of Sub-occipital and Hamstring muscles trigger points, cervical flexion rotation range of motion and Hamstring flexibility were measured by visual analogue scale, the Arabic version of 6-item headache impact test, digital pressure algometry, CROM device and straight leg raising test respectively, pre and post-treatment. Results: Within group comparison showed significant difference in pain intensity level, headache intensity, pressure pain threshold of Sub-occipital and Hamstring muscles, cervical flexion rotation range of motion and Hamstring flexibility. Between groups comparison showed no significant difference in all variables, pre-study. Where a significant difference in all variables, post study, in favor of group B except right and left cervical flexion rotation range of motion. Conclusion: Hamstring active release technique improves pain intensity level, headache intensity, pressure pain threshold and Hamstring flexibility, in patients with cervicogenic headache.

Electroencephalographic changes in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

BackgroundAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder in children who experience delayed language development. This work aimed to study electroencephalographic (EEG) changes in children with ADHD and establish a strategy for prompt identification and suitable management in the future.MethodsThis descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 children aged between 5 and 12 years old, both sexes, diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-V Criteria, diagnosed as ADHD children with the Arabic version of Conner’s Parent Rating Scale. Psychometric evaluation by intelligence quotient (IQ) using Stanford Binet Intelligence test. The Receptive Expressive Arabic Language Scale was used to assess language profile.ResultsThere was a significant negative correlation between the severity of ADHD and IQ scores. There was an insignificant negative correlation between ADHD and scaled receptive language score and scaled expressive language score. There was an insignificant positive correlation between ADHD and scaled expressive language score. There was a significant difference between EEG changes and combined subtype of ADHD and scaled score of receptive language (P < 0.05). There was an insignificant difference between (EEG changes and language development), the scaled score of expressive, total language, and the scaled score of language.ConclusionsEEG has clinical utility in the diagnosis of ADHD. The results of EEG analysis in children with ADHD have been quite important, and this novel methodology could offer supplementary factors to strengthen its diagnostic impact.

Voice analysis in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

BackgroundPolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting one in five women of reproductive age. Polycystic appearance of the ovaries in ultrasonography is associated with oligomenorrhea, and clinical and or biochemical hyperandrogenism. PCOS has been associated with voice alterations for many years. However, there is insufficient research on voice analysis in PCOS patients.ObjectivesThis research aimed to examine the voice characteristics among women with PCOS.Patients and methodsOur study included 25 women confirmed with PCOS and 25 control. A complete voice assessment was performed for all participants using primary demographic data, vocal symptoms, auditory perceptual evaluation of the voice, Arabic version of the Voice Handicap Index, acoustic analysis, and video laryngoscopic examination of the larynx.ResultsOur study revealed statistically significant differences between PCOS and control groups in phonasthenic symptoms, auditory perceptual assessment of the voice, acoustic parameters, and laryngoscopic examination.ConclusionPCOS women with hirsutism are complaining of vocal symptoms, changes in vocal characters, and deterioration of the acoustic parameters of the voice. High serum levels of androgen can cause the deepening of the voice, which is essential for the early detection of vocal symptoms in PCOS patients to prevent virilization of their voice.Trial registrationNCT06085170. Registered 20 August 2023—retrospectively registered, https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06085170&ved=2ahUKEwjEyLqUq6KGAxWxRPEDHb57DIQQFnoECBQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1xTurnA6mJEZ9PK0vQS8VL.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Arabic version of the knee and hip health-related quality of life (Mini-OAKHQOL) questionnaire in male Saudi patients with osteoarthritis: a methodological observational design.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is common in Saudi Arabia, has a significant impact on quality of life (QoL), and lacks a specific questionnaire to measure QoL. The primary objective of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Mini Osteoarthritis Knee and Hip Quality of Life (Mini-OAKHQOL) questionnaire into Arabic and to determine its psychometric properties among OA knee and/or hip patients in Saudi Arabia. A methodological observational design was conducted and followed standard guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation of Mini-OAKHQOL into Saudi Arabic. Two hundred and eight primary OA knee and/or hip male participants aged between 45 and 80 years with a mean age of 58.65±13.8 years and a BMI of 29.5±1.2 kg/m2 were included and performed the stages of translation to target Arabic language (forward T1 and T2), synthesized an Arabic draft (T12), then back-translated to English (BT1 and BT2), followed by expert committee review to rectify the deficiencies leading to a prefinal stage involving a pilot test on native Arabic speakers, thereby finalized a final Arabic version. The Arabic Mini-OAKHQOL, Arabic Short Form 12 (SF12), and visual analog scale (VAS) were administered to analyze internal consistency (IC), test-retest reliability at baseline as well as one week later (up to the 10th day). The construct validity was tested using Spearman's rank correlation, and factor analysis was done to establish a five-factor fit model. Homogeneity was determined using principal component analysis (PCA). Floor and ceiling effects calculated in percentages. The Arabic Mini-OAKHQOL showed an excellent Cronbach's alpha of the overall scale (α=0.931) for its internal consistency and an excellent intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.947 for its retest reliability, with a high response rate of 93.75%. The construct validity of this scale was good with Ar-SF12 and VAS pain. A five-factor model fit was considered acceptable, and factor loading for each item found within the permissible limits confirmed the factorial validity. None of the items, dimensions, or overall scale showed either a floor or ceiling effect. The adapted and tested Arabic Mini-OAKHQOL is a reliable and valid questionnaire to measure the impact of knee and/or hip OA on quality of life in the Saudi Arabian male OA population to reduce the respondent's burden for use in clinical and prospective studies.

Unlocking the Secrets: Predictive Risk Factors for Long-term Olfactory Dysfunction in COVID-19 Patients

&lt;b&gt;Introduction:&lt;/b&gt; COVID-19 is a multisystem disease that can severely impact overall health. It causes non-lethal complications that may significantly affect the quality of life, such as smell dysfunction, which has been identified as an essential and early indicator of infection. A substantial proportion suffer from prolonged or even permanent loss of smell.&lt;b&gt;Aim:&lt;/b&gt; The study aims to identify key clinical and demographic risk factors that significantly predict the prognosis of such an olfactory loss in patients with COVID-19.&lt;b&gt;Materials and method:&lt;/b&gt; A prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study. Qualified patients were aged ≥ 18 years with a past COVID-19 infection confirmed by PCR. They all underwent thorough clinical assessments and nasoendoscopy to exclude other nasal pathologies. The Alcohol Threshold Test (ATT) was used to assess olfactory function and only patients with severe hyposmia and anosmia were included in the study. The Arabic version of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) was used to assess the emotional impact on the patient.&lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; The study included 100 patients suffering from severe smell loss. Sixty-two patients (62%) were ≥39 years and 38 (38%) were ≤ 40 years old. The mean age of the patients was 37.5 10.8 years. There were 62 females (62%). The mean duration of olfactory loss was 4.4 2.8 months. Sudden onset was reported in 98 patients. Only 2 patients (2%) had rhinorrhea. Eighty-one patients (81%) suffered from mild symptoms of COVID infection. There were 21 smokers (21%). Eighteen patients (18%) had comorbidities. Twenty-seven patients (27%) belonged to the low socioeconomic status. Severe hyposmia (TS of ATT = 4–5) was reported in 96 patients (96%) and anosmia (TS of ATT = 6) in 4 patients (4%). Kessler’s test indicated that 63 patients (63%) experienced moderate to severe distress.&lt;b&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/b&gt; The following risk factors showed significant differences in the prognosis of olfactory loss: older age, long duration of loss, smoking, presence of comorbidities, low socioeconomic status, and increased severity of COVID-19. These factors may be important predictors of the persistence of olfactory loss. Factors like sex, onset type, nasal symptoms, severity of olfactory loss, and Kessler’s test score did not show significant differences.

Assessment of the Quality of Life and Family Function in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Caregivers in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

Background Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most prevalent neurobehavioral disorder in children and teenagers. The condition is debilitating, affecting numerous cognitive and behavioral processes and leading to substantial long-term consequences. Affected individuals, their families, and society as a whole bear a heavy functional, psychological, and financial cost. Aim The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) among parents of children with ADHD diagnoses, as well as the burden and level of dysfunction in the family. Additionally, to ascertain the sociodemographic factors that influence these issues. Methods This cross-sectional study used an online survey to collect data from caregivers of children with a confirmed diagnosis of any type of ADHD who were exhibiting symptoms before the age of seven, speaking Arabic fluently and consented to take part in the study. The Arabic version questionnaire of the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) was used to assess the QOL, and the Zarit Burden Interview questionnaire was employed to assess the degree of the experienced burden. Participants were recruited by a systematic random sampling method. Results A total of 103 ADHD caregivers were included in the study. A total of 89 out of 103 (86.4%) participants reported having various degrees of burden. There was a significant relation between the marital status of the caregiver and the degree of burden (p=0.024). Divorced caregivers were (4, 57.1%) severely burdened. Ninety out of 103 participants (87.4%) reported having dysfunctional families, and the majority of them (60, 60.1%) reported moderate family dysfunction. All quality-of-life domains were negatively impacted, with the environmental domain experiencing the most disruption. The overall four subdomains of QOLdid not differ significantly with various sociodemographic characteristics. Conclusion There was a high prevalence of burden and family dysfunctionamong caregivers of ADHD children. Marital status was associated with a significant impact on the level of burden.In addition, there was a detrimental influence on every aspect of quality of life, with the environmental domain suffering the most. It is important to take into account family therapy and other interventions that strengthen caregivers' and families' relationships.

Aphasia outcome: the role of diffusion tensor tractography in patients with acute ischemic stroke

BackgroundsRecovery for poststroke aphasia has a decelerating trajectory, with the greatest improvement is within weeks and the slope of change decreasing over time. Therefore, it is essential to predict the prognosis of aphasia at an early stage as it could provide useful data in specific plans for management strategies. The aim of this work was to assess the arcuate fasciculus in stroke patients with aphasia and its impact on predicting the outcome. A prospective study was performed including 25 patients with acute ischemic stroke and aphasia and 10 healthy control subjects with no history of neurologic or psychiatric disease. All patients underwent language assessment using an Arabic version of the Comprehensive Aphasia Test (Arabic CAT), with the resultant mean T-score aphasia quotient (AQ). Early assessment of stroke and delayed assessment at three months. All patients had diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI-MRI) of the brain to localize the lesion and 3D diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the arcuate fasciculus (AF) within 30 days of stroke.ResultsPatients in whom the AF could not be reconstructed had a poor score in early and late AQ and a poor prognosis compared to those in whom the AF could be reconstructed. Preservation of the left AF on DTI could mean the potential recovery of aphasia after stroke.ConclusionThe prognosis of aphasia in patients whose left AF could be reconstructed was better than those whose left AF could not be reconstructed, irrespective of the AF's integrity. That is why, we can assume that evaluation of the DTI of the left AF at early stages of stroke can help in predicting outcome of aphasia.

Relationship between Physical Activity Levels, Quality of Life, and Sociodemographic Attributes among Adults in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia: A Direction toward Sustainable Health

Physical activity (PA) improves quality of life (QOL), yet the relationship between PA, QOL, and sociodemographic factors in Saudi Arabia remains underexplored. This study examined this relationship among 369 adults from Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire measured PA levels and QOL using the Arabic versions of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), respectively. Data analyses included chi-square, Mann–Whitney U, and Kruskal–Wallis H tests alongside a multivariate regression analysis. Among the SF-36 scores, marital status (p = 0.005), history of chronic diseases (p = 0.004), and medication use (p = 0.001) showed significant differences; pain (80.6 ± 21.5) and energy/fatigue (63.0 ± 18.5) scored highest and lowest, respectively; and sex was significantly associated with PA levels (p = 0.001). The average total SF-36 score was 69.5 ± 15.7, and 42.5% of participants reported low PA. Participants with moderate PA had significantly higher SF-36 scores (p = 0.003), energy/fatigue (p &lt; 0.0001), emotional wellbeing (p = 0.009), and general health (p = 0.004) scores compared with those with low PA. The significant association between PA and QOL underscores the need for sustainable health programs to enhance and maintain PA in alignment with the Saudi Vision 2030 QOL program. It can also inform the development of targeted interventions to enhance PA levels and improve QOL aspects within communities, considering specific sociodemographic attributes to ensure effectiveness and inclusivity.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Pilot Psychometric Validation of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Questionnaire-Sexual Health (EORTC QLQ-SH22) Scale, Moroccan Arabic Version.

The Sexual Health Scale (QLQ-SH22) is the only cancer-specific measure of sexual health. It has never been translated into Arabic. In order to envisage effective healthcare strategies that improve sexual quality of life, the validation of the Moroccan version of this scale is a crucial step in exploring the influence of cancer and its treatment on patients in the Moroccan context. In this regard, this study aimed to validate a Moroccan Arabic version among patients with cancer. A total of 280 Moroccan patients with cancer participated in this study from August 2022 to April 2023. The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the QLQ-SH22 was performed following the EORTC guidelines. Psychometric validation was explored using the reliability of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA). The analysis revealed a greater internal consistency for both sexual satisfaction (α = 0.83) and sexual pain (α = 0.86). The intraclass correlation coefficient indicated an excellent level of test-retest reliability (from 0.925 to 0.993). The CFA demonstrated high-performing model fit indices (χ2/df = 1.17, SRMR = 0.05, RMSEA = 0.035, GFI = 0.94, CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.99, IFI = 0.99, NFI = 0.94). The concurrent validity between the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-SH22 confirmed a strong correlation between the fatigue scales in both questionnaires (r = 0.69). This version showed good discrimination between known groups. The QLQ-SH22 Moroccan Arabic version has demonstrated a high level of reliability and validity, and therefore it is now ready for use.

Translation and validation of the Arabic Jordanian version of the diabetic foot ulcer scale-short form (DFS-SF)

The Diabetic Foot Ulcer Scale-Short Form (DFS-SF) is an important tool for assessing the quality of life of diabetic foot patients. This study aims to translate and validate the DFS-SF into Arabic and evaluate its validity and reliability. The translation process followed WHO guidelines, including forward translation, expert panel review, back translation, pre-testing, and final version development. The translated questionnaire was then administered to a sample of Arab Jordanian patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Validity was assessed by examining the correlation coefficients between each item and its corresponding dimension, as well as its correlation with the DFS-SF scale as a whole. Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The results demonstrated high validity and reliability of the Arabic Jordanian version of the DFS-SF, making it a valuable tool for assessing the impact of diabetic foot ulcers on patients' quality of life.