Benghazi Medical Center Research Articles

Clinical Characteristics and Mortality of Intensive Care Patients With Intracerebral Hemorrhage and COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many studies have reported severe neurologic effects of the infection on the brain. Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a particular pathology that can result in these devastating neurologic effects. The primary aim of our study is to investigate the possible difference in the clinical and laboratory characteristics of ICH between patients with positive COVID-19 tests and those with negative tests. The potential effect of this difference on the prognosis of the patients during their stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) is a secondary aim of the study. In this retrospective cohort review, our data were collected from the electronic medical database of the Benghazi Medical Center (BMC) for the period from January 2021 to June 2022. We depended mainly on the admission paper information documented by emergency doctors, and mortality was measured depending on the clinical status after discharge from the ICU. This study included a sample of 72 patients, 34 patients (47.2%) were considered COVID-19 positive, and 38 patients (52.8%) were COVID-19 negative. The difference between groups was significant in ICH score ≥3 (higher in positive patients), INR (lower in positive patients), the incidence of new-onset hypertension (higher in positive patients), location of hematoma (infratentorial in positive patients), and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) extension (more in positive patients).Also, COVID-19 was significantly associated with ICH score ≥3 (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.2 - 18.6, p = 0.03, R2 = 0.16), INR (𝛃= 0.35, 95% CI 0.09 - 0.62, p < 0.003, R2 = 0.136), risk of ventilation (OR 14.1, 95% CI 3.5 - 56.9, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.26), hydrocephalus (OR 9.41, 95% CI 2.72 - 32.5, p = 0.001, R2 = 0.19), infratentorial location (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.1 - 12.5, p = 0.04, R2 = 0.14), IVH extension (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.2 - 10.4, p = 0.03, R2 = 0.09), new-onset hypertension (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.5 - 11.9, p = 0.007, R2 = 0.10), and mortality (OR 4.9, 95% CI 1.6 - 15.3, p = 0.04, R2= 0.15). The difference in survivability between groups was statistically insignificant (X2= 0.41, log-rank, P = 0.53). The current study demonstrates, with sufficient evidence, that COVID-19 infection causes a significant change in some critical baseline characteristics like INR values, location, and IVH extension that influence the prognosis of ICH in ICU patients.

The Association Between Vitamin D Status and Glycemic Control in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Low vitamin D levels are common in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Although a link between vitamin D status and glycemic control is suggested, the direct association with poor control is unclear. This study assessed the prevalence of low vitamin D (deficiency and insufficiency) and its relationship with HbA1c in youth with type 1 diabetes. A cross-sectional study at Benghazi Medical Center, Libya, from June to September 2018 included 63 patients (33 females, 30 males), aged 6-18 years. Data on socio-demographics, HbA1c, and vitamin D levels were collected. Vitamin D levels were categorized as deficient (&lt;10 ng/ml), insufficient (10-19 ng/ml), or sufficient (≥20 ng/ml). Glycemic control was classified as good (HbA1c ≤ 7.5%), fair (7.6%-8.5%), or poor (≥8.6%). Analysis using SPSS version 18 showed patients had a mean age of 12 years (±3.9), BMI of 19.18 kg/m² (±3.70), diabetes duration of 4.90 years (±3.03), average HbA1c of 10.10% (±2.5), and mean vitamin D level of 17.70 ng/ml (±10.8). Deficient vitamin D was found in 27% of patients, with 36.5% insufficient and 36.5% sufficient. A weak negative correlation (r= -0.112, p=0.38) was observed between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and HbA1c. Low vitamin D levels, including deficiency and insufficiency, were prevalent in youth with type 1 diabetes. However, vitamin D status did not significantly impact glycemic control in this study.

Comparison of Mammography, Ultrasonography, and both Combined in the Interpretation of Palpable Breast Mass

Background: Breast cancer is the most common female malignancy in worldwide and the second leading cause of female cancer death in the United States (1, 14). On average, every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and one woman will die of breast cancer every thirteen minutes(13) In Libyan breast cancer is most common cancer in female (17 ) Although the majority of palpable lumps are benign, a new palpable breast mass is a common presenting sign of breast cancer. the aim of the study to reveal the role of USS and MG and both in evaluating palpable breast mass because both are available and more accurate in evaluated palpable breast mass depend on the aging and breast density .Materials and methods: prospective study between January 2018 and march 2019 In Department of Radiology in Benghazi medical center (BMC); used the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification on fifty palpable breast masses in two models (USS and MG ) and described each masses by selecting a single term from the Bl-RADS lexicon for description mass margin and shape. Kappa values were calculated to assess the agreement between BIRADS assessment category and agreement between descriptions of masses margin and shape .Additionally, another reader used same USS Bl-RADS lexicon for description mass margin to assessed lnter-observer variability. Result :Regarding BIRADS assessment category, agreement between the MG and combined (USS and MG ) interpretations were moderate (K=0.4);agreement between USS and combined (USS and MG ) was very good (k=0.84); agreement between BIRADs category of USS and MG in descriptive shape of palpable breast mass was moderate (k=0.50) while for margin fair agreement (k=0.26).poor lnter-observer variability(k=0.19) in USS Bl-RADS lexicon for description mass margin. Conclusion: USS better than MG in detected palpable breast mass so can be use as diagnostic tool for characterized palpable breast mass.

Risk Assessment Grid, Priority Gaps and Action Plans of Infection Prevention and Control at Benghazi Medical Center.

Identifying what could cause injury or illness and taking actions to eliminate the hazard and if it’s possible to control the risk is the main job of infection prevention and control team. This research attempts to investigate the risk and the priority gaps and control at Benghazi Medical Center. The methodology used here is using a check list from WHO organization and go through each point in the list while visiting different department at Benghazi Medical Center, aiming to evaluate and assist each department gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC) for different aspects like the infection prevention program, guidelines, education and training, surveillance, monitoring/ audit of IPC practices and feedback, workload staffing and bed occupancy, built environment, material and equipment for IPC at the facility level. Each of the previous points will be dealt with to highlight its results. After going through the research and the checklist the results found that the overall median score of IPC level is 225 which makes the hospital fall under the category of basic. To conclude, this research, has found gaps in monitoring hand hygiene, intravascular catheter insertion and/or care, wound dressing change, transmission-based precautions and isolation to prevent the spread of multidrug resistant organisms, consumption and usage of alcoholic-based handrub or soap. Consumption and usage of antimicrobial agents. significant of the study. There are more than 100 million patients every year around the world infected with health care associated infection which is due to their long stay in health care facilities that leads to a high morbidity and mortality rate.

Clinical manifestations of gastro esophageal reflux among patients with chronic laryngitis in Benghazi, 2018

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic, complex condition that may present with atypical symptoms, including laryngitis. The aim of study to demonstrates the relationship of sings of reflux laryngitis in patients with typical manifestations of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The present study included a total of 60 patients suffering chronic laryngitis with a range of age of 23 to 88 years in descriptive study in Benghazi Medical Center in the year 2018. History was collected and indirect laryngoscopy done for cases and data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0. Results The most common symptoms were hoarseness of voice, throat clearing, dysphagia, throat discomfort and globus sensation. No significant association of symptoms with gender of the patients. Most common laryngeal findings were hyperemia, vocal cord changes and posterior commisure hypertrophy. Significant association included only posterior commissure hypertrophy and infra-glottal edema. Conclusions and recommendations, Many didn't seek medical advice and most had no diagnostic procedure. Stronger study designs using proper diagnostic technique and patient education with staff training are recommended.

Awareness about Artificial Neural Network (ANN) use in health system among physicians in Benghazi

Artificial neural networks are computational paradigms based on mathematical models that unlike traditional computing have a structure and operation that resembles that of the mammal brain. One of the original aims of artificial neural networks (ANN) was to understand and shape the functional characteristics and computational properties of the brain when it performs cognitive processes such as sensorial perception, concept categorization, concept association and learning. However, today one of the most uses of ANN in the health system are Diagnosis, predication and classification by using different and recent techniques.This is a paper pilot orientation use of ANN in the health system among physicians in Benghazi as a tool in their diagnostic field. Our target population was physicians in the Benghazi medical center and polyclinics with different professions, where the participates 200 with different age groups by filling one of two types of survey (online- in person). Based on the results of surveyBased on the results of survey we found 89% of physicians didn’t have any information about ANN, 95% didn’t read any paper about ANN technology, 98% didn’t use ANN as tool in diagnostic field, in addition, 60% they think it has value in using as tool in diagnostic field.

Contaminated Money Investigation into the Hygiene Status of some Hospitals as Obtained from Food Outlet

This study aims to determine the presence of bacterial contamination associated with currency as obtained from hospital’s food outlet. Samples were randomly collected from cafeteria’s of Benghazi Medical Center Hospital, Benghazi Children's Hospital, and Al Jalaa Hospital. Bacteria isolates belonged to gram negative and gram positive were used to perform antibiotic sensitivity testing. Total count of bacteria from currency found 10 type of bacteria, the highest type of bacteria, Lactobacillus 50%, followed by Acinetobacter 20.3%, Klebsiella 7.4%, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli 3.7%, while the lowest Staphylococcus epidermas, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Rhizobium radiobacter were 1.8% and no growth 22.8%, the sensitivity of the isolated bacteria showed the Acinetobacter baumanni highest resistant to Augmantine (78%) and lowest to both Ceftazidimde and Aztronam with (11%), the Klebsiella pneumonia shows (100%) resistant to Erythromycin and Oxcilin. While the two sample of Escherichia coli were resistant to Augmantine and Ceftazidime. In addition, the two samples of Staphylococcus aureus were resistant to Erythromycin and Oxcilin (100%), two samples of Staphylococcu epidermidis were resistant to Erythromycin and Oxcilin (100%), while the one sample Pseudomonas spp was resistant to Colastin (100%), the Pantoea spp sample was resistant to both Ceftriaxone and Colastin (100%), while the only sample of Staphylococcus Haemolyticus was resistant (100%) to Erythromycin. Confirming that the contaminated currency spread in the hospital cafeteria was contaminated with disease-causing bacteria.

Anatomical Dimensions and Types of the Anterior Clinoid Process in Libyan population by Using Computed Tomography: A cross Sectional Study

The anterior clinoid process (ACP) has a complex anatomical feature and surrounded by important structures which may complicate the surgical procedures during the anterior clinoidectomy. Our objective was to measure dimensions of anterior clinoid process, and to determine variations of its types. Forty-nine of cranial computed tomography scans were performed from adult Libyan patients on routine examination of paranasal sinus at Benghazi Medical Center between February 1, 2023, and April 14, 2023. The right and left ACP length and the base width were measured on the axial CT images. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23. The means and standard deviations were calculated. The paired Student’s t test was used to determine the statistically significant differences in means between the right and left ACP. (P ≤ 0.05) was considered statistically significant at (95%) confidence interval. The length of the right and left ACPs were 11.2 ± 2.2 mm and 11.6 ± 2.4mm, respectively. The width of the right and left ACPs were 5.37± 1.22 mm and 5.42 ± 1.24mm, respectively. Type 2 anterior clinoid process was the commonest (75.5 %) while type 1 was the least common (4.1 %). There was no statistically significant difference between right and left sided measurements. Our study outcomes may be helpful for pre-operative planning. Presence of any variations may result in unnecessary injury to the complicated surgical procedures that involve removal of ACPs. Further research studies required with large sample size of population will give well understanding about the parameter of ACPs.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in a Crohn’s disease patient treated with biological therapy

A 55-year-old Libyan woman with Crohn's disease was evaluated for persistent skin ulceration at Benghazi Medical Center, Benghazi-Libya. During the initial visit, she was treated with intravenous antibiotics with no improvement. Pyoderma gangrenosum was considered and she received systemic steroids but she did not improve. Surprisingly, after the skin biopsy, leishmania skin infection was diagnosed and she was started on anti-leishmania therapy after which she showed a great improvement in her skin lesions.

Anxiety, Depression and Dermatology Life Quality Index Scores in Dermatology Outpatients

Background: The physical or perceived disfigurement can become a source of significant distress, with a considerable impact on an individual’s psychological, social, and physical well-being. Dermatological conditions are responsible for a significant source of social stigmatization in many human societies and cultures, contributing to the development of co-morbid diseases such as depression and anxiety. Objectives: To determine the levels of anxiety and depression in dermatology outpatients and to evaluate their association with quality of life and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Methods: A total of 150 patients attending our dermatology outpatient clinic in dermatology department, Benghazi Medical Center, and 100 healthy control subjects matched for age and sex were included in this study. All patients were asked to fill Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), and healthy controls to fill only HAD. Results: The differences between the mean HAD anxiety (HAD-A) and HAD depression (HAD-D) scores of the patients and the controls were not significant statistically. 44% of all patients were at risk for anxiety while 35% of control subjects were at risk for anxiety, 38.7% of all patients were at risk for depression whereas only 29% of the controls were at risk for depression. Forty of the male patients and eighty-four of the female patients were at risk for anxiety and depression. Conclusion: Both marital status and severity of the disease have an influence on HAD-A and HAD-D scores. DLQI scores were not correlated with HAD-A and HAD-D scores.

Medical errors in terms of cause, departments of occurring and solutions from the point of view of doctors in Benghazi Medical Center

Medical errors negatively affect patients in the first place, medical service providers as well as health organizations in terms of quality. The main purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of medical errors in terms of causes, departments with the highest incidence of them, the most blame for their occurring, and strategies to prevent medical errors from occurring from the perspective of doctors in Benghazi Medical Centre. A cross-sectional design was chosen to conduct this study, and data was collected from doctors working at Benghazi Medical Center. 281 sample random samples were selected at random. The Epi Info tool calculated the sample size with a 95% confidence interval, and the response rate was 100%. The instrument of data collection was a self-administration questionnaire. (SPSS version 22) was used to analyze the collected data. The results show that the most common errors occurred in the emergency room (66. 9%).In addition, it has been found that one of the most important factors that contribute to the occurrence of medical errors was the lack of necessary resources for some tasks (566%).45.6% of doctors blamed the administration and (57.7) seminars and workshops was the best solution to solve the medical errors issue. Results appears that a lack of required resources was generally the main reason for medical errors. Additionally, the emergency room is a typical location for medical errors to occur. Through workshops and seminars, doctors determined the best way to stop medical errors. Additionally, the study participants attributed the occurrence of medical errors to the administration in their respective departments.

Cesarean Scar Ectopic Pregnancy: Experience From Benghazi Medical Center, 2022

Background: Cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) is a rare consequence of a previous cesarean delivery and a new type of ectopic pregnancy, but it is life-threatening if unrecognized and inadequately managed. Despite the rising incidence of CSP, there are no consensus or evidence-based guidelines for management. Aims: To review risk factors, clinical features, diagnostic methods, and management of women with CSP at Benghazi Medical Center. Materials and methods: A descriptive-case series study of CSP cases between the Ist of March 2018 and Ist of April 2022.. Data collected retrospectively. The data included demographics, presenting symptoms and signs, ultrasound findings, treatment used, and any complications. Results: The total number of ectopic pregnancies in period between 1st March 2018 and 1st April 2022 was 262, ten women (3.82%) were diagnosed as scar ectopic, The women's ages ranged from 28 to 47 years, about 60% had three or four previous cesarean scars, abdominal pain with vaginal bleeding was in 30% of the cases, while 60% of patients were asymptomatic and all patients were stable during the diagnosis, except for one case that had signs of shock. ultrasound finding was 80% presence of gestational sac implanted low near the previous scar; initial diagnosis was delayed by 50%. The management was laparotomy and gestational sac excision in four cases that did not require further treatment, dilatation and uterine evacuation were done in two cases that required use of uterine balloon to control bleeding and further use of methotrexate In one case (10%), systemic methotrexate alone was effective. Severe bleeding was seen among 60% of women, and 20% underwent hysterectomy. The complications were significantly (P&lt; 0.05) more common among women with high parity and also in cases where there was no intervention during the diagnosis. Conclusion: A previous uterine scar is the main risk factor for CSP; there is no specific clinical feature for CSP; ultrasound is used for the diagnosis; surgical management appears to be a better option, serious complications were seen mainly when no intervention was done during the diagnosis.

Health Worker’s Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Toward Hepatitis B Infection at Benghazi Medical Center

Health Worker’s Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Toward Hepatitis B Infection at Benghazi Medical Center

Characteristics of Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis: A Five-Year Study at Benghazi Medical Center, Benghazi, Libya

Characteristics of Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Sclerosis: A Five-Year Study at Benghazi Medical Center, Benghazi, Libya

Epidemiological manifestations and impact of healthcare-associated infections in Libyan national hospitals

BackgroundHealthcare-associated infection is a serious global problem, particularly in developing countries. In North African countries, comprehensive research on the incidence and effects of such infections is rare. This study evaluated the epidemiology and determined the impact of healthcare-associated infections in Libyan national teaching hospitals.MethodsA prospective longitudinal study was carried out in Libya’s four largest teaching and referral hospitals (Tripoli Medical Center, Tripoli-Central Hospital, Benghazi Medical Center, and Sabha Medical Center) from November 1, 2021, to October 31, 2022. The epidemiological events and the parameters incorporated in this study were based on the data published by the Libyan Centers for Disease Control. The surveillance was carried out on all patients admitted to the wards of medicine, surgery, intensive care, gynecology & obstetrics, and pediatrics in all four hospitals. Trained staff reviewed the medical records and compared the percentages of patients with healthcare-associated infections. Bio-statistical and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out to test the variables associated with healthcare-associated infections and the resulting deaths.ResultsA total of 22,170 hospitalized patients in four hospitals were included in the study. Hospital-acquired infection was reported in 3037 patients (13.7%; 95% CI: 12.9–14.4%). The highest incidence was in Benghazi Medical Center (17.9%; 95% CI: 16.9–18.7%), followed by Sabha Medical Center (14.8%; 95% CI:14.9-16.51%). Surgical site infection was the most prevalent (31.3%), followed by ventilator-associated pneumonia (29.3%), urinary tract infection (26.8%), and bloodstream infection (12.6%). Patients with healthcare-associated infections experienced severe morbidity requiring intervention. New antimicrobial regimens were needed for 1836 patients (93%), and 752 patients (34%) required admission to intensive care. Surgical intervention, respiratory support, and inotropes were also needed as a consequence of HAI events.ConclusionsThe high incidence of healthcare-associated infections in Libyan hospitals should be considered a major problem and a serious burden. This should alert healthcare authorities at the national and hospital levels to the urgent need for preventive and control strategies to combat hospital-acquired infections.

Nurses' Awareness of Patient Privacy and Confidentiality in Benghazi Medical Centre (BMC): A Cross-sectional Study

Background:- Respect for the privacy of patients and the confidentiality of their information, personal data is a fundamental principle of patient rights. All healthcare providers, especially physicians and nurses play a crucial role as guardians of patient safety and rights therefore this study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of patients’ rights among nurses at the Benghazi Medical Center.&#x0D; Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 184 nurses at the gynecology and obstetrics department of the Benghazi Medical Center, using a self-administrated questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of three parts: personal characteristics, and the knowledge towards privacy part (21 statements), and confidentiality (11 statements). Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations) were used to describe the knowledge of privacy and confidentiality among nurses. A relation test was used to measure the association between privacy and confidentiality with personal data. Also, statistical significance was set at a P- value of &lt;0.05.&#x0D; Results: 67.9% of the nurses reported that they had experienced patient rights. The knowledge about privacy among nurses in the target hospital was high, and the most common knowledge was: during the examination, treatment, and care, all healthcare professionals should be careful about the protection of patient privacy (91.8%) and nursing care to protect privacy in the work environment (91.3%). Concerning confidentality, nurses had a high level of knowledge in general, and the highest level of knowledge was in the statement ‘patients must get all kind of health service in an environment that is suitable for confidentiality’. The result found there was no association between personal characteristics and privacy and confidentiality.&#x0D; Conclusion:- It was concluded that nurses commonly encounter patient rights issues in their workplace. However, the majority of the nurses who participated in the study had a very good level of knowledge about privacy and confidentiality. Age, educational level or length of working experience was insignificantly associated with the level of knowledge of privacy and confidentiality.

Recurrence patterns of acute colonic diverticulitis among patients admittedto Benghazi Medical Center, Benghazi, Libya: A retrospective and hospital-based study

Background: The normal pattern of acute colonic diverticulitis is still unknown, and prophylactic surgery after conservative treatment of diverticulitis is a topic of growing debate. The aim of this study was to investigate the patterns and frequency of recurrences and the likelihood of complications in conservatively treated uncomplicated and complicated diverticulitis in our epidemiological setting. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted to investigate 98 inpatients admitted to Benghazi Medical Center with acute colonic diverticulitis, between February 2021 and August 2022. Acute diverticulitis discharge summaries were reviewed to identify eligible patients, and their medical records were meticulously reviewed retrospectively to confirm that their clinical presentation was consistent with colonic diverticulitis. Results: A retrospective study of 98 patients with acute colonic diverticulitis found that uncomplicated diverticulitis was associated with younger age, better 2-year survival rates, and more conservative management. Recurrence rates were almost similar between uncomplicated and complicated diverticulitis (23% vs. 25%) and typically occurred within 12 months of the initial attack. Surgical intervention was necessary for patients with perforations, while conservative management was used for other cases. Complications included abscesses in 44% of cases and perforations in 38% of cases. Conclusion: This study found that acute diverticulitis has a low recurrence rate and a limited propensity for progression into complications. It is recommended that elective surgery is used as a preventive measure against recurrences and associated complications. These findings have implications for clinical practice.

A Histopathological Study of the Breast Cancer Cases Registered at Benghazi Medical Center from 2016 to 2018

Background: Breast cancer (BRC) is the second most common cancer in the world, the most frequent cancer among women, and the leading cause of cancer death in females worldwide. Aims to study the pattern of breast cancer in all the patients who were presented to the Oncology Department at Benghazi Medical Center (BMC) from various parts of eastern Libya from the 1st of January 2016 to the 31st of December 2018. Subjects and Methods: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional and histopathological study to determine the frequency of the (BRC) malignancy type, in addition to stages and age groups. The data was collected from the Oncology Department at Benghazi Medical Center which receives cancer patients from Benghazi and the whole eastern part of Libya. Data was also collected from the Pathology Department at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Benghazi and Alnon, a private laboratory. There were 515 registered patients with breast cancer including demographic and clinic-pathological data. The data was analyzed using the SPSS Program Version 20. Results: Out of 515 breast cancer patients registered at the Oncology Department (BMC), geographically 66% were from Benghazi, followed by Albaida at 9.1%. Conclusion: The majority of cases were between 46 and 56 years old. Invasive ductal carcinoma was diagnosed among most of the cases, (Grade II and stage III. Most of the breast cancer cases collected from BMC were from Benghazi, frequency is higher among the age range (46-56) and most cases were Stage III, and grade II. Invasive ductal carcinoma is the most predominant histopathological type. Most cases were HER2 negative, ER positive and PR positive, and most cases had Ki-67 levels (21- 40%).

Prevalence &amp; Risk Factors of Anxiety and Depression among Cases of Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Background: Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a sever nausea and vomiting before 22nd week of Gestation. Antenatal depression and anxiety become a common problem significantly affecting maternal and fetal health, there is a complex relation between anxiety and depression and hyperemesis gravidarum. The aim: is to identify and study the prevalence of anxiety and depression and their related risk factors for hyperemesis gravidarum(HG) cases. Subject and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Benghazi Medical Center (BMC) on cases diagnosed with HG and admitted to the Gynecology Department in the period between 1-10-2019 and 31-3-2021. Data was collected through direct interviews with women and using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) with some data collected from their medical records. The data was analyzed using SPSS Ver. 23. The statistics used were descriptive; frequencies, mean, standard deviation and median as well as inferential; chi-square test, one-way ANOVA and t-test. P&lt;0.05 is used to denote statistical significance. Results: High anxiety levels were found in 76.4% and high depression levels were noted in 82% of cases. From the value of the adjusted odd ratio, women with Libyan nationality are strongly associated with high anxiety (5, 95% CI: 1.021-1.284), followed by a positive history of hyperemesis in previous pregnancies (3.375, 95% CI: 1.161-9.809) and a higher maternal age (1.14, 95% CI: 1.021-1.284). Regarding maternal education and pregnancy planning, it has been found that these factors are protective against high anxiety. After adjustment by using multivariable logistic regression, only a history of hyperemesis in previous pregnancies was identified as an independent risk factor for high depression among the cases (AOR, 3.167 95% CI: 1.005-9.979). Conclusion: High levels of both depression and anxiety were recorded among cases of hyperemesis at the Benghazi Medical Centre.

An Investigative Analysis of the Role of Multidisciplinary Teams in Cancer Management: Assessing Advantages and Obstacles

Background: Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings are vital for improving patient outcomes and treatment plans, yet their effectiveness remains uncertain. Existing research demonstrates that collaborative treatment plans in cancer care lead to better results than those made by individual practitioners. The impact of MDT meetings on patients' management outcomes is significant. Aim: To evaluate the distribution, characteristics, and diagnoses of cancer patients. Additionally, it seeks to assess the influence of MDT meetings on clinical decision-making and the subsequent impact on patient outcomes. Subjects and methods: A descriptive investigation analyzed a cohort of 150 cancer patients receiving care at Benghazi Medical Center from January to June 2022. Diagnoses were established through comprehensive clinical evaluations, laboratory assessments, radiographic imaging, and histopathological examinations. Medical interventions were determined collaboratively by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, leveraging their specialized expertise for optimal patient management. Results: The study found that individuals aged 41–60 comprised the largest proportion of cancer patients (49.3%). Females accounted for the majority (62%) of cases, and most participants were from Benghazi (69.3%). Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) cancers were the most prevalent (58.7%), followed by breast tumors in women (14.7%) and pancreatic tumors (6%). Treatment decisions, tailored to individual patient needs, were made collaboratively by the multidisciplinary team. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or a combination was chosen for 47.3% of cases, while surgical resection was appropriate for 30.7% of cases. The study's findings support the hypothesis that MDT meetings contribute to effective and up-to-date management guidelines. Neglecting discussions about cancer patients poses significant risks that can no longer be ignored. MDT meetings mitigate these risks and ensure comprehensive medical decisions. Conclusion: The study observed that chemotherapy and surgical resection were frequently selected as treatment options. It emphasized the importance of Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings in guiding clinical decision-making. However, further feedback regarding the optimal format of MDT meetings is required. Establishing standardized MDT protocols is imperative for enhancing patient management outcomes.