Smoking Cessation in the Middle East after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention. Results from the First Jordanian Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Registry (JoPCR1)

Background: Cigarette smoking (CS) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Middle East. Little is known about the rate of SC in patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and the clinical and angiographic features and one-year outcome among quitters compared with persistent smokers. Methods and Results: Of 2425 patients enrolled in a prospective multicenter PCI registry, 1055 (43.5%) were smokers (mean age 53.7 + 5.7 years) and 94% were males. PCI was indicated for ACS in 862 patients (82%). The rate of CS was 33%, 30% and 31%, at 1, 6 and 12 months after discharge, respectively. Compared with persistent smokers, quitters were more likely to have diabetes (50.4% vs. 42.0%;p = 0.028), low left ventricular ejection fraction (18.1% vs. 9.3%;p = 0.0004), and heart failure (15.4% vs. 9.0%;p = 0.0008). There were no differences between quitters and persistent smokers in age, gender, or severity of coronary lesions. Assessing the major complications and cardiovascular events during the index admission and at one year in non-smokers, quitters and persistent smokers showed that the incidence rates of in-hospital major bleeding events and cardiovascular deaths differed significantly among the three groups of patients (p-value = 0.017 for major bleeding, and 0.012 for cardiovascular death). The rates of these two complications were significantly higher among non-smokers compared to quitters and persistent smokers, and the rate of major bleeding was almost double in quitters compared to persistent smokers. Moreover, the three groups differed significantly in the rates of major bleeding, cardiovascular death and coronary revascularization after one year of follow-up. The incidence rates of major bleeding and cardiovascular death after one year were the highest among non-smokers followed by quitters and persistent smokers. The rate of coronary revascularization was significantly higher in quitters compared to non-smokers and persistent smokers. Conclusion: The rate of CS among Middle Eastern patients who undergo PCI is around 30%. Comprehensive secondary prevention strategy in such patients should include an effective smoking cessation program that extends beyond hospital discharge. Larger studies that extend the follow-up for several years are needed to document a positive impact of SC on improving cardiovascular outcome.

Assessment of knowledge, perception, and practice patterns of Jordanian optometrists during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional online survey

AIM: To investigate knowledge, risk perception, and attitude towards corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19) and infection control measures among optometrists in Jordan.METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was distributed through social media platforms to optometrists registered with the Jordanian syndicate and Jordanian association of optics. Information on participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of clinical features of COVID-19, risk assessment and infection control measures for preventing disease transmission were collected. RESULTS: A total of 135 optometrists(80 females and 55 males) with a mean age of 32±10y responded to the survey. Most optometrists were aware of COVID-19 symptoms, modes of transmission and measures for preventing COVID-19 and transmission in the ophthalmic setup. However, more than half of the optometrists did not receive any training about protection or infection control by their employers at their work place. Social media was the most common source of information on COVID-19(76%). Most optometrists(85.2%) thought that the virus could be detected in tears, and 45.9% thought that red eye is a symptom of COVID-19.CONCLUSION: Optometrists in Jordan are aware of the clinical features and preventive measures related to COVID-19 infection. However, training on infection control is lacking and needs to be improved. Guidelines by international professional optometric associations should be promoted through regional and national associations to all registered optometrists and access to peer review. Journals should be encouraged to ensure that the knowledge about the pandemic is up to date and accurate.

虹膜色素剥脱综合征和剥脱性青光眼中血清维生素D水平分析（英文）

目的:虹膜色素剥脱综合征(XFS)和剥脱性青光眼(XFG)患者与对照组血清维生素D水平比较。方法:使用液相色谱法测量25羟基维生素D血清水平。记录性别、年龄、高血压、糖尿病和缺血性心脏病病史等可变因素。结果:研究包括55例XFS/XFG患者和正常对照组60例。XFS/XFG患者较为年长(平均年龄:71.8y vs 67.5y,P=0.002)。两组性别分布相似且糖尿病、高血压和缺血性心脏病的患病率无显著性差异。XFS/XFG患者平均维生素D水平为14.7 ng/mL,正常对照组为14.9 ng/mL,两组间无显著性差异。虽然XFS/XFG组维生素D水平较低,但在对年龄、性别和医疗条件进行校正后,多变量分析显示两组之间维生素D缺乏无显著差异。结论:XFS/XFG组和正常对照组维生素D水平均较低,而XFS/XFG组低于正常对照组,两组间无明显差异。XFS和维生素D缺乏症与某些系统性疾病有共同联系。