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Background & Objective(s): Isotretinoin has a dramatic effect in treating acne vulgaris but it has numerous widespread adverse effects. The study aimed to investigate the association between isotretinoin and liver functions and cholesterol level among acne patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in outpatient clinic of Dermatology Department of Alexandria Main University Hospital among 285 acne patients on isotretinoin for more than one month and less than 6 months with normal baseline serum liver enzymes and cholesterol laboratory investigations. An interview questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data, pattern of drug use, and laboratory investigations data following treatment with isotretinoin. Results: The mean age of patients was 20.84±3.4 years and 68.4% of them were females. Regarding pattern of using the drug, 36.8% of cases took 80 mg/day for 4-6 months. Almost 30% of cases had elevation in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, 23.2% had elevation in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level and 21.1% of the cases had elevation in cholesterol level. There was a weak positive correlation between dose, duration of taking the drug and elevation in the liver enzymes and cholesterol level. Conclusion: There was a significant difference in level of liver enzymes and serum cholesterol level before and after using the drug. The dose and duration of taking the drug are factors affecting the elevation of serum liver enzymes and cholesterol level.

Background: Patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) are at a greatest risk of health care associated infections (HAIs). Adherence to infection control (IC) precautions helps to prevent HAIs. Objective(s): To assess the infection control (IC) procedures and practices in intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted in ICUs of Althawra General Hospital in Sana'a, Republic of Yemen. All ICUs and their managers (n=12) and health care workers (n=200) made the target of the study. Data were collected using the IC assessment tool designed by the United States Agency for International Development (US-AID). It comprises modules for IC procedures and observation checklists for IC practices. Results: The IC procedures were poor regarding hand hygiene practices (49.1%), injection practices (25%), and type of catheters used in ICUs (16.7%). The IC practices of HCWs were poor regarding hand hygiene practices (30.2% in 46% of the ICUs), injection administration practices (35.7% in 34.5% of the ICUs) and waste disposal practices (23.5% in 92.5% of the ICUs). Conclusion: Infection control procedures and practices in ICUs of Althawra General Hospital were poor with respect to injection practices, type of catheters used in ICUs, hand hygiene practices, injection administration, and waste disposal. Recommendations: Improving the IC procedures regarding hand hygiene practices, injection practices, and type of catheters used in ICUs and addressing the IC practices of HCWs is a necessity.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors seem to cluster in some occupational groups. The present study was designed to investigate CAD risk factors among naval forces as an example of a high risk sector and to construct a risk prediction model for the disease. Subjects and Methods: A case control study was carried out at the general naval hospital (GNH) in Alexandria. The study included 250 male consecutive naval CAD cases with a control group of 250 males matches for age, occupational level, sociodemographic characteristics and, free from CAD. All participants were subjected to a questionnaire about personal data, occupational history and exposures, occupational and leisure physical activity, dietary habits, smoking, and medical history. Anthropometric measurements, sitting blood pressure, and lipid profile were determined by the standard methods. Results revealed that occupational sedentary activity and perceived occupational noise were the significantly reported special occupational characteristics together with other conventional risk factors among CAD naval cases verses controls (p< 0.000 & < 0.009 respectively). Logistic regression analysis with the dependent variable as being a CAD case showed independently significant effects for family history of premature CAD, history of hypertension, smoking, history of diabetes mellitus, body mass index (BMI), leisure physical activity, fish consumption, and HDL cholesterol. A risk prediction model utilizing these variables was constructed with an overall correct percent of 74.6%. Conclusions: Application of the model expresses the risk of having CAD in an individual eligible with criteria of the study population. These results are of special importance for design of preventive programs for CAD in similar high risk occupational groups.