International Research Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences

1-5

Authors: Hesham M. Elmazar and Amna B. Essa

The purpose of the paper is to study the role of some Environmental and Dietary Factors affecting the progression of Type 2 Diabetic Retinopathy in Aljabal Algharby, Libya. A prospective non-comparative study was conducted from September 2012 to July 2013 at the Ophthalmology Department in Gharian Central Teaching hospital, Gharian, Aljabal Algharbi, Libya. Thirty cases with medical history of uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes lasting more than 10 years and no other systemic diseases were collected. Complete ophthalmic clinical examination including dilated fundus examination and laboratory investigations as Random Blood Glaucose (RBG) level and Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HgA1c) besides Complete Blood Count (CBC) were carried out to all cases. The cohort included 30 cases 15 males (50%) and 15 females (50%). Their mean age was 55.29 ± 2.46 years (range, 48 years to 66 years: males; 53.39 ± 3.03 years and females; 56.67 ± 3.75 years). The duration of Type 2 diabetes mellitus ranged from 10 years up to 16 years with a mean 13.17 ± 2.16 years. All the cases were diagnosed with either normal or mild non-prolifrative stage of diabetic retinopathy. Thirty cases (100%) were having Random Blood Glucose (RBG) above 200 mg/ml and +ve Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HgA1c) results above 7% indicating the uncontrolled state of diabetes. Twenty six cases (86.7%) gave a history of regular intake of Virgin Olive Oil (VOO) in their diet. Twenty three cases (76.7%) had Secondary Polycythemia with a mean Red Blood Cells (RBC) Count 6.2 ± 0.5 million cells/mcL associated with a mean Hemoglobin (Hg) level 13.73 ± 1.32 g/dl in their blood picture which correlated with history of prolonged living at high altitude. In conclusion, the regular dietary intake of Virgin Olive Oil (VOO) which is a main component of the Mediterranean diet was proved to have a beneficial effect on the reduction of progression of type 2 diabetic retinopathy. On the other hand, the prolonged hypoxia exposure and associated Secondary Polycithemia may play a role in a process of tissue adaptation that results in a lower tissue response to the ischemic state responsible for type 2 diabetic retinopathy. Keywords: Type 2 diabetic retinopathy, prolonged hypoxia, virgin olive oil.

11-19

Authors: Ayat R. Abdallah and Hala M. Gabr

Medical students repeatedly experience different stresses which render them more vulnerable to psychological problems that may affect their emotional, psychosocial and physical health. This study has been conducted to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among first year medical students at Menoufiya University and to identify their associated factors. This was a cross-sectional study where two self administered questionnaires have been used, the first is a structured one for identifying demographic characteristics and risk factors of psychological illness among 1st year medical students, and the second is the Arabic version of Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS21). The participation rate was 90%. The mean age of participants was 18.02 ± 0.26 years, and more than half (52%) were females. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among students was 63.6, 78.4 and 57.8%, respectively. Symptoms of moderate severity were the predominant among students with the studied psychological illnesses. Multiple social, demographic, behavioral and educational factors have been significantly (p < 0.05) associated with most of the studied psychological illnesses, including: gender, residence, perceived socioeconomic standard, feeling loneliness, the inability to share in families' social activities, presence of insomnia and chronic physical illnesses, studying in English language, problems with exams' criteria, lack of communication with staff members, and the organization of lectures' timetable. In conclusion, a substantial proportion of first year medical students had ongoing psychiatric problems that were associated with multiple social, demographic, behavioral, and educational factors. Interventions addressing the mental health of medical students should be initiated. Keywords: Depression, anxiety, stress, medical students, medical education, Egypt.