The COVID-19 pandemic forced physicians to quickly adapt and find ways provide their usual offline services by using online tools. We aimed understand how adapted the sudden need for telehealth if perception of changed due experience during pandemic. conducted an exploratory sequential mixed-methods study. interviewed five Lebanese thematically analyzed interviews. developed a questionnaire based on analysis results administered it in Lebanon. In total, 140 responses were collected. found...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the 12th leading cause of death worldwide. Cost-of-illness studies CKD are scarce in developing countries. This study aims to estimate cost illness all stages Lebanon, from early until dialysis and transplantation. The secondary objective identify factors related highest financial burden.This a cross-sectional patients who presented two nephrology clinics during November 2020. Their medical administrative records were reviewed for collection demographics,...

To present a series of 15 laparoscopic and robot-assisted Mitrofanoff Yang-Monti vesicostomies in an adult population, to assess the feasibility safety these minimally invasive approaches.Between 2009 2012, patients underwent (n = 11) or 4) construction vesicostomy by single surgeon (D.R.): appendicovesicostomy double ileal conduit 4). Fourteen concomitant augmentation enterocystoplasty. Indications for surgery included neurogenic bladder urethral dysfunction The were evaluated...

Double parathyroid adenomas occur in 2% to 15% of primary hyperparathyroidism cases, but the very existence double has been controversial. This study was conducted evaluate clinical significance and anatomic distribution adenomas.Mono-institutional retrospective medical records 183 unselected consecutive patients who underwent intervention for between 1996 2003.A total 14 (7.65%) were found have adenomas. Intraoperative hormone (PTH) levels measured every case. Two enlarged glands identified...

Very-low-level viremia (VLLV) is a relatively new concept in the realm of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care. Newer generation assays are now able to detect plasma HIV RNA Viral Load (VL) levels as low 20 copies/mL. The authors characterized patients with VLLV (VL between and 50 copies/mL) order identify possible risk factors associated virologic failure poor clinical outcomes.The reviewed 119 consecutive charts VLLV. Sociodemographic data were extracted viral load CD4 counts trended...

Introduction. Direct-acting antiviral medications have made hepatitis C virus (HCV) cure possible for >95% of persons with chronic HCV infection, including those coinfected HIV. Achieving strategic elimination targets requires an understanding system, provider, and patient-level barriers to treatment. We explored such among HIV/HCV coinfection who remained untreated HCV. Methods. Among four primary care HIV clinics in CT high rates cure, 25 patients were eligible (no treatment as March 31,...

Abstract Uroflowmetry (UF) is a common clinic-based non-invasive test to diagnose Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction (LUTD). Accurate home-based uroflowmetry methods are needed conveniently conduct repeated uroflowmetries when patients physiologically ready urinate. To this end, we propose and evaluate novel mobile sonouroflowmetry (SUF) method that estimates the urinary flow rate from sound signal recorded using phone. By linearly mapping total energy voided volume, curve transformed allowing...

Gaze is an important non-verbal behavior in patient-physician communication. We examine the effect of physician's gaze direction video consultations on their communication and interpersonal skills ratings. 51 subjects watched videos a physician providing same teleconsultations while (a) looking directly at camera (b) computer screen. After each video, participants rated skills. The results showed that perceived as making eye contact associated with higher ratings two skill items: (1) using...

Herpesvirus infections in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. We report case herpes zoster (HZ) kidney recipient while receiving belatacept, CTLA-4 inhibitor that prevents acute rejection. The patient presented with oropharyngolaryngeal mucosal lesions subsequently disseminated resulting pneumonitis meningo-encephalitis. Very late-onset HZ can occur present atypically SOT recipients. Delayed recognition treatment may result poor...

Abstract Background Infertility affects almost one in five couples but is still poorly understood by the general public. Although socio-cultural aspect of infertility has already been covered some countries, there currently no study concerning Lebanese population’s view on this topic. This aims to examine knowledge and perception population regarding infertility. The findings could inform creation appropriate awareness campaigns aiming rectify existing ideas based myths folklore establish a...

Acute obstructive pyelonephritis due to urolithiasis represents a medico-surgical emergency that can lead life-threatening complications. There are still no established factors reliably predict progression toward acute in patients presenting with simple renal colic.To investigate clinical and paraclinical associated the onset of pyelonephritis.Patients department for colic on imaging were enrolled study. Demographic data, vital signs, medical comorbidities, blood test results, urinalysis,...

Lebanon has one of the highest incidence rates bladder cancer (BC) in world. In 2019, Lebanon's economy collapsed which majorly impacted healthcare costs and coverage. This study assesses overall direct urothelial BC Lebanon, from perspective public private third-party payers (TPP) households, evaluates impact economic collapse on these costs.This was a quantitative, incidence-based cost-of-illness study, conducted using macro-costing approach. Costs medical procedures were obtained records...

A rectourethral fistula (RUF) is an infrequent complication that can be iatrogenic in most cases. Multiple surgical interventions were described for RUF repair including transsphincteric, transanal, transperineal, and transabdominal approaches. To this day, there no consensus on a standardized surgery of choice acquired RUF.Our patient was diagnosed with 4 weeks after undergoing laparoscopic low anterior resection midrectum adenocarcinoma, failure conservative treatment. three-port approach...

Phytotherapy for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) due to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is progressively demanded by patients and trusted physicians. The aim was assess the efficacy of a mix pumpkin seed extract, soy germ isoflavonoids, cranberry (Novex®) in management mild moderate LUTS BPH patients. Male aged ≥40 years, who had >6 months at screening, with no previous therapy or are still symptomatic despite current use alpha-blockers, were recruited. Exclusion criteria an IPSS >19...