Yara Hodifa’s research while affiliated with Damascus University and other places

Background Although humanity is important within the medical health field, the authors lack studies that address this topic. Objective The authors aimed to assess humanity among a sample of Syrian internal medicine interns. Methods The authors have used a validated scale based on the Medical Humanity Scale (MHS) categorized into seven human values included in 30 questions (patient-oriented care, respect, empathy, ethics, altruism, and compassion). The scale can test the differentiation between these interns with different levels of medical humanity. A 7-point Likert scale was adopted. Six hundred sixty-five participants from the Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University entered our study. Results The mean score of the MHS was 147.14 (13.1) Female residents humanity scores (mean 149.14, SD 15.1) was significantly higher than male students’ scores (mean 145.48, SD 13.35; P =.007), KMO=0.843>0.7, which is near 1, and the Bartlett test of sphericity =4187.043 (df=465; P =.01). The Cronbach α was >0.683, was indicating the validity and reliability of the scale. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that the humanity level is accepted by using a scale based on MHS among interns of the Internal Medicine Department, Damascus University.

Key Clinical Message Any pregnant or lactating woman with severe constant back pain, PLO must be kept in mind due to its effect on the quality of life of the mother and her child. Abstract A 22‐year‐old woman, who delivered her first child 5 months ago and is now breastfeeding her baby, presented with mid‐back pain. After investigations, including laboratory tests, X‐rays, and bone density measurements, the diagnosis was PLO. The patient is being treated with calcium, vitamin D, and alendronate besides discontinuation of lactation.

Introduction The prevalence of ocular abnormalities of COVID-19 is different according to different reports. However, currently available evidence on the presence of this virus in ocular secretions and its association with conjunctivitis is not well established. Objective To reveal the ocular features among COVID-19 patients and to describe them with the findings of clinical data, inflammatory markers, and respiratory support therapy. Methods Ocular symptoms were evaluated and recorded in 494 COV19 patients through questionnaire-style interviews, and an ophthalmologic examination. Data including age, sex, disease severity, and nasopharyngeal swab results were collected. Laboratory test values were reviewed. Patients with COVID-19 infections were classified into severe cases and mild cases. Results The prevalence of ocular features was (2.83%). The most common features were conjunctival hyperaemia, epiphora, and foreign body sensation with itching. Patients with ocular manifestations on CPAP support therapy had higher rates of itching, lower rates of foreign body sensation. No differences were found in the levels of inflammatory marker. Meanwhile, patients used respiratory-aid therapy revealed higher values of white blood cells, platelet counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, ferritin, and lactate dehydrogenase. Discussion Ocular involvement in COVID-19 and possibility of disease transmission through ocular tissues and secretions, has been registered in some reports, with a prevalence of 2–32%. The external and internal ocular parts are involved. Conclusion Ocular features are not infrequent in COVID-19 patients.

Introduction Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue condition, presented with clinical manifestations including ocular involvement in a small percentage. A few cases of uveitis were described in the literature, especially in CREST syndrome. Case presentation We reported a case of a 48-year-old male with blurred vision of left eye that diagnosed with recurrent uveitis in the setting of CREST syndrome, treated with Prednisolone, Methotrexate, and Golimumab, with improvement. Discussion Ocular manifestations of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) include palpebral alterations, kerato-conjunctivitis, sicca syndrome, cataracts, pinguecula, and blepharitis. To our knowledge, this is the fifth case of uveitis in a setting of CREST syndrome in the literature, and the first one in sex involvement, as the previous cases were females, and in its treatment by Golimumab, an anti-TNF inhibitor. Conclusion Although this association is low, we believe that it should be taken into consideration when treating these situations to obtain better treatment results. Collaboration between rheumatologists and ophthalmologists is necessary in deciding on treatment.

Introduction and importance Calciphylaxis manifests clinically by skin ischemia and necrosis and histologically by calcification of dermal arterioles. Usually, it occurs in patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis or in patients who had a kidney transplant. Here, we present a case of Calciphylaxis occurring in a patient with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Case presentation A 66-year-old Syrian male with a history of psoriatic arthritis presented for evaluation of two-month non-painful ulcers on feet and hands that were treated with warfarin. Biopsies confirmed the diagnosis of Calciphylaxis. The patient received sodium thiosulfate, zoledronic acid, intra-lesional sodium thiosulfate injections, and an IV infusion of vitamin K with dramatic improvement. At the 3-month follow-up, his wounds had been completely remitted. Discussion Non-uremic Calciphylaxis occurs in many cases like vitamin D administration, vitamin K antagonists’ administration, chronic inflammation, and others. The association between Calciphylaxis and psoriasis was reported only in 4 cases in the literature; meanwhile, this was the first case that described Calciphylaxis in the setting of psoriatic arthritis. Conclusion A suspicion of Calciphylaxis should be maintained in patients with underlying inflammatory mechanism diseases.

Unlabelled: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has become the most serious public health crisis of our generation, and vaccines are effective in preventing its infection. Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema is an idiopathic rare benign syndrome, but it could be secondary to aautoimmune diseases. Here, the authors reported the first case of this syndrome's development after COVID-19 vaccination. Case presentation: A 52-year-old woman presented with hand edema, arthralgia, and morning stiffness, after receiving the second dose of m RNA COVID-19 vaccination. Examination revealed edema in the dorsum of both hands and symmetrical tenderness of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles. Blood test results were normal except for elevated levels of C-reactive protein. The immune profile and the tuberculin test were also negative. A hand radiograph showed soft tissue edema. Ultrasonography of the extremities has shown tenosynovitis. Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema syndrome was diagnosed according to the diagnostic criteria. She was treated with 30 mg/day prednisolone, with a complete disappearance of edema and arthralgia after 10 days, and the C-reactive protein level was decreased. Clinical discussion: Vaccines are still the most effective and protective method against COVID-19 infection, but it may trigger an immunological response. Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (or sometimes RS 3 PE) is a rare nonunderstood syndrome identified by symmetric polyarthritis, synovitis, acute pitting edema of hands and/or feet, and a negative serum rheumatoid factor, with an excellent prognosis to treatment with steroid. Usually occurred in the old aged population, young patients' cases were mentioned. As the authors did not find any data about our subject, this is the first case of this syndrome development after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccination. Conclusion: The occurrence of acute symmetrical seronegative polysynovitis with extremities edema, in the elderly, should guide toward the diagnosis of this syndrome.