Background:Rheumatic musculoskeletal disorders (RMSDs) are a common cause of long term pain and physical disability. In developed countries, RMSDS are a major cause of absence from work and thus have a big financial burden on the country economic status. Several studies have been published the incidence and prevalence of RMSDs in different world countries and found to be widely variable. Estimation of the extend of the problem of RMSDs in developing world, especially in rural economies will help better understanding of the risk factors that contribute to the initiation and progression of these diseases and help the health care authorities to provide proper health program services in these areas to reduce the physical and financial burden of RMSDs (Bagher et al., 2011; Majumdar et al., 2015 and Usenbo, et al., 2015).Objectives:To estimate the prevalence rate of RMSDs in a rural population in Upper Egypt.Methods:A cross-sectional based study was carried out and included 3988 subjects of population (2013 females and 1975 males). Mean age of patients was (46.89±15.25ys). They proceeded 4 phases of World Health Organization/International League of Associations for Rheumatology community-oriented program for control of rheumatic diseases survey questionnaire WHO-ILAR Community Oriented Program for screening of rheumatic diseases. Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) was used to assess the disability severity. Individuals suspected to have any rheumatic diseases were subjected to full clinical examination, laboratory and radiological investigations to reach a final diagnosis. They were classified according to appropriate criteria of diagnosis of diseases.Results:A prevalence rate of RMSDs was 16.22%, more prevalence in females (10.38% vs. 5.84% for males, P=0.000). The mean age of patients with RRMSDSs were older (46.89±15.25 yrs) than healthy individuals (29.56±18.95 yrs) (P=0.0001) and with increasing age (≥45-≤ 55 yrs).The identified RMSDs were OA (8.5%), Soft tissue rheumatism (STR) (6.57%), spinal disorders (SD) (6.47%), fibromyalgia (FM) (0.60%), RA (0.30%), arthralgia (0.18%), SPAs (0.15%), Gout(0.6%), Pseudogout (0.08%), SLE (0.5%), JIA(0.03) and MCTD (0.03%). The prevalence rates for the majority of RRMSDSs were higher in females and with increasing age. About two thirds of the patients had grade II disability.Conclusion:The prevalence rate of RMSDs in a rural population ≥15years in Upper Egypt has been estimated to be 16.22%.The most prevalent RMSDs are OA, STR and SD causing the greatest burden of the disease. The predictive risk of RMSDs has to be assessed in future studies.References:[1]Majumdar A, Kumar SG, Nair D, Sujiv A. Musculoskeletal complaints and predictors of musculoskeletal pain among adults in rural puducherry. Indian J Palliat Care. 2015; 21(1):121-123.[2]Usenbo A, Kramer V, Young T, Musekiwa A. Prevalence of Arthritis in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS One. 2015; 10 (8):e0133858.[3]Bagher OM, Golbarg M, Hossein S. Pattern of rheumatic diseases in two outpatient clinics in Iran: similarities with some different features. Indian J Med Sci. 2011; 65(1):7-17.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Objective: To identify risk factors and assess diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) and amputation risk category (according to the 2015 International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) guidance) among patients with type 2 diabetes in the Suez governorate, Egypt. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the diabetic foot screening clinic of Suez General Hospital. A comprehensive sample of patients with type 2 diabetes attending the diabetes clinic every Saturday were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into four groups according to their history and foot examination: without neuropathy (Group 0); with neuropathy (Group 1); with neuropathy associated with deformity and/or vascular disorders (Group 2); and with foot ulcer or amputation history (Group 3). Results: A total of 220 patients were included in the study. Mean age of participants was 54.6±10.3 years and 70.5% of patients were female. The patients were divided into four groups: 37.3% were in group 0; 37.7% in group 1; 11.8% were in group 2; and 13.2% were in group 3. Male sex and diabetic complications (particularly neuropathy, cardiovascular disease and retinopathy) had the most significant effect on risk classification. Conclusion: This study showed that 62.7% of patients with diabetes enrolled in the study were at risk of developing a DFU and amputation. Physicians should conduct a foot assessment and risk categorisation for all patients with diabetes as early management or referral could prevent further complications.

Background: Postpartum mood disturbance affects up to 85% of women, with most symptoms of this disturbance being temporary and mild. However up to one in seven women experience a persistent type of depression which is associated with major maternal and neonatal morbidity if it is not managed. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of postpartum depression and to identify the associated risk factors. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in randomly selected 3 primary health care centers affiliated to Suez governorate, Egypt. An interviewed questionnaire was used containing potential risk factors for postpartum depression. An Arabic version of the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) was used to screen for postpartum depression symptoms. Results: A total of 237 postpartum mothers were included in the study. 139 (58.6%) of the mothers completed secondary level of education, 195 (82.3%) of them were housewives and 181 (76.4%) had cesarean section. The estimated postpartum depression prevalence was 26.6% and suicidal ideation accounted for 4.6%. Factors significantly associated with high EPDS scores were bad relationship with the husband, having >2 children, an unplanned pregnancy and unhealthy newborn; with P-values of 0.000, 0.004, 0.000, and 0.018, respectively. Discussion: the prevalence of postpartum depression among Egyptian women is considered slightly high with its negative and long term consequences on the mothers and their children, accordingly screening, proper management & referral to specialist care is highly recommended.

Background: Diabetes is a growing health problem in Egypt; Patients with diabetes often have coexisting chronic health conditions which increases the prevalence of multiple drug prescriptions. Aim: To identify the prevalence and predictors of polypharmacy among diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: An analytic cross-sectional record-based study was conducted in Suez governorate, Egypt as a single-center experience study on type 2 diabetic patients. The center is specialized in diabetic foot screening patients and serves all Suez diabetic patients. All 203 clinic medical records from December 2018 to December 2019 were included in the study. Results: Mean age of diabetic patients was 57.9±11.3 years, 56.7% were females, 87.2% were living in urban areas, 76.3% were diagnosed with diabetes for more than 10 years. Half of the study participants (55.2%) were on polypharmacy, older age, and medical history of either cardiovascular diseases or neuropathy were statistically significantly associated with increased frequency of their polypharmacy. Conclusions: This study provided us with an insight about the prevalence of polypharmacy among type 2 diabetic patients and further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to assess medications inappropriateness associated with polypharmacy in diabetic patients is recommended.

Background: Protection of health care workers and prevention of intra-hospital transmission of infection are important aspects in COVID-19 epidemic response, and this requires that they must have updated knowledge regarding the source, transmission, symptoms, and preventive measures. Lack of knowledge and misunderstandings leads to delayed diagnosis, spread of disease, and poor infection control practice. Objective: To identify the status of knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding COVID-19 among physicians in Egypt. Subjects and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey-based study was carried out on 160 physicians who participated in the study which was conducted in May and June 2020. Self-administered questionnaire shared on social media groups of Egyptian physicians to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice among physicians regarding COVID-19. Results: Participants have good knowledge (98.8%), a positive attitude means 9.76 ±1.70, and good practice (77.5%). physicians working in clinical departments had greater knowledge than physicians working in academic departments (p =0.003) also physicians with work experience ≥ 5 years have greater knowledge (p=0.002). 88.75% of physicians perceived that limited infection control material and 84.37% of them perceived that Lack of policy and procedures of infection control practice were the major barriers to infection control. Conclusion: There is good knowledge regarding COVID-19 among Egyptian physicians. Appropriate practice correlates with better knowledge and a positive attitude towards COVID-19 infection. More training programs on protective measures to improve attitude among physicians and healthcare workers are necessary to win the fight against COVID-19 infection.