Little information exists about caregivers of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Our aims were to describe the characteristics of a sample of caregivers of persons with MS, assess their perceived burden, health-related quality of life, and investigate factors influencing this burden. We studied 278 caregivers of persons with MS, recruited from a Spanish cross-sectional survey, measuring health-related quality of life by the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and burden by the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview. Of the caregivers, 56.8% were female and their mean age was 50.1 +/- 12.6 years. Their main relationship with the person with MS was spouse/partner (52.9%) and son or daughter (25.9%). Caregiver General Health, Mental Health, Bodily Pain, and Role-emotional Functioning were the most affected dimensions on the SF-36. Multiple regression analysis showed that independent and significant predictors of burden were Role-emotional Functioning and Vitality dimensions SF-36 scores of caregivers, and the Expanded Disability Status Scale scores. The total adjusted variance explained by these variables (adjusted R(2)) was 0.512. Emotional factors and the disability of the person with MS were major predictors of burden. Psychological and social support should be considered to reduce caregiver burden.

BackgroundAntibiotics are considered among the most commonly prescribed drug classes in developing countries. Inappropriate prescription of antibiotics is a major public health concern and is related to the development of antimicrobial resistance.ObjectiveThis study aimed at assessing the appropriateness of antibiotic prescription by non-infectious disease physicians in a community setting in Lebanon.MethodsA pilot cross-sectional study was undertaken on community pharmacy patients presenting with antibiotic prescription. It was performed over a period of 4 months in different regions of Lebanon. Participants answered a questionnaire inquiring about socio-demographic characteristics, medical conditions, symptoms that required medical attention, the doctor's diagnosis, the prescribed antibiotic, and whether laboratory tests were ordered to identify the causative organism or not. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17.ResultsWe studied 270 patients (49.3% males and 50.7% females). This study showed that the most-prescribed antibiotics were the cephalosporins (82%) and that almost half of the illnesses for which antibiotics were prescribed were respiratory tract infections (41%). The study also showed that the choice of the prescribed antibiotic was appropriate in 61.5% of the studied cases, while the prescribed dose and the duration of the treatment were inaccurate in 52 and 64% of the cases, respectively. In addition, fever seemed to be a factor that influenced the physician's prescriptions, since the choice of drug conformity to guidelines increased from 53.7% (1 day of fever) to 88.9% (1 week of fever), and the dose prescription compliance to guidelines was higher (55.9%) for patients suffering from fever compared to those with no fever (38.1%).ConclusionThis study showed a high prevalence of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions in Lebanon. Therefore, actions should be taken to optimize antibiotic prescription.

INTRODUCCIÓNLa esclerosis múltiple (EM) se define como una enfermedad progresiva que cursa con la aparición de lesiones inflamatorias focales (placas) en la sustancia blanca cerebral, en las que lo más llamativo es la pér-dida de mielina (desmielinización), con preservación relativa de los axones en la fase precoz, aunque puede estar muy afectada en las fases finales 1 .Hemos efectuado una búsqueda en las bases de datos MEDLINE por términos médicos MeSH (rev i s i o n e s , estudios y guías de práctica clínica) y COCHRANE L i b r a ry por medio de las palabras clave: Multiple scl erosis, optic neuritis, diagnosis , pre g n a n c y, interfe ro n , t re a t m e n t . Lo completamos con información recog i d a en páginas web de la Asociación americana de Esclerosis Múltiple (http://www. n m s s . o rg / i n d ex.html), de la Fundación Esclerosis Múltiple (http://www. s v t . e s / f e m / ) RESUMEN

To evaluate the validity and reliability of an innovative training model for endocrine surgical procedures. A simulator training model for endocrine procedures (SimLife) was developed at an academic center. The model consisted of a realistic operating environment with a coherent simulated patient dynamized by pulsatile vascularization with simulated blood warmed to 37 °C, and ventilation. Training sessions were designed for adrenal and thyroid surgery, as well as neck dissection. The primary outcome of interest was to evaluate learners’ performance and satisfaction. Learners’ performance was evaluated based on a scoring scale that followed the Downing method for the assessment of competency. While learners’ satisfaction was evaluated using a Likert scale of 1 to 10 on four items (ease of learning, anatomic correspondence of landmarks, realism, and overall satisfaction). Participants were engaged in 32 training sessions. These included 24 adrenalectomies (conventional and laparoscopic both transabdominal and posterior), and 4 thyroid lobectomies with concomitant functional lateral compartment neck dissection. competency scores were procedure-specific addressing specific core components of a given procedure. Learners’ performance scored above average in all procedures evaluated. Satisfaction scores for the specified four items ranged between 8.43 (SD 0.87) and 8.89 (SD 0.96). No major events were reported for the adrenalectomies, while only one jugular vein injury occurred during neck dissection. SimLife is a hyper-realistic training model that allows for satisfactory acquisition of skills and the evaluation of performance progression. It has the potential to become a cornerstone in specialized surgical training. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s13304-020-00871-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.