Kameran Hassan Ismail

Bio: Kameran Hassan Ismail is an academic researcher from Hawler Medical University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Overweight & Obesity. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 13 publications receiving 47 citations.

Quality of life in patients with acne in Erbil city

Abstract: Acne is a very common condition and has a substantial impact on patients’ quality of life. This study was carried out to determine the impact of acne and its clinical severity on health related quality of life in a group of patients attending private clinic in Erbil city, Iraq. A cross-sectional study was conducted between July 1st, 2011 and November 1st, 2011. A convenience sample of 510 patients attending private clinic in Erbil city was taken. Verbal informed consent was obtained from all participants. The Cardiff acne disability index (CADI) was used in this study. The sample included 510 patients (173 males and 337 females); their mean ± SD age was 20.08 ± 4.23 years (ranged from 11 to 36 years) with a male: female ratio of 0.41:1. The mean ± SD ages of males and females were 18.62 ±3.19 and 20.83 ±4.49 years, respectively (P < 0.001). Results revealed that there is significant association between age and quality of life impairment (P < 0.001), and it revealed that quality of life was more impaired (47.2%) among female than that (37.6%) among male patients (P = 0.038). There was significant association between grading of acne and QOL impairment (P < 0.0001). Acne negatively affects quality of life, females were more affected than the males, age group 21–25 more than the other age groups and the greater the grade "severity" of acne, the greater the level of impairment of quality of life.

Perceptions of Plagiarism Among Medical and Nursing Students in Erbil, Iraq.

Abstract: Objectives: The rapidly rising incidence of plagiarism among students at universities throughout the world requires attention. This study aimed to determine the extent to which medical and nursing students in Erbil, Iraq, plagiarise, their knowledge, understanding and perceptions of plagiarism and the underlying factors that may lead them to plagiarise. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out between January and June 2017 among a sample of 400 undergraduate medical and nursing students at Hawler Medical University in Erbil. Plagiarism-related data were collected through a specially designed self-administered questionnaire. Results: In total, 280 (70%) medical students and 120 (30%) nursing students were included in the study. The reported prevalence of plagiarism was 54.3%, with a slightly higher prevalence among male students compared to female students (54.9% versus 53.8%; P = 0.820) and medical students compared to nursing students (58.9% versus 43.3%; ( P = 0.004). Alarmingly, 34.8% of the students did not know what plagiarism was, and only 28% were aware of the legal consequences of plagiarism. Reported reasons for plagiarising included laziness and the ease with which others’ work could be plagiarised, confusion, cultural reasons and pressure to meet deadlines. Conclusion: There was a lack of understanding of plagiarism and its legal ramifications among undergraduate medical and nursing students in Erbil. The findings of this study indicate that there is an urgent need to increase students’ understanding of plagiarism and its consequences so as to reduce the incidence of this type of academic misconduct. Keywords: Undergraduate Medical Education; Plagiarism; Medical Students; Nursing Students; Perceptions; Iraq.

Risk Factors for Stroke in Erbil City: A Case-Control Study

Abstract: Background and Objectives: Stroke is a worldwide health problem. This study was carried out to find out the risk factors associated with stroke in Erbil city. Methods: A hospital based case-control study was carried out in Erbil city from January, 1 st 2009 to June, 30 th 2009. The sample included (173 cases and 173 controls) cases admitted to Erbil teaching hospitals with first-ever stroke diagnosed by the consultant internist or neurologists and confirmed by brain CT-scan. Sex and age-matched (± 5 years) patients admitted to the same hospital, who do not have stroke, were taken as a control group. Results: The mean ± SD ages of cases and controls were 62.2 ±13.4 and 61.54 ±13.16 years, respectively with a male: female ratio of 1.1:1. Nearly 70% were ischaemic and 30% were haemorrhagic. A slightly more than half (51.45%) of strokes occurred in the 7 th and 8 th decades of life. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed statistically significant association between smoking (P<0.001), exercise (P<0.001), hypertension (P=0.001), family history of stroke (P=0.004), BMI (P=0.012) and PCV% (P<0.001) with stroke. However multiple logistic regressions of risk factors for ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes separately revealed that diabetes was significantly associated with ischaemic stroke (P=0.025) while body mass index was significantly associated with haemorrhagic stroke (P=0.001).

Uncontrolled Hypertension In A Group Of Hypertensive Patients In Erbil

Abstract: Background: Hypertension is a powerful risk factor for fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease events, and many randomized trials showed that hypertension control is associated with a decrease in incidence of stroke and coronary heart disease. Objective: This study was carried out to identify the prevalence of, and factors associated with, uncontrolled hypertension in a group of hypertensive patients in Erbil. Patients and methods: A cross sectional study was carried out. A convenience sample of 400 hypertensive patients attended outpatient clinics at Rizgary teaching hospital in Erbil city was included. This study was extended from 1 st April 2011 through 31 st March 2012. The data were obtained by a direct interview with the patients using a questionnaire a specially designed questionnaire. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS, version 18.0) was used for data entry and analysis. Results: The prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension was (58.8%). The prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension among males hypertensive patients were 61.8%.and among females were 57.5%. The Logistic regressions analysis of uncontrolled hypertension showed a statistically significant association between uncontrolled hypertension with current smoker (OR=8.77), regularity of treatment (OR=0.296), exercise (OR= 0.414) and type of antihypertensive drugs: diuretics (OR=11.938), ACEI (OR=7.907) beta blockers (OR=7.096), and CCB (OR=7.169). Conclusions: More than half of the hypertensive patients were uncontrolled. The factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension were smoking, lack of exercise, irregularity of treatment (non adherence to treatment). Recommendations: There is a need to stimulate researches and further studies, such as complete community-based case ascertainment. Key words: Uncontrolled hypertension; Prevalence rate; Erbil

Acne vulgaris and quality of life among young adults in South India.

Abstract: Acne vulgaris is a chronic condition affecting more than 85% of adolescents and young adults. It is one of the most common diseases affecting humanity and its impact on quality of life (QoL) is important. The impact of acne on QoL in Indian patients remains undocumented. The study was undertaken to detect the impact of acne vulgaris and related factors that may influence the QoL. Materials and Methods: This was a hospital-based, prospective, cross-sectional, prestructured, questionnaire-based study done on 140 consenting individuals, who attended the Dermatology outpatient department. Acne vulgaris was graded using simple grading system. QoL was measured using a combination of skin disease-specific (Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI)) and acne-specific (Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI)) questionnaires. Results: Majority of our study population were students (103, 73.6%). Face (139, 99.3%) was the commonest site of acne and comedones 133, 95% were the commonest type of lesion. Most of the individuals 66, 47.1% were observed to have grade 1 acne. The mean DLQI score was 6.91 and the mean CADI score was 5.2. Association between the scores was statistically significant. Age, occupation, marital status, family, and treatment history played a role in affecting the QoL. Diet, smoking, and alcohol did not influence the QoL . Conclusion: Though acne had impact on patient's QoL, it was less severe in our study. It is important for health professionals to incorporate QoL measurements when managing acne patients to provide better and appropriate care.

Quality of life measurement in acne. Position Paper of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Task Forces on Quality of Life and Patient Oriented Outcomes and Acne, Rosacea and Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Abstract: Acne causes profound negative psychological and social effects on the quality of life (QoL) of patients. The European Dermatology Forum S3-Guideline for the Treatment of Acne recommended adopting a QoL measure as an integral part of acne management. Because of constantly growing interest in health-related QoL assessment in acne and because of the high impact of acne on patients’ lives, the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Task Force on QoL and Patient Oriented Outcomes and the Task Force on Acne, Rosacea and Hidradenitis Suppurativa have documented the QoL instruments that have been used in acne patients, with information on validation, purposes of their usage, description of common limitations and mistakes in their usage and overall recommendations.

Relationship Between Acne and Psychological Burden Evaluated by ASLEC and HADS Surveys in High School and College Students From Central China

Abstract: Previously, acne and its effects on psychological well-being have mostly been studied unilaterally in the western population. This study was aimed to investigate bidirectional relationship between acne and stress using Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Check (ASLEC) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) surveys from inhabitants of central China. An on-line survey of 2,284 high school and college students from central China was conducted using three questionnaires posted on Chinese professional survey website, the Questionnaire Web. The prevalence and severity of acne were determined using the Pillsbury grading, whereas, the role of stress in acne formation was ascertained by the ASLEC scale. The HADS was employed to assess the psychological well-being. A total of 50.61 % of high school and college students in central China were found to be suffering from acne for more than 6 months, and 19.72 % of them were graded as having severe acne. Negative life events were found to accelerate the occurrence and exacerbation of the condition. Acne-affected groups showed significantly higher HADS-A (HADS-anxiety) and HADS-D (HADS-depression) scores than the controls (7.31 and 7.28 vs. 4.37 and 3.85, respectively; p < 0.01). Despite the apparent neglect of acne in Chinese high school and college students, a close bidirectional relationship was found to exist between stress and acne. It is incumbent on the healthcare professional to introduce school-based educational programs to help students with knowledge and management of acne and prevent the consequent psychological disorders.