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Background Cardiovascular system involvement in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has gained great interest in the scientific community. Main body Several studies reported increased morbidity and mortality among COVID-19 patients who had comorbidities, especially cardiovascular diseases like hypertension and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). COVID-19 may be associated with cardiovascular complications as arrhythmia, myocarditis, and thromboembolic events. We aimed to illustrate the interactions of COVID-19 disease and the cardiovascular system and the consequences on clinical decision as well as public health. Conclusions COVID-19 has negative consequences on the cardiovascular system. A high index of suspicion should be present to avoid poor prognosis of those presenting with unusual presentation.

AIM This study aimed to provide evidence on the impact of chronic periodontitis (CP) on the severity of erectile dysfunction (ED) through the assessment of the salivary level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). METHODS 140 patients with chronic periodontitis and erectile dysfunction were enrolled in this study and then randomly allocated to the control group (70 participants received delayed periodontal treatment) or test group (70 participants were subjected to immediate periodontal therapy). The assessment of the clinical and serological outcomes was done at baseline and 3 months postoperatively. This included pocket depth (PD), visible plaque, clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and the severity of erectile dysfunction. Periodontal therapy consists of oral hygiene instructions and single-visit scaling and root planing. RESULTS There were no significant differences regarding the serological and clinical outcomes at baseline between the two groups (p > .05). At 3-month follow-up, the PD, BOP, CAL, and visible dental plaque means in the control group were significantly higher than those in the test group (PD: 4.94 ± 0.647 mm vs. 4.25 ± 0.619 mm; BOP: 49.03 ± 29.98 vs. 6.20 ± 7.14; CAL: 4.96 ± 0.631 mm vs. 4.31 ± 0.591 mm; visible dental plaque: 48.49 ± 30.07 vs. 5.83 ± 6.51) (p = .00). Compared with baseline findings, both groups showed significant reductions in TNF-α in serum, salivary TNF-α, and severity of erectile dysfunction (p

الملخص: أهداف البحث: يرتبط تسوس الأسنان مع ارتفاع عدد المستعمرات من المكورات العقدية الطافرة والملبنة وانخفاض قدرة اللعاب على تخفيف تركيز هذه المستعمرات. تهدف هذه الدراسة لتقييم النشاط المضاد للميكروبات للشاي الأسود على البكتريا المسببة لتسوس الأسنان من المكورات العقدية الطافرة والملبنة. وتم قياس النشاط المضاد للميكروبات بعدد وحدات تشكيل المستعمرات. تمت دراسة العلاقة بين هذه العوامل قبل تناول الشاي وبعد ساعة وساعتين من شرب الشاي في مجموعة من البالغين في المدينة المنورة. طرق البحث: أجريت دراسة تجريبية مستقبلية متعددة مراحل المتابعة لتقييم النشاط المضاد للميكروبات للشاي الأسود على البكتريا المسببة لتسوس الأسنان من المكورات العقدية الطافرة والملبنة. تم الحصول على عينات اللعاب بدون أي محفزات من المشاركين (قبل وبعد شرب الشاي على الفور بعد ساعة واحدة) عن طريق البصق إلى أوعية معقمة. وأخذت العينات إلى المختبر مباشرة من أجل وضعها في محضن لمعادلة درجة الحرارة ثم العد للمستعمرات المتكونة لاحقا. تم حساب أعداد للمكورات العقدية الطافرة والملبنة من اللعاب باستخدام اختبار قياس مخاطر التسوس. النتائج: أجري البحث على ٢١ مشاركا، ١٣ من الذكور و٨ من الإناث الذين كان متوسط أعمارهم ٣٢.٦ ± ٨.٠٢. لم يكن للشاي الأسود تأثير معنوي على تقليل التعداد البكتيري. الاستنتاجات: يمكن استنتاج أن الشاي الأسود أظهر تأثيرا مضادا للميكروبات ضئيل ضد المكورات العقدية الطافرة والملبنة. Abstract: Objectives: Dental caries are associated with high counts of Streptococcus mutans (SM) and Lactobacillus (LB) and low saliva buffering capacity (BC). This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of black tea on salivary cariogenic microflora, SM and LB species in an adult population. Antimicrobial activity was measured from the number of colony forming units (CFUs) of SM and LB, and BC of saliva. Methods: In this prospective experimental study, unstimulated saliva samples were acquired from the participants before, immediately after, and 1 h after drinking tea by collecting saliva in sterilised containers. Samples were taken to the laboratory for incubation and subsequent counting. SM and LB counts and BC of saliva were calculated using the caries risk test (CRT). Results: A total of 21 participants, 13 males and 8 females, with a mean age of 32.6 ± 8.02, were recruited in this study. Black tea had no significant effect on reducing the cariogenic bacterial counts (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Based on this study, it can be deduced that black tea exhibits an insignificant antimicrobial effect against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus bacteria. الكلمات المفتاحية: الشاي الأسود, البكتيريا المسببة للتسوس, المكورات العقدية الطافرة, الملبنة, Keywords: Black tea, Cariogenic bacteria, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus mutans

ObjectivesTo report on the caries status and utilization of dental services of 6- and 12- year-old children.MethodsThis cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in four primary schools during January through March 2013. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected by using an interview-based questionnaire and a clinical oral examination. Clinical oral examination recorded caries status using the decayed (D/d), missing (M/m) and filled (F/f) index; Decayed, Missing and Filled Index (DMFT).ResultsOf a total of 384 students, 330 responded (response rate of 86%). Two thirds (65%) of participants were females and they had significantly more caries (p

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of both impaction and associated pathosis in a Saudi population in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia based on digital panoramic radiographs. Methods: This study was carried out from December 2013 to February 2015. Panoramic radiographs of 359male patients attending the Oral Diagnosis Clinics, Faculty of Dentistry, Taibah University, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia were reviewed. All images were evaluated to determine the prevalence and pattern of impacted third molars and canines, and associated pathosis. Results: Among 359 panoramic radiographs examined, 124 patients had impacted teeth. The impacted mandibular third molars were the most prevalent impacted teeth, 77.6% had class II pattern of impaction. Among the impacted maxillary canines, 75% were mesioangular and among 66 impacted maxillary third molars, 63.6% had class C. Our study showed that 5.8% of Saudi patients had 3 or more impacted teeth, 13.1% had 2 impacted teeth, and 15.6% had one impacted tooth. Associated pathosis was found in 18.2% among impacted maxillary third molars, and 31.5% among impacted mandibular third molars. The incidence of impaction decreases with age. Conclusion: The prevalence and pattern of impacted third molars among Saudis are almost similar to other racial populations. The number of missing wisdom increases with age. Although the percentage of pathosis associated with impaction was considerably low, it is essential to carry you regular oral examinations to preserve asymptomatic impacted teeth in good health. Saudi Med J 2015; Vol. 36 (8): 973-979 doi: 10.15537/smj.2015.8.12204

Objectives Egypt signed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2003, and it was ratified by the Egyptian Parliament in February 2005. Although most of the articles of the FCTC are reflected in Egyptian law and regulations, enforcement is rare for many reasons. The aim of the study was to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practice toward the FCTC among Egyptian adults. Methods Cross-sectional survey with an interview questionnaire about knowledge, attitudes and practice as regards the FCTC among 2941 people from them 1584 smokers (97% men, 3% women) in two governorates of Egypt. Results The prevalence of smoking varied, being higher among men (97%) than women (3%) and was higher among adults under the age of 55 years. Most smokers (74%) knew that smoking by children and adolescents was not allowed, and that tobacco contains tar and nicotine, which are hazardous to health. Half of the smokers were unaware of the presence of warning signs on boxes. Most smokers knew that advertising of cigarettes is not allowed (66.8%), the media do not advocate for smoking prevention (67.8%), not enough information is given about its hazards (64.3%), and there is no media campaign against smoking (83.9%). Most smokers (62.2%) considered that there is no active strategy against smoking, and 77.3% said that there was no Government policy against smoking. Half the smokers (50.4%) thought that people in the community were not interested in smoking prevention, and medical personnel should help; 70.7% concluded that little was being done to prevent smoking. Conclusion The data from this study could be used as a baseline for future evaluations of tobacco control programmes implemented by the Ministry of Health of Egypt.

Introduction: Caries is associated with high counts of mutans streptococci (MS), lactobacillus (LB), and a low saliva buffering capacity (BC). No study using odds ratios (OR) has correlated caries and these factors and no similar study has been done in Saudi Arabia before. Objectives: To determine: The prevalence of caries, the number of colony forming units (CFUs) of MS and LB, the saliva buffering capacity (BC) and the relationship between these factors. Materials and Methods: This was an analytical cross sectional study on children from Madinah. Caries was recorded using dmft/DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth). The scores for MS and LB and the BC of saliva was calculated using the Caries Risk Test (CRT) ® . Results: A total of 316 students were examined; two-thirds (62%) were female and 25% were caries free. Saliva was collected from 235 participants and the majority had high MS and LB scores (66 and 71%, respectively) while 25% had a low saliva BC. The odds for those who had high LB and MS CFUs, were 9 and 4 times more at risk to developing dental caries and those with a low BC had significantly more caries ( P = 0.03). The likelihood for those having severe caries and high counts of LB and MS was 25 ( P P = 0.042) times greater, respectively, compared to those with no or mild caries. Those with multiple risk factors were more likely to have caries compared to those with single or no risk factors present. Conclusions: The prevalence of caries was relatively high and many respondents had greater than 10 5 CFUs/ml of MS and LB. Almost all with a low BC had severe caries. There was a strong correlation between high MS, high LB, and low BC and the high prevalence of caries; hence the combination of these factors could be confidently used to predict caries in this population.

Objective Quality is a major concern of health care agencies all over the world. Patients’ satisfaction has been investigated in many colleges of dentistry in various countries. Dental complaints made by patients may cause a great deal of anxiety and stress among dental care providers. It is important for the profession to promote high standards of professional conduct among dentists. The aim of this study is to determine patients’ satisfaction regarding the quality of dental care at dental clinics of the College of Dentistry at Taibah University. Methods A cross sectional analytical observational study was conducted at the dental clinics of the College of Dentistry at Taibah University. A random sampling technique was employed over a three-month period; March 1st–May 31st 2012. A self administered (Arabic/English) questionnaire was used. Results A total of 202 patients qualified for the study, but only 162 agreed to participate with a response rate of 80.19: (55.6%) were Saudi nationals and 44.4% were Non-Saudis. The overall ranking of factors related to satisfaction revealed a mean percentage of 79.5% agreement for the 4 disciplines of satisfaction denoting a high level of satisfaction. The association between respondents’ nationality and the characteristics of the four disciplines of satisfaction revealed significant difference between Saudi and Non Saudis. Conclusion The majority of patients were satisfied with the patient–dentist interaction, technical competency, administrative efficiency and clinic set up environment at the dental clinics of the College of Dentistry at Taibah University. Recommendations Continuous evaluation of patient satisfaction is to be part and parcel of the oral health care delivery by the College of Dentistry at Taibah University to ensure patient satisfaction.

Objectives: To examine associations between urinary bladder cancer risk and polymorphisms of the gene encoding the catechol estrogen-metabolizing enzyme, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), among Egyptian women and men. Materials and methods: We used questionnaire and genotype data from a case-control study in Egypt. This analysis focused on South Egypt cases with confirmed urothelial (UC) or squamous cell (SCC) carcinoma of the bladder, and controls frequency-matched on sex, 5-year age-group, and residence governorate. Real-time PCR on blood specimen DNA was used to determine COMT genotypes encoding for Val/Val, Val/Met, and Met/Met, the enzyme forms associated with high, intermediate, or low activity, respectively. Results: The study sample, which included 255 women and 666 men, consisted of 394 cases with histologically confirmed UC (225) or SCC (n 169), and 527 controls. The odds of having either type of bladder cancer were lower among men with genotypes encoding Val/Met or Met/Met than among those with the genotype encoding Val/Val, even after adjustment for other factors, such as smoking and schistosomiasis history [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.64; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.43, 0.96]; however, the association was statistically significant for SCC (AOR 0.57; 95% CI: 0.34, 0.96) but marginal for UC (AOR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.39, 1.02). No significant associations were detected between bladder cancer risk and COMT genotypes among postmenopausal women. Conclusions: These findings suggest that even after controlling for established risk factors, the involvement of COMT genotypes in bladder cancer risk differs among men compared with women in South Egypt. Published by Elsevier Inc.

BACKGROUND Gram-negative bacillary meningitis (GNBM) is a rare disease with a high rate of mortality. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to describe the clinical presentation and outcome of primary and secondary GNBM and to evaluate the efficacy of ceftriaxone (a third-generation cephalosporin) in the treatment of this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective study was conducted including 95 patients with GNBM admitted to the Abbassia and Imbaba fever hospitals' meningitis wards in Egypt during the period from 1993 to the end of the year 2009. Their cerebrospinal fluid samples were subjected to conventional bacteriological methods for isolation of the causative Gram-negative bacilli. Forty-nine patients had primary GNBM (no predisposing cause of meningitis was detected) and 46 patients had secondary GNBM (with a predisposing cause of meningitis). RESULTS Primary GNBM was characterized by an abrupt onset and was significantly associated with typical signs of meningeal irritation. The most common infecting organisms were Salmonella typhi in 16 (33%) patients and Escherichia coli in 15 (31%) patients. Of the patients with primary GNBM, 26 (53%) were cured, 11 (22%) developed neurological sequalae, and 12 (24%) patients died. Secondary GNBM was characterized by an insidious onset and significantly associated with unarousable coma. The most common infecting organisms were Proteus mirabilis in 17 (37%) patients and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 16 (35%) patients. The most common predisposing factor of meningitis was otitis media and occurred in 26 (57%) patients. Of the patients with secondary GNBM, 15 (33%) were cured, 15 (33%) developed neurological sequalae, and 16 (35%) died. Primary GNBM was significantly associated with a higher cure rate than secondary GNBM. The duration of symptoms in patients with secondary GNBM was significantly higher than in those with primary GNBM. Ceftriaxone was the initial drug for treatment of these patients until the antibiotic sensitivity tests were reported. The overall resistance rate to the drug was 4%. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS GNBM still has a high mortality rate and should be managed as a medical emergency. GNBM should be suspected in patients with otitis media, neurosurgical, and head trauma or who underwent spinal anesthesia and have disturbance in their level of consciousness, even if there are no signs of meningeal irritation. Ceftriaxone is still an effective drug and had a low rate of resistance in our study.

To examine associations between reproductive history and urinary bladder cancer in Egyptian women.We used questionnaire data from an ongoing, multicenter case-control study in Egypt. Controls were matched on age and residence area. This analysis focused on female cases with confirmed urothelial (UC) and squamous cell (SCC) carcinoma of the bladder.We recruited 779 women (540 controls, 239 cases;98.0% nonsmokers). Younger age at menopause (45 y) and older age at first pregnancy (18 y) were factors significantly associated with increased risk of bladder cancer, even after adjusting for schistosomiasis history and other covariates in the multivariable logistic model; adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were 1.98 (1.41, 2.77) and 6.26 (3.46, 11.34), respectively. On the other hand, multiple pregnancies or use of oral contraceptives were associated with decreased odds of having bladder cancer. Similar associations were observed with UC and SCC when analyzed separately; however, the magnitude of association with SCC was lower than with UC.Our data suggest that early estrogen exposure, or the relative lack of it, plays a role in urinary bladder carcinoma development among Egyptian women.

Objective To determine the attitudes of Egyptian patients regarding their participation in research and with the collection, storage and future use of blood samples for research purposes. Design Cross-sectional survey. Study population Adult Egyptian patients (n=600) at rural and urban hospitals and clinics. Results Less than half of the study population (44.3%) felt that informed consent forms should provide research participants the option to have their blood samples stored for future research. Of these participants, 39.9% thought that consent forms should include the option that future research be restricted to the illness being studied. A slight majority (66.2%) would donate their samples for future genetic research. Respondents were more favourable towards having their blood samples exported to other Arab countries (62.0%) compared with countries in Europe (41.8%, p Conclusions This study shows that many individuals do not favour the donation of a blood sample for future research. Of those who do approve of such future research, many favour a consent model that includes an option restricting the future research to the illness being studied. Also, many Egyptians were hesitant to have their blood samples donated for genetic research or exported out of the Arab region to the USA and European countries. Further qualitative research should be performed to determine the underlying reasons for many of our results.

Summary Objectives To estimate the prevalence of acute respiratory tract infections (ARI) among 250 personnel serving in a Hajj medical mission, Al-Hada and Taif Armed Forces Hospitals, during the 2005 season and to determine the effectiveness of protective measures, including influenza vaccination, for these infections. Methods This was a nested case-control study. A questionnaire was distributed to the study cohort two weeks after the Hajj period and was self-administered by all recruited subjects. In addition, the medical records of study subjects were reviewed at Al-Hada Hospital for the same period in order to document ARI. Results The attack rate for ARI among study subjects during Hajj season or within two weeks of returning was 25.6% (64/250). Logistic regression analysis of factors related to acquiring ARI revealed that contact with pilgrims imposed an extremely high risk of infection (adjusted OR 13.2, 95% CI 1.5–117.6). Moreover, non-use of alcohol-based hand disinfection carried a more than 8-fold risk of acquiring ARI compared to those who always used alcohol for hand disinfection (adjusted OR 8.4, 95% CI 2.2–32.2). Smoking was also a predictor of ARI in our cohort and influenza vaccination was associated with a 30% reduction in ARI compared to unvaccinated subjects, although this finding was not statistically significant. Unexpectedly, the logistic regression model showed that Saudi nationals were three times more likely to acquire ARI than non-Saudis (adjusted OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.2–8.4). Conclusions The common practice among pilgrims and medical personnel of using surgical facemasks to protect themselves against ARI should be discontinued and regular use of alcohol-based hand scrubs should be more vigorously encouraged. Further research is needed to evaluate the protective value of N95 facemasks against ARI during the Hajj period.

The rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing in Egypt where the major risk factors are chronic infections with hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV). A major segment of the population is employed in agriculture, raising the possibility that exposure to pesticides is an additional risk factor for HCC. The objective of this study is to investigate pesticides as environmental risk factors for HCC while taking into account viral risk factors. We conducted a case-control study of 236 subjects with confirmed HCC recruited from the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Egypt, and 236 controls matched on sex, age group and urban-rural status recruited from orthopedic department, Cairo University Hospital, Egypt. Patients who agreed to participate signed a consent form, answered a questionnaire and gave a blood sample for hepatitis virus testing. The manuals of the Ministry of Agriculture for approved use and type of pesticides since 1965 were linked to the questionnaire data for types of crops and pests that the subject had to combat, to attribute specific pesticides that were used by each subject. Subjects also reported duration of the exposure (years). Case-control comparisons in these data were stratified by sex, age group, and urban vs. rural residence. Data were analyzed using unconditional logistic regression models adjusting for age, HCV RNA, and current hepatitis B infection. Among rural males, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for organophosphorus compounds was 2.7 (95% CI = 1.3-5.3) and for carbamates it was 2.9 (95% CI = 1.4-5.8). No statistically significant associations between HCC and pesticides were observed for urban males or for females. As expected, the strongest risk factors for HCC in this study were HCV RNA (OR = 16-17) and current HBV infection (OR = 27-28). This study therefore suggests that exposures to organophophorus and carbamate pesticides are additive risk factors to current HCV and HBV infection among rural males. Future investigation should address the possible hepatocarcinogenicity of pesticides using biomarkers of exposure and other techniques to better estimate dose-response relationships.

Achieving a balance between giving access to information and respecting donors' confidentiality is a crucial issue for any biobank, with its large number of samples and associated information. Despite the existence of much empirical literature on confidentiality, there are too few surveys in the Middle East about the topic, particularly in the Saudi context. A survey was conducted of 200 respondents at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, among 5 groups of equal size, comprised of researchers, physicians, medical students, donors and laypersons, respectively. The majority of participants agreed that confidentiality is an important issue and that it is well protected in the Saudi biobank. All 5 groups showed different attitudes toward disclosing information to various third parties. They were in favor of allowing treating physicians, and to a certain extent family members, to have access to medical and genetic results from research. No significant differences were found between views on medical and genetic confidentiality. The majority of respondents agreed that confidentiality might be breached in cases with specific justified reasons. Even considering differences in religion, culture and other factors, the results of the study were consistent with those reported in the literature and research conducted in other countries. We therefore place emphasis on the importance of protecting and promoting patient/donor confidentiality and privacy.

Bladder cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in men among Egyptians, for whom tobacco smoke exposure and Schistosoma haematobium (SH) infection are the major risk factors. We hypothesized that functional polymorphisms inquinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), modulators of the effects of reactive oxidative species, can influence an individual's susceptibility to these carcinogenic exposures and hence the risk of bladder cancer.We assessed the effects of potential interactions between functional polymorphisms in the NQO1 and SOD2 genes and exposure to smoking and SH infection on bladder cancer risk among 902 cases and 804 population-based controls in Egypt. We used unconditional logistic regression to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) 95%.Water pipe and cigarette smoking were more strongly associated with cancer risk among individuals with the TT genotype for SOD2 (OR [CI 95%] = 4.41 [1.86-10.42]) as compared with those with the CC genotype (OR [CI 95%] = 2.26 [0.97-6.74]). Conversely, the risk associated with SH infection was higher among the latter (OR [CI 95%] = 3.59 [2.21-5.84]) than among the former (OR [CI 95%] = 1.86 [1.33-2.60]). Polymorphisms in NQO1 genotype showed a similar pattern, but to a much lesser extent. The highest odds for having bladder cancer following SH infection were observed among individuals with the CC genotypes for both NQO1 and SOD2 (OR [CI 95%] = 4.41 [2.32-8.38]).Our findings suggest that genetic polymorphisms in NQO1 and SOD2 play important roles in the etiology of bladder cancer by modulating the effects of known contributing factors such as smoking and SH infection.

Background: We investigated associations between tobacco exposure, history of schistosomiasis, and bladder cancer risk in Egypt. Methods: We analyzed data from a case–control study (1,886 newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed cases and 2,716 age-, gender-, and residence-matched, population-based controls). Using logistic regression, we estimated the covariate-adjusted ORs and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the associations. Results: Among men, cigarette smoking was associated with an increased risk of urothelial carcinoma (OR = 1.8; 95% CI, 1.4–2.2) but not squamous cell carcinoma (SCC); smoking both water pipes and cigarettes was associated with an even greater risk for urothelial carcinoma (OR = 2.9; 95% CI, 2.1–3.9) and a statistically significant risk for SCC (OR = 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2–2.6). Among nonsmoking men and women, environmental tobacco smoke exposure was associated with an increased risk of urothelial carcinoma. History of schistosomiasis was associated with increased risk of both urothelial carcinoma (OR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2–2.9) and SCC (OR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2–3.0) in women and to a lesser extent (OR = 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2–1.7 and OR = 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1–1.7, for urothelial carcinoma and SCC, respectively) in men. Conclusions: The results suggest that schistosomiasis and tobacco smoking increase the risk of both SCC and urothelial carcinoma. Impact: This study provides new evidence for associations between bladder cancer subtypes and schistosomiasis and suggests that smoking both cigarettes and water pipes increases the risk for SCC and urothelial carcinoma in Egyptian men. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(3); 537–46. ©2011 AACR.

Hypothesis: Obesity is an increasingly prevalent disease around the world and is becoming one of the main public health problems in developed countries. The relationship between obesity and psychological distress continued to be debated by researchers and clinicians. This study aimed to assess depression and body image disturbances in obese patients seeking treatment for obesity. Method : A case-control design was adopted in the study. Total of (236) obese women, self-referred to a residential weight-loss facility for weight control, were invited to participate in this study. Obese women were compared with (296) of an age-matched control group. All participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory for depressive symptoms, Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire for body-image satisfaction and The Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire. Results : revealed that obesity were more common among older than younger females, among married than single females, and among those with lower level of education than those with higher level. Obese women as compared with non-obese reported significantly more symptoms of depression and significantly more negative body image. Conclusions and significance: Our results indicate a high frequency of depressive symptoms, and concern with body image among obese patients. Therefore, obese women who seek treatment should be screened for depression and body image dissatisfaction.