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This study delves into the realm of informal cancer caregivers. Through a meticulous bibliometric analysis, the study sheds light on the burgeoning interest in this field, with a significant focus on the psychological well-being, subjective burden, and psychosocial support for caregivers. A significant portion of the retrieved articles (n = 1366) was published after 2017 and primarily disseminated through a select number of journals. Notably, the study reveals a substantial gap in randomized controlled trials addressing interventions tailored to family caregivers, indicating a critical need for more high-quality trials to guide effective support strategies. Despite the increasing recognition of caregivers' significance, limited research collaboration was observed, emphasizing the importance of fostering collaborative efforts to address cultural differences and expand the scope of research on cancer caregivers globally. The findings underscore the urgent call for comprehensive interventions and collaborative endeavors to optimize the well-being of family caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Author(s): Sa'ed H. Zyoud[sup.1] [sup.2] [sup.3] , Samah W. Al-Jabi[sup.4] , Masa M. Nabulsi[sup.5] , Mais F. Tubaila[sup.5] , Waleed M. Sweileh[sup.2] , Rahmat Awang[sup.3] , Anne Walsh[sup.6] Author Affiliations: [...], Parental concern about childhood fever and consequent use of antipyretics is increasing. Little is known about childhood fever management among Arab parents. No scales to measure parents&apos; fever management practices in Palestine are available. The aim of this study was to validate the Arabic version of the Parent Fever Management Scale (PFMS) using a sample of parents in Palestine. A standard "forward-backward" procedure was used to translate PFMS into Arabic language. It was then validated on a convenience sample of 402 parents between July and October 2012. Descriptive statistics were used, and instrument reliability was assessed for internal consistency using Cronbach&apos;s alpha coefficient. Validity was confirmed using convergent and known group validation. Applying the recommended scoring method, the median (interquartile range) score of the PFMS was 26 (23-30). Acceptable internal consistency was found (Cronbach&apos;s alpha = 0.733) and the test-retest reliability value was 0.92 (P < 0.001). The Chi squared ([chi].sup.2) test showed a significant relationship between PFMS groups and frequent daily administration of antipyretic groups ([chi].sup.2 = 52.86; P < 0.001). The PFMS sensitivity and specificity were 77.67 and 57.75 %, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 67.89 and 32.11 %, respectively. The Arabic version of the PFMS is a reliable and valid measure and can be used as a useful tool for health professionals to identify parents&apos; fever management practices. The Arabic version of the PFMS can be used to reduce unnecessary parental practices in fever management for a febrile child.

Renal function deterioration is a common complication in patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Appropriate use of anti-hypertensive agents and tight control of Blood Pressure (BP) can minimize and delay such complications. This study was performed in order to investigate the utilization patterns of anti-hypertensive agents and to evaluate BP control among diabetic-hypertensive patients with and without reduced renal function. In a retrospective cohort study, all diabetic-hypertensive patients attending The Al-Watani Medical Governmental Center from August 01, 2006 until August 01, 2007 were enrolled in the study. Patients with congestive heart failure and/or end-stage renal disease were excluded from the study. The proportion of use of five different anti-hypertensive drug classes were compared for all patients receiving 1, 2, 3, or 4 drugs, and separately among patients with and without reduced renal function. Over 60% of patients were receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), followed by diuretics (40.8%), calcium channel blockers (25.1%) and (β-blockers (12.5%). The majority of patients (> 55%) were either on mono or no drug therapy. Patients on monotherapy were mostly receiving ACEI/ARB (60%). In patients with reduced renal function, use of diuretics, but not ACEI/ARB or CCB, was higher and 41.8% of the patients were on monotherapy compared to 46.6% in patients with normal renal function. The proportion of patients achieving good BP control was 20% with mono-therapy and 28% with combination therapy. Our study suggests that the pattern of anti-hypertensive therapy was generally consistent with inter-national guidelines. Areas of improvement include in-creasing use of ACEI/ARB and diuretics, decreasing the number of untreated patients, and increasing the proportion of patients with well controlled BP in this population.

Background and Objective: Because high-dose angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor therapy is desirable in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), we sought to determine the usage and dosing patterns of ACE inhibitors in CHF patients at a governmental hospital in Palestine. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2006 and August 2007. All patients admitted with a confirmed diagnosis of CHF and an ejection fraction < 40% were evaluated. After excluding patients with a caution/contraindication to ACE inhibitor use or not taking an ACE inhibitor, we determined the number of patients receiving optimal (captopril 150-300 mg/day, enalapril 20-40 mg/day, ramipril 5-10 mg/day) and suboptimal doses. We then conducted statistical analyses to evaluate associations between ACE inhibitor use and dosing and various demographic and clinical factors. Results: Of the 165 patients initially evaluated, 69 (41.8%) had a caution/contraindication (n=28, 40.6%) or were not using an ACE inhibitor (n=41, 59.4%). Of the remaining 96 patients (70.1%), 49/96 (51%) were given an optimal dose while 47/96 (49%) were given a suboptimal dose. Of all patients with CHF and no contraindi--cation (n=137), 88 (64.2%) were either receiving no ACE inhibitor or a suboptimal dose. Only the presence of hypertension was significantly associated with the use of an ACE inhibitor (P=.009, odds ratio=2.7). The use of an optimal dose was not significantly associated with any of the tested factors (age, gender, presence of hyper--tension, diabetes mellitus, renal dysfunction, ischemic heart disease or number of diagnosis) . Conclusion: Underutilization and suboptimal dosing of ACE inhibitors was common. Since there is an abun--dance of evidence in favor of using high-dose ACE inhibitor therapy in patients with CHF, physicians need to be educated about proper dosing of these agents.