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Background: Influenza represents a significant global health burden for individuals and society. This study assessed the burden of medically attended influenza at a tertiary medical center in Lebanon to describe the demographics, risk factors, and outcomes prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients who tested positive for the influenza virus during three seasons between July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2019, at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. Results: A total of 2049 patients who tested positive for influenza were analyzed. Influenza A accounted for 79.6 % of cases, and influenza B for 19.7 %, with influenza activity starting in October/November and peaking in December/January. Older age above 65 years (AOR=3.584), obesity (AOR=2.183), and chronic conditions such as chronic lung diseases (AOR=1.832), and bacterial co-infection (AOR= 2.834) were found to be independent risk factors for developing complications. Viral co-infection increased the likelihood of death tenfold. Vaccinated patients had a shorter mean hospital stay duration and a lower intensive care unit admission rate. Conclusion: The burden of medically attended influenza at our tertiary medical center in Lebanon prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was high. Vaccination decreased the likelihood of complications leading to intensive care unit admission in patients at risk.

Abstract Background Lebanon endured its worst economic and financial crisis in 2020–2021. To minimize the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to improve the overall COVID-19 vaccination rate. Given that vaccine hesitancy among health care workers (HCWs) affects the general population’s decision to be vaccinated, our study assessed COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among Lebanon HCWs and identified barriers, demographic differences, and the most trusted sources of COVID-19 information. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and May 2021 among HCWs across nine hospitals, the Orders of Physicians, Nurses, and Pharmacists in Lebanon. Descriptive statistics were performed to evaluate the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, and univariate and multivariable to identify their predictors. Results Among 879 participants, 762 (86.8%) were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, 52 (5.9%) refused, and 64 (7.3%) were undecided. Males (226/254; 88.9%) and those ≥ 55 years (95/100; 95%) had the highest rates of acceptance. Of the 113 who were not willing to receive the vaccine, 54.9% reported that the vaccine was not studied well enough. Participants with a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and those who did not know if they had a previous infection (p = 0.002) were less likely to accept the vaccine compared to those with no previous infection. The most trusted COVID-19 sources of information were WHO (69.3%) and healthcare providers (68%). Conclusion Lebanese HCWs had a relatively high acceptance rate for COVID-19 vaccination compared to other countries. Our findings are important in informing the Lebanese health care authorities to establish programs and interventions to improve vaccine uptake among HCWs and the general population.

Abstract Introduction This study aimed to calculate the rate of post‐stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) by evaluating the cognitive domains among Lebanese stroke survivors at 3, 6, and 12 months post‐stroke, and to identify the contributing factors including pre‐ and post‐stroke related factors. Methods A multicenter longitudinal prospective study was conducted in 10 hospitals from Beirut and Mount Lebanon for a 15‐month period. Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), Short Form Health Survey (SF12), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to assess cognitive function, disability degree, Quality of Life (QoL), stroke severity, and levels of anxiety and depression, respectively. Then, univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify the predictors of PSCI. Results Low MMSE scores were found among survivors during the first 3 months post‐stroke (74.8%) of whom 53.7% presented with an MMSE ≤ 17, followed by 46.7% in the 6 months, and 37.6% at 12 months post‐stroke. Follow‐up comparisons showed a significant increase of MMSE scores over time (p < .001), indicating a 37% improvement of the cognitive function over time. The most affected cognitive domain was the attention and concentration at the three time points. Independent factors that were positively associated with low MMSE scores were as follows: sedentary behavior ≥ 12 h/day (AOR = 3.062, p = .033), involvement of the left hemisphere (AOR = 2.710, p = .006), HADS ≥ 11 (AOR = 2.536, p = .049), and high NIHSS scores (AOR = 3, p = .009). Age was the main predictor in the three time periods (AOR ≈ 3, p < .05). Inversely, female gender (AOR = 0.09, p = .027), high educational level (AOR = 0.2, p < .02), employment post‐stroke (AOR = 0.3, p = .023), high Physical Component Summary (PCS) of Quality of Life (QoL) (AOR = 0.8, p < .001), and the use of anti‐diabetic treatment post‐stroke (AOR = 0.17, p = .016) improved MMSE scores to > 23. Conclusion The risk of PSCI among Lebanese stroke survivors was high especially in the acute phase, depending on various determinants. Health care providers are invited to implement an emergency rehabilitation program for an appropriate successful management of the risk factors in order to reduce stroke burden and to improve overall cognitive performance.

IntroductionReports of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, have been increasing worldwide, with an incidence varying significantly across studies based on the definition used for the diagnosis. At our tertiary medical center in Lebanon, we encountered several cases that presented a diagnostic challenge because they mimicked MIS-C but did not meet the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definition. We decided to review these cases and describe their features in comparison with cases that met the CDC criteria of MIS-C and those that had an alternative diagnosis.MethodsThis is a retrospective chart review of subjects aged

BackgroundTo date, despite the application of secondary prevention worldwide, first-ever stroke survivors remain at imminent risk of stroke recurrence and death in the short and long term. The present study aimed to assess the cumulative risk rates and identify baseline differences and stroke characteristics of Lebanese survivors.MethodsA prospective longitudinal study was conducted among survivors ≥18 years old who were followed-up for 15 months through a face-to-face interview. Kaplan–Meier method was used to calculate the cumulative rates of stroke mortality and recurrence. Cox-regression univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify the predictors of both outcomes.ResultsAmong 150 subjects (mean age 74 ± 12 years; 58.7% men vs. 44.3% women; 95.3% with ischemic stroke vs. 4.3% with intracerebral hemorrhage), high cumulative risk rates of stroke recurrence (25%) and death (21%) were highlighted, especially in the acute phase. Survival rates were lesser in patients with stroke recurrence compared to those without recurrence (Log rank test p < 0.001). Older age was the main predictor for both outcomes (p < 0.02). Large artery atherosclerosis was predominant in patients with stroke recurrence and death compared to small vessel occlusion (p < 0.02). Higher mental component summary scores of quality of life were inversely associated with stroke recurrence (p < 0.01). Lebanese survivors exhibited the highest percentages of depression and anxiety; elevated Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores were seen in those with stroke recurrence and those who died (≥80% with mean HADS scores ≥8). Lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores at the acute phase increased the risk of both outcomes by 10% (p < 0.03). Three out of 13 mortalities (23.1%) were presented with early epileptic seizures (p = 0.012). High educational level was the protective factor against stroke recurrence (p = 0.019). Administration of intravenous thrombolysis decreased the risk of both outcomes by 10% (p > 0.05).ConclusionHigher rates of stroke recurrence and death were observed in the first year following a stroke in Lebanon. Various factors were identified as significant determinants. Thus, health care providers and officials in Lebanon can use these findings to implement effective preventive strategies to best address the management of these factors to reduce the stroke burden and improve the short and long-term prognosis of stroke survivors.