Author: Omar Abdulwahid Salih Al-ani

Abstract: Objective: During pregnancy, various drugs associated with a contraindication, hence their application is limited and dangerous to mothers along with the fetus. Even though during pregnancy, medication is less preferred but in some instances cannot escape treating the ailments in mother. So here we discussed the medication that can be used safely during pregnancy along with the drugs which are unsafe or highly contraindicated for both mother and the fetus; the problems or complications may be attributed to possible drug interactions during the pregnancy. Methods: The study was conducted from October 2018 until February 2019 in Baghdad, Iraq. It is conducted in four hospitals: Baghdad teaching hospital, Iraqi Red Crescent Society, Saint Raphael (Al Rahibat) Hospital, and Al-Elwiya Educational Hospital. The medical staff in these hospitals assessed for their knowledge about drug effects, complications, and safety during pregnancy. Those medical staff assayed was divided into three groups: Physicians, pharmacists, and other medical staff (47 pharmacists, 38 physicians, and 15 nurses who participated in this study). Results: We found that the majority of doctors and pharmacists useful information on pregnancy categories which is a good indicator of the knowledge of these specialists as the subject of drugs and their impact on pregnant women and the fetus is sensitive and vital because it affects all segments of society. Conclusion: It is the responsibility of all clinicians, including pharmacists, to counsel patients with complete, accurate, and current information on the risks and benefits of using medications during pregnancy. Keywords: Pregnant women, Pregnancy category medication, Congenital malformations, Placenta DOI link: DRUGS IN PREGNANCY

Abstract: Objective: The importance of measuring the blood level of modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) molecules is an effective method of identifying people at risk of coronary atherosclerosis; this is because, in the early stages of atherosclerosis, lipolysis and oxidative modification have a role in promoting the uptake of these lipids through macrophages; therefore, this research aims to measure the level of glycated LDL (Gly-LDL) in the blood and its association with metabolic parameters of diabetic patients (diabetes mellitus) and non-diabetic (hyperlipidemia). Methods: At a University Diabetes Center in Riyadh, we using routine automatic analysis methods, fasting serum samples were analyzed for 31 patients with Type-2 diabetes and 31 non-diabetic patients for LDL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin, glucose, and triglycerides (TG), and using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to analyze Gly-LDL for the same sample. Results: The level of serum Gly-LDL in non-diabetic was higher than in diabetic patients (p=0.037). Gly-LDL level correlated significantly with LDL in the diabetic group (p=0.035) and was insignificant with other parameters; moreover, it is significantly correlated with HDL (p=0.048), TG (p=0.035), and very LDL (p=0.03) in the non-diabetic group and insignificant with other parameters. Conclusion: Measuring rates of Gly-LDL can be used in the early detection of cardiovascular disease, especially in people with diabetes, as they are more susceptible to modified and oxidized LDL. KEYWORDS: Hyperlipidemia,  Low density lipoprotein,  Glycated low density lipoprotein,  Diabetes mellitus,  Atherosclerosis. DOI link: Glycated low density lipoprotein in diabetic and non-diabetic patients 

Abstract Objective: Intravenous errors are one of the most frequent and common medical errors, but no direct causes found. The theory of human error is the most common expression of errors in hospitals, and this can endanger the lives of patients. This research study aims to identify the errors in the vein and try to find solutions to avoid those errors where the study conducted on a sample of hospitals in Baghdad. Methods: The study conducted to improve health quality in some hospitals. During the study period, a group of severe cases was detected, which based on intravenous infusions. Patients’ data and information were collected through five sources, examined and documented venous errors found and placed in a standard classification according to an incorrect dose and incorrect medication. The incorrect dose includes the following: Overdose, extra dose, underdose, wrong strength, and wrong form. Results: During the period of study, a total of 99 cases, among these cases, 52 incorrect medications include (drug-drug interaction, drug-disease interaction, and not indicated medication) the incorrect dose 42 and route of administration and incorrect rate also take place in mistakes. Conclusion: Intravenous errors can cause significant harm to patients and health-care providers, so proper attention paid to them. Several reasons may cause medication errors such as lack of experience and knowledge of health-care providers, inaccurate communications that do not explain the drug, and the exact dose. The prescribing errors in the medication or dosage were collected, discussed, and clarified so that the risks arising from them observed so that health-care providers and hospital specialists would be alerted and the study would serve as an alarm for health organizations. Keywords: Intravenous errors,  Wrong dose, Wrong medication, Healthcare, Baghdad. DOI link: INTRAVASUSCULAR MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION ERRORS AND THIS CAN ENDANGER THE LIVES OF PATIENTS