Papers by Mohamed A . Hefny
Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, 2023
Background Patients with rheumatic diseases significantly suffer during and after infection with ... more Background Patients with rheumatic diseases significantly suffer during and after infection with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) refers to signs and symptoms occurring during or following a COVID-19 infection that continue beyond 12 weeks. The study aimed to assess PCS symptoms in rheumatic disease patients compared to a control group not suffering from a rheumatic disease or any other chronic illness.
Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation , 2023
Background Pain in osteoarthritis (OA) has been attributed traditionally to local tissue injury c... more Background Pain in osteoarthritis (OA) has been attributed traditionally to local tissue injury causing 'nociceptive pain'. However, recent studies suggest that neuropathic and central sensitization mechanisms may contribute to the pain experience. However, the relationship between these pain mechanisms and physical function has not been thoroughly addressed. This study aimed to assess the association of central sensitization and neuropathic pain with physical function in knee OA.
Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation
Background Resilience is the process of adjusting successfully in the face of adversity, trauma, ... more Background Resilience is the process of adjusting successfully in the face of adversity, trauma, threats, or severe stress, such as serious health problems. It is one of the factors that affect recovery from psychiatric disorders. It was suggested that fibromyalgia patients have low resilience. This study aimed to assess the impact of resilience on disease severity and psychiatric comorbidities in patients with fibromyalgia. Results We found that patients with fibromyalgia had a significantly lower resilience and higher prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities than the control group (P < 0.05). Also, fibromyalgia patients with high disease severity had a significantly lower resilience and a higher percentage of psychiatric problems than those with a better disease state (P = 0.0001). Also, there was a significant negative correlation of resilience with disease severity (as assessed by the FIQ score), visual analog scale (VAS) of anxiety, and VAS of depression (P = 0.0001). Conclus...
Background: Resilience is the process of adjusting successfully in the face of adversity, trauma,... more Background: Resilience is the process of adjusting successfully in the face of adversity, trauma, threats, or severe stress, such as serious health problems. It is one of the factors that affect recovery from psychiatric disorders. It was suggested that fibromyalgia patients have low resilience. This study aimed to assess the impact of resilience on disease severity and psychiatric comorbidities in patients with fibromyalgia. Results: We found that patients with fibromyalgia had a significantly lower resilience and higher prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities than the control group (P < 0.05). Also, fibromyalgia patients with high disease severity had a significantly lower resilience and a higher percentage of psychiatric problems than those with a better disease state (P = 0.0001). Also, there was a significant negative correlation of resilience with disease severity (as assessed by the FIQ score), visual analog scale (VAS) of anxiety, and VAS of depression (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: Resilience significantly impacts the severity and psychiatric comorbidities in patients with fibromyalgia. So, enhancing and improving resilience must be considered in the management protocols of fibromyalgia patients.
Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation
Background Chronic back pain is a common health complaint among university students. A subset of ... more Background Chronic back pain is a common health complaint among university students. A subset of chronic back pain patients suffer from increased pain sensitivity, a process termed central sensitization. Chronic pain is also associated with cognitive dysfunction, involving attention, memory, and learning. Those are key features of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This study aimed to assess the associations between adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and central sensitization in students with chronic back pain. Results Two hundred twenty-seven students completed the survey, and 90 (39.6%) had back pain for more than 3 months. Students with back pain had significantly higher central sensitization (P<0.01) and higher attention deficit scores (P=0.05). Significant positive correlations were found between scores of the two questionnaires (r= 0.55, P<0.01). Regression analysis adjusted for age and gender showed that higher attention deficit scores were asso...
Education in Medicine Journal, 2020
Undergraduate Clinical Education Environment Measure (UCEEM) has been used as a reliable and vali... more Undergraduate Clinical Education Environment Measure (UCEEM) has been used as a reliable and valid tool to evaluate clinical workplace, and it might be used for further purposes such as benchmarking and evaluating different clinical context. Thus, we aim to examine psychometric properties of UCEEM by using item response theory (IRT). This study is a cross-sectional field survey, with an explorative component of psychometrics conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University. We used IRT which emphasises the fact that an individual's response to a questionnaire item is influenced by qualities of both the individual and the item. The results indicate that there are four factors obtained by exploratory factor analysis (EFA) form a reliable hypothetical model, and the goodness fit indices of the first order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated a good fit. The test characteristic curve (TCC) in IRT gives us information about the expected score in the questionnaire based on the level of agreement (ability = θ), e.g., the expected score is 42 if the level of agreement was 0. Based on study results, it was evident that the UCEEM questionnaire has a high reliability and acceptable evidence of construct validity to use it for further purposes.
World Journal of Rheumatology, 2012
ABSTRACT AIM: To assess the presence of spinal accessory neuropathy in patients with chronic neck... more ABSTRACT AIM: To assess the presence of spinal accessory neuropathy in patients with chronic neck pain. METHODS: Patients with pain either regional or focal in the neck or shoulders for at least 6 mo (chronic neck pain) were recruited randomly from the Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic at the Faculty of Medicine-Suez Canal University. Two groups were compared:30 patients with chronic neck pain with mean age (36.97 ± 12.45 years) and 10 apparently healthy controls. Trapezius muscle examination including inspection and range of motion both active and passive was performed. A full clinical neurological examination was carried out to exclude peripheral neuropathy and motor neuron disease. According to the subject’s type of work, cases were categorized into labor-intensive and non-labor intensive tasks. A nerve conduction study (NCS) was performed on spinal accessory nerves at both sides for all patients and controls. Parameters including latencies and amplitudes of compound motor action potential (CMAP) were compared with the chronicity of neck pain using the neck disability score. This cross sectional study was carried in the Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, at Suez Canal University Hospital, Ismailia, Egypt. RESULTS: Physical examination revealed that 80% of cases had spinal trapezius muscle spasm. Restricted neck motion was present in 16.6% of cases. No one suffered from muscle wasting or weakness. Pain was bilateral in 18 patients (60%), localized to the right side in six patients (20%) and localized to the left side in six patients (20%). The causes of neck pain in the patients studied were nonspecific, due to physical stresses, cervical spondylosis and mild cervical disc herniation. Mean disease duration in patients with labor-intensive tasks was (3.9 ± 2.1 years), which was longer than that in patients with non-labor intensive tasks (3.1 ± 1.9 years); however, this difference was statistically insignificant. Spinal accessory NCSs were performed while subjects were in sitting positions and relaxed with naturally suspended arms to minimize muscular movement. The results of electrophysiological studies revealed that mean right and left latencies of the spinal accessory nerve were 2.96 ± 0.69 ms, 2.98 ± 0.61 ms in the patient group and 2.44 ± 0.38 ms, 2.33 ± 0.36 ms in control group respectively. These differences were statistically significant with P = 0.028 and 0.006 respectively. Spinal accessory NCS showed normal CMAP amplitude in both patients and controls. Comparing the results of the neck disability index (NDI) to different characteristics in patients with chronic neck pain, showed that patients with labor-intensive work had a higher NDI score mean (34.7 ± 9.5) compared to those with non-labor-intensive work, with significant statistical difference (P = 0.011). In addition, mean NDI scores were higher in males, and patients aged over 40 years and this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.007 and P = 0.009 respectively). Correlation studies between right and left spinal accessory nerve latencies and disability percent calculated using the NDI revealed a positive correlation. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between age and disability percent. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates electrophysiological evidence of demyelination in a significant proportion of patients with chronic cervical pain.
The Journal of Hand Surgery (Asian-Pacific Volume), 2020
Background: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Martin-Gruber Anastomosis (MG... more Background: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Martin-Gruber Anastomosis (MGA) in healthy Egyptian subjects, and to discuss the available literature regarding MGA subtypes and their clinical implications. Methods: An electrophysiological study was conducted in both forearms of 140 healthy subjects. This included the ulnar and median nerves. Compound muscle action potentials were recorded from abductor pollicis brevis, abductor digiti minimi, and first dorsal interosseous muscles. Other measurements included the compound motor action potential amplitude and its innervation ratio. Results: MGA was found in 56 of the 280 forearms. This included 20 men and 36 women. Type II MGA subtype was the most frequent in both genders. The MGA was bilateral in 6 subjects and more frequent on the right side. The highest mean amplitude and innervation ratio were recorded at first dorsal interosseus muscle. Conclusions: The prevalence of MGA in the studied sample of the Egyptian p...
Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science, 2018
Most medical educators agreed that the Electronic Learning is a necessity nowadays and not a luxu... more Most medical educators agreed that the Electronic Learning is a necessity nowadays and not a luxury shift. This study was conducted aiming at implementing and evaluating a blended educational course for third-year medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University (FOMSCU). An interventional study was used, data collection tools included: Needs assessment questionnaire; E-learning experience questionnaire and a PBL Tutorial Assessment form. Forty-seven percent (47%) were satisfied with overall quality of blended block materials and Original Research Article
Suez Canal University Medical Journal, 2019
Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most encountered peripheral entrapment neuropathy... more Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most encountered peripheral entrapment neuropathy, which occurs, associated with compression of the median nerve in the wrist. The most frequented complaint of CTS patients is waking from sleep because of pain and numbness in the hand. Night waking with pain and numbness has long been reported as a common symptom associated with CTS and it has been described that about 80% of CTS patients have night-time waking due to numbness of the hands. It is thought that wrist malposition during sleep acutely exacerbates CTS symptoms by increasing the pressure within the carpal canal. Aim: This study aimed at investigating to what extent does CTS unfavorably affects sleep quality. Patients and Methods: This study is a prospective clinical study of patients attending the outpatient Rheumatology clinic at Suez Canal University Hospital, Ismailia, EGYPT, with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Once involved in the study, patients were asked to answer a group of questionnaires, which included basic demographic data. Visual Analog Scale, Insomnia Severity Index questionnaire, Levine-Katz Carpal Tunnel (Boston) Questionnaire and Electrophysiological evaluation. Results: Fifty-one patients were joined into this study. There were 42 (82.4%) females and 9 (17.6%) males, with a median age of 38.47 ± 8.739 years. Regarding the number of affected hands, 25.5% of patients had symptoms in one hand, 74.5% in both hands. Patients reported CTS symptoms for a median duration of 26 ± 19.31 months (range: 1-60 months). Conclusion: Whether the sleep disturbance is related to CTS or not, this study demonstrates that patients with CTS have noteworthy difficulties with a varied diversity of sleep disturbances.
The Journal of Hand Surgery (Asian-Pacific Volume), 2020
Background: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Martin-Gruber Anastomosis (MG... more Background: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Martin-Gruber Anastomosis (MGA) in healthy Egyptian subjects, and to discuss the available literature regarding MGA subtypes and their clinical implications. Methods: An electrophysiological study was conducted in both forearms of 140 healthy subjects. This included the ulnar and median nerves. Compound muscle action potentials were recorded from abductor pollicis brevis, abductor digiti minimi, and first dorsal interosseous muscles. Other measurements included the compound motor action potential amplitude and its innervation ratio. Results: MGA was found in 56 of the 280 forearms. This included 20 men and 36 women. Type II MGA subtype was the most frequent in both genders. The MGA was bilateral in 6 subjects and more frequent on the right side. The highest mean amplitude and innervation ratio were recorded at first dorsal interosseus muscle. Conclusions: The prevalence of MGA in the studied sample of the Egyptian p...
Suez Canal University Medical Journal, 2019
Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most encountered peripheral entrapment neuropathy... more Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most encountered peripheral entrapment neuropathy, which occurs, associated with compression of the median nerve in the wrist. The most frequented complaint of CTS patients is waking from sleep because of pain and numbness in the hand. Night waking with pain and numbness has long been reported as a common symptom associated with CTS and it has been described that about 80% of CTS patients have night-time waking due to numbness of the hands. It is thought that wrist malposition during sleep acutely exacerbates CTS symptoms by increasing the pressure within the carpal canal. Aim: This study aimed at investigating to what extent does CTS unfavorably affects sleep quality. Patients and Methods: This study is a prospective clinical study of patients attending the outpatient Rheumatology clinic at Suez Canal University Hospital, Ismailia, EGYPT, with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Once involved in the study, patients were asked to answer a group of questionnaires, which included basic demographic data. Visual Analog Scale, Insomnia Severity Index questionnaire, Levine-Katz Carpal Tunnel (Boston) Questionnaire and Electrophysiological evaluation. Results: Fifty-one patients were joined into this study. There were 42 (82.4%) females and 9 (17.6%) males, with a median age of 38.47 ± 8.739 years. Regarding the number of affected hands, 25.5% of patients had symptoms in one hand, 74.5% in both hands. Patients reported CTS symptoms for a median duration of 26 ± 19.31 months (range: 1-60 months). Conclusion: Whether the sleep disturbance is related to CTS or not, this study demonstrates that patients with CTS have noteworthy difficulties with a varied diversity of sleep disturbances.
Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research, 2018
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) results in a high degree of patient satisfaction, as it provides pa... more Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) results in a high degree of patient satisfaction, as it provides patients with considerable medium-and long-term benefits in terms of quality of life, pain relief and function. Nevertheless, the literature reports that up to 30% of patients are dissatisfied. This dissatisfaction is directly related to the patients' quality of life, which they deem insufficient. Their quality of life depends on many physical, behavioral, social and psychological factors that are not taken into account by functional outcome scores. After describing the principles of quality of life evaluation after TKA, we will assess the effects of patient-related factors, the surgical technique and postoperative program through an exhaustive review of the literature. Patient expectations after TKA will then be outlined, particularly return to work and return to sports.
Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, 2018
Shaimaa mohamed refaat okasha lecturer of physical medicine, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation. Fac... more Shaimaa mohamed refaat okasha lecturer of physical medicine, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation. Faculty of medicine Suez canal university hospital, Ismaillia, Egypt. killo 4.5 round road Suez canal university hospital, Department of physical medcine, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation.
Rheumatology International, 2013
Fibromyalgia (FM) is the most common chronic pain syndrome encountered in medical practice, affec... more Fibromyalgia (FM) is the most common chronic pain syndrome encountered in medical practice, affecting females more than males, and the estimated prevalence of FM in Egypt is 1.3 %. The aim was to translate and adapt the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) into Arabic and assess reliability and validity. The Arabic version of Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ-A) was adapted following the forward/backward translation approach. Fifty-one female patients with FM were studied to assess psychometric properties of the FIQ-A. Reliability was analyzed by the correlation coefficient between test and retest. Internal consistency was checked by the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Construct validity was assessed comparing FIQ-A with Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Health Assessment Questionnaire of Fibromyalgia (FHAQ), The Medical Outcome Survey Short-Form-36 (SF-36), and the Total Visual Analog Scale (TVAS) for FM symptom, and feasibility was assessed by the time taken in completing the FIQ-A and the proportion of patients completed the questionnaire. Patients studied were 33.2 ± 9.8 years old. Translation was concordant. Adaptation affected 4 subitems of physical function. Test-retest correlation coefficient was 0.89 for total FIQ-A and Cronbach's alpha was 0.76. Excellent to good statistically significant correlations (p \ 0.05) were found between the FIQ-A items and HAQ, FHAQ, and SF-36. The FIQ-A is a reliable, valid for measuring health status and physical function in Arabic-speaking FM patients.
Background: Resilience is the process of adjusting successfully in the face of adversity, trauma,... more Background: Resilience is the process of adjusting successfully in the face of adversity, trauma, threats, or severe stress, such as serious health problems. It is one of the factors that affect recovery from psychiatric disorders. It was suggested that fibromyalgia patients have low resilience. This study aimed to assess the impact of resilience on disease severity and psychiatric comorbidities in patients with fibromyalgia. Results: We found that patients with fibromyalgia had a significantly lower resilience and higher prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities than the control group (P < 0.05). Also, fibromyalgia patients with high disease severity had a significantly lower resilience and a higher percentage of psychiatric problems than those with a better disease state (P = 0.0001). Also, there was a significant negative correlation of resilience with disease severity (as assessed by the FIQ score), visual analog scale (VAS) of anxiety, and VAS of depression (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: Resilience significantly impacts the severity and psychiatric comorbidities in patients with fibromyalgia. So, enhancing and improving resilience must be considered in the management protocols of fibromyalgia patients.
Background: Resilience is the process of adjusting successfully in the face of adversity, trauma,... more Background: Resilience is the process of adjusting successfully in the face of adversity, trauma, threats, or severe stress, such as serious health problems. It is one of the factors that affect recovery from psychiatric disorders. It was suggested that fibromyalgia patients have low resilience. This study aimed to assess the impact of resilience on disease severity and psychiatric comorbidities in patients with fibromyalgia. Results: We found that patients with fibromyalgia had a significantly lower resilience and higher prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities than the control group (P < 0.05). Also, fibromyalgia patients with high disease severity had a significantly lower resilience and a higher percentage of psychiatric problems than those with a better disease state (P = 0.0001). Also, there was a significant negative correlation of resilience with disease severity (as assessed by the FIQ score), visual analog scale (VAS) of anxiety, and VAS of depression (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: Resilience significantly impacts the severity and psychiatric comorbidities in patients with fibromyalgia. So, enhancing and improving resilience must be considered in the management protocols of fibromyalgia patients.
Annals of Paediatric Rheumatology, 2012
ABSTRACT Introduction Juvenile Fibromyalgia (JFM) is an idiopathic chronic pain syndrome defined ... more ABSTRACT Introduction Juvenile Fibromyalgia (JFM) is an idiopathic chronic pain syndrome defined by widespread non-articular musculoskeletal pain and generalized tender points. The syndrome is associated with a constellation of symptoms, including fatigue, non-refreshing sleep, irritable bowel, and more [1]. Fi-bromyalgia (FM) is most common in midlife, but may be seen at any age. Girls are affected relatively more often [2]. Using dolorimetry at specific ten-der point sites, boys exhibited less tenderness than girls did; subjects who had FM had a lower tender-ness threshold compared with the subjects who did not have FM. These data demonstrating effects on tenderness associated with gender in children con-firm results previously found in adults [3]. Clark and colleagues [4], reported that the prevalence of JFM in school children in Mexico reached 1.2%, which is fourfold lower than the pre-vious study that evaluated the prevalence of JFM in Abstract
Advances in Medical Education and Practice
Purpose: Learning focus has shifted from conventional teacher-centered to student-centered; there... more Purpose: Learning focus has shifted from conventional teacher-centered to student-centered; therefore, methods used to support and encourage learners must be considered. Meanwhile, the individual differences between learners should be taken into consideration by medical educators. Aiming to achieve a better learning experience, the current study investigates the relationship between personality traits and learning styles and their effect on students' academic achievement. Subjects and Methods: An analytical, cross-sectional study, encompassing a sample of 333 undergraduate first-year medical students, at the Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University in Egypt was conducted. The Big Five personality traits test and VARK learning styles questionnaires were used to assess students' personality traits and learning styles, respectively, in the medical education module which is a part of the Foundation II module. The former is five weeks' duration and is followed by a summative exam at the end. Students' academic achievement was determined from their grades in Foundation II module by the end of the semester. Results: Study findings generally indicate that the highest domain of learning styles among students is the kinesthetic domain. A statistically significant difference between males and females regarding their learning style preferences was detected. Also, there was a statistically significant relationship between auditory and kinesthetic learning styles and academic achievement. Though there was a significant relationship between kinesthetic learning style with both openness traits and academic achievement, no significant statistical relationship was found between any of the personality traits and academic achievement. Conclusion: This study concludes that learning style could affect students' academic achievement. It reveals that the kinesthetic learning style is the most preferred learning style among our medical students, also the agreeableness and openness traits were the most common personality traits among them. No significant relationship was detected between personality traits and academic achievement.
Suez Canal University Medical Journal
Background: A balance between Work and family is required to maintain a stable professional and p... more Background: A balance between Work and family is required to maintain a stable professional and personal life. It is necessary for well-being, job satisfaction, and productivity; Academic physicians' family function usually affected by multiple responsibilities at work. Aim: To assess the family function of the academic staff and to identify the risk factors of family dysfunction. Subjects and Methods: A Cross-sectional descriptive study on 277 academic physicians from different specialties working at the faculty of medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt, participated in an online anonymous questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, work duties, and family function using APGAR score. Results: Mean age of participants was 38.38 years; Females represented 60.6%. Seventy-two percent of the medical staff had severe family dysfunction, 21% had moderate family dysfunction and only 7% of them were highly functional. There was a statistically significant relation between family dysfunction and age, gender, marital status, having children, job title, and the number of working hours per week. Conclusion: This study showed that most of the academic physicians were suffering from severe family dysfunction. Further studies about work stress in faculties of medicine in Egypt and its impact on family function are needed for further assessment and improvement.
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Papers by Mohamed A . Hefny