/library/oar/handle/123456789/35006 2026-06-21T21:32:09Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/13999 Title: Comparative study of the frequency of hypertension in a primary care setting in Buza, Tanzania and Malta Authors: Camilleri, Nigel; Gatt, Daphne; Gauci, Dorothy; Calleja, Neville; Micallef Eynaud, Stephen Abstract: Introduction: Worldwide prevalence of hypertension (HT) in established market economy countries is estimated at 37.4% for males and 37.2% for females. Aim: To identify the frequency of HT in sample populations of Malta and Buza, Tanzania, looking specifically at gender differences, the rate of previous diagnosis and compliance to medication. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional population-based survey to calculate the frequency of hypertension of a sample of the Maltese population reviewed in 2010 and a sample of people reviewed in a primary care medical clinic Buza in that same year. Both samples were statistically matched and compared. Results: Frequency of HT in the Maltese sample was 32.8% (M:F - 32.8:32.8), and compliance rate was 48%. The frequency of HT in the Buza sample was 48.4% (M:F - 47.7:48.9) and the compliance rate was 8%. Frequency of stage II and malignant HT were significantly more prevalent in the Buza population. The frequency of HT increased with age in both populations studied. Conclusions: Prevalence of examined HT in the Maltese sample was higher than the self-reported survey carried out in 2008, but still lower than the Buza sample and within range of the established market economy countries. Education and awareness of HT will increase lifestyle changes and further reduce the frequency of HT and increase the compliance rates in both populations. Hypertension awareness and readily available treatment is a much needed public health service. Furthermore, it is cheap, easy to offer and significantly improves quality of life. 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/13998 Title: The slippery slope of modern medical reporting : part 3 Authors: Cilia Vincenti, Albert Abstract: Part 3 of the article. With few exceptions, top scientists publish fewer, but much more important papers – Nobel Prize winners in physics, such as Albert Einstein or Richard Feynman are examples. Why keep repeating studies unless one is unhappy with their findings? If one continually repeats studies, one is trying to get random chance to back them up, rather than letting science confirm their effectiveness. There may be 1000 studies showing a positive result and 950 showing a negative result, yet the “positives” are considered to prevail. Physicians often think this slight preponderance “proves it works”. The more studies performed, the greater the random chance of success when there should be failure. In medical statistics, studies are given a “statistical significance” rating, which is the level of confidence in the results. It answers the question: how much of the results are based on chance? A 95% confidence level is often used to show that a certain effect works, but also means there is a 5% probability that the result is due to chance alone – i.e., the “positive finding” would actually be false. A higher level of statistical significance raising confidence to 99% means much more money must be spent in the study, requiring more subjects, and also possibly entailing much more failure. 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/13997 Title: Spinal fractures in Malta over one year Authors: Calleja, Paul; Abela, Glenn Paul Abstract: Spinal fractures, particularly those associated with spinal cord injuries, give rise to significant morbidity and mortality.1 Early recognition and adequate management are paramount to minimalize the two. This descriptive study reviews the cases diagnosed with a vertebral fracture at the Accident and Emergency Department over a one year period including the patients’ demographic characteristics and looks into the management instituted. It also highlights the factors which may be associated with a prolonged hospital stay. 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/13995 Title: Teixobactin : the treatment of an Achilles heel? Authors: Ellul, Ian C. Abstract: Editorial regarding a new antibiotic, teixobactin. 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z