Omnia Raafat - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Omnia Raafat

Research paper thumbnail of Psychotherapeutic intervention during radiotherapy

Middle East Current Psychiatry, 2012

Background Radiotherapy is associated with physical and emotional stress. Objectives The aim of t... more Background Radiotherapy is associated with physical and emotional stress. Objectives The aim of this study is to assess symptoms of emotional and physical stress in patients undergoing radiotherapy, to study the effect of weekly psychotherapy on these symptoms, and to assess compliance of these patients with treatment. Subjects Eighty-five oncology patients were selected for the study. They were divided into two groups: the study group, which included 40 patients at the beginning of the treatment, but only 34 patients continued with the treatment, and the control group, which included 45 patients, but only 30 patients continued with the treatment. Methods The study group received weekly psychotherapy. Both groups underwent assessment of emotional and physical aspects before initiation of radiotherapy and after 6 weeks of radiotherapy using the following tools: the McGill Pain Questionnaire and Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Emesis Scale; anorexia and fatigue were assessed using the version scale of Present State Examination for Cancer Patients, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Hopelessness Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results Both groups showed significant decreases in emotional symptoms. The mean difference in the study group was greater than that in the control group. The mean score for physical symptoms showed a significant difference after treatment in both groups. Female patients suffered more physically and emotionally, whereas male patients showed more improvement after treatment. Patients who did not know that they had malignancy showed lower scores on physical and emotional symptoms before treatment. Patients who knew their diagnosis benefitted more from treatment in terms of both emotional and physical aspects. Conclusion Psychotherapeutic intervention helps in alleviating emotional and physical distress of cancer patients during treatment by radiotherapy.

Research paper thumbnail of Central auditory processing and audio-vocal psycholinguistic abilities in children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder

Egyptian Journal of Psychiatry, 2013

Objective Central auditory processing disorders and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorders (AD... more Objective Central auditory processing disorders and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) have become popular diagnostic entities for school-age children. P300 (P3) event-related potential (ERP) putatively reflects central auditory dysfunctions associated with ADHD. Participants and methods Forty children with a diagnosis of ADHD according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. and 39 normal children were included in the study and were subjected to P300 ERP, audio-vocal items of Illinois test of psycholinguistic abilities. Results This study found a significant difference in P300 latency, amplitude, and most of the audio-vocal subtests between the patients and the controls. This difference was obvious in older children for the Illinois test, but was not observed in P300 results. Conclusion There was a CAPD in ADHD children as indicated by decreased amplitude of P300 and prolonged latency in such children.

Research paper thumbnail of Metabolic profile and indices in a sample of drug-naive patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Middle East Current Psychiatry, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Association of depression, anxiety, and impairment in executive functions in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Middle East Current Psychiatry, 2013

Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with depression, anxiety, and cognitive im... more Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment that can be improved with treatment. Objectives To assess depression, anxiety, and executive functions in patients with OSA before and after treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Participants and methods Twenty patients with OSA were selected by a consultant of pulmonology. They were assessed twice: the first assessment before receiving treatment and the second after 4 weeks of CPAP treatment. Patients were assessed using polysomnography. Patients who had more than five attacks of apnea were confirmed to have sleep apnea. The Hamilton Scale of Depression, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and executive interview were used for global assessment and executive functions. Results Patients had psychiatric comorbidities in the form of major depressive disorder (NOS), adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and generalized anxiety disorder (NOS). Patients had high scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale of Depression (29.4 ± 8.26) and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (24.9 ± 4.79) that improved following CPAP treatment. Also, there was a significant improvement in the impaired executive functions after CPAP treatment. A significant negative correlation was found between the duration of sleep apnea and the level of executive impairment. Conclusion Patients with OSA have psychological and cognitive deficits that affect their daily activities. Executive and psychological deficits can be reversed by compliance of patients on CPAP.

Research paper thumbnail of P-277 - Toxic metals and essential minerals and severity of symptoms among children with autism

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess the levels of 10 toxic metals and essential mi... more ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess the levels of 10 toxic metals and essential minerals in hair samples of children with autism. Another purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the level of these elements could be correlated with the severity of autism.Method The participants were 44 Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) children according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition, (DSM-IV). The age of 3 and 9 years. The severity of autistic symptomatology was measured by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Hair analysis was done to evaluate the long term metal exposure and minerals level. Sample preparation and testing were performed in Germany.ResultsThere was increase in some metal level such as: lead, aluminium, vandium and mercury. Also, the level of zinc, and iodine was deficient. There was a significant positive correlation between Arsenic & Fear and Nervousness (P = 0.020). Also, There was a significant negative correlation between Zinc & Fear and Nervousness (P = 0.022).Conclusion Several elements such as: lead, aluminium, vandium and mercury showed significant relationship, not only the etiology of autistic disorder but also, to the severity of the symptoms. Iodine and zinc seemed seem to have high nutritional value among autistic children.

Research paper thumbnail of Metabolic profile and indices in a sample of drug-naive patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Middle East Current Psychiatry, 2014

ABSTRACT

Research paper thumbnail of Psychotherapeutic intervention during radiotherapy

Middle East Current Psychiatry, 2012

Background Radiotherapy is associated with physical and emotional stress. Objectives The aim of t... more Background Radiotherapy is associated with physical and emotional stress. Objectives The aim of this study is to assess symptoms of emotional and physical stress in patients undergoing radiotherapy, to study the effect of weekly psychotherapy on these symptoms, and to assess compliance of these patients with treatment. Subjects Eighty-five oncology patients were selected for the study. They were divided into two groups: the study group, which included 40 patients at the beginning of the treatment, but only 34 patients continued with the treatment, and the control group, which included 45 patients, but only 30 patients continued with the treatment. Methods The study group received weekly psychotherapy. Both groups underwent assessment of emotional and physical aspects before initiation of radiotherapy and after 6 weeks of radiotherapy using the following tools: the McGill Pain Questionnaire and Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Emesis Scale; anorexia and fatigue were assessed using the version scale of Present State Examination for Cancer Patients, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Hopelessness Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results Both groups showed significant decreases in emotional symptoms. The mean difference in the study group was greater than that in the control group. The mean score for physical symptoms showed a significant difference after treatment in both groups. Female patients suffered more physically and emotionally, whereas male patients showed more improvement after treatment. Patients who did not know that they had malignancy showed lower scores on physical and emotional symptoms before treatment. Patients who knew their diagnosis benefitted more from treatment in terms of both emotional and physical aspects. Conclusion Psychotherapeutic intervention helps in alleviating emotional and physical distress of cancer patients during treatment by radiotherapy.

Research paper thumbnail of Central auditory processing and audio-vocal psycholinguistic abilities in children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder

Egyptian Journal of Psychiatry, 2013

Objective Central auditory processing disorders and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorders (AD... more Objective Central auditory processing disorders and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) have become popular diagnostic entities for school-age children. P300 (P3) event-related potential (ERP) putatively reflects central auditory dysfunctions associated with ADHD. Participants and methods Forty children with a diagnosis of ADHD according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. and 39 normal children were included in the study and were subjected to P300 ERP, audio-vocal items of Illinois test of psycholinguistic abilities. Results This study found a significant difference in P300 latency, amplitude, and most of the audio-vocal subtests between the patients and the controls. This difference was obvious in older children for the Illinois test, but was not observed in P300 results. Conclusion There was a CAPD in ADHD children as indicated by decreased amplitude of P300 and prolonged latency in such children.

Research paper thumbnail of Metabolic profile and indices in a sample of drug-naive patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Middle East Current Psychiatry, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Association of depression, anxiety, and impairment in executive functions in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Middle East Current Psychiatry, 2013

Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with depression, anxiety, and cognitive im... more Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment that can be improved with treatment. Objectives To assess depression, anxiety, and executive functions in patients with OSA before and after treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Participants and methods Twenty patients with OSA were selected by a consultant of pulmonology. They were assessed twice: the first assessment before receiving treatment and the second after 4 weeks of CPAP treatment. Patients were assessed using polysomnography. Patients who had more than five attacks of apnea were confirmed to have sleep apnea. The Hamilton Scale of Depression, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and executive interview were used for global assessment and executive functions. Results Patients had psychiatric comorbidities in the form of major depressive disorder (NOS), adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and generalized anxiety disorder (NOS). Patients had high scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale of Depression (29.4 ± 8.26) and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (24.9 ± 4.79) that improved following CPAP treatment. Also, there was a significant improvement in the impaired executive functions after CPAP treatment. A significant negative correlation was found between the duration of sleep apnea and the level of executive impairment. Conclusion Patients with OSA have psychological and cognitive deficits that affect their daily activities. Executive and psychological deficits can be reversed by compliance of patients on CPAP.

Research paper thumbnail of P-277 - Toxic metals and essential minerals and severity of symptoms among children with autism

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess the levels of 10 toxic metals and essential mi... more ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess the levels of 10 toxic metals and essential minerals in hair samples of children with autism. Another purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the level of these elements could be correlated with the severity of autism.Method The participants were 44 Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) children according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition, (DSM-IV). The age of 3 and 9 years. The severity of autistic symptomatology was measured by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Hair analysis was done to evaluate the long term metal exposure and minerals level. Sample preparation and testing were performed in Germany.ResultsThere was increase in some metal level such as: lead, aluminium, vandium and mercury. Also, the level of zinc, and iodine was deficient. There was a significant positive correlation between Arsenic & Fear and Nervousness (P = 0.020). Also, There was a significant negative correlation between Zinc & Fear and Nervousness (P = 0.022).Conclusion Several elements such as: lead, aluminium, vandium and mercury showed significant relationship, not only the etiology of autistic disorder but also, to the severity of the symptoms. Iodine and zinc seemed seem to have high nutritional value among autistic children.

Research paper thumbnail of Metabolic profile and indices in a sample of drug-naive patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

Middle East Current Psychiatry, 2014

ABSTRACT