IJKD 2008;2:65-71 www.ijkd.org 1Surgical Kidney Hospital, Ibn Alnafis Medical Complex, Damascus, Syria 2Al-Mouassat Hospital, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria 3Eye Bank, Eye Surgical Hospital, Ibn Alnafis Medical Complex, Damascus, Syria 4Hemodialysis Unit, Damascus Hospital, Damascus, Syria 5Hemodialysis Unit, Douma Hospital, Damascus, Syria 6Gastroenterlogy Department, Ibn Alnafis Hospita...

Background The Syrian armed conflict is the worst humanitarian tragedy this century. With approximately 470,000 deaths and more than 13 million people displaced, the conflict continues to have a devastating impact on the health system and health outcomes within the country. Hundreds of international and national non-governmental organisations, as well as United Nations agencies have responded t...

The conflict in Syria has created the largest humanitarian crisis in decades. As the fifth year of the Syria crisis begins, the humanitarian needs across the region stretch beyond description. Constant, deadly conflict is destroying lives, families and communities. Today, hardly a family remains in Syria unaffected by the catastrophe. Well over one third of Syria’s pre-conflict population of 22...

While the con£ict in Syria rages on, one psychiatrist and several psychologists, all of themSyrian refugees, have founded ‘Syria Bright Future’ , a volunteer organisation that provides psychosocial and mental health services to Syrian refugees in Jordan. This ¢eld report describes how the organisation assists families in settling after their harsh journey, in adapting to newlivingconditions and...

The increasing trend of aerosol optical depth in the Middle East and a recent severe dust storm in Syria have raised questions as to whether dust storms will increase and promoted investigations on the dust activities driven by the natural climate variability underlying the ongoing human perturbations such as the Syrian civil war. This study examined the influences of the Pacific Decadal Oscill...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the validity of western blot (WB) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that use antigens from culture promastigote from Leishmania parasites, for laboratory diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Syria. METHODS We utilized 290 serum samples from endemic areas (patients group) and other regions (control samples) in Syria during 2002-2005 and the serological test...

Mulibrey (MUscle-LIver-BRain-EYe) nanism is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by growth failure, dysmorphic features and a wide range of abnormalities affecting multiple organ systems. This report is the first to present two cases of Mulibrey nanism affecting two siblings from Syria. Mulibrey nanism can be suspected clinically due to the distinctive features of the patients. The ...

BACKGROUND Despite advances made in treating coronary heart disease (CHD), mortality due to CHD in Syria has been increasing for the past two decades. This study aims to assess CHD mortality trends in Syria between 1996 and 2006 and to investigate the main factors associated with them. METHODS The IMPACT model was used to analyze CHD mortality trends in Syria based on numbers of CHD patients,...

Introduction Women and children account for a disproportionate morbidity burden among conflict-affected populations, and yet they are not included in global accountability frameworks for women's and children's health. We use Countdown to 2015 (Millennium Development Goals) health indicators to provide an up-to-date review and analysis of the best available data on Syrian refugees in Jordan, Leb...

The war in Syria has entered the seventh year, with no sign of resolution. It is often referred as "the greatest human tragedy" since World War 2. Because of limited health facilities, we propose telepsychiatric interventions for the provision of mental healthcare services in Syria and in refugee camps to treat post-trauma patients.