Background. Aducanumab, a new monoclonal antibody that targets β-amyloid aggregates, has been granted conditional approval by the U.S. FDA for treatment of mild Alzheimers disease (AD). The approval of this drug without a confirmed significant clinical impact has resulted in several debates. Objective. In this narrative review, aducanumab approval-related controversy, the drugs pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic characteristics, evidence from the efficacy and safety trials of aducanumab, implications of the drug approval, and the future directions in the management of patients with AD are summarized. Methods. Using relevant keywords, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and MEDLINE databases and manufacturers website were searched. Results. Infusion of aducanumab at a higher dose resulted in a modest slowing of cognitive decline among patients with mild cognitive impairment or early-onset AD dementia. The drug however can cause amyloid-related imaging abnormalities. Due to modest impact on cognition, the use of this drug by patients with AD will most likely be limited. The manufacturer is required to run an extended phase IIIb trial to verify the benefit of this drug. Access to therapy requires a careful selection of patients and periodic monitoring to ensure the optimal use of the drug. Conclusion. Despite the limitations, aducanumab is the first disease-modifying therapy approved for the treatment of AD. Aducanumab addresses a part of the pathogenesis of AD; therefore, drugs that can act on multiple targets are needed. In addition, the search for preventive strategies, validated plasma-based assays, and newer drugs for AD, which are effective, safe, convenient, and affordable, is vital.

Background: This review summarises the impact of virtual patient simulation (VPS) on pharmacy students’ knowledge, skills, and perceptions. Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched using relevant keywords. Full-text articles in English, published between 2010 and August 2021, were retrieved if they evaluate the impact of web-based interactive VPS in pharmacy education. Results: This review included 19 studies, 9 of which were comparative. VPS was used to develop or assess different pharmacy-related skills. In general, post-VPS exposure test scores were better than the pre-VPS test scores in 12 studies. VPS significantly improved higher-level learning, counselling, and decision-making skills more than paper-based cases. The favourable impact of VPS on learners’ confidence, student engagement, and satisfaction was noted. Conclusion: VPS enhances knowledge and clinical decision-making skills. It can also address the needs of pharmacy students with active learning preferences.

Aim: This research aims to assess the clinical and epidemiological profile of elderly patients reported to a tertiary care centre in Ajman, UAE. Material and methods: A retrospective cross-sectional review of electronic medical records was conducted for patients diagnosed with constipation between January 2020 and July 2025. Sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measures, functional status, lifestyle factors, comorbidities, gastrointestinal history, and treatment outcomes were extracted using a structured proforma. Descriptive statistics were applied. Results: Eighty elderly patients were included, predominantly male (71.3%) and aged 60–69 years (78.8%). Abnormal BMI was present in 76.3%. Chronic symptoms were common, with 52.5% reporting constipation ≥3 months and 47.5% >6 months. Low fluid intake (66.3%), low dietary fiber intake (67.5%), and sedentary lifestyle (62.5%) were highly prevalent. Cardiometabolic comorbidities were frequent, including hypertension (68.8%), diabetes mellitus (65.0%), and hypercholesterolemia (63.7%). Only 38.8% achieved good therapeutic response, while 61.3% had poor or partial improvement. Conclusions: Constipation in elderly patients at this tertiary center represents a persistent, multifactorial condition requiring comprehensive, individualized, and lifestyle-integrated management strategies to improve outcomes.

Adult vaccination is a critical component of preventive healthcare, reducing morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases. Despite established recommendations, adult immunisation coverage remains suboptimal, particularly for vaccines beyond influenza and COVID-19. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), limited evidence exists regarding adult vaccine uptake and determinants influencing immunisation behaviour within its diverse population. Understanding vaccine-specific coverage and associated sociodemographic, healthcare, and workplace factors is essential to guide targeted strategies that strengthen adult immunisation. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1330 adults aged ≥ 18 years residing in the UAE. Data were collected using a structured self- or interviewer-administered questionnaire assessing uptake of recommended adult vaccines, including COVID-19, influenza, pneumococcal, herpes zoster, Tdap, and HPV. Sociodemographic characteristics, healthcare access, insurance status, workplace factors, and perceived barriers were also assessed. Descriptive statistics summarised vaccination coverage, and associations between uptake and key determinants were examined using SPSS version 30. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Overall, 71.0% reported receiving at least one adult vaccine. Uptake was highest for COVID-19 (64.9%) and influenza (57.8%), while pneumococcal, herpes zoster, and Tdap coverage remained low (12–13%). HPV uptake was 22.6% among females and 18.9% among males. Higher uptake was observed among females and adults. Social encouragement, insurance coverage, and healthcare access were associated with vaccination, whereas lack of awareness and logistical barriers hindered uptake. Although overall uptake was moderate, significant gaps persist. Integrating vaccination into routine healthcare services and addressing structural and communication barriers are necessary to improve adult vaccination coverage.

Aim: The primary aim of this study was to identify and analyze the socio-demographic determinants of constipation among elderly individuals (≥60 years) attending a tertiary care hospital in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, in order to address an important gap in regional geriatric gastrointestinal research. Material and methods: A record-based case–control study was conducted among patients aged 60 years and above attending a tertiary care hospital. The cases were elderly patients with documented constipation, while the controls were elderly patients without constipation, selected in a 1:2 ratio. Data were extracted using a structured and validated proforma. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression were performed to examine associations. Crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and a p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Constipation was more frequently observed among males and in specific age groups. Participants aged 60–69 years constituted the largest proportion of cases (78.8%), while those aged 70–79 years were more commonly represented among controls. A significant association was observed between age group and constipation (p<0.01). Male participants accounted for 71.3% of cases compared to 37.4% of controls (p<0.01). In adjusted analysis, male gender remained a strong predictor of constipation (AOR: 4.41; 95% CI: 2.40–8.11). Conclusions: Male gender and age group were key socio-demographic determinants of constipation among elderly patients in this tertiary care setting. These findings highlight the need for targeted screening, early recognition, and preventive strategies for constipation as part of routine geriatric care.

Aim: This study aimed to find out predictors of chronic liver disease (CLD) in adults and evaluate key determinants that may influence healthy aging. Material and methods: A case-control study was conducted among adults who were receiving care at a tertiary care center. Demographics, lifestyle factors, and clinical variables like BMI were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square testing for association and logistic regression analysis to identify independent factors that predict CLD, p-value of <0.05 was used to identify significance for all information collected. Results: Significant links were found between CLD and several factors. Males were significantly more affected with CLD (78.5%, p < 0.001), making gender one of the factors that predict CLD. Similarly, age was a significant factor, with those aged 40-60 being the most affected (33%, p = 0.039). Abnormal BMI was strongly associated with CLD, found in 84.6% cases (p = 0.008). Alcohol consumption demonstrated a marked association with chronic liver disease (p < 0.001), with former and current alcohol use substantially more common among cases. After logistics regression analysis, male gender, abnormal BMI, and alcohol consumption are significant independent predictors of CLD. Conclusions: The study highlights gender (male), age (40-60), abnormal BMI and alcohol consumption as significant predictors of CLD in the studied population. These findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted screening and lifestyle-based preventive interventions, particularly focusing on metabolic health and weight management, to mitigate the rising burden of liver disease and promote healthy aging.