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This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and metabolic, hormonal and clinical characteristics of metabolic syndrome among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in the Oran region (western Algeria).
Cross-sectional study.
Outpatient endocrinology and gynaecology services in the Oran region, western Algeria.
A total of 313 women aged 16–45 years diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam 2004 criteria.
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and differences in anthropometric (body mass index (BMI)), metabolic (fasting glucose and lipid profile), hormonal (gonadotropins, androgens, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), progesterone, vitamin D) and clinical features (hyperandrogenism, menstrual irregularity, infertility) between women with and without metabolic syndrome.
Of the 313 participants, 181 (57.9%) met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. These women had significantly higher BMI (26.70±5.93 vs 25.06±6.47 kg/m²; p=0.004), elevated fasting glucose (133.43±28.52 vs 105.41±28.54 mg/dL; p
More than half of women with PCOS exhibited metabolic syndrome, characterised by obesity, dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance and vitamin D deficiency. These findings highlight the need for early metabolic screening and holistic management in women with PCOS to reduce long-term cardiovascular and reproductive risks.
Simulation-based interprofessional education (Sim-IPE) enables health professions students to collaborate in a realistic, safe, simulated clinical environment. Debriefing is a critical component of simulation, facilitating reflective learning and improvement in team performance. Instructor-led (IL) debriefing is considered the gold standard but is resource-intensive and may not be feasible in settings with limited faculty availability. Peer-led (PL) debriefing offers a potentially cost-effective alternative; however, its impact on debriefing quality, interprofessional competencies and professional identity in Sim-IPE remains underexplored. This study aims to compare PL and IL debriefing in terms of perceived quality and impact on interprofessional outcomes.
This manuscript reports a prospectively registered protocol for a single-centre, parallel-group, non-inferiority randomised controlled trial to be conducted at Qatar University Simulation Centre (Tamayuz). The trial consists of two arms: an IL debriefing arm (control) and a PL debriefing arm (intervention). A total of 120 students will undergo a comprehensive simulation experience, including pre-briefing and simulation, followed by random assignment to one of the debriefing arms. Outcome measures will include the Debriefing Assessment for Simulation in Healthcare Scale, Satisfaction with Simulation Experience tool, Modified McMaster Ottawa Scale for Teams and Extended Professional Identity Scale. At the time of the original submission, participant recruitment had not yet commenced.
This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Qatar University (QU-IRB 237/2025-EA). All participants in this study will provide informed consent prior to participation in the study. Findings of this study will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals and may be presented at conferences.
This study is prospectively registered on the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number registry, a recognised clinical trial registry, prior to participant enrolment.
This pilot study tested the feasibility of Lantern program, an adherence program to HIV medications using WhatsApp, a secure social media messaging application from Meta, for a smartphone-based platform to enhance medication-taking adherence of antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV in Indonesia. Thirty participants were recruited for this 8-week study. We recruited persons if they had taken antiretroviral therapy for at least 3 months prior to the study, had a smartphone, Internet access, and could use Lantern with WhatsApp. Here, we report the results from the focus group discussions, with the participants evaluating the qualitative aspects of the experiences. The WhatsApp platform was found to be safe, practical, and relatively inexpensive and provided confidentiality for the participants. Three themes emerged from the focus groups: the study motivated participants to take their antiretroviral therapy medications on time, they still set medication reminder alarms, and being in the study made them feel supported. The Lantern program indicated good feasibility and acceptability for adherence to antiretroviral therapies among people living with HIV. Future research should examine on how community organizations and healthcare providers can take advantage of the WhatsApp program to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapies. 
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