https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39107 2026-04-14T18:35:08Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13687 Title: Administration of drugs to patients with swallowing difficulties Authors: Bowman, Corinne Abstract: Patients who are unable to swallow due to a debilitating condition become dependant on an enteral feeding tube both for nutritional needs and for administration of medicines. In general medicines are unlicensed for use in enteral tubes, due to the specialist area and due to the limiting licence conditions.1 Information regarding this mode of administration is very scarce and also associated with increased risk of tube obstruction, increased toxicity and reduced efficacy due to an inadequate administration method.2 It must be kept in mind that any instructions regarding the administration and cautions of an oral dosage formulation also apply when one considers administering the medicine down an enteral feeding tube. Possibly the enteral feeding tube must be used as the last option for administering medicines. 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13685 Title: Knowledge, attitude and behaviour change in participants attending an eight-week weight reduction programme Authors: Bugeja, Vanessa Abstract: The importance of continuous evaluation and improvement of weight reduction programmes has been clearly established in the literature. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and behaviour change in participants attending an eight-week weight reduction programme. Data was obtained from pre- and post-intervention self-administered questionnaires. The findings indicated that the participants’ weight loss was statistically significant and that knowledge on healthy eating and healthy lifestyle improved in the post-intervention period. Attitudes and behaviours changed positively. Whilst the weight reduction programme is effective in empowering people to change their eating habits and lifestyle, there are key aspects where it can be changed to improve its achievements. 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13684 Title: Are chondroitin and glucosamine in combination effective in the treatment of osteoarthritic pain? Authors: Sammut, Mario R. Abstract: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs today are contraindicated for osteoarthritic pain in elderly patients with cardiovascular disease due to adverse effects. An internet review of the evidence regarding the use in osteoarthritis of oral chondroitin and glucosamine in combination produced three relevant randomised controlled trials with valid results. After critical appraisal for reliability and applicability, chondroitin-glucosamine was found to significantly reduce pain in moderate knee osteoarthritis, while significantly improving disability in mild to moderate cases. If the results are generalisable to osteoarthritis of all joints, combined chondroitinglucosamine in purified therapeutic doses should help care for osteoarthritis patients safely and at moderate expense. 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13683 Title: Nutritional recommendations for people with diabetes Authors: Caruana Grech Perry, Mario Abstract: Nutrition management is considered to be a cornerstone of therapy for patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). The prevalence of DM is increasing around the world at such a dramatic rate to be characterized as an epidemic. Many factors have been postulated to contribute to the DM epidemic. This paper discusses nutritional recommendation related to the management of DM. 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z