Association between multimorbidity and cognitive decline in the elderly population of the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive decline affects the quality of life, and dementia affects independence in daily life activities. Multimorbidity in older adults is associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment. This research aims to study the relationship between cognitive decline and multimorbidity in the elderly population in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional research was conducted from July to October 2022 among adults over 60 years. All patients with two or more comorbidities were contacted for a face-to-face interview and cognitive testing to estimate cognitive function by trained family physicians using St. Louis University Mental State Examination. ANOVA and Chi-square test were used to test for statistical significance. Binary logistic regression was used to show the odds of having cognitive impairment and multimorbidity. All tests were performed at 5% level of significance. RESULTS: The study involved 343 individuals; majority (74.1%) aged 60-75 years and were males (67.9%). Hypertension, diabetes, and chronic pain were reported by 56%, 48%, and 44% participants, respectively. Thirty percent participants had 3 or more comorbidities. About 36% had mild neurocognitive disorder and 31.2% had dementia. The results showed that age, gender (female), diabetes, stroke, chronic pain, and multimorbidity were significantly associated with cognitive impairment. In our study, hypertension, coronary artery diseases, depression, and anxiety were not significantly associated with risk of cognitive decline. CONCLUSION: Our study found that multimorbidity is significantly associated with cognitive decline. Controlling comorbidities and preventing risk factors in midlife could help in delaying the progression of the disease.

Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and its Relation to Cognitive Functions Among Saudi Older Adults.

Background: The association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cognitive decline among older adults is a still a topic of debate. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the association between risk of OSA and cognitive function among Saudi older adults. Methods: This was a cross-sectional community-based study conducted between July and October 2022. Participants were recruited from gathering areas where older adults are likely attending such as district centers, waiting areas of shopping malls, and mosques. Questionnaires were completed using face-to-face interviews. The questionnaire included questions of sociodemographics, sleep pattern and health status. A validated Arabic version of Athens insomnia scale, STOP-BANG questionnaire, and St. Louis University mental status (SLUMS) questionnaire were used. A multi-Linear regression model was used to determine the association between cognitive functions and OSA. Results: A total of 343 participants were recruited in this study, of which 86% were male. The mean age was 65±9 years. 65% of participants with high risk of sleep apnea were diagnosed with either dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Most of the participants who were illiterate (83%) had dementia, while only 4% of participants with higher education had dementia. Conclusion: Dementia and mild cognitive impairment is prevalent among Saudi older adults with high risk of OSA. Clinicians and patients should be aware of the risk of developing dementia in patients with OSA, especially if remain untreated.

Motivators for the public to receive the seasonal influenza vaccination and the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the uptake of the seasonal influenza vaccination.

BACKGROUND: The coverage of the seasonal influenza vaccine has always been sub-par. Understanding the motivators of receiving vaccines, especially during pandemics, could enhance and increase the coverage rates. The Saudi Ministry of Health launched its annual influenza vaccination campaign during the 2021 influenza season and provided vaccinations in primary healthcare settings. This study aims to explore public motivators to receive influenza vaccination, particularly during the coronavirus disease 2019 global pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 783 participants who attended the influenza vaccination campaign. All persons who received the influenza vaccine in the influenza vaccination campaign held in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, from October to November 2021, were interviewed and completed a self-administered questionnaire. Odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval were estimated using the full model fit. The significance level was set as α = 0.05. RESULTS: The majority of the participants had more than high school education (81%), were males (66.2%), and married (59.6%), and 50.6% were below 35 years of age. Participants with higher education, health-care workers, and those who had been previously counseled on influenza vaccination were less likely to have started taking the influenza vaccination, whereas smokers and persons who do not have routine checkups were more likely to start influenza vaccination. The main motivator to take the influenza vaccine was the establishment of a vaccination campaign near the participant's workplace (62.2%), followed by advice from their physician (30.3%), and fear of having influenza disease (29.6%). CONCLUSION: Accessibility to the vaccination campaigns was the main motivator for receiving the vaccine followed by the advice from physician. Advice from physician and increasing mobile vaccination campaigns and mobile clinics would substantially increase influenza vaccine uptake.

Association Between Nap Duration and Cognitive Functions Among Saudi Older Adults.

Purpose: Current evidence of whether napping promotes or declines cognitive functions among older adults is contradictory. The aim of this study was to determine the association between nap duration and cognitive functions among Saudi older adults. Methods: Old adults (> 60 years) were identified from the Covid-19 vaccine center at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia between May and August 2021. Face-to-face interviews were conducted by a geriatrician or family physicians. Data collected for each participant included sociodemographic, sleep patterns, health status and cognitive functions. St. Louis University mental status (SLUMS) was used to assess the cognitive functions. A multi-Linear regression model was used to determine the association between cognitive functions and nap duration. Results: Two-hundred participants (58 females) aged 66 ± 5 years were recruited. Participants were categorized according to their nap duration into non-nappers (0 min), short nappers (> 0- ≤ 30 min), moderate nappers (> 30-≤ 90 min), and extended nappers (> 90 min). The mean duration of the nap was 49.1 ± 58.4 min. The mean SLUMS score was 24.1 ± 4.7 units. Using the multi-linear regression model, the mean total SLUMS score for extended nappers was, on average, significantly lower than non-nappers [-2.16 units; 95% CI (-3.66, -0.66), p = < 0.01] after controlling for the covariates (age, sex, education level, sleep hours, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, pain). Conclusions: Extended napping was associated with deterioration in cognitive function among Saudi older adults.

Clinical, Laboratory, and Ultrasound Related Diagnoses of Thyroid Disorders: Using a Family Medicine Center Data to Assess Thyroiditis and Thyroid Nodules in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of thyroid disorders is high in Saudi Arabia. Among the disorders, goiter and thyroiditis are the most common and have unique ultrasound (US) features, underscoring the need for US screening for thyroid pathologies. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of thyroiditis and thyroid nodules in patients attending the Family and Community Medicine Center of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. METHODS: This registry-based cross-sectional study analyzed laboratory and US data from 240 patients who attended the Family and Community Medicine Center of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University from January 2020 to December 2021. Abnormalities of the thyroid gland were categorized according to laboratory and US data. Associations between different types of thyroid pathology and clinical and laboratory findings were assessed using appropriate statistical methods. RESULTS: The majority of participants were Saudi women. The prevalence of thyroiditis in the study population was 43%. Approximately 25% of these patients had more than 1 nodule, and fine-needle aspiration biopsy showed that most nodules were benign. Most nodules were found in clinically euthyroid patients. Thyroiditis might be associated with abnormal thyroid function. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroiditis and thyroid nodules were common in our cohort. Vitamin D deficiency, other autoimmune diseases, and a family history of thyroid disorders were associated with thyroiditis and thyroid nodules. US is useful for identifying the type of thyroid disease.

The Influence of Physical Activity on COVID-19 Prevention Among Quarantined Individuals: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is a known preventive measure for many worldwide public health issues. The purpose of this study is to assess the association between physical activity and the susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective matched case-control study involving adult participants quarantined with IAU, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The total randomized sample of study participants were 142, in which 73 of them were tested positive for COVID-19 test and matched for both age and sex with their respective healthy controls who tested negative for COVID-19 test to determine the risk associated with that exposure. RESULTS: Several variables are assessed regarding their influence on the susceptibility of COVID-19 infection. Exactly half indicated that they were physically active (n = 71). Physical activity did not show any significant association with COVID-19 contraction (x 2= 0.254, P= 0.614) nor self-rated level of physical activity (x 2= 0.122, P= 0.727). Less than half of the participants who had contact with a COVID-19 patient within 14 days of admission to quarantine appeared to have a significantly higher incidence of positive COVID-19 swab results compared to those who did not (x 2= 27.121, P= <0.001). While third of the participants who indicated that they have had a contact with someone who have Respiratory symptoms or fever within 14 days before admission were tested positive for COVID-19. Participants with lower educational degrees are more likely to be infected with COVID-19. While the rest of the demographic variables appear to be not significantly related to the likelihood of being COVID-19 infected, these include gender, marital status, employment status, age, and BMI. CONCLUSION: The present study showed no significant association between physical activity and susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. We recommend a larger sample size to further clarify the relationship between other variables and susceptibility of COVID-19.

Determinants of Subjective Poor Sleep Quality in Social Media Users Among Freshman College Students.

INTRODUCTION: Social media (SM) usage has increased markedly among young adults. It is linked to poor sleep quality (PSQ), a risk factor for mental and physical health concerns. This study identified the determinants of PSQ in SM users among freshman college students. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used and 842 students completed a self-administered questionnaire. Analyses were performed using the χ 2 test to examine differences in the characteristics of poor and good sleepers and logistic regression to estimate the risk of PSQ with reference to SM usage patterns. RESULTS: Around 75.40% (n = 635) of the participants had PSQ. There was a significant difference in the PSQ rate between males (66.3%) and females (79.3%, p < 0.001), those who were physically active (67.2%) and those who were not (82.4%, p < 0.001), those who were mentally depressed (86.5%) and those who were not (61.5%, p < 0.001), and those with anxiety (87.8%) and those without (64.3%, p < 0.001). The risk of PSQ was lower among students who used SM for education (OR = 0.65, CI = 0.42 to 0.99, p = 0.048), had higher laptop usage (OR = 0.67, CI = 0.47 to 0.96, p = 0.03), and had higher SM usage during daytime (OR = 0.46, CI = 0.32 to 0.67, p < 0.001). The risk of PSQ was higher among those who reported SM usage at bedtime (OR = 1.69, CI = 1.01 to 2.81, p = 0.046). DISCUSSION: Among SM users, PSQ was related to sociodemographic features, lifestyle characteristics, and health-risk factors. Further research is required to confirm these findings.