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BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has emerged as a significant global health concern, with its incidence doubling over the past three decades. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) pose a major threat to CKD patients, surpassing the risk of progressing to end-stage renal disease. While previous studies worldwide have shed light on this association, limited research has been conducted in Saudi Arabia regarding this burden. This study aims to fill this gap by identifying the prevalence and risk factors of CVD in CKD patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between 2017 and 2022. METHODS: A six-year retrospective review of medical records at KAUH was conducted, including 465 non-end-stage CKD patients aged 30 to 79. Data, including demographics, clinical information, and laboratory results, were collected and statistically analyzed to investigate the association between variables. RESULTS: Out of 465 CKD patients, 262 (56.3%) were diagnosed with CVD, with congestive heart failure and ischemic heart disease being the most common types. The majority were male 259 (55.7%), non-Saudi 278 (59.8%), and aged 60 years and older 291 (62.6%). Hypertension 394 (84.7%) and diabetes mellitus 336 (72.3%) were prevalent comorbidities. Severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, proteinuria, diabetes mellitus, and higher BMI were identified as significant risk factors for CVD in CKD patients. CONCLUSION: This research contributes valuable insights into the prevalence and risk factors of CVD in CKD patients in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for early detection and intervention. The identified risk factors provide a basis for developing targeted preventive strategies to mitigate this population's CVD burden.
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Background and objective Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic debilitating metabolic disease caused by insulin deficiency. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially fatal complication characterized by acute hyperglycemia and metabolic acidosis. In light of the high prevalence of DM in Saudi Arabia, we sought to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the Saudi general population about DKA. Methods An online self-administered questionnaire was distributed through popular social media platforms among diabetics in the Saudi population. The survey questions involved demographic data; diabetes status including the time of diagnosis, current medications, and the latest HbA1c level; and an assessment of the knowledge about DKA through queries related to diagnostic criteria, definition, risk factors, symptoms, and preventive measures. Results Our study involved 400 participants, and 42.5% of them were able to correctly identify DKA as an emergency requiring immediate medical attention. Regarding the awareness of DKA's symptoms among the participants, 33.8% correctly identified excessive thirst as a key indicator, followed closely by frequent urination (31.8%), and the characteristic fruity breath odor (31.3%). As for the awareness of the participants of the causes of DKA, 33.8% correctly linked forgetting insulin injections to DKA development. Encouragingly, 39.8% of participants identified regular blood sugar monitoring as the most effective way to prevent DKA. Conclusions Most patients in our study demonstrated limited knowledge of DKA. However, a significant portion of them was able to identify it as an emergency. To prevent such events, raising awareness about DM and its complications may serve as the first step toward better outcomes in diabetic patients. We believe our findings can be used to devise quality-improving interventions in this field.
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Our comprehensive systematic review aimed to examine gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a disorder that occurs when stomach contents flow back into the esophagus. It may manifest as either non-erosive reflux disease or erosive esophagitis. The activity depicts the assessment and medical management of GERD and emphasizes the interprofessional team's involvement to enhance care for people with this ailment. Data sources were PubMed/Medline and Embase. Our review investigated English-language articles (from 2014 to 2023) according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Overall, there were seven articles. Surveys and analyses of national databases were the most widely used methods (n=7). The search identified 3,730 studies, and seven were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. Further understanding of GERD and treatment protocols may help improve evaluation and management in the future. Millions of individuals worldwide suffer from GERD, a common clinical condition. Patients can be identified by symptoms that are both common and uncommon. For many GERD patients, acid suppression treatment reduces symptoms and avoids clinical complications. Our capacity to recognize and treat disease consequences has improved with the advancement of diagnostic and treatment methods. Here, we go into the etiology and consequences of GERD and offer details on the treatment strategy for this prevalent illness.
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Background Hemithyroidectomy is a common procedure used to treat various benign and malignant conditions. It is often associated with complications, of which hypothyroidism is an underappreciated sequel. We sought to comprehend the rate and associated risk factors for developing hypothyroidism following hemithyroidectomy at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH). Methods In this retrospective study, we reviewed the medical records of all patients who had hemithyroidectomies for benign and malignant conditions between January 2008 and August 2022. Patients were analyzed for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, family history of thyroid disease, thyroid antibodies, and pre- and postoperative thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Pre- and postoperative TSH levels were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results From 153 cases, 39 patients met the inclusion criteria; 31 (79.5%) were females. Seventeen (43.59%) patients developed biochemical hypothyroidism within two years following hemithyroidectomy; the majority (64.71%) of those with hypothyroidism developed it within the first six months. There was a significant increase in TSH levels following surgery (p < 0.001). Conclusion The overall incidence of hypothyroidism within two years of hemithyroidectomy is 43.59%; among those who developed hypothyroidism, the majority (64.71%) did so within the first six months. Thus, we strongly recommend continuous monitoring of TSH levels in the first six months, as it may aid in the decision to begin treatment before symptoms develop.
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Objectives: Sinusitis is common and deviated nasal septum (DNS) is a frequent anatomical variant in the paranasal sinuses (PNS). Whether DNS can cause sinusitis has been a subject of debate. This study determined the rate of sinusitis and its possible association with DNS and other factors in patients attending King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH). Methods: We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study and reviewed the electronic health records of KAUH retrospectively. We recruited all patients aged ≥18 years who were referred to the Diagnostic Radiology Department for a PNS computed tomography scan from January 2018 to December 2020. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated. Results: A total of 676 participants met the eligibility criteria, with a mean (SD) age of 38.9 (13) years. Sinusitis was present in 47.5% of patients, 54.8% ofwhich were males. Patients aged 31-40 years suffered sinusitis more than the other age groups.Approximately three-fourths (75.1%) of the total sample had DNS, and 51.3% of them had sinusitis. Those who did not have DNS but had sinusitis were 27.8%.There were significant associations between sinusitis and both sex (P <0.001) and age (P <0.05). Patients with DNS were approximately three times more likely to have sinusitis than those without DNS (OR =2.74, 95% CI:1.86-4.04; P <0.001). Conclusion: Almost half of the patients had sinusitis, and three-fourths had DNS. Sex, age, and DNS are possible factors associated with sinusitis. Assessing the presence of DNS and correcting it, if possible, is recommended to prevent the occurrence of sinusitis.
