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BACKGROUND: Individuals with diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, a vision-threatening complication. Regular eye examinations are crucial for early detection and management. Ensuring adherence to eye examination guidelines is essential to prevent visual impairment and blindness in this at-risk population. METHODS: This was cross-sectional study, and a validated questionnaire was physically administered among adult individuals with diabetes (both males and females) in Saudi Arabia. The data were gathered and analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 26.0) software (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY). This study took approximately three months from the period August 2023 to November 2023. RESULTS: This study found that most participants had type 1 diabetes (46.1%, n=83) and had been diagnosed for more than 10 years (49.4%, n=89). The most used management strategy (48.9%, n=88) was lifestyle changes and anti-diabetic medications. Most of the participants (93.3%, n=168) were fully aware of the severe eye complications of diabetes, as well as diabetic retinopathy and its complications (48.9%, n=88). The most common source of information about the importance of eye exams was healthcare professionals (56.7%, n=102). Most of the participants had annual eye exams (58.3%, n=105) and within the previous year, specifically related to their diabetes (62.8%, n=113). Adherence to eye examination guidelines was higher in those who had diabetes for more than 10 years (p=0.009), those who were on lifestyle changes and insulin therapy or anti-diabetic medications (p=0.030), those who were fully aware of severe eye complications and diabetic retinopathy (p=0.017 and p=0.020, respectively), and those with type 2 diabetes (p=0.001). In addition, participants who understood the importance of eye examinations had better glucose control (p=0.017), had eye examinations within the previous year (p=0.001), and had heard about the importance of eye examinations from healthcare professionals (p=0.020). The findings revealed the most common reasons for not getting an eye exam were a lack of awareness (37.8%) and distance from the hospital. CONCLUSION: To summarize, many people with diabetes do not get regular eye exams often because they are unaware of how important these exams are. Long-term diabetics who are aware of the dangers of diabetic retinopathy are more likely to heed this advice. However, adherence was linked to more frequent eye exams and better glucose control. Adherence and wide awareness must be created to improve retinopathy outcomes.
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Background: Despite its significant prevalence worldwide, atopy and allergic diseases continue to need more studies, with a need for published articles describing the prevalence of atopy and allergic diseases in Saudi society. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of atopic dermatitis diseases among college students at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. Methods: The Cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia among college students at Imam Mohammed bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh based on self-report Asthma and Allergies questionnaires (ISSAC questionnaire, atopic dermatitis part). Results: Seven hundred ninety-seven (797) students from 11 colleges participated in the study. About half (47.6%) aged between 21 and 24, and 73.7% were females. More than one-third (34.8%) had atopic dermatitis during the last six months, while 30.7% of the participants reported having itchy rash in the past 12 months, and 33.8% were diagnosed with eczema in any life interval. Age is not one of the significant factors affecting the prevalence of atopic dermatitis. However, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis slightly increases with age (P = 0.062). Atopic dermatitis was significantly higher among female students (39.7%) than 21.0% among male students (P = 0.000). College level nor GPA had no significant impact on the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (P = 0.238 and 0.884, respectively). Conclusion: Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University students have a high prevalence of atopic dermatitis, which may indicate a higher prevalence of allergens. Females and older participants were more liable to reported atopic dermatitis.
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Background Patients diagnosed with eating disorders (EDs) have demonstrated elevated levels of eating psychopathology, including distorted body image, and general psychopathology, encompassing depression, anxiety, impulsivity, and low self-esteem, surpassing anticipated levels. However, the measurement of EDs' prevalence related to depression and mental disorders in Saudi society remains insufficient. There is a clear need for additional studies to establish and substantiate the relationship between these issues and their frequency. In response to this gap, the current study delves into the psychosocial implications of disordered eating in Saudi Arabian adolescents and adults. The primary objective of this study is to contribute to an expanded understanding of the psychosocial effects associated with EDs, shedding light on their prevalence and interconnectedness with mental health concerns among adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia among adolescents based on self-report questionnaires, including the Patient Health Questionnaires for Eating Disorders and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for the presence of EDs. To analyze the obtained data, we calculated the responses from participants who met the following criteria: adolescents (ages 10 to 18 years) from all regions in Saudi Arabia who were ethnically Saudi and included both male and female individuals. Those older than 18 years were excluded from the study. Results We collected data from 422 participants; however, 43 responses were excluded because the respondent was under 10 years or over 18 years old. According to the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), the prevalence of depression was 83.9%; 36.7% of the participants had severe depression, 23.2% had moderate depression, and 24% had mild depression. According to the Patient Health Questionnaire Eating Disorders Scale, the prevalence of EDs was 23.5%, with the prevalence of binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa being 14.8% and 8.7%, respectively. We found a significant correlation between EDs and depression, and the severity of depression (P=0.005). The prevalence of depression among patients with EDs was 93.3%: 17.9% of patients with EDs had mild depression, 21.3% had moderate depression, and 54.1% had severe depression. Conclusion There is an alarming finding of the high prevalence of both EDs and depression among young adolescents in elementary school, which requires urgent intervention. The study found a significant relationship between EDs and depression: the more severe the depressive symptoms, the higher the prevalence of EDs.