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Background: During the Novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, medical residents were deployed to help with managing patients in a wide range of settings. Unlike other COVID-19-related topics, the psychological impact of the pandemic on medical residents has received little attention. Objective: This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical residents' well-being, depression, and stress levels. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. A total of 597 medical residents were identified and with the aim of a sample size of 300 participants; 242 responses were collected during the period between November 2020 to February 2021. Data were collected through an online survey utilizing Patient Health Questionnaire and Perceived Stress Scale. SPSS software was used for data analysis. Results: Most of the residents in our study were females (73.6%) and single (60.7%). Around 66.5% were depressed, 87.2% were under low-moderate stress, and 12.8% were under high stress. Majority (73.5%) of the single residents were depressed (P = 0.016). Being male has been found to lower the risk of developing depression (P = 0.042). The need to relocate for family protection increased the risk of developing depression (P = 0.022).Residents who were living with their friends/roommates were found to be under a high level of stress (P = 0.001). Surgical specialties' residents were found to be the most under high stress (P = 0.044). Conclusion: Female gender, single status, and changing housing were risk factors for depression. Conversely, living with friends/roommates and working in surgical specialties were contributing to high-stress levels.
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BACKGROUND: Sudomotor dysfunction is manifested clinically as abnormal sweating leading to dryness of feet skin and increased risk of foot ulceration. The aim of this study was to test the performance of foot electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) to detect diabetic peripheral neuropathy and the risk of foot ulceration against traditional methods in Saudi patients with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 296 Saudi patients with diabetes mellitus. Painful neuropathic symptoms were evaluated using the neuropathy symptom score (NSS). The risk of foot ulceration and diabetic peripheral neuropathy were determined using the neuropathy disability score (NDS). Vibration perception threshold (VPT) was assessed using neurothesiometer. Neurophysiological assessment of the right and left sural, peroneal and tibial nerves was performed in 222 participants. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy was defined according to the definition of the American Academy of Neurology. ESC was measured with Sudoscan. RESULTS: Feet-ESC decreased as the scores of sensory and motor function tests increased. Feet-ESC decreased as the NSS, NDS and severity of diabetic peripheral neuropathy increased. Sensitivity of feet-ESC < 50µS to detect diabetic peripheral neuropathy assessed by VPT ≥ 25 V, NDS ≥ 3, NDS ≥ 6 was 90.1, 61 and 63.8 % respectively and specificity 77, 85 and 81.9 % respectively. Sensitivity of feet-ESC < 70µS to detect diabetic peripheral neuropathy assessed by VPT ≥ 25 V, NDS ≥ 3, NDS ≥ 6 was 100, 80.6 and 80.9 % respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of feet-ESC < 70µS to detect confirmed-diabetic peripheral neuropathy were 67.5 and 58.9 % respectively. CONCLUSION: Sudoscan a simple and objective tool can be used to detect diabetic peripheral neuropathy and the risk of foot ulceration among patients with diabetes mellitus. Prospective studies to confirm our results are warranted.