The consumption pattern and perception of using artificial sweeteners among the public in Tabuk region, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Obesity and weight gain have become major problems worldwide. Thus, several forms of alternative intense sweeteners are extensively used, offering a non-caloric sweet taste. To the best of our knowledge, no research has studied either the consumption pattern or the perception of using artificial sweeteners in Saudi Arabia. Objectives: Our research aimed to study the usage pattern of such artificial sweeteners in the Tabuk region and estimate the knowledge of and attitudes toward their usage among the population. Methods: A cross-sectional study promoted on multiple social media platforms and face-to-face interviews in different malls and hospitals in the Tabuk region. We grouped the participants into two major groups: the users and the non-users of artificial sweeteners. Each group has been subdivided into a healthy subgroup and those with a medical record subgroup. Participants' characteristics and their choice of sweeteners were analyzed using bivariate analysis. The age, gender, and education level of the participants were adjusted using binary logistic regression in order to adjust for potential confounders. Results: A total of 2,760 participants were included in our study. We found that more than 59% of the participants that were over 45 years old were non-hospitalized non-hospitalized diseased irrespective of their usage of artificial sweeteners. Furthermore, females, graduates, diabetics were significantly high irrespective of their subgroup. Moreover, Steviana® is the most commonly used artificial sweetener. In addition, healthy participants showed a greater perception of the usage and adverse effects of artificial sweeteners. Furthermore, bivariate analysis using logistic regression revealed significant associations (p < 0.05) with confounders such as gender, age, and education level. Conclusion: Educational programs and nutritional advice for the safe consumption and the daily permissible doses of artificial sweeteners are essential and should be directed specifically at females.

Hepatotoxicity Induced by Fluvastatin: A Reversible Acute Cholestatic Liver Injury.

BACKGROUND Fluvastatin, a commonly prescribed statin, is indicated for treatment of hypercholesterolemia in persons at high risk for coronary, cerebrovascular, and peripheral artery disease. However, there have been rare reports of liver injury or renal failure associated with use of fluvastatin. CASE REPORT We describe the case of a 69-year-old Saudi man with a medical history of diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia for 2 years, on metformin, gliclazide modified release, daily aspirin, and simvastatin. Fluvastatin 40 mg daily was administered instead of simvastatin for 7 weeks before the patient was admitted to the hospital with fatigue, weakness, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, itching, and elevated liver enzymes. Discontinuation of fluvastatin and other combined therapies led to a decrease in liver enzymes. He was diagnosed with fluvastatin-induced cholestatic liver injury and acute kidney disease. CONCLUSIONS The Naranjo scale indicates a probable relationship between cholestatic liver injury and fluvastatin, as well as a possible relationship between cholestatic injury and gliclazide and metformin. In our case report, we describe the synergistic effect of several factors in contributing to liver injuries, such as age, long-term gliclazide intake, and fluvastatin. Accordingly, we recommend close monitoring of patients' liver and kidney function, especially in the elderly and those with polypharmacy, while allowing sufficient time for the liver function to recover from a reversible reaction to fluvastatin.