Prevalence of polypharmacy and medication-related quality of life among adult patients in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

Polypharmacy, often defined as the concurrent use of five or more medications, has become increasingly common due to various factors, including shifts in lifestyle and a rise in health-related issues among individuals. However, using multiple medications could bring more issues to the patient, as it is linked to poor health outcomes, including medication nonadherence, adverse pharmacological effects, and decreased quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of polypharmacy and identify drug-related problems among adult patients in Al-Ahsa. A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients living in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, taking five or more medications. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among the target population using an online survey. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data (i.e., age, sex, education, etc.), a questionnaire to assess behaviors regarding the use of polypharmacy, and a 10-item questionnaire to measure medication-related quality of life (MRQoL). In total, 196 of the 1,088 patients surveyed took five or more medications, indicating an 18% prevalence of polypharmacy. Among the 196 patients, 26.5% reported poor medication-related QoL. In univariate analysis, sex, occupational status, average monthly income, hypertension, asthma, difficulty managing medications, and side effects experienced were significantly associated with MRQoL. Independent significant predictors of poor MRQoL were having asthma and difficulty managing medications. The prevalence of poor medication-related quality of life among adult patients in our region was 26.5%, lower than that in previous studies. Poor MRQoL was associated with lower monthly income, hypertension, asthma, side effects, and difficulty managing medications.

Medical Students' Competency and Confidence in Interpreting Electrocardiograms at King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa.

Introduction Electrocardiography is a crucial emergency tool in the pre-hospital situation. It is a useful non-invasive diagnostic technique for quickly identifying various heart disorders. The clinical value of the electrocardiogram (ECG) depends on the clinician's ability to interpret the result of the ECG accurately. Aims This study aims to assess the competency as well as the confidence in the interpretation of ECG among medical students at King Faisal University, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students enrolled at King Faisal University. Four hundred and ten (410) medical students from all five years completed an electronic self-administered pre-validated questionnaire. The questionnaire includes basic demographic data and ECG strips to assess medical students' competency and confidence levels in interpreting each case. Results More than half of the medical students were considered to have low competency (56.1%) and confidence (59%) levels. Increased competency and confidence scores were associated with fifth-year medical students and those who learned more about ECG interpretation through teaching during clinical rotations. The majority of medical students correctly interpreted anterior MI (69.3%), ventricular tachycardia (65.6%), and supraventricular tachycardia (61.2%). On the other hand, most students were unable to correctly identify pacemaker ECG (19.8%), long QT (21.2%) and left bundle branch block (33.4%). Conclusion Medical students' competency and confidence in ECG interpretation seems to be lacking. Fifth-year medical students who learned more ECG skills through teaching during clinical rotations tended to be more competent and confident with their ECG interpretation skills.

Isolated Capitulum-Trapezoid Coalition: An Unusual Cause of Wrist Pain.

Chronic wrist pain presents a diagnostic challenge, demanding a comprehensive understanding of its multifactorial etiology. This case report focuses on wrist coalition, an infrequent orthopedic condition characterized by abnormal articulations between carpal bones, often associated with prolonged wrist discomfort. A 45-year-old man with a two-year history of persistent left wrist pain, with no previous history of trauma or systemic illness, had a localized tenderness in the left carpal region with a restricted range of motion, and diminished grip strength on physical examination. Initial investigations, including autoimmune profiles and plain radiographs, were inconclusive. Magnetic resonance imaging ultimately identified a coalition between the capitulum and the trapezoid. A multidisciplinary team recommended a conservative approach, resulting in a positive response and symptomatic improvement during follow-up. This case report contributes valuable insights to the limited literature on isolated capitulum and trapezoid coalition, highlighting the significance of considering such rare orthopedic entities in the comprehensive evaluation of chronic wrist pain.

Examining the Impact of Puberty on Primary Headache Disorders in Female Schoolchildren: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction and aim Headaches are one of the most prevalent childhood disorders. Primary and secondary headaches are the two types of headaches affecting kids and teenagers. The three most typical primary headache forms are tension-type headaches (TTH), migraine, and cluster headaches. This study sought to determine the relationship between puberty and types of headaches. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from May 18 to July 31, among female schoolchildren aged between eight and 15 years in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Respondents were recruited through face-to-face interviews. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized, mainly consisting of demographic data and questions related to diagnosing and managing the impact of puberty in girls on the prevalence of primary headache disorder. Results In total, 481 female schoolchildren were interviewed, mostly between 13 and 15 years old (65.9%). Last year prevalence of headaches was 65.5%, with a significant difference among those who lived in Dhahran (p=0.001) and those with a family history of headaches (p<0.001). The most common type of headache was frequent TTH (16.4%) and chronic TTH (16%). Chronic TTH (p<0.001), frequent TTH (p<0.001), and migraine without aura (p=0.005) were significantly more common among the older age groups.  Conclusion There was a high prevalence of headaches among female schoolchildren, with frequent TTH and chronic TTH being the most common. Furthermore, increasing age was associated with an increasing risk for chronic TTH, frequent TTH, and migraine headaches without aura. More epidemiological studies are necessary to determine the underlying causes of headaches among schoolchildren.