The effect of therapeutic footwear on the recurrence and new formation of foot ulcers in previously affected diabetic patients in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

AIM: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), which are a common serious complication of diabetes mellitus, (lifetime occurrence, 19%-34%) account for at least 85% of all lower-limb amputations in diabetic patients. Special footwear (therapeutic footwear) is frequently recommended for such patients to adapt to changes in their foot structure. We aimed to, measure the effect of therapeutic footwear on DFU development and recurrence among previously affected patients in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed between June and September 2022. The study targeted patients aged ≥18 years previously diagnosed with DFU. Participants were contacted by telephone to complete a questionnaire assessing footwear use and foot care. RESULTS: This study included 115 participants with a mean age of 61.9 ± 11.63; overall, 47% of participants used therapeutic footwear and 46% were adherent with wearing it. The DFU recurrence rate among patients who used therapeutic footwear was 27.8% versus 52.5% among patients who did not (p = 0.013). While using therapeutic footwear, patients with foot deformities reported a lower ulcer healing rate than those who did not (50% vs. 81.8%, p = 0.04). Patients who examined their feet had a lower recurrence rate than those who did not (38.5% vs. 50%, p = 0.43). CONCLUSION: Therapeutic footwear use was significantly associated with decreased DFU recurrence. Further investigation to enhance the evidence for the effectiveness of therapeutic footwear in DFUs is warranted.

Laser Ablation of Pilonidal Sinus in a Patient With Hemophilia Type A: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Pilonidal sinus (PNS) is a common occurrence in young men. It is often caused by blockage of the sebaceous glands in the hair follicles in the sacrococcygeal area. Hemophilia type A is a hemorrhagic disorder caused by a deficiency of factor VIII. It presents with excessive bleeding, either spontaneously or secondary to trauma. The mainstay of treatment for PNS is often excision of the sinus; however, recently, laser ablation has started to be commonly used. In this article, we present a case of a young man with hemophilia A presenting with recurrent PNS successfully managed with laser ablation with no complications.

The Effect of Delivery Mode, ABO Blood Type, and Passive Smoking on Postpartum Depression: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia.

Background Postpartum depression (PPD) is a form of depression that can occur after childbirth and is characterized by feelings of sadness. It is a common psychological problem that affects women and children. This study aimed to assess the association between PPD and risk factors, such as delivery mode, ABO blood group, and passive smoking in Saudi Arabia. Methods PPD was assessed in this cross-sectional using an Arabic version of the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale through an online questionnaire distributed to women in Saudi Arabia between January and March 2022. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results A total of 354 postpartum women completed the questionnaire within six weeks of giving birth. Their mean age and BMI were 30.1±6.78 years and 25.98±5.84 kg/m2, respectively. PPD occurred in 56.2% of the participants. Elective cesarean section and operative vaginal delivery were associated with the presence of PPD symptoms in 17.6% and 7% of the women, respectively. The majority of those with third and fourth degrees and those who had instrumental assisted delivery had postpartum depression and this was statistically significant (p=0.017). About 26.6% of the participants were exposed to passive smoking, and 21.9% of them developed PPD. However, it was not statistically significant. Moreover, women with PPD were more likely to have blood type O+, followed by A+. Demographic factors did not show a significant correlation with developing PPD except for age (p=0.01), those who developed PPD were much younger on average than those who did not develop PPD (29.28±6.61 years vs. 31.15±6.86 years). Conclusion A significant association was found between PPD and the type of delivery. The association between PPD and passive smoking, ABO blood groups was insignificant. However, women who developed PPD were younger on average than those who did not develop PPD.

Suspected Levetiracetam-Induced Acute Rhabdomyolysis in a Patient With Retinoblastoma: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Rhabdomyolysis is a condition characterized by the destruction of the skeletal muscle and the release of its content into the circulation, and it can cause acute kidney injury (AKI). There are numerous causes for the development of this condition, and some of them are rare. Levetiracetam, an antiepileptic agent, has been speculated as a rare possibility for the development of rhabdomyolysis. In this report, we highlight a case of a 36-year-old gentleman with retinoblastoma since childhood, who was maintained on levetiracetam for two years for epilepsy. He was brought to our hospital with a history of generalized fatigue and unwitnessed seizure. Upon further investigations, he was found to have severe rhabdomyolysis and AKI that required renal replacement therapy. Levetiracetam was suspected as a culprit and therefore was discontinued with gradual improvement of renal function over a few months.