Perceived impact of patients' suicide and serious suicidal attempts on their treating psychiatrists and trainees: a national cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Patient suicides are significant events that tremendously affect psychiatrists- personally and professionally. Very few studies have focused on studying the impact of both serious suicidal attempts and completed suicide on psychiatrists and psychiatry trainees. AIM: This study assessed the prevalence and impact of patient suicide and serious suicidal attempts on psychiatrists and psychiatry trainees in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This national cross-sectional study of psychiatrists and psychiatry trainees was conducted in Saudi Arabia. Participants completed an online self-administered questionnaire to assess emotional and professional impacts and the traumatic impact of patient suicide using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). RESULTS: 178 psychiatrists were enrolled in this study. The prevalence rate of patient suicide among participants was 38.8%, and they experienced adverse emotional reactions. Additionally, among those who were not exposed to patient suicide, 12.9% reported exposure to serious suicide attempts, and almost all of them experienced related negative emotions. The most frequently reported emotions were sadness (61.95%), shock (48.91%), and guilt (25%), and these emotions lasted longer in completed patient suicide cases than attempted suicide. Nearly 84% of participants who experienced suicide reported its impact on their profession. The most reported professional impacts were increased focus on suicide cues, attention to legal aspects, and a tendency to hospitalize. Of participants who experienced suicide, 75.4% reported that the overall impact of suicidal events on their professional practice had improved. Of the total number of respondents who experienced either suicide or serious suicidal attempts, 10.9% reported symptoms of PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlighted the emotional and professional burden that psychiatrists and psychiatry trainees experience due to patient's completed suicides and serious suicidal attempts. Additionally, it emphasized the need for further research to study the benefits of implementing preparatory and training programs to help trainees and psychiatrists in such instances.

Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Autologous Fat Transfer With Nanofat in the Treatment of Infraorbital Dark Circles: A Single-Blinded Randomized Comparative Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Treating infraorbital dark circles is one of the commonest aesthetic demands worldwide. Autologous fat transfer is commonly used to treat dark circles by filling the grooves, without effect on skin quality. Platelet-rich plasma has been reported to improve skin quality. Autologous fat can be emulsified and filtered to produce nanofat, which is then injected superficially in the dark circles to improve skin quality and discoloration. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma versus combined fat transfer and nanofat in treating infraorbital dark circles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 patients with infraorbital dark circles of combined etiological factors were randomized into 2 equal groups: Group A treated with platelet-rich plasma and Group B treated with autologous fat transfer with emulsified fat injection. RESULTS: Excellent and moderate responses were observed in 3 (20%) and 2 (13%) patients in group A versus 7 (46.7%) and 4 (27%) in group B, respectively. Nonresponders were 8 (53.3%) in group A and only 1 patient (6.7%) in group B. The difference was statistically significant regarding improvement ( p = .048) and patient satisfaction ( p = .032). CONCLUSION: Autologous fat transfer with nanofat is significantly superior to platelet-rich plasma in improvement and satisfaction.

Laser treatment of epidermal nevi: A multicenter retrospective study with long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Patients with epidermal nevi strongly demand cosmetic improvement. Laser treatment appears appealing and is frequently used in clinical practice. Nevertheless, large series with long-term follow-up are missing, preventing definitive conclusions about its real benefit. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term effectiveness and safety of lasers for epidermal nevi. METHODS: Bicentric, retrospective, cohort study, including all patients treated with a laser for an epidermal nevus with more than a 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: Seventy patients were treated for different types of epidermal nevi, mostly with ablative lasers: 23 verrucous epidermal nevi, 16 nevi sebaceous, 26 Becker nevi, 2 inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevi, 1 smooth-muscle hamartoma, 1 rounded and velvety epidermal nevus, and 1 nevus lipomatosus superficialis. The follow-up period was a median of 37 months (range, 12-127 months). Better results, fewer recurrences, and higher patient satisfaction were noted in treatments for verrucous epidermal nevi than for nevi sebaceous. Q-switched lasers failed to show any degree of improvement in almost all patients with Becker nevus. LIMITATIONS: The retrospective nature of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Ablative lasers can treat verrucous epidermal nevi with good long-term esthetic results but have limited long-term efficacy for nevus sebaceous. Q-switched lasers failed to improve Becker nevi.

The sudden transition to synchronized online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia: a qualitative study exploring medical students' perspectives.

BACKGROUND: The closure of educational activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an unplanned shift from traditional learning to a setup that exclusively involves digital teaching and learning. Within this context, the present study aimed to explore undergraduate medical students' perceptions regarding the effectiveness of synchronized online learning at Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted using virtual focus group discussions synchronously with the help of a discussion guide consisting of seven open-ended questions. Overall, 60 medical students were recruited using a maximum variation sampling technique; these students then participated in eight focus group discussions. All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed for thematic contents using the standard (Mayring, Kiger. M. E. and Braun.V) content analysis framework. RESULTS: A thematic content analysis yielded four core themes: (1) educational impact, (2) time management, (3) challenges encountered, and (4) preferences for the future. The online modality was well-received, and all participants agreed that online sessions were time saving and that their performance was improved due to enhanced utility of time; however, they indicated that they encountered some challenges, including methodological, content perception, technical, and behavioral challenges during sessions and online exams. Most of the preclinical students preferred online learning for the upcoming academic years. CONCLUSION: Synchronized online classes were well-accepted by the medical students. This represents significant and promising potential for the future of medical education. The principles of the online learning model and learning outcomes should be rigorously and regularly evaluated to monitor its effectiveness.

Burnlike scars: A sign suggestive of KLHL24-related epidermolysis bullosa simplex.

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex is a group of inherited disorders with allelic and locus heterogeneity in which skin fragility and blistering within the skin occur. Mutations in KRT5 and KRT14 underlie the majority of reported cases. Mutations in KLHL24, a gene that encodes KLHL24 protein, have been reported recently to cause a generalized subtype of epidermolysis bullosa simplex, presumably by increasing the degradation of keratin 14. We describe a case of KLHL24-related epidermolysis bullosa simplex and highlight the burn-like pattern of scars.

Management of ingrowing nail.

For decades, there has been debate about the cause of ingrown nail: is the nail plate or the periungual tissue at fault? There is no consensus and management relies on case-by-case analysis followed by tailored treatment. Conservative treatment should be attempted in children when the cause is transient (e.g., poor clipping) or the patient refuses surgery. Surgical treatments rely on two main approaches: either narrowing the nail plate, or debulking the soft tissue. It is up to the surgeon to select the most appropriate approach in each case. All procedures discussed in this chapter have high cure rates as long as they are properly performed. As with all surgical procedures, they are operator-dependent. Chemical cautery is the easiest and most versatile technique that may help in almost all instances for lateral ingrowth. For distal ingrowth and very hypertrophic and exuberant lateral folds, debulking with primary or secondary healing is most effective.

Microbial and heavy metal contamination in herbal medicine: a prospective study in the central region of Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Herbal medicine is a medical system based on the utilization of plants or plant extracts for therapy. The continual increase in global consumption and the trade of herbal medicine has raised safety concerns in many regions. These concerns are mainly linked to microbial contamination, which could spread infections with multi-resistant bacteria in the community, and heavy metal contamination that may lead to cancers or internal organs' toxicity. METHODS: This study was performed using an experimental design. A total of 47 samples, herbal medicine products sold in local stores in Qassim region, were used in the experiments. They were tested for bacterial contamination, alongside 32 samples for heavy metal analysis. Bacterial contamination was determined by the streak plate method and further processed to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns using MicroScan WalkAway96 pulse; heavy metals were determined using a spectrometer instrument. RESULTS: A total of 58 microorganisms were isolated. All samples were found to be contaminated with at least one organism except three samples. The majority of the isolated bacterial species were gram negative bacteria, such as Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp. and E. coli., which could be of fecal origin and may lead to pneumonia, skin, or internal infections. Furthermore, most of the gram-positive bacteria were found to be multi-drug resistant. Moreover, for heavy metals, all samples had levels exceeding the regulatory limits. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the presence of bacteria and heavy metals in samples of herbal medicines. Using these contaminated products may spread resistant infections, metal toxicities, or even cancers in the community.

Coping strategies of psychiatrists and psychiatry trainees following patient suicide and suicide attempt: A national cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia.

A patient's suicide or suicide attempt is a challenging experience for psychiatrists. This study aimed to explore the common coping strategies and habits developed by psychiatrists/trainees following such incidents. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among participants in Saudi Arabia. The study enrolled 178 participants, of whom 38.8% experienced a patient's suicide, 12.9% experienced a patient's severe suicide attempt, and 48.3% did not encounter any suicidal events. The most frequently utilized sources of support were colleagues (48.9%), team discussions (41.3%), and supervisors (29.3%). Only 21.4% received formal education in coping with a patient's suicide. Approximately 94.9% reported a lack of support systems within their institution. The study highlighted the coping strategies most commonly employed by psychiatrists/trainees and revealed that the majority of participants reported no changes in their daily habits. The findings underscore the need for a structured support system and formal educational resources to address the existing deficit. Mental health organizations must take action to ensure adequate resources for healthcare providers.

Skin problems among the wheelchair users: a prospective cross-sectional study.

Skin is the largest and the outermost body organ. It is directly affected by the external environment. The biomechanical differences in wheelchair users compared to healthy people make them prone to different risk factors of skin problems. Nevertheless, these patients are under-represented in the dermatologic literature. Objective: The primary objective was to determine the frequency of different skin problems among wheelchair users. The secondary objective is to determine the different precautions they are taking to prevent these problems. Methods: The prospective study followed a cross-sectional design, conducted during the period of the coronavirus disease 2019 curfew between May and June 2020. The survey's link was distributed among adult wheelchair users in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was administered using google forms. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22. Results: The results show that the vast majority of wheelchair users (85%) experienced skin problems. Pressure ulcer (PU) is the most frequently reported skin condition (54%), followed by traumatic wounds, fungal infections, and hand skin dryness and thickening. The commonest preventive measure was using cushions to avoid PUs. Conclusion: Most of wheelchair users reported having a history of skin complaints, of which PU was the most common followed by traumatic wounds and fungal infections. Thus, spreading awareness of the risk factors and preventive methods would help them avoid its development and prevent its negative impact on quality of life. Assessing the different kinds of wheelchairs and cushions to avoid PUs would be an interesting area for future studies.

Healthcare professionals' perception and practice of complementary and alternative medicine in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Over the last few decades, use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has grown in popularity, changing health professionals' knowledge and attitude toward CAM, and the treatment recommended by them. The aim of the study was to evaluate the perception and practice of CAM among healthcare professionals. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare providers selected by multistage random sampling technique in two governmental hospitals and ten primary healthcare centers in two governorates in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. A web-based, self-administered questionnaire was distributed via social media platforms. RESULTS: A total of 350 physicians responded to the survey. Good basic knowledge about CAM was reported by 48.6% of the respondents; a positive attitude was adopted by 53%; and CAM was actively practiced by 9.7%. Being a physician > 40 years and consultant affiliation were significantly associated with higher knowledge level about CAM (p = 0.006 and 0.03, respectively), as well as having a proactive practice (p = 0.007 and 0.04, respectively). Practicing CAM was prevalent among non-Saudi and married physicians (p = 0.02 for both). Knowledge about CAM and its practice were strongly correlated (p = 0.007). The most frequent constraints facing CAM practice were lack of knowledge and training on CAM (81.4%) and lack of studies supporting CAM (74.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The practices of health professionals in Qassim region need to be improved despite their expertise and favourable perception of CAM. Educational interventions could play greater roles in providing evidence-based CAM knowledge and enhancing training for physicians.

Risk factors for hand eczema in the general population of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic: An internet-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Hand eczema (HE) is a common disorder that negatively impacts the quality of life. During the COVID-19 pandemic, several studies have shown an increase in HE in health care workers. However, data on the general population are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and risk factors of HE among the Saudi general population during the pandemic. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire composed of 4 sections (participant characteristics, history of atopic disorders, hand hygiene methods, and HE symptoms). It was distributed on Twitter during the lockdown period, between August 2020 and September 2020. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable analyses were conducted using STATA v16. RESULTS: A total of 582 (52.6% women and 47.4% men) participants responded to the questionnaire. The 6-month prevalence of HE was 34%. In multivariable analysis, having a past history of eczema, rhinitis/conjunctivitis, using soaps for >5 times daily, using gloves daily, and using moisturizers were significantly associated with HE. Interestingly, using sanitizers for >5 times daily was not a statistically significant risk factor. LIMITATIONS: Due to its internet-based nature, the response rate cannot be accurately calculated. In addition, the response bias and the small sample size limit the generalizability of the results and prevent drawing broad conclusions and accurate measurement of prevalence. CONCLUSION: HE prevalence increased during the pandemic in the Saudi general population. Frequent use of soaps and gloves, but not sanitizers, increased HE risk.

A Case Report of Vitiligo Induced by Alexandrite Hair Removal Laser.

Vitiligo is one of the disorders where we usually see Koebner lesions. Lasers target a chromophore in the skin to deliver their energy. Their effect is theoretically considered as injury and may induce Koebner lesions in vitiligo patients. Few cases were reported with the different kinds of laser, including laser hair removal (LHR). No cases have ever been reported of vitiligo lesions induced by Alexandrite LHR. Here we present a case report of a young female patient who had never had vitiligo until she received a 755-nm LHR treatment. These vitiligo lesions were completely treated with NB-UVB with no recurrence until 4 years later when she received another 755-nm LHR treatment session with a different machine, which lead to new vitiligo patches only on the areas that received the laser.