Measures of health-related quality of life in PCOS women: a cross sectional study from Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine-gynecologic disorder affecting women of childbearing age. It has a wide range of clinical manifestations, including menstrual irregularity, infertility, hirsutism, acne, and obesity. Studies have confirmed that PCOS can significantly reduce a patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The pathophysiology of PCOS is poorly understood, but it is believed to be caused by the interaction of several factors. Moreover, there is a lack of information about HRQoL among PCOS women in Saudi Arabia. This study aims to assess the HRQoL of PCOS patients by using the Arabic Version of the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Health-Related Quality of life Questionnaire (AR-PCOSQ) in Riyadh city. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 281 women in Riyadh city using the translated questionnaire (AR-PCOSQ) to explore PCOS quality of life among Saudi females. The eligibility criteria were Saudi female who had been diagnosed with PCOS, living in Riyadh city, aged 18 and above, and willing to participate. The sample size was estimated using the 10-events-per variable rule for prediction models (REF). Informed consent was taken from all participants and a Google Form was used to create the survey and collect data. RESULTS: The higher score represents poor QOL. However, the analysis revealed that higher scores of the weight-related QOL had the greatest impact on patients' quality of life in older age groups, including women aged 26 to 35 (beta = 0.143, 95% CI, 0.023 to 0.304, p-value = 0.046) and women aged > 35 (beta = 0.229, 95% CI, 0.039 to 0.428, p = 0.011). Other domains of QOL, such as emotions, body hair, infertility, and menstrual problems, were not significantly predicted by any of the women's demographic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: The findings revealed that PCOS-related conditions such as weight problems, menstrual irregularity, and infertility were associated with a reduction in quality of life.

Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among residents of Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study.

 OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aim to estimate the prevalence of adult ADHD among Saudi adults, determine its demographic correlates, the impact of the disorder on school/work, social life, and productivity, and describe its association with other psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 993 adult participants was carried out utilizing a validated online questionnaire that was given to the Saudi population between January 2022 and March 2022. Socio-demographic information, the adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) are among the data gathered from the questionnaire. RESULTS: Participants' median age group was 21-30 years (48.4%), with 77.8% being females. The prevalence of participants who were positive for ADHD symptoms was 46.6%. In univariate analysis, age group, marital status, depression, anxiety, Sheehan scale domains, day lost, and unproductive days were all significant risk factors for ADHD. In a multivariate regression analysis, anxiety, depression, symptoms that disrupted work/school work, family life/home responsibilities, and days unproductive remained statistically significant and determined as the significant independent predictors of positive ADHD. CONCLUSIONS: Morbidity of adult ADHD symptoms appreciably existed among younger adults of Saudi Arabia, mostly students with no favorable genders. Adult ADHD symptoms were found to affect the quality of social life and work/schoolwork performance as they decreased the productivity rate and increased the absenteeism rate. Moreover, symptoms of depression and anxiety were in a profound correlation with Adult ADHD symptoms.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of MXene Quantum Dots.

Quantum dots (QDs) with ultrahigh surface-to-volume ratio, abundant edge active sites, forceful quantum confinement and other remarkable physio-chemical properties, have garnered considerable research interest. MXene QDs, as an emerging member of them, have also attracted wide attention in the last six years, and shown great achievements in many fields. This critical review systematically summarizes the various methods for synthesizing MXene QDs. The characteristics and corresponding applications of various MXene QDs are also presented. The advantages and disadvantages of various synthetic methods, and the limitations of corresponding MXene QDs are compared and highlighted. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of synthesizing MXene QDs are proposed. We hope this review will enlighten researchers to the fabrication of more advancing and promising MXene-based QDs with proprietary properties in diverse applications.

The efficacy of aerobic training on the pulmonary functions of hemophilic A patients: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the efficacy of a program of aerobic exercise on pulmonary functions in adult males with hemophilia A (HA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 40 patients with HA who met the eligibility criteria (40 HA; age range: 20-39 years) were invited to participate in the study. The patients were divided into two groups, 20 per each. Participants in the study group (A) underwent selected physical therapy program, along with aerobic training sessions on a cycle ergometer (50-60% heart rate reserve, moderate intensity), while the control group (B) underwent a selected physical therapy program only. The pulmonary functions (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF, PIF, and MVV) were measured before and after treatment program. RESULTS: There were noteworthy statistical differences between pre- and post-measurements in the study group in all measured variables (p < 0.05). There were also significant statistical differences between the study and control groups in all measured variables post treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that hemophilic A patients' pulmonary functions have improved significantly following aerobic exercise training. As a result, aerobic exercise can be used in addition to medical treatment for hemophilic A patients.

Normative reference values for the timed up-and-go test in Indian children aged four to 11 years old and their correlation with demographic characteristics: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The timed up-and-go test (TUGT) is a quick, reliable, and valid assessment tool for evaluating functional mobility or dynamic balance. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to establish the normative values for TUGT in children aged 4 to 11 years old in Surat, India. METHODS: A total of 420 children (210 boys and 210 girls) were included. Subjects were divided into seven age groups. In each age group, 60 (30 males and 30 females) subjects were included. Subjects were randomly recruited from primary schools and underwent three trials of the TUGT. Then, the mean of the three TUGT trials was calculated for each participant. RESULTS: We formulated normative reference values for each of the seven age groups. The mean and standard deviation of the TUGT score across the total population was 6.00 ± 1.15 seconds. TUGT scores were compared between age groups and genders. Between boys and girls, we found no significant differences. Among the age groups, however, we found significant differences, with a P value of less than 0.001. Thus, only age showed a moderate negative correlation with TUGT score. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides normative reference values for the TUGT among Indian children aged four to 11 years old. We found that no differences existed between the TUGT results according to genders. Conversely, age had a moderate negative correlation: a comparison of TUGT scores among the ages revealed significant differences between the age groups.

Normative reference values for functional, lateral, and oblique direction reach tests in Saudi children aged six to 15 years old and psychometric properties of the oblique direction reach test.

AIMS: To establish normative values for functional, lateral, and Oblique Direction Reach Tests (ODRT) and to assess the validity and reliability of the ODRT in Saudi children of age 6-15 years. METHODS: Three hundred Saudi children of age 6-15 years children were recruited by using snowball sampling. Children were measured for distance reached in forward, lateral, and oblique direction on a graph paper, which was mounted on a wall/cardboard. RESULTS: The Mean ± SD for forward, lateral and oblique direction reach was 25.63 ± 6.95, 18.91 ± 5.66, 22.08 ± 5.98 cm respectively. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient values of intra and inter-rater reliability of ODRT shown to be 0.94 and 0.91, respectively. Concurrent validity of ODRT with forward and lateral reach test is 0.87 and 0.84, respectively. CONCLUSION: : We established the normal values for functional, lateral, and ODRT in 6-15 years of Saudi children. We found that ODRT is a valid and reliable for measuring limits of stability in oblique direction.

Effects of patient-specific three-dimensional lumbar traction on pain and functional disability in patients with lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse.

BACKGROUND: Prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc is one of the most prevalent causes of low back pain and traction is one of the most common physical therapy treatments offered to affected patients. Advancements in traction equipment are needed to ensure their effectiveness in clinical situations. AIMS: The objective of the study was to find out the effect of patient-specific three-dimensional lumbar traction on pain and functional disability in individuals with lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Original article and Experimental design. Twenty-five participants (age range: 34-67 years) diagnosed with lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse were included in this study. Patient-specific three-dimensional lumbar traction was given as three sessions per week for the duration of one month. All participants completed a 10-cm visual analog pain scale and pain pressure threshold to assess pain and the Oswestry disability index to assess the functional disability. RESULTS: On pre to post interventions, a significant change in mean values were found for visual analog scale pain score, pain pressure threshold, and Oswestry disability index (P < 0.001). The pain intensity was reduced from 8.5 to 3.2, pain pressure threshold increased from 0.7 to 1.6 kg/cm2, and functional disability was reduced from 53.5% to 31.3%. CONCLUSION: Twelve sessions of patient-specific three-dimensional lumbar traction promoted a reduction in pain and improvement in functional disability among subjects with lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse.