Analysis of chemical composition of urinary calculi from Northern border area of Saudi Arabia.

The present study aimed to investigate the chemical composition of urinary calculi in people living in the northern border area of Saudi Arabia and to formulate suggestions for prevention of renal stones. Urinary stones were obtained from patients attending the Urology Departments of Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Musaad Hospital and Central Hospital, Arar, Saudi Arabia. Stones were analyzed using kit for semi-quantitative colorimetric determination of carbonate, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, oxalate, phosphate, uric acid and cysteine; manufactured by LTA s.r.l. Milano 15/F, 20060 Bussero (Milano), Italy. From a total of 55 urinary stones, 49 (89%) were retrieved from males, while 6 (11%) from females. Ages of patients ranged from 15 to 75 years with the mean of 50.22}14.46 and majority of patients were between 31-50 years (69.08%). Most of the patients were overweight (70.91 %) in both the genders. Calcium oxalate stones were 60%, uric acid 18.18% and calcium phosphate 10.90%, while other forms of stones were scarce. It is concluded that upper urinary tract stones were predominant, comprising mostly of calcium oxalate and urate, which could be prevented by control of obesity; moderate intake of meat, dairy products, fruit vegetables (with minimal oxalates); and plenty of fluids.

Prevalence, risk factors and character of abdominal hernia in Arar City, Northern Saudi Arabia in 2017.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal wall hernias are a very common surgical condition affecting all ages and both sexes. The main risk factors of hernias include pregnancy, weight lifting, constipation, and weight gain. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of abdominal hernias, their causes, treatment and complications among both sexes of the Arar population (Saudi Arabia). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,567 adults living in Arar city in 2017. Data was collected by personal interview via questionnaire translated into Arabic, and general and local examination. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16, using descriptive statistics and Chi Square test. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of abdominal hernias was 11.7%, hernias were more prevalent in females than in males (63.4% vs. 36.6%), the most common cases were para-umbilical 33.9%, inguinal 27.3%, and umbilical in 20.8% of the cases, 51.9% were obese, 53.6% had previous abdominal surgery, 19.1% had previous abdominal trauma, 28.4% had positive family history of hernia and 39.9% were grand multipara. Hernias were significantly affected by sex, obesity, previous abdominal surgery, previous abdominal trauma, positive family history of hernias and being grand multipara (p<0.05). Treatment of hernias was surgical in 47.5% and conservative in 47.0%, complications occurred in 20.2% and 25.1% were recurrent after treatment. CONCLUSION: Abdominal wall hernias are a common clinical presentation in Arar, KSA. Abdominal hernias are more common in women than men, there is an obvious relationship between obesity and hernias. Early diagnosis, easily accessible health facilities and health education are important to prevent complications. New modality of treatment should be adopted as the standard choice of care to prevent recurrence.