Prevalence of thyroid disorders among the diabetic population in Arar, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To study the prevalence of thyroid disorders (TDs) among the diabetic population in Arar, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional design study carried out in Arar, northern province of Saudi Arabia, from October 2023 to January 2024. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. From the diabetic population aged over 18 years old. RESULTS: A total of 501 participants were enrolled. Most fall within the 20-35 age range, comprising 36.5% of the sample. Vitamin D deficiency appears to be the most prevalent comorbid condition. Following closely behind is vitamin B12 deficiency; hypertension and high blood lipids also show notable prevalence rates, affecting 10.5-22.1% of the population. In terms of diabetes, 42.8% of the population has been diagnosed with the condition. Among those with diabetes, the majority (67.6%) have been diagnosed with the second type, while 32.4% have the first type. There is an association between diabetes and TDs, with 51.3% of participants reporting this. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that the adults in Arar, Saudi Arabia, lack some knowledge of TDs and their relationship to diabetes.

Updates on the Causes, Diagnosis, and Management of Peritoneal Abscesses: A Systematic Review.

Intra-abdominal complications such as peritoneal abscesses pose significant medical challenges. Over recent years, there has been a heightened focus on refining treatments for these conditions, such as optimal surgical techniques, drug therapies, and intervention methods. This paper aims to present a comprehensive overview of 10 research studies spanning various countries to highlight recent advancements and findings in the treatment and management of peritoneal abscesses. The paper reviewed 10 trials involving a total of 942 participants, covering diverse methodologies including randomized controlled trials, retrospective analyses, and phase 3 clinical trials. The research spanned countries such as the USA, Finland, Japan, Turkey, India, and China. Key findings included the notable benefits of laparoscopic interventions in appendiceal abscess treatments, which led to quicker recoveries and reduced readmissions compared to conservative approaches. Additionally, certain drug combinations, such as tazobactam/ceftolozane with metronidazole, showcased high clinical efficacy, particularly against resistant bacterial strains. Challenges persist in the early detection of intra-abdominal infections, emphasizing the pivotal role of antimicrobial treatments. Unique therapeutic approaches, like the use of strong acid-electrolyzed water (SAEW) in pediatric appendicitis cases, have proven effective in reducing surgical site infections. Intrabdominal complications such as peritoneal abscesses pose a real challenge. Early detection plays a critical role, which relies on using imaging techniques such as CT scans. Poorly managed mild intra-abdominal diseases can lead to the development of abscesses. Therefore, the implication of highly effective antibiotic combinations such as tazobactam/ceftolozane and metronidazole/ceftriaxone from the start can effectively combat challenging bacterial infections such as Gram-negative and anaerobic bacteria. Surgical procedures remain the most effective method to treat abscesses, and they are usually used as the last resort when drainage, laparoscopy, and other methods fail.

Do internship students do well in a clinical environment? A qualitative naturistic study.

Background: The internship year marks the culmination of the nursing program across all Saudi universities, bridging theoretical learning and practical application. The significance of the internship year lies in the application of skills acquired during the preceding years of study. Understanding interns' experiences, identifying influences, and sharing their recommendations for best practices become crucial. Objective: This study aimed to explore the experiences of internship students and address the challenges they encountered in a clinical environment. Methods: A qualitative naturistic descriptive approach was employed, involving 20 purposively selected participants from internship students in two regions in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected in January 2023 through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and observation. A conventional content analysis approach was used for data analysis. Results: Four major themes were generated: 1) Transferring Shock, 2) Self-Learning, 3) Supportive Environments, and 4) Factors Facilitating Learning. Transferring Shock comprised two subthemes: feeling lost and feeling left out. Conclusion: Internship students acknowledged the utility of orientation and mentorship programs in advancing the practical skills of new nurses and enhancing patient safety. The findings also indicated that those with prior preparation and robust communication skills reported a positive experience. Consequently, integrating communication courses into the nursing education curriculum could be beneficial. Establishing a supportive learning environment for nursing interns is imperative to address challenges and ensure the delivery of safe and effective patient care.

Prevalence and Predictor of Impostor Phenomenon Among Medical Students at Jouf University, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The impostor phenomenon (IP) was defined in 1978 as an "internal feeling of intellectual phoniness felt by people with outstanding academic and professional achievements." This study aims to estimate the prevalence and predictors of IP among medical students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to May 2023. A total of 200 medical students from years one to five participated in the survey; the response rate was 82.5% (165). A stratified random sampling technique was used to select groups of male and female Jouf University medical students from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th batches of the 2022 to 2023 academic year. An e-mail with a self-administered questionnaire comprising the Clance IP scale and a consent form was sent to all participants. The identities of the students were kept anonymous to eliminate response bias. Participation was voluntary. Data were presented in terms of numbers and percentages; a chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables; and multivariable analysis was used to determine predictors of IP using SPSS Statistics version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: A total of 165 students responded to the questionnaire, with a response rate of 82.531%; 47.30% were males, and 86 (52.10%) were females. The findings indicate that 12 (7.3%), 83 (50.30%), 59 (35.80%), and 11 (6.70%) medical students, respectively, suffered from few, moderate, frequent, and intense imposter features. Results also showed that 13 (56.50%) first-year students suffered from moderate IP experiences, and 10 (43.50%) had frequent IP experiences. It was observed that for students in the first year, the academic performance represented by a student's grade point average (GPA), monthly family income, father's educational level, mother's educational level, and marital status are predictors of impostor experience. CONCLUSION: The study's findings show that impostor syndrome is a common problem among medical students and that being in the first year of medical school can increase the incidence of suffering from it. The problem-based learning system in medical school can contribute to impostor syndrome among medical students. Both low-achieving and high-achieving students suffer from impostorism.

A Systematic Review of Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Inhaled Antiviral.

Background and Objectives: The study of clinical pharmacokinetics of inhaled antivirals is particularly important as it helps one to understand the therapeutic efficacy of these drugs and how best to use them in the treatment of respiratory viral infections such as influenza and the current COVID-19 pandemic. The article presents a systematic review of the available pharmacokinetic data of inhaled antivirals in humans, which could be beneficial for clinicians in adjusting doses for diseased populations. Materials and Methods: This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using multiple databases, and studies were screened by two independent reviewers to assess their eligibility. Data were extracted from the eligible studies and assessed for quality using appropriate tools. Results: This systematic review evaluated the pharmacokinetic parameters of inhaled antiviral drugs. The review analyzed 17 studies, which included Zanamivir, Laninamivir, and Ribavirin with 901 participants, and found that the non-compartmental approach was used in most studies for the pharmacokinetic analysis. The outcomes of most studies were to assess clinical pharmacokinetic parameters such as the Cmax, AUC, and t1/2 of inhaled antivirals. Conclusions: Overall, the studies found that the inhaled antiviral drugs were well tolerated and exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic profiles. The review provides valuable information on the use of these drugs for the treatment of influenza and other viral respiratory infections.

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its relation with obesity in Turaif (Saudi Arabia) in 2017.

BACKGROUND: The significant increase in the prevalence of obesity over past decades caused the concomitant rise in the incidence of glucose intolerance and diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of diabetes among Saudi nationals in Turaif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to examine the association between diabetes and obesity in the studied population. METHODS: This study was conducted during the period from May 01 to May 31, 2017. Data was collected from 402 individuals aged between 6-63 years via a predesigned questionnaire covering medical history of diabetes, age and sex. Body weight and height was measured to calculate BMI. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 15, using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test. RESULTS: Mean age (± SD) was 23.27 (±13.509) years, male to female ratio was 38.1% to 61.9%. The total prevalence of DM among the studied population was 4.5%, pre-diabetic cases were 7.5%. There is significant effect of age, sex and BMI on the occurrence of diabetes among the studied population (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Awareness campaigns and prevention programs about diabetes should be instituted and control strategies should be implemented. There is a need for a diabetes screening and management programs, focusing on access to health care in the city.