Public awareness of side effects of systemic steroids in Asir region, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Corticosteroids have been used since the 50s and it represent the most important and frequently used class of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs for the treatment of several diseases such as numerous neoplastic, asthma, allergy, rheumatoid arthritis, and dermatological disorders. This study aims to determine the public awareness of side effects of systemic steroids in Asir region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional web-based study was used. An online questionnaire was developed by the study researchers based on the literature review and consultations of the field experts. The questionnaire included the following components: Participants demographic data, medical history, and steroids use. Also, it covered participants awareness regarding systemic steroids and side effects. Results: A total of 439 participants fulfilling the inclusion criteria completed the study questionnaire. Ages ranged from 18 to 65 years with mean age of 26.1 ± 13.9 years old, of those, 227 (51.7%) respondents were males. Around 346 (78.8%) had poor overall awareness level while only 93 (21.2%) had good awareness regarding systematic steroids. The study also showed that awareness was significantly higher among young aged participants in the health care field and among those who previously used steroids. Two hundred and eighty two (64.2%) of the respondents reported previous use of steroids. Conclusion: In conclusion, the current study showed that nearly one out of each five people know about systemic steroids and related side effects which is below the satisfactory level. Higher awareness was observed with regards drug associated side effects and long-term use consequences.

Impact of MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 Viral Infection on Immunoglobulin-IgG Cross-Reactivity.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has posed a considerable threat to public health and global economies. SARS-CoV-2 has largely affected a vast world population and was declared a COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, with a substantial surge of SARS-CoV-2 infection affecting all aspects of the virus' natural course of infection and immunity. The cross-reactivity between the different coronaviruses is still a knowledge gap in the understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This study aimed to investigate the impact of MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 viral infections on immunoglobulin-IgG cross-reactivity. Our retrospective cohort study hypothesized the possible reactivation of immunity in individuals with a history of infection to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) when infected with SARS-CoV-2. The total number of participants included was 34; among them, 22 (64.7%) were males, and 12 (35.29%) were females. The mean age of the participants was 40.3 ± 12.9 years. This study compared immunoglobulin (IgG) levels against SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV across various groups with various histories of infection. The results showed that a reactive borderline IgG against both MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 in participants with past infection to both viruses was 40% compared with 37.5% among those with past infection with MERS-CoV alone. Our study results establish that individuals infected with both SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV showed higher MERS-CoV IgG levels compared with those of individuals infected previously with MERS-CoV alone and compared with those of individuals in the control. The results further highlight cross-adaptive immunity between MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. Our study concludes that individuals with previous infections with both MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 showed significantly higher MERS-CoV IgG levels compared with those of individuals infected only with MERS-CoV and compared with those of individuals in the control, suggesting cross-adaptive immunity between MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV.

Acute encephalopathy in a 6-year-old child with concurrent COVID-19 infection: a case report from Saudi Arabia.

COVID-19 is a global health crisis that has impacted the world with heavy economic and social losses. In the early days of the pandemic, pediatric COVID-19 was well-known for its low infectivity and mortality rates as well as its benign clinical outcomes. Herein, we report the case of a 6-year-old girl with COVID-19-associated encephalopathy without respiratory symptoms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first child reported from Saudi Arabia with COVID-19-induced encephalopathy. A 6-year-old patient with COVID-19 was presented to the Abha Maternity and Child Hospital in southeastern Saudi Arabia. Routine clinical and laboratory examinations revealed normal findings. Despite the absence of COVID-19 respiratory manifestations, the patient manifested COVID-19-related encephalopathy. The patient responded well to pulse steroid, favipiravir, and symptomatic seizure therapies. The patient recovered completely without any neurologic morbidities. A COVID-19-related encephalopathy was observed for the first time in Saudi Arabia among pediatric patients. Clinicians should be alert to potential neurologic complications associated with COVID-19. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with acute encephalopathy, even in the absence of respiratory symptoms. To avoid long-term neurologic sequelae, prompt seizure and immunosuppressive therapies are essential.

Job satisfaction among family medicine physicians in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: Physicians are subject to chronic stressors, depression, and burnout due to long working hours, high requirements, and critical decision-making.[12345] All those reasons contribute to the dissatisfaction of physicians. The dissatisfaction of physicians might lead to lower health-care quality.[6] Moreover, patient satisfaction is strongly affected by physician satisfaction.[78] This study aims to measure job satisfaction among family medicine (FM) physicians in Saudi Arabia. STUDY DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 265 FM physicians working in Saudi Arabia to participate in an online survey between October 2019 and January 2019. RESULTS: Results showed that more than 50% of the respondents were very satisfied with their career choice (55.5%, n = 147). Non-Saudis who were satisfied or strongly satisfied were higher than those of Saudis (P = 0.035) and 2.45 times more likely to be dissatisfied compared to non-Saudi respondents. Respondents from the southern region were 81% less likely to be dissatisfied than respondents from the central region (OR = 0.19, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Family medicine physicians showed a high level of satisfaction with their career choice regardless of gender, age, sector public or private, marital status. This is promising for family medicine as a medical specialty. The future of health care in Saudi Arabia is driven toward general practice and primary care centers, which aligns with the future vision of Saudi Arabia 2030.

Applications of CBCT in dental practice: a review of the literature.

This article reviews the various clinical applications of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). A literature search was conducted via PubMed for publications related to dental applications of CBCT published between January 1998 and June 15, 2010. The search revealed a total of 540 articles, 129 of which were clinically relevant and analyzed in detail. A literature review demonstrated that CBCT has been utilized for oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, implantology, orthodontics, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, periodontics, and restorative and forensic dentistry. This literature review showed that the different indications for CBCT are governed by the needs of the specific dental discipline and the type of procedure performed.