Association of Coagulopathy and Inflammatory Biomarkers with Severity in SARS-CoV-2-Infected Individuals of the Al-Qunfudhah Region of Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Identifying prognosticators/predictors of COVID-19 severity is the principal focus for early prediction and effective management of the disease in a time-bound and cost-effective manner. We aimed to evaluate COVID-19 severity-dependent alteration in inflammatory and coagulopathy biomarkers. METHODS: A hospital-dependent retrospective observational study (total: n = 377; male, n = 213; and female, n = 164 participants) was undertaken. COVID-19 exposure was assessed by performing real-time PCR on nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied for both continuous and categorical variables using Rstudio-version-4.0.2. Pearson correlation and regression were executed with a cut-off of p < 0.05 for evaluating significance. Data representation by R-packages and ggplot2. RESULTS: A significant variation in the mean ± SD (highly-sever (HS)/moderately severe (MS)) of CRP (HS/MS: 102.4 ± 22.9/21.3 ± 6.9, p-value < 0.001), D-dimer (HS/MS: 661.1 ± 80.6/348.7 ± 42.9, p-value < 0.001), and ferritin (HS/MS: 875.8 ± 126.8/593.4 ± 67.3, p-value < 0.001) were observed. Thrombocytopenia, high PT, and PTT exhibited an association with the HS individuals (p < 0.001). CRP was correlated with neutrophil (r = 0.77), ferritin (r = 0.74), and WBC (r = 0.8). D-dimer correlated with platelets (r = -0.82), PT (r = 0.22), and PTT (r = 0.37). The adjusted odds ratios (Ad-OR) of CRP, ferritin, D-dimer, platelet, PT, and PTT for HS compared to MS were 1.30 (95% CI -1.137, 1.50; p < 0.001), 1.048 (95% CI -1.03, 1.066; p < 0.001), 1.3 (95% CI -1.24, 1.49, p > 0.05), -0.813 (95% CI -0.734, 0.899, p < 0.001), 1.347 (95% CI -1.15, 1.57, p < 0.001), and 1.234 (95% CI -1.16, 1.314, p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 caused alterations in vital laboratory parameters and raised ferritin, CRP, and D-dimer presented an association with disease severity at a significant level.

Prevalence of Consanguineous Marriage among Saudi Citizens of Albaha, a Cross-Sectional Study.

Consanguineous marriage (CM) is a prevalent kind of relationship in Muslim and Arab countries, and this type of relationship is linked to several health risks. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of (CM), its associated hereditary diseases, and health-related issues among Saudi citizens in Albaha. This cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2021 to April 2021. Saudi citizens in Albaha who were aged ≥ 18 years and willing to participate were eligible for the study. A total of 1010 participants were included in this study. In total, 757 participants were married, widowed, or divorced. CM partnerships comprised 40% (N = 302) of the marriages among participants, of which first- and second-cousin marriages comprised 72% and 28%, respectively. The prevalence of CM among the participants' parents was lower than that among the participants (31% versus 40%, respectively). Children of participants in a CM were more likely to have cardiovascular diseases (p < 0.001), blood diseases (anaemia, thalassemia) (p < 0.001), cancer (p = 0.046), hearing loss and speech disorder (p = 0.003), and ophthalmic diseases (p = 0.037). Albaha showed a high percentage of consanguinity. An educational program must be established to enhance the population's knowledge of the consequences of CM. The current national premarital screening program should be extended to involve more screening tests for common hereditary diseases that result from CM.

Antioxidant Activity Derived from Marine Green-Lipped Mussel Perna canaliculus Extracts in Mice.

This study investigates the antioxidant activities of lipid, protein, and carbohydrate extracts from the marine mollusk Perna canaliculus. Lipids were extracted using acetone, which was followed by protein extraction using the broad-spectrum enzyme Alcalase and then carbohydrate extraction using cetylpyridinium chloride. Eighty white BALB/c mice were divided into eight groups according to the administered extracts. Groups 1 and 5 were the control and toxin control groups, respectively. Groups 2, 3, and 4 were administered lipid, protein, and carbohydrate extracts, respectively. The other groups were administered P. canaliculus extracts as well as gentamicin and acetaminophen, known as ethanolic extracts, derived from Nerium oleander to induce oxidation stress. All groups showed significant improvements in body weight (p < 0.05). The lipid extract group showed a significant decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05) and a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05). After the toxin injection, all groups treated with P. canaliculus extracts showed increased antioxidant effects on hepatocytes (p < 0.05). The lipid extracts induced antioxidant effects to protect the kidney by increasing lipid peroxidation (p < 0.05) and catalase activities (p < 0.05). Also, protein extracts showed antioxidant effects by increasing glutathione and catalase levels significantly (p < 0.005). In conclusion, P. canaliculus extracts, especially lipids and proteins, have potent antioxidant activities that protect vital organs from oxidation stress.

Association between periodontitis and vitamin D status: A case-control study.

Vitamin D deficiency and periodontitis are commonly prevalent among Saudi adults. However, the association between periodontitis and vitamin D status has not been well documented. This study aims to examine the association between periodontitis and vitamin D status among adults in the Albaha region of Saudi Arabia. A case-control study of 123 Saudi adults was conducted; 60 had severe or moderate periodontitis, and 63 were periodontally healthy. Data was collected by an online self-reported sociodemographic questionnaire. All participants then underwent a full periodontal examination. Blood samples were also provided to assess participants' vitamin D statuses through serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). A total of 60 cases and 63 controls matched for BMI (30.2 ± 4.86 kg/m2), age (40.01 ± 7.73 years), and sex (46.3% and 53.7% male and female, respectively) participated in the study. Mean levels of 25(OH)D were significantly lower in periodontitis participants than in controls (25.03 ± 8.55 ng/ml, 29.19 ± 12.82 ng/ml, p = 0.037, respectively). Lower odds of periodontitis were detected per unit of 25(OH)D level (OR 0.964, 95% CI; 0.931-0.999, p = 0.043). In conclusion, periodontitis is significantly associated with deficient and insufficient levels of vitamin D among Saudi adults in the Albaha region. Future longitudinal research with a larger sample size may be suggested to confirm these results.

Potential Predictors of Poor Prognosis among Severe COVID-19 Patients: A Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND: Timely detection of the progression of the highly contagious coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is of utmost importance for management and intervention for patients in intensive care (ICU). AIM: This study aims to better understand this new infection and report the changes in the various laboratory tests identified in critically ill patients and associated with poor prognosis among COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. METHODS: This was a retrospective study that included 160 confirmed SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. RESULTS: Elevated serum ferritin, D-dimer, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and nonconjugated bilirubin levels were present in 139 (96%), 131 (96%), 107 (68%), 52 (34%), and 89 (70%) patients, respectively. Renal parameters were abnormal in a significant number of cases with elevated creatinine and blood urea nitrogen in 93 (62%) and 102 (68%) cases, respectively. Hematological profiles revealed lower red blood cell count, hemoglobin, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes in 90 (57%), 103 (65%), 89 (62%), 105 (73%), 35 (24%), and 119 (83%) cases, respectively. The neutrophil count was found to increase in 71.3% of the cases. There was significantly higher mortality (83%) among patients older than 60 years (p=0.001) and in female patients (75%) (p=0.012). Patients with lung diseases had a poor outcome compared to patients with other comorbidities (p=0.002). There was a significant association between elevated D-dimer levels and increased mortality (p=0.003). Elevated levels of AST, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and bilirubin were significantly associated with unfavorable outcomes. CONCLUSION: Different parameters can be used to predict disease prognosis, especially the risk of poor prognosis. Accurate diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression from the early stages will help in reducing mortality and unfavorable outcomes.

Inappropriate Dental Antibiotic Prescriptions: Potential Driver of the Antimicrobial Resistance in Albaha Region, Saudi Arabia.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze and evaluate dental antibiotic prescriptions in Albaha Region, Saudi Arabia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A two-year retrospective cohort study was conducted between September 1, 2017 and September 1, 2019 in children and adults. Data collected from the patients' medical records were analyzed using SPSS. The Z-test with Bonferroni correction and descriptive proportions were utilized to compare several levels of categorical variables. RESULTS: Of the 43,255 dental visits, antibiotics were provided during 12,573 (29.1%). The commonly prescribed antibiotics were amoxicillin and amoxicillin combined with metronidazole (56.3% and 16.9%, respectively). Alarmingly, antibiotics were provided in several conditions for which they are medically neither recommended nor indicated; together, they represented 27.8% of those consultations in which antibiotics were prescribed. Female dentists prescribed more antibiotics than male dentists (30%, P = < 0.000), with male patients receiving more antibiotics than female patients (36%, P = <0.0001). CONCLUSION: Unnecessary prescription of antibiotics was observed in the present study. Improving knowledge and awareness of Saudi dentists on dental antibiotic prescription is warranted.

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Diseases among Young Adults Living in Albaha, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain one of the most important health challenges in not only developing countries but also developed countries. Discussing STDs in the Saudi society is considered taboo, as social factors and ethics give rise to many obstacles. This study evaluates the knowledge of STDs among young adult students enrolled in Albaha University. METHODS: This research is a cross-sectional study involving 1902 young adult students registered at Albaha University. STDs knowledge scores (STDs-KSs) were calculated using a predesigned and validated STDs knowledge questionnaire with 27 items adapted from previously developed questionnaires. RESULTS: The estimated overall mean of STDs-KS was 7.95 ± 4.29. Female participants showed a significantly higher mean of STDs-KS, compared to males (8.51 ± 4.14 vs. 7.32 ± 4.38, p < 0.0001). Participants registered in health sciences programs showed higher STDs-KS, compared to participants from arts and sciences programs (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence from this study suggests a lack of STDs knowledge among young adults. To promote STDs awareness among this population, more health educational programs should be included in school curricula at the late stages of secondary education.