Predictors of Acute Compartment Syndrome in Patients With Forearm Fractures: A Systematic Review.

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a critical orthopedic and traumatology emergency arising from elevated pressure within a confined osteofascial compartment, leading to compromised blood circulation and tissue ischemia. This systematic review aims to comprehensively identify and analyze the most predictable risk factors associated with ACS development in patients with forearm fractures. Published articles on ACS were meticulously searched and evaluated on reputable medical databases such as PubMed. The keywords "risk factors associated with the ACS in patients who have sustained forearm fractures"were used to create the search syntax on various databases. Data were gathered on raw prevalence, population under study, and methodology. A total of 10 articles that met the search criteria were identified and included in this review with a total of more than 300,000 patients across the studies. Fracture-related ACS was the most common, followed by soft tissue damage among patients with forearm fractures. This review underscores fractures as primary ACS catalysts, along with the role of soft tissue trauma. Meticulous consideration of these risk factors can enhance clinical decision-making, early detection, and intervention, improving patient outcomes and care quality.

Updates on the Prognosis of Giant Cell Arteritis: A Systematic Review.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is considered the most common type of vasculitis, especially in people aged 50 years or older, and imaging studies have helped predict its systemic nature. We conducted this review to highlight the results of the recently published articles considering the prognosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA). We searched for the relevant literature in SCOPUS, PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct and were included. We used Rayyan (Rayyan Systems, Cambridge, Massachusetts) throughout this systematic approach. The search resulted in twelve studies with 2600 patients with GCA diagnosis; most of them, 1853 (71.3%), were females. This systematic review found that most of the GCA patients experienced at least one relapse episode, primarily in patients younger than 75 years, with dependency on glucocorticoids, female sex, and involvement of large vessel vasculitis. We also found that stroke in GCA patients was associated with a bad prognosis. Therefore, we think more prospective studies are needed to enhance particular patient outcomes, and new therapeutic approaches using accessible biotherapies like tocilizumab and other similar medications are required.

Impact of Portraiture Photography on Orthodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Due to the clear depiction of facial aesthetics and other craniofacial parameters, portraiture photography (PP) is becoming more and more necessary in modern clinical practice. The studies chosen for this review's inclusion looked at how PP affected the orthodontic treatment and diagnostic procedure on the subjects who were watched in the studies. Studies published within the last decade precisely from 2013 were searched for across major online databases after devising a proper search strategy. Multiple reviewers created a specific data extraction form that was used for the investigation, followed by the evaluation of bias and the variables found in each of the chosen papers. This form was meant for the assessment for various variables encountered in this study. According to the meta-analysis, using PP was related with a statistically significant decrease in the risk of orthodontic treatment and diagnostic modalities, with odds ratios (OR) of 0.52 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of (0.28, 0.96), and a relative risk (RR) of 0.66 with a CI of (0.45, 0.96). In orthodontics, PP is an important tool that offers useful data for diagnosis, treatment planning, and tracking treatment success. To validate the results of studies like ours, a sizable evidence sample is required due to the limited number of trials that have been performed in this area.

Awareness of Diabetic Retinopathy Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Primary Healthcare Centers in Madinah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in Saudi Arabia is among the highest in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions. Various complications of DM can cause problems in the long term. One of the most prevalent microvascular problems and the primary cause of blindness is diabetic retinopathy (DR), and a significant proportion of the population with diabetes eventually develop diabetes retinopathy. Recognizing and understanding DR may be crucial for patients in identifying and averting this complication.  Objectives The objective of this atudy is to assess the awareness of DR among patients with type 2 DM at primary healthcare centers in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.  Methods This cross-sectional study involved a survey of patients with diabetes who attended Madinah primary care clinics between August and September 2023. The study was conducted in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, from May to November 2023.  Results A total of 240 patients participated with a median age of 49.7 years and a gender distribution of 121 (50.4%) men. Overall, less than half of patients had a fair level of knowledge (47.1%) and a good level of knowledge (42.1%) about DR, whereas 10.8% had poor knowledge. Physicians were the primary source of information for patients, followed by the internet, family, and friends. Higher levels of education, diabetes that had been present for a longer period, and regular eye exams were associated with better understanding. This study emphasizes the importance of improving patient knowledge and awareness of DR.  Conclusions We observed a high level of awareness of DR among participants. Furthermore, higher awareness was associated with longer disease duration and compliance with diabetes treatment.

Comparative Evaluation of Condylar Guidance Angles Measured Using Arcon and Non-Arcon Articulators and Panoramic Radiographs-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The condylar guidance value (CGV) measurement constitutes an important part of a holistic prosthodontic treatment plan, with horizontal CGVs (HCGVs) and lateral CGVs (LCGVs) being two of the most prominently recognized. This systematic review aimed at evaluating the efficacy of two different types of CGV measurement protocols-articulators (both arcon and non-arcon) and panoramic radiographs. Additionally, it attempts to determine which of the mentioned methods performs better across several parameters. Several important web databases were searched using search terms derived from medical subject headings (MeSH), using keywords linked to "Arcon articulator", "Condylar guidance angle", "non-arcon articulator", "Panoramic x-ray" and "Radiographic examination", which constituted the first step in the study selection strategy. After completion, the search strategy which initially turned up to 831 papers, eventually ended up with 13 studies. The review and subsequent meta-analysis revealed that panoramic radiographs had noticeably greater efficacy in terms of the CGVs as compared to the articulators in the majority of the studies. Within the articulators, the arcon types recorded slightly higher CGVs than the non-arcon variety owing to the precision of jaw movement simulation in the former. However, further studies are required to validate these findings and establish more precise guidelines for the use of CGV measurement protocols in prosthodontic practice.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Fibromyalgia Among Primary Care Physicians in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Adequately informed family physicians have the greatest potential to correctly identify the diagnosis of fibromyalgia (FM) and develop an initial treatment plan. Therefore, it is substantial to determine the levels of weakness and inaccuracy among primary care physicians regarding FM diagnostic criteria and management strategies. AIM: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding FM among primary care physicians in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included family physicians who were board-certified or registered in the family medicine training program and working at the government family healthcare centers in Tabuk. A pre-designed, structured questionnaire was distributed either in written form or as an online survey. RESULTS: This study included 52 primary healthcare physicians. Twenty-two (42.3%) participants incorrectly recorded localized pain as a diagnostic symptom, and 45 (86.5%) incorrectly recorded nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), prednisolone, and/or opioids as drugs that are used for treating FM. Only 59.6% were confident in recognizing the symptoms of FM, and 55.8% were confident in differentiating FM from other similar diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The primary healthcare physicians working in the government's primary healthcare centers in Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia, have low levels of knowledge about diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies for FM. These findings highlight the need for continuous professional development involving family physicians in the primary healthcare setting with suitable continuous medical education (CME) programs concerning FM.

The Association of Blood Glucose Levels and Arterial Stiffness (Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index) in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

INTRODUCTION:  Diabetes mellitus causes a major burden on healthcare systems all around the world. It has been documented that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with long-term vascular complications including micro-vascular, macro-vascular, and mixed-vascular disorders. Several studies have concluded that the increment of arterial wall stiffness is correlated with an increase in the risk of cardiovascular adverse events and the mortality associated with it. AIMS:  This study purposed to evaluate the arterial stiffness measurements, using Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index (CAVI), in T2DM patients, and the relationship with the fasting blood glucose (FBG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and other factors that may increase the risk of elevated arterial stiffness in T2DM patients. METHODOLOGY:  A total of 200 patients were recruited from the outpatient setting at King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al Khobar. A total of 181 patients fit the inclusion criteria. The charts of the patients who fit the inclusion criteria were reviewed and data related to age, gender, body mass index, smoking history, FBG, HbA1c levels, blood pressure (mmHg) measurements, and CAVI scores were collected. RESULTS:  The elevation in CAVI readings was noted to be more prominent in the senior age group. Hypertensive patients also showed a significant increase in CAVI readings. In addition, higher CAVI readings were more associated with the male gender rather than females. All of which showed a significant correlation. Furthermore, although it was not significant, higher FBG levels and HbA1c readings were correlated with higher CAVI readings. CONCLUSION:  The results of the study suggest that factors like age, smoking status, gender, and the increase in blood pressure as well as the increase in blood glucose levels are correlated with higher CAVI readings in T2DM patients. This demonstrates their important effect on arterial wall stiffness while showing that CAVI can be used in predicting the prognosis of arterial wall health in patients with diabetes.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and risk of inhospital mortality among end-stage renal disease patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A scientific perspective.

According to the elevated infection mortality risks, the incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could be raised in rheumatoid arthritis patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Our objectives are to describe the impact of COVID-19 infection on rheumatoid arthritis patients with end-stage renal disease and to identify the risk of in-hospital mortality, comorbid conditions. and the proper way to deal with this category. It was a retrospective analysis of COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia from March 1, 2020 to April 27, 2020 and from May 27, 2020 to August 20, 2020. Of 10,482 patients with COVID-19, 419 had ESRD. We assessed main (in-hospital death) outcomes and secondary (mechanical breathing and residence) outcomes. Patients with ESRD were aged and more comorbid disorders. Rheumatoid arthritis patients with ESRD were aged. ESRD rheumatoid arthritis patients have a higher hospital mortality risk relative to rheumatoid arthritis patients not getting complicated with ESRD (31.7% vs. 25.4%, chances 1.38, and 95% trust range 1.12-1.70). After population and comorbid conditions had changed, the rate of rise stayed the same (changed chances: 1.37, 1.09-1.73). In both the crude and modified study (1.62, 1.26-2.07; vs. 1.57, 1.22-2.02), chances for the period of stay of seven or more days have been higher inside a group than in the non-ESRD group. Old age, respiratory support, lymphopenia, and elevated blood urea nitrogen and low serum ferritin were the independent contributing factors for the in-hospital mortality of ESRD rheumatoid arthritis patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.