Adherence to the monitoring of metabolic syndrome in patients receiving antipsychotics in outpatient clinics in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring protocols have been developed because patients taking atypical antipsychotics are more prone to developing metabolic syndrome, which leads to possible increased mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study was to assess the degree of adherence to the recommendations of metabolic syndrome monitoring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in two large psychiatric facilities in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A retrospective analysis of the medical records of 350 patients taking antipsychotic medications was done, and an assessment was made of the frequency of metabolic monitoring at each of the intervals as suggested by the American Diabetes Association. Data was analyzed using SPSS; descriptive statistics. were computed and Chi-square test was used to determine statistical significance for association between categorical variable. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 34.9 ± 18 years; 64.6% were males. Olanzapine was the most prescribed medication (43.7%, n = 153), followed by quetiapine (17.4%, n = 61). Only one-third of the patients (29.6%) completed all the baseline parameters. Documentation of baseline parameters was low for glucose level (38.9%), lipid panel (17.3%), weight (25.2%), and waist circumference (1.4%). Adherence to yearly monitoring was much lower than at baseline (mean percentage: 29.6% vs. 1.7%). Furthermore, 45% of the patients were classified as obese and 10% had metabolic comorbidity. CONCLUSION: Individuals with mental illness who were taking antipsychotics did not undergo proper metabolic screening during antipsychotic treatment. Barriers to adherence to the monitoring guidelines should be examined and addressed. Giving assistance to practitioners to recall the required laboratory tests and vitals at certain intervals could help improve metabolic monitoring practices.

Knowledge and Barriers About Blood Donation and Associated Factors in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review.

Transfusions and blood donations are relatively risk-free medical procedures. However, attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge levels about blood donation and transfusion may influence such operations. This systematic review aims to comprehensively investigate the level of knowledge and attitudes towards blood donation in Saudi Arabia. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect were systematically searched for relevant literature. Rayyan (Qatar Computing Research Institute, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar) was employed throughout this comprehensive process. This review included 17 studies with a total of 9,212 patients, and 4,806 (52.2%) were males. The majority of Saudis lacked awareness about blood donation and had unfavorable opinions towards it. In addition to various fears, mistrust, a lack of information, and not being approached by anyone to donate blood, participants reported that the distance to the donation site, the difficulty with transportation, the time commitment, getting a quick break from work or the office, or taking time off from home were also contributing to the negative attitudes towards blood donation. While youthful participants were more likely to contribute, Saudi university students in this study had inadequate information but positive attitudes about blood donation. Ineligibility, fear of giving blood, and inaccurate information regarding blood donation are the main deterrents to blood donation.

Awareness of Epistaxis and Its First Aid Management Among Teachers Working in Schools of Al-Baha Region, Saudi Arabia.

Background Epistaxis (nosebleed) is a frequent emergency presentation in the emergency department (ED). Generally, any harm to the nasal mucosa lining can lead the nose to bleed. The etiologies of epistaxis are widely classified as environmental, local, systemic, and medication-related causes. The initial management for epistaxis is first aid. First aid by applying pressure on the nostrils is essential to stop the bleeding and minimize discomfort. This study intends to evaluate teachers' awareness regarding epistaxis first aid management inside schools in Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted among a target of 439 teachers regarding epistaxis first aid management inside schools in Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and a chi-square test. Results Of the teachers, 50.7% had received training regarding epistaxis, while 49.3% had never been trained. Also, 73.3% considered that applying nasal compression may help stop bleeding, while the rest were completely unaware. On further investigation, tilting the head forward would be done by 56.27% of the teachers, while 40.73% said that the head should be tilted back. Of the teachers, 53.3% would go to the emergency if bleeding continued for more than 10 minutes. No association between age, gender, and working area, and training received regarding the management of epistaxis was found (p>0.05), but teachers from a scientific background, as compared to those from a literature background, were able to answer better regarding the management of epistaxis (p<0.05). Conclusion The study highlights knowledge gaps regarding epistaxis first aid management inside schools in Al-Baha region, Saudi Arabia. The research highlights the need for focused training programs and awareness efforts to enhance teachers' knowledge and first aid practices. Addressing misknowledge and mispractices, enhancing the practices and attitudes of healthcare providers toward appropriate feeding practices, and promoting a supportive and safe environment could all contribute to the improvement of quality of life and health among the population of Saudi Arabia.

Knowledge and attitude towards emergency department utilization in Riyadh.

Background: Because the emergency department (ED) is such an important element of health care, efficient usage must be taken into account while planning and creating the scope of service for emergency care. Our study's goal is to assess the participants' knowledge and attitude towards ED. Concerns among the general public over the use of emergency rooms (ER). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among the sample of Saudi Arabia's population of Riyadh City in the year 2020. There were 440 people who responded. The information was gathered with a self-administered questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0 was used to analyze the data. Results: As a result of the findings, 22 symptoms were reported as the cause of ER visits, ranging from acute, urgent, and cold symptoms. Of these, 45.7% of those polled said they visited an ER if they get sick, then seek primary care, online consultation, and community pharmacy, which was 28.2%, 17.5%, and 8.6%, respectively. Around 14.32% of the visitors had a chronic condition, with asthma accounting for 41.3%, diabetes for 23.8%, and hypertension for 11.1%. In terms of the frequency of visits, 66.4% said they visit the emergency care once in every 3-6 months, and 47.7% said they visit once in a month. With a mean score of 16.16 ± 3.02/high in knowledge, the results revealed that the participants possessed a high degree of knowledge, with a significant difference among married group (F = 4.83, P < 0.05 = 0.003), and those from 24 to 29 years of age (F = 3.26, P < 0.05 = 0.012). Conclusions: Because there were characteristics connected to population knowledge, limited hours, and ED overutilization without necessity, the findings of our study could be valuable in understanding the reasons for ED overutilization without necessity. In Riyadh's primary health care centers (PHCCs), there are limited medical resources. Thus, we recommend that the primary health care (PHC) admission process should be improved putting in place a triage mechanism that determines the best location for patient care that is suited.

Understanding cancer patients' use and perceptions of inpatient portal: A case study at a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Inpatient portals have been introduced into tertiary hospitals to meet patients' information and communication needs, to increase their awareness of health care, and to facilitate their transition after discharge. However, there is inadequate knowledge about hospitalised oncology patients' use and perceptions of these technologies. OBJECTIVE: To explore cancer patients' use and perceptions of an inpatient portal in a tertiary hospital and to identify the main benefits and barriers for patients in using the portal. METHOD: A qualitative case study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Only cancer patients were invited to participate. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted in the patient's room in a cancer care centre in January 2020. Interviews were audio-recorded, fully transcribed, and analysed using a thematic analysis method. RESULTS: Most patients used the portal for the first time. The most used features were entertainment, watching fall prevention videos and viewing medication lists. Although the majority of patients were positive towards the portal, and considered it to be useful and easy to use, only a small number of them used the key clinical feature of the system such as pain assessment, health education, and discharge preparation. The patients would like to see further improvement in usability of the portal, appropriate user training, adding further information, and incorporating more services and features in the portal. CONCLUSION: The introduction of the inpatient portal is successful in improving cancer patients' hospitalisation experience. It helped cancer patients to acquire knowledge about their own health, to actively engage in their care processes, and to request and acquire electronic services, in addition to providing entertainment. Future research on which factors inspire patients' use of the portal and how the influence is achieved is needed for the successful integration of the portal into the patients' hospital care process.

The Vital Pulp Therapy of Permanent Teeth: A Dental Practitioner's Perspective from Saudi Arabia.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the levels of knowledge and attitude of dental practitioners (DPs) toward vital pulp therapy (VPT) of young permanent teeth in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out by taking convenient sample of general DPs and specialist attending Saudi International Dental Conference, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 200 DPs administered a structured, self-administered questionnaire to evaluate their knowledge and attitude toward VPT. The questionnaire comprised four parts: Part I: Characteristics of the study participants; Part II: Items related to indications and diagnosis of VPT; Part III: Questions related to the different VPTs for immature permanent teeth; and Part IV: Dental materials used in VPT and restoration. All the data were entered into the statistical analysis software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY) and analyzed by using descriptive statistics of frequency distribution and percentages for the categorical variables. RESULTS: A total of 193 (men = 57% [110] and women = 43% [83]) DPs participated in this study with a response rate of 96.5%. Less than half of correct responses were observed with (Item 1) related to the duration of complete closure of root apex (43%) and (Item 14) use of sodium hypochlorite to serve as an excellent diagnostic tool to differentiate irreversible from reversible pulpitis. A high percentage of correct responses were seen with the (Item 9) indirect pulp capping--a procedure performed in a tooth with a deep carious lesion without signs or symptoms of pulp degeneration (75%). All other item responses ranged in between 52% and 72%. CONCLUSION: DPs showed fair-to-good knowledge and attitude toward VPT of young permanent teeth. In general, there is a need to improve knowledge and attitude of dental professionals about the VPT by attending continuing dental educational programs.

Root canal morphology of mandibular canines in the Syrian population: A CBCT Assessment.

INTRODUCTION: The recent study aimed to assess the root canal morphology of mandibular canines in the Syrian population depending on the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 418 fully developed mandibular canines in Syrian individuals aged between 16 and 60 years were included. The presence of at least one mandibular right or left canine with fully developed roots was recorded in each image. The root canal configurations were classified according to the method of Vertucci. The mandibular canines were examined in sagittal, coronal, and axial dimensions. The CBCT images were evaluated by three endodontists with at least 9 years of clinical experience in endodontics. Data were analyzed with descriptive analysis and Chi-square tests using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 25 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: Out of the 418 mandibular canines, 409 (97.85%) were single-rooted canines while only 9 (2.15%) were double-rooted canines. The most common type of Vertucci in single-rooted canines was Type I (1-1) in the percentage of 95.87% and the least type was Type V (1-2) in the percentage of (0.24%). The Chi-square tests showed no significant association between gender and number of roots (P = 0.64) and gender and root canal configuration in single-rooted canine (P = 0.194). CONCLUSION: Single-rooted with Type I canal configuration was the most common anatomy in mandibular canines in the Syrian population. Incidence of more than one root canal foramen at the end of the single root was detected in one case only.

Internal Bleaching of Endodontically Treated Teeth: A Dental Practitioner's Perspective from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

AIM: To determine the knowledge and attitude of dental practitioners (DPs) for internal bleaching technique (IBT) in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was developed based on a convenient sampling of dental practitioners and specialists working in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. DPs responded to a structured, self-administered questionnaire for evaluation of their knowledge and attitude toward IBT. The questionnaire had two components: (i) the characteristics of the study participants; and (ii) the items related to the internal bleaching technique (IBT). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS (version 25.0), with descriptive statistics and a bivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 532 dental practitioners (61.3% males and 38.7% females) participated in this study. The response rate of participation was estimated at 92.5%. Almost 37% participants considered the sodium perborate as the most commonly used dental material for internal bleaching. Almost 70% participants reported that superficial enamel discoloration was a contraindication for internal bleaching in endodontically treated teeth. CONCLUSION: DPs have good knowledge and attitude on use of IBT for discolored teeth. In general, there is a need to improve knowledge and attitude of dental professionals about the IBT by attending continuing dental educational programs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Saving of the remaining tooth structure is a main principle of the different types of dental treatments. So the IBT should be known for all dental practitioners to use it before going to more aggressive dental treatment options such as full crowns. How to cite this article: Doumani M, Alotaibi AN, Al Hussain F, et al. Internal Bleaching of Endodontically Treated Teeth: A Dental Practitioner's Perspective from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. J Contemp Dent Pract 2019;20(10):1141-1145.

Lack of Effects of Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein2 on Angiogenesis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Induced in the Syrian hamster Cheek Pouch.

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein2 (rhBMP2 ), a member of the TGF? family, has been used widely in recent years to regenerate defects of the maxillary and mandible bones. Such defects are sometimes caused by resection of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) yet the biologic effects of rhBMP2 on these carcinomas are not fully clear. The objective of this study was to determine histologically whether rhBMP2 produces adverse effects on angiogenesis during induction of OSCC, a biologic process critical for tumor formation in an experimental model in the buccal pouch of golden Syrian hamsters. Buccal cavities were exposed to painting with 0.5% DMBA in liquid paraffin three times a week for 14 weeks, then biopsies were taken. Division was into 2 groups: a study group of 10 hamsters receiving 0.25?g/ml of rhBMP2 in the 3rd and 6th weeks; and a control group of 10 hamsters which did not receive any additional treatment. VEGF expression and microvessel density were measured but no differences were noted between the two groups. According to this study, rhBMP2 does not stimulate angiogenesis during induction of OCSSs.