How Ready are Pediatricians and Family Physicians in Saudi Arabia to Perform Clinical Screening of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip?

Background: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is one of the most common hip pathologies in pediatric age group and late diagnosis remains a major concern in Saudi Arabia. Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the ability of Saudi Arabian pediatricians and family physicians to conduct clinical screening for (DDH) by estimating their clinical knowledge and skills and analyzing the gaps therein to determine whether there is potential to launch a national screening protocol for DDH in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a multicenter cross-sectional study from three major regions in Saudi Arabia (Central, Eastern and Western provinces). The assessed aspects are risk factors, age of screening, incidence in Saudi Arabia, physical signs and diagnostic markers, and treatment, along with their 'clinical knowledge and skills' score. Results: Half of the participants were pediatricians, while the rest were family physicians. More than a third of the participants were considered to have adequate knowledge, ie, above the mean score. Dimensions with the most significant knowledge gaps included the incidence of DDH in Saudi Arabia, adverse effects of swaddling, and the management of a high-risk infants presenting with a negative physical examination. Additionally, there were relatively low rates of awareness regarding positive risk factors as well as a generally poor ability to identify physical signs. Clinical knowledge and skill levels were significantly lower among family physicians. Conclusion: Pediatricians and family physicians in Saudi Arabia still need further training to improve their clinical skills for DDH screening. The proper administration of training programs could eventually enable the gradual implementation of a national systematic screening program.

Indications, retrieval rate, and complications of inferior vena cava filters: Single-center experience in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is indicated in patients with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) in whom therapeutic anticoagulation is contraindicated. While prophylactic insertion of an IVC filter may be considered for patients at high risk of VTE, there are significant differences between clinical guidelines on the role of IVC filters. These discrepancies have arisen predominantly because of the paucity of data on the efficacy and safety of IVC filters. We, therefore, evaluated the indications for filter insertion, the rate of filter retrieval and complications in patients who received IVC filters at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective review of electronic- and paper-based medical records was performed. Consecutive sampling was used to study all adult patients who received an IVC filter at KAMC between 2007 and 2016 and met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: A total of 382 IVC filters were inserted. 113 patients (30%) had an acute VTE and a contraindication to anticoagulation while 53 patients (14%) received an IVC filter in the absence of VTE (i.e., prophylactic). Only 124 (32.5%) IVC filters were eventually retrieved. The most common reason for nonretrieval was the need for permanent filtration (155, 60%). Thrombotic complications developed in 72 (19%) patients; nine patients had fatal pulmonary embolism. CONCLUSION: The insertion of IVC filters in this cohort was associated with low retrieval rate and relatively high incidence of thrombotic complications. Follow-up of patients is required to detect IVC filter-related complications and to increase retrieval rate.