Awareness of Healthy Lifestyle Among Elderly Population During Aging in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: The research explores healthy aging among elderly individuals globally and in Saudi Arabia. Factors like health services, lifestyle, and chronic diseases affecting seniors are examined. However, there is a gap in culturally relevant research, particularly in Arabic-speaking countries. This study aims to understand elderly individuals' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding healthy lifestyles for effective functional preservation in aging. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia, specifically Al-Ahsa, from February to May 2023. The Raosoft calculator was employed to determine a sample size of at least 384 participants. The data was analyzed using SPSS. RESULTS: Regarding the associations between knowledge levels and demographics, education significantly impacts knowledge (p=0.003). Retired respondents exhibit higher knowledge (50.4%) compared to those with jobs (10.4%) (p=0.002). Smoking has a significant impact on knowledge (p=0.012). Regarding the opinions on elderly care, respondents agree on the importance of fresh fruits and vegetables (52.2%), increased protein intake (64.3%), less fat (83.5%), and regular exercise (44.3%). Supplements' necessity is disagreed upon (95.7%). Living with family is favored (67.8%), and elderly self-management is recognized (60.9%). Significant differences are seen in fruit and vegetable consumption (p=0.001), less fat usage (p=0.000), exercise habits (p=0.000), smoking (p=0.000), and using just salt in cooking (p=0.000). CONCLUSION: Study findings underscore the importance of education in influencing healthy behaviors and informed choices, with education levels significantly impacting knowledge levels. Respondents' preferences for balanced diets, exercise, and self-management reflect a positive trend toward embracing healthy aging principles. Notably, the study identifies disparities between knowledge groups in various lifestyle factors, highlighting the potential of education to drive positive changes in behaviors.

Implications of Iron Deficiency Anaemia on Glycemic Dynamics in Diabetes Mellitus: A Critical Risk Factor in Cardiovascular Disease.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a highly prevalent comorbidity in patients with diabetes, with rates estimated between 13% and 47% across studies. Iron deficiency anemia may potentially influence hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values, which are routinely measured to monitor long-term glycemic control in diabetes. Some evidence suggests that HbA1c may be lower in diabetics with IDA due to increased red blood cell turnover. However, current evidence elucidating the effects of IDA on HbA1c and diabetes outcomes remains inconsistent and inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the relationship between IDA, HbA1c levels, and glycemic dynamics in patients with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: The study sample included 143 adult patients diagnosed with diabetes, recruited from outpatient clinics in Saudi Arabia. Iron deficiency anemia was identified through serum ferritin <100 ng/mL, transferrin saturation <20%, and hematologic parameters. The HbA1c levels were measured using standardized laboratory methods. Daily glucose profiles were obtained by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in a subset of patients to assess glycemic dynamics. RESULTS: The prevalence of IDA was 39.9% among the diabetic cohort. Patients with IDA had a numerically higher mean HbA1c of 7.2% compared to 6.8% in non-anemic diabetics, suggesting a potential effect of IDA on HbA1c. Those with IDA also spent more time in hyperglycemic ranges, along with greater glucose variability based on CGM data. Iron deficiency measures, including low ferritin and high red cell distribution width (RDW), showed weak positive correlations with HbA1c levels. CONCLUSION: Iron deficiency anemia is highly prevalent among Saudi diabetic patients and is potentially associated with inaccurate HbA1c values and poor short-term glycemic control. However, larger controlled studies are warranted to conclusively investigate mechanisms linking IDA to alterations in HbA1c and glycemic dynamics. Optimized screening and treatment of IDA may lead to more accurate diabetes monitoring and improved outcomes.

Factors Influencing Individuals' Decision-Making Regarding Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donation: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a vital medical intervention for treating various conditions. The preferred methods, i.e., bone marrow transplantation and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, have saved lives and attracted attention. Saudi Arabia, with a high sickle cell disease and leukemia incidence, faces the challenge of matching donors for HSCT. Factors like knowledge, attitudes, cultural beliefs, and access to information impact donation decisions. METHODS: In May 2023, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia, targeting the general population. Data were collected through an online questionnaire, analyzing demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and factors influencing donation intention. RESULTS: Demographic analysis showed that females, younger individuals (18-25 years), those with higher education, and healthcare workers had better knowledge. Attitudes toward donation varied: 42.4% were willing to donate, while 57.6% were not. Psychological barriers, health concerns, pain, and inadequate knowledge influenced donation reluctance. Of the participants, 3.5% were registered stem cell donors, with 58.8% expressing willingness but not registered. Donors' intent was influenced by family members' need for transplants and knowledge. A majority (56.6%) supported employer support for health programs, while 65.7% believed government funding should assist donors. CONCLUSION: HSCT is vital in treating diseases like sickle cell and leukemia in Saudi Arabia. While many recognize its importance, knowledge gaps about its specifics and donation deter potential donors. Enhanced awareness campaigns and support from employers and the government could increase donor registrations.

Self-Medication Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among the Adult Population in the Eastern Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Self-medication is vital to public health because it has an impact on people's health and the current healthcare system, both positively and negatively. During public health catastrophes like the COVID-19 disease, this is particularly true. AIM: This study aimed to examine the behavioral response of the community with regard to self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic in the eastern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: During the COVID-19 outbreak from March to September 2020, a cross-sectional online survey of 398 participants using structured questionnaires was conducted to observe knowledge, prevalence, patterns, and sources of self-medication among the respondents in the eastern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: The percentage of respondents who had heard about self-medication was 50.5%, and those who practiced self-medication during COVID-19 were 43.7% of the respondents. Regarding knowledge, 60.3% had a low overall knowledge level versus 39.7% who had a high knowledge level. Most of those who practiced self-medication took medication based on their own decision (34.4%). The most frequently used drugs during the outbreak were analgesics (43.5%) and vitamins (24.9%). Only 1% of participants reported using anti-malaria drugs (hydroxychloroquine). The most common reasons for self-medication practices were having a mild illness (30.4%), followed by fear of infection (26.6%). The symptoms for which the respondents took self-medication were headache (29.6%), cough (26.6%), and fever (24.6%). CONCLUSION: Our investigation showed a low level of knowledge about self-medication and a considerable level of self-medication practices. Therefore, self-medication may be minimized with ongoing awareness-raising and sensitization.

Prevalence of Hypothyroidism Among Dialysis Patients in Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia.

Background Hypothyroidism carries significant morbidity among the general population and is more common among patients with reduced Glomerular filtration Rate (GFR). Patients with reduced GFR have higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, which might be increased in the presence of hypothyroidism. A thyroid function test is not routinely included in predialysis workups. Aim The aim was to explore the prevalence of hypothyroidism among hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients at a single large center in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Methods A chart-review cross-sectional study was conducted at Al Jabr Kidney Center from February to May 2022. It included adult patients on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Data was extracted through a pre-structured data extraction sheet to avoid data collection errors. Extracted data included the patient's demographic data, causes of renal failure, and comorbidities besides laboratory investigations and thyroid profile. Results A total of 99 patients were included, with their ages ranging from 15 to 89 years, with a mean age of 51.3 ± 16.9 years old. The exact 76 (76.8%) patients were males. Exact five (5.1%) patients had high thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), nine (9.1%) had low TSH, and 85 (85.9%) were euthyroid. There was no difference in the prevalence of hypothyroidism according to the type of dialysis (p=0.872). Dialysis adequacy was achieved in the majority of included patients based on Kt/V (80.5%) and URR (61.7%) regardless of thyroid status (p=0.115 and 0.653, respectively). The presence of hypertension and erythropoietin were more prevalent among patients with high TSH levels. Conclusion We concluded that hypothyroidism among dialysis patients was less common in our study compared to previously reported prevalence nationally and internationally. The prevalence of hypothyroidism was similar in both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients, and it did not affect dialysis adequacy. Hypertension and erythropoietin were more common among our dialysis patients with hypothyroidism. Screening for thyroid disorders among chronic disease patients (especially on dialysis) is essential to improve the quality of care.

Impact of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Symptoms on the Lifestyle and Academic Performance of Medical Students at King Faisal University.

Background A number of symptoms and complications are associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which originates when stomach contents are refluxed into the esophagus. GERD has been associated with quality of life (QoL) issues as well as health-related problems. However, the evidence of this correlation among medical students is still unproven. This study aims to assess GERD severity and symptoms among medical students and investigate the effects of GERD on academic performance and quality of life among Saudi Arabian medical students. Methods This is a cross-sectional study design based on questionnaires distributed among medical students at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia: Reflux-Qual Short form (RQS) and Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD (FSSG). Demographic data include gender, academic year, and Grade Point Average (GPA). The participants included 382 studentsrandomly selected as the sample size, with a precision of 5% and a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Data were collected from 382 medical students of King Faisal University. A total of 382 participants (215 (56.3%) females and 167 (43.7%) males) were evaluated. Among 382 students,325 (85.1%) were negative for GERD, while 57 (14.9%) had symptoms of GERD. In this study, the most frequent symptoms were feeling full while eating meals (8.9%), feeling of heaviness after meals (6.5%), bloating of the stomach (3.7%), and burping (3.7%). The most affected life domains were life satisfaction (18.1%), enjoyment of food (8.4%), avoidance of large meals (6.3%), and worrying about digestive problems (5.8%). This study shows a significant relationship between GERD and GPA (P < 0.005) and a significant negative relationship between GERD and QoL (P < 0.001). Conclusions GERD significantly affects the quality of life for medical students, primarily those with high GPAs. More research is needed to determine the reason behind this.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice About Emergency Contraception Among Saudi Women of Childbearing Age of Eastern Region in Saudi Arabia.

Background and aim Emergency contraception (EC) refers to methods of contraception that are used within 72 hours up to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse to prevent unintended pregnancy. It can postpone ovulation, stopping fertilization. Ella® (progestin receptor modulator), plan B, birth control tablets, and the copper intrauterine device (IUD) are examples of emergency contraception. The aim of the study is to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and practices of emergency contraception among Saudi women of childbearing age in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Methods It is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Data was collected through a pretested online questionnaire after approval from an ethical committee and women's consent to participate in the study. Women between 18 and 49 years old were included in the study. Women aged under 18 and over 49 years were excluded from the study to make the sample population more homogenous. Participants were provided a link to a questionnaire form to be completed from their devices (phone or laptop). Results A total of 648 childbearing Saudi women completed the survey. The majority were between 18 and 25 years old. Approximately 263 (40.6%) had no children, and 348 (53.7%) earned less than 5,000 SAR monthly. Four hundred and sixty-seven (72%) of the participants had never used emergency contraception. Four hundred and seventy-eight (73.8%) did not know the maximum acceptable time for using EC. Three hundred and fourteen (48.5%) did not know the potential risks to the baby in case of failure of emergency contraception. Two hundred and twenty-three (34%) patricians wrongly believed that there would be a potential risk to the baby if the patient got pregnant after using emergency contraception. Three hundred and eight (47.5%) participants supported the idea of the availability of emergency contraception without a prescription, and a majority believed that they would not feel shy in asking for emergency contraception. Five hundred and seventy-one (88%) participants did not visit any family planning clinic last year. A significant source of EC information was a doctor or a family planner, 206 (31.8%). A considerable barrier to EC use was fear of side effects and health risks, as reported by 382 (59%) respondents. Conclusions The current study reveals that participants have positive attitudes towards emergency contraception, but use is deficient because of poor knowledge and lack of awareness. Our study urges the urgent need for awareness campaigns by health professionals to improve learning and remove wrong fears and beliefs about emergency contraception.