Anemia among adult patients with diabetes attending King Abdulaziz University Hospital: A retrospective study.

The prevalence of anemia in adults with diabetes is of growing importance due to its impact on overall health and the management of diabetes-related complications. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anemia among adult patients with diabetes at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A retrospective study was done on 1208 patients with diabetes >18 years who attended the study setting from 2010 to 2022. Data about patients' demographics, body mass index, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; %), hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin, iron, mean corpuscular Hb, mean corpuscular volume, free thyroxine and triiodothyronine (T3), and serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were collected. Of patients, 86.6% had anemia with a prevalence of 30.2%, 47.6%, and 22.2% for mild, moderate, and severe anemias, respectively. The prevalence of anemia was significantly higher among females, those with high serum ferritin, normal serum iron or normal serum T3, lower mean HbA1c level (%), lower serum iron or T3, and higher serum ferritin or TSH. A significant positive correlation was found between Hb level and HbA1c level (%), serum iron, free T3, and body mass index. A significant negative correlation was found between Hb level and mean corpuscular volume, serum ferritin, and serum TSH. Being female, having high serum ferritin, lower mean free T3, and a high TSH were risk factors for anemia. The prevalence of severe anemia was significantly higher among patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. A high prevalence of anemia was found among studied diabetics. Anemia screening should be included in the routine assessment of patients with diabetes. A multidisciplinary approach involving endocrinologists, hematologists, and dietitians is recommended to ensure holistic care and address all aspects of the patient's health. In addition, further research should be supported to better understand the mechanisms linking diabetes and anemia and to establish evidence-based guidelines for managing anemia in diabetics.

Surveying Hematologists' Perceptions and Readiness to Embrace Artificial Intelligence in Diagnosis and Treatment Decision-Making.

AIM: This study aims to explore the critical dimension of assessing the perceptions and readiness of hematologists to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in their diagnostic and treatment decision-making processes. METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional design for collecting data related to the perceptions and readiness of hematologists using a validated online questionnaire-based survey. Both hematologists (MD) and postgraduate MD students in hematology were included in the study. A total of 188 participants, including 35 hematologists (MD) and 153 MD hematology students, completed the survey. RESULTS: Major challenges include "AI's level of autonomy" and "the complexity in the field of medicine." Major barriers and risks identified include "lack of trust," "management's level of understanding," "dehumanization of healthcare," and "reduction in physicians' skills." Statistically significant differences in perceptions of benefits including resources (p=0.0326, p<0.05) and knowledge (p=0.0262, p<0.05) were observed between genders. Older physicians were observed to be more concerned about the use of AI compared to younger physicians (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: While AI use in hematology diagnosis and treatment decision-making is positively perceived, issues such as lack of trust, transparency, regulations, and poor AI awareness can affect the adoption of AI.