Magnitude and Determinants of Awareness Regarding Refractive Surgeries Among Saudi Adults.

Objectives: This study aimed to present the magnitude and determinants of awareness about refractive surgery among the adult Saudi population and recommend knowledge improvement. Methods: This web-based cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2020 and May 2021 across various regions of Saudi Arabia on the adult Saudi population. A total of 11 close-ended questions regarding indication, contraindication, preparation and surgery procedures were asked. The awareness scores were grouped as 'good' (≥6) or 'poor' (≤5). Demographic and ocular parameters were associated with the outcomes. Results: Of the 6,746 participants, 6,580 (response rate = 97.5%) completed the survey. The participation of younger women and older men was greater than their proportions in the population, while older women participated less than their proportion. Good awareness about refractive surgery was noted in 1,165 (17.7%; 95% confidence interval: 16.2-18.0) participants. Women (P <0.001), the 18-29 age group (P <0.001), residents of the central region of Saudi Arabia (P <0.001), health professionals (P <0.001), health sector students (P = 0.0004), people with myopia (P <0.001) and history of refractive surgery (P <0.001) were associated with good awareness. Women (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.5; P <0.001), health sector students (AOR = 1.57; P <0.001), and residents in the central region (AOR = 1.27; P <0.001) were independent predictors of awareness. Knowledge about contraindications for surgery was good in more than one-third of the participants. Of the 535 participants who underwent surgery in the past, 452 (84.5%) were satisfied with their outcomes. Conclusion: Awareness of refractive surgeries is low in the adult Saudi population. Targeted counseling is recommended to improve the knowledge and acceptance of refractive surgery.

Comparison of Findings From Fecal Occult Blood Test and Esophagogastroduodenoscopy With Histopathology Among Symptomatic Saudi Adults: A Retrospective Study.

Background A fecal occult blood test is an established way to detect blood in stool samples. However, this diagnostic test is prone to false positives and false negatives, not to mention misuse and misinterpretation of results. In this study, we aimed to compare relevant findings among three diagnostic tests: a fecal occult blood test, an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and histopathology. Methods This study used a retrospective analysis of 74 patients' electronic medical records from September 2021 to September 2022 at the Human Clinic and Gastroenterology Specialized Clinic in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Symptomatic adult Saudi patients who underwent a fecal occult blood test, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and histopathology were included in the study. Results A total of 74 patients with a mean age of 43.76 ± 15.1 years were analyzed. More than half of the patients were men (63.5%). Eighteen (18) individuals tested positive through a fecal occult blood test, and 49 individuals showed a positive finding under esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Furthermore, statistical analyses revealed a significant correlation between fecal occult blood test outcomes and histopathological outcomes (p = 0.001). Conclusion A significant proportion of the sample population presented a false negative result under the fecal occult blood test. This emphasizes the importance of confirmatory endoscopic procedures and subsequent histopathology in the diagnosis of abnormalities in the upper gastrointestinal tract.