Physical activity assessment among patients with multiple sclerosis in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To measure and assess the physical activity (PA) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and its association with the quality of life (QoL). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included patients with MS in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from August, 2022 to November, 2022. Data were collected via social media platforms using a questionnaire that included 3 sections: sociodemographic data, International PA Questionnaire (IPAQ), and the Health Status Questionnaire Short Form-36 (SF-36). RESULTS: In total, 145 eligible patients with MS were included. The patients' ages ranged from 18 to 60 years, with a mean age of 33.2±13.9 years. Females were predominantly affected, and most of the patients were either not working or retired. Relapsing-remitting MS constituted the majority (66.2%) of patients. Additionally, most patients (75.9%) were free from co-morbidities. Approximately 41.7% of patients with high PA levels had good QoL scores. CONCLUSION: Higher PA levels was significantly associated with better QoL in patients with MS. High PA can improve the QoL by taking into consideration several factors that could influence readiness for exercise and its effect on MS symptoms.

An evaluation of neuropsychiatric manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus patients in Saudi Arabia and their associated factors.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the prevalence of Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (NPSLE) symptoms in Saudi Arabia and the variables that are linked to it. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2021 among SLE patients in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Rheumatism Association exploited social media platforms to provide a self-administered online questionnaire to SLE patients. All data analyses were performed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. RESULTS: Two hundred and eight SLE patients participated in the study (females 91.3% vs. males 8.7%). In addition, 13.5% of patients had a family history of SLE, and 26% had SLE for one to 3 years. The most common symptoms of NPSLE were alteration or loss of sensation (53.4%), followed by fear (52.4%), and headache (48.1%). The prevalence of patients with NPSLE was 40%. In a multivariate regression model, fear, altered sensations, cerebrovascular illness, sleep disruption, and diminished interest in routine activities were identified as independent risk variables for NPSLE CONCLUSION: Nearly half of SLE patients demonstrated NP manifestations, with significant symptoms including fear, alteration of sensation, cerebrovascular disease, sleep disturbance, and reduced interest in normal activities. To detect the pathophysiology of NPSLE, it is necessary to understand the relationship between neuropsychiatric morbidity and other relevant rheumatic disorders in the SLE population.

Preferences for Colorectal Cancer Screening Modalities Among the General Population in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) could be a leading explanation for cancer-related death. Numerous studies have shown the benefit of early screening for colorectal cancer in reducing mortality. Screening for colorectal cancer is a rational and cost-effective strategy for reducing the incidence of colorectal cancer and related mortality. Despite endorsement by academic and healthcare organizations, patient awareness and compliance with screening are low, partly due to patient-related barriers to screening. AIM: This study aimed to explore the preferred screening method for colorectal cancer in Saudi Arabia in general. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among the Saudi adult population from September 2021 through February 2022. A self-developed questionnaire was distributed among the population using an online platform. Data were tabulated in Google Forms, and all statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). RESULTS: During this study, data from 10,781 participants were analyzed. Among them, the most preferred screening modality for colorectal cancer was the stool fecal immunochemical test (41.7%) and the most suitable (33.5%). The most commonly mentioned qualities that influenced choosing a particular screening test were "how the test was performed" (50.4%). CONCLUSION: Because the stool fecal immunochemical test is the most preferred screening modality for colorectal cancer, this study could serve as a database to aid in the implementation of a colorectal cancer screening program that meets the preferences of the general population of Saudi Arabia.

Prevalence of Dry Eye Disease and Its Association With the Frequent Usage of Eye Cosmetics Among Women.

PURPOSE: Dry eye disease (DED) is defined as a disease of the tear film and ocular surface that leads to discomfort and visual disturbance. The diagnosis of DED mainly depends on the presenting clinical features. A delay in treatment may progress into chronic eye disease. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of dry eye symptoms among eye cosmetic users in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved adult Saudi females using eye cosmetics. The Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire was used to assess DED. RESULTS: A total of 207 responses were included in this study. DED symptoms were reported among those who used eye cosmetics suggesting their effect on the tear film and its stability. This study demonstrated that mascara is the most common cosmetic used, with a prevalence of 98.6%. The prevalence of dry eye syndrome (DES) was 71.6%, where 40.5%, 13.5%, and 17.6% had severe, moderate, and mild conditions, respectively. The frequency of using inner eyeliner significantly increased the prevalence of DES, in which those who used it daily accounted for 75%. In contrast, the results showed no correlation between the frequency of using mascara or external eyeliner and the prevalence of DES. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of DED among women who used eye cosmetics was much higher than its prevalence in the general population, which indicates that eye cosmetics are one of the risk factors in the development of DED. Also, the severity of DED was significantly higher in women who did not use a cleanser for removing cosmetics.