Knowledge and attitude on the role of lifestyle modifications in the management of diabetes in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Public knowledge about the role of lifestyle in managing type two diabetes (T2D) is an essential preventive strategy. Despite efforts in public awareness, the prevalence continues to rise, with the majority relying on the availability of effective therapeutics, underestimating the role of healthy lifestyle changes. This study aims to assess public awareness of the impact of lifestyle modification in managing T2D in a major metropolitan city in Saudi Arabia, which will help inform the health management authority in the country on the level of public awareness and advise on the development of educational programs. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional survey study comprising 16 knowledge and 6 attitude questions was conducted among the population over 18 years old using online survey. After validation, the online self-developed questionnaire was distributed through social media. RESULTS: The knowledge and attitude scores were similar between males and females. Participants with a family member or friend with T2D demonstrated higher knowledge scores. However, the attitude scores did not differ significantly based on family or friend relationships. CONCLUSION: The knowledge and attitude on the role of lifestyle modifications in preventing and managing T2D is moderate, implying an opportunity for innovative strategies to raise public knowledge and attitude.

Parents' Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitude Toward Children With Epilepsy in the Al Baha Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Epilepsy is a prevalent pediatric neurological disorder, with widespread implications globally. Parents' knowledge and attitudes toward their epileptic children play a pivotal role in the well-being and management of the condition. Despite its prevalence in Saudi Arabia, awareness and perceptions vary across communities. Objective This study aimed to assess parents' knowledge, awareness, and attitudes toward children with epilepsy in the Al Baha region of Saudi Arabia. Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Al Baha region from November 2022 to January 2023. An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was distributed among 390 parents, targeting those aged 18-60 years. Results While the majority recognized that epilepsy is not contagious, misconceptions persisted. Nearly 67.7% of families lacked clarity on the causes of epilepsy. Most believed in the potential curability of epilepsy, favoring medication as the primary treatment. A significant association was identified between having an epileptic child and knowledge of seizure-first aid. The majority held an optimistic view regarding the academic and extracurricular achievements of epileptic children. Conclusion The study highlights a mix of informed and misinformed beliefs among parents in the Al Baha region. While many perspectives were encouraging, certain misconceptions underlined the need for continued awareness campaigns and educational initiatives. Addressing these gaps is essential for providing comprehensive care and inclusion of children with epilepsy in the community.

The Prevalence of Hyperthyroidism Amongst Atrial Fibrillation Patients in the National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study.

Introduction The thyroid gland is the largest pure endocrine gland. It is also responsible for the production of multiple important hormones that regulate heart function. Dysfunction of the thyroid gland could lead to hyperthyroidism, which in turn leads to many lipid and cardiovascular problems. One such cardiac condition that is highly associated with hyperthyroidism is atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is when abnormal electrical impulses suddenly start firing in the atria. With a prevalence of 16% to 60% of atrial fibrillation in hyperthyroid patients. To the best of our knowledge, no similar study was conducted in Saudi Arabia. Objectives Our study aims to investigate the percentage of people with atrial fibrillation that is caused by hyperthyroidism in the National Guard Hospital. Moreover, we hope that this study will improve the quality of life of these affected patients and add to their knowledge of medicine. Methods Since the population size has increased by approximately 4000 patients in the last five years, we estimated the sample size based on a confidence interval of 95% and a level of significance of 5%, which is 350 patients. We included all patients with atrial fibrillation due to hyperthyroidism in KAMC-R and patients' records from 2015 to 2020. Also, we excluded all patients with atrial fibrillation due to other causes. In addition, the sampling method we used was convenient sampling. Result Out of 1100 patients with hyperthyroidism or subclinical hyperthyroidism, 40 or 3.6% of the patients had atrial fibrillation, while the rest were distributed among dilated cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and other risk factors for atrial fibrillation. Conclusion We conclude that hyperthyroidism is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation; 3.6% of hyperthyroidism patients have atrial fibrillation. Most of the patients are elderly, and more than half (58%) are female.

Evaluation of the Most Visible Symptoms Associated with COVID-19 Vaccines Among the Residents of Makkah, Saudi Arabia: An Observational, Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: This research evaluated the most visible symptoms associated with coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines among residents in Makkah of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 among a representative sample of residents receiving COVID-19 vaccination at King Abdullah Medical City, Al Ukayshiyyah, and Umm Al-Qura University vaccination centers. A total of 805 participants selected by a census sampling method were included. Data regarding characteristics, medical history, and post-vaccination symptoms were obtained with an interview-based questionnaire. Results: The participants' mean age was 25.20 ± 15.5 years. Of them, 61.7% and 38.3% received one and two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, respectively. 2.2% have an allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine. 25.3% were infected with COVID-19, 23% were infected before the first dose, and only 1.6% were infected after the first dose. Significant statistical associations were found between males and females in smoking status, age, body mass index, history of diabetes mellitus, and types of COVID-19 vaccines (P-value < 0.05). After adjustment for confounding variables, male participants had lower odds of having swelling, redness, or pain at the injection site, muscle or joint pain, headache, dizziness, and nausea compared to female participants [OR = 0.596, 95% CI = (0.388-0.916)], [OR = 0.272, 95% CI = (0.149-0.495)], [OR = 0.529, 95% CI = (0.338-0.828)], [OR = 0.263, 95% CI = (0.125-0.554)], and [OR = 0.145, 95% CI = (0.31-0.679), P < 0.05 for all], respectively. Conclusion: The female participants may have a higher risk of post-COVID-19 vaccination symptoms than males among Makkah residents of Saudi Arabia.

Thirty-Day Mortality After Curative and Palliative Anti-Cancer Treatment: Data Interpretation and Lessons for Clinical Implementation.

PURPOSE: Despite advancements in cancer therapeutics, mortality and morbidity due to anti-cancer treatments still occur but are not frequently reported. We aimed to report the 30-day mortality and morbidity of all curative and palliative anti-cancer treatments. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adults with solid and hematological malignancies from two large cancer centers in Saudi Arabia, irrespective of the cancer stage and treatment type, were included in this retrospective observational study. RESULTS: Between December 1, 2019 and February 29, 2020, 1694 patients from King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah and King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh were included in the study. Among them, 77.5% were younger than 65 years of age; 72.8% were female; the prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension was 35%, 34%, and 28%, respectively; and 66.5% of patients had breast and gastrointestinal cancers. Fifty-nine (3.5%) patients died within 30 days of receiving anti-cancer treatment. Of them, 9 (0.3%) were treated with curative intent, and 50 (3%) were treated with palliative intent. CONCLUSION: Our results emphasize the need to address preventable metabolic changes and implement innovative, predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM) approaches focusing on patient profiles. Reporting the 30-day outcomes of all anti-cancer treatments will also allow the identification of factors underlying mortality and morbidity and lead to an improvement in oncological outcomes via innovative programs designed to improve clinical decision-making.

Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis and Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Case Report.

The aim of reporting this case is to highlight the association of two disorders, primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). They are usually seen in two different age groups and rarely together. PHPT is a rare cause of SCFE and only 10 cases have been reported in the literature worldwide. The patient in our report is a 13-year-old girl who presented to our clinic with bilateral knee pain and a waddling gait. Subsequent investigations showed that she had PHPT and SCFE with low bone mass. On admission, a parathyroidectomy was performed; then, the slipped femoral epiphyses were fixed with satisfactory results. A systematic algorithmic approach that was illustrated in a previously published case was used. Such cases should be managed with a systematic approach based on the patient's clinical status to prevent future morbidity. A literature review was conducted by performing a Medline search of all reported cases of PHPT and SCFEs.