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PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of keratoconus (KC) on quality of life and assess visual performance via the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) in the Saudi population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using the NEI-VFQ-25 to evaluate the vision-related quality of life among previously diagnosed KC patients. An online questionnaire was used to distribute the validated survey through various social media networks. The data were extracted, reviewed, coded, and then analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). RESULTS: A total of 429 patients completed the questionnaire. The overall score of NEI-VFQ-25 was 58.6 (SD: 18.0). The visual performance was worse in females than males (with a score of 55.1), especially in patients aged less than 30 years. Visual function improved with the use of low-vision aids (spectacles and contact lenses) compared with those who did not use them. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms the functional impairment in patients with KC, especially in females, patients aged less than 30 years, and those with no low-vision aids. Moreover, it suggests a significant role of these vision aids (spectacles and contact lenses) in improving the quality of life in patients with KC.
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BACKGROUND: Migraine is a primary headache and a complicated neurological disorder with sensory and autonomic abnormalities. Many variables, including genetic and psychological ones, contribute to migraine onset and development. Anxiety and depression are typical psychiatric comorbidities among migraineurs. This kind of comorbidity increased migraine chronicity, treatment effectiveness, and the likelihood of additional comorbidities. The purpose of this research was to determine the prevalence of depression among Saudi migraine sufferers in AlAhsa. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional research of 101 migraine patients at King Fahd Hospital-Hofuf, AlAhsa, Saudi Arabia from May to December 2021. Depression was assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire which is a reliable tool (PHQ-9). The PHQ-9 measures the presence and severity of depression. Consider sociodemographic, clinical, and individual variations that impact migraine development and prognosis. Results: The inclusion criteria were satisfied by 94 migraine patients in total, with a mean age of 36.9 ± 9 years and they are predominantly females 75.5%. The majority of the participants (76.6%) were on medication to relieve migraine attacks and only 13.9% reported that >75% of attacks were relieved by medication. Almost all of the patients (96.8%) used to drink coffee and tea. The prevalence of depression and migraine was revealed to be 42.6% mild and 8.5% severe among the participants. Four statistically significant correlations (p < 0.05) were young age, being female, low level of education at higher risk to have depression compared to another group of migraineurs. CONCLUSION: A neurological disorder that commonly causes disability is migraine. Numerous studies have shown that mood disorders and migraines are often co-occurring, and these individuals are more likely to have a migraine-related disability. This research has shown that it is beneficial to prevent psychiatric comorbidity by using PHQ-9 as a regular screening tool for migraine patients.
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BACKGROUND: Cancer is a chronic health condition that requires long-term treatment and care. Diagnosis of cancer is a family crisis that has a bad impact on patients and their caregivers, which can worsen the quality of life of the entire family members. It would be relevant to highlight the changes in the quality of life among cancer patients' caregivers within the Saudi culture to strengthen their involvement in the plan of treating cancer patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess the needs and quality of life of Saudi cancer patients' caregivers by using the World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire WHOQOL-BREF and the Family Inventory of Needs (FIN) questionnaire for family caregivers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 376 caregivers invited to participate, 270 (72%) accepted and completed the questionnaire. The study was carried out in outpatient clinics and oncology inpatient wards of Princess Noorah Oncology Center in King Abdul-Aziz Medical City Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: The study found that 53 % of Saudi caregivers reported a good quality of life in the following domains: psychological, social relationship, and environment. On the other hand, the lower quality of life scores were stated for the physical health domain in almost two third of participants (67 %). Poor quality of life was reported among the male caregivers of the older age group who had a lower level of education and had a short term of caring (fewer than 12 months). Regarding the need assessment, most of the 20 needs items were rated important and were related to patient care. Whereas, the least important needs were related to the caregivers' health. CONCLUSION: There was a significant association between quality of life scores and the demographic characteristics of the caregivers, addressing these factors in addition to the assessment of the caregivers' needs during medical care will provide holistically care for the patients and their caregivers to increase their quality of life.