Assessment of Primary Healthcare Providers' Knowledge and Practices in Addressing Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia and Gout in the Asir Region of Saudi Arabia.

Introduction and aim Gout, the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, arises from hyperuricemia, a condition where elevated levels of uric acid lead to the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the joints. Nevertheless, it's important to note that not all cases of hyperuricemia result in gout. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia, targeting primary healthcare physicians (PHPs) specializing in family medicine and general practice. The study utilized a modified electronic questionnaire, inspired by similar studies and aligned with recent guidelines, to assess PHPs' knowledge and practices concerning asymptomatic hyperuricemia (AH) and gout. The questionnaire encompassed the PHPs' demographic data and their knowledge and practices for AH and gout management. Results Out of 201 participating PHPs, the majority were male (68.2%), predominantly aged 25-34 years (73.1%), and practicing as general practitioners (61.2%). A significant proportion of PHPs had less than five years of experience (63.7%). In terms of education, 36.8% attended continuing medical education (CME) on AH or gout, and 66.7% were aware of the related management guidelines. The study revealed that the total knowledge score among PHPs averaged 5.18 out of seven, indicating a moderate level of knowledge. However, their practice level was moderate, with a mean practice score of 6.75 out of 12. The study also found no significant differences in knowledge scores based on gender, age, or years of experience, but significant variations were noted based on medical specialty. Conclusion There is a moderate level of knowledge and practice among PHPs in managing AH and gout in the Asir region. Despite adequate knowledge levels, there appears to be a gap in implementing this knowledge into practice, particularly in long-term management strategies. The findings emphasize the need for ongoing medical education and specialized training programs to bridge these gaps. The study provides a valuable framework for identifying and addressing similar challenges in other regions and medical practices.

Patterns of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacovigilance enhances post-market drug safety. However, analytical reports of a pattern of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) experienced by patients in Saudi Arabia are demanded. OBJECTIVE: To describe patterns of ADRs submitted to the Saudi Central National Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety Center (NPC), Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), from its inception in 2015 until the end of 2017 to understand the pattern of ADR reporting in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: In this retrospective study, data from cases reported to the NPC were used to determine ADRs and identify the most common associated drug classes based on anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) classification system. RESULT: A total of 17,730 ADR cases were reported during study period. An annual increase in ADRs was clearly evident. Approximately 54% of the total ADRs reported were serious. Most commonly reported ATC drug classes were anti-infective agents for systemic use (22.27%), antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents (21.49%), alimentary tract and metabolism (15.48 %), cardiovascular system (11.11%) and nervous system (10.23%). Vancomycin (2.7%), ceftiraxone (1.8%), fingolimod (1.4%) and paracetamol (1.4%) were the most common drugs associated with serious ADRs. CONCLUSION: This study provide valuable insights in hypothesis generation for future studies on drug-event interactions and amplification studies. The NPC educational programs and awareness campaigns to promote systematic reporting of ADRs among healthcare professionals and general public should be continued.

Current trends and future prospects of chemical management of oral biofilms.

Oral biofilm, a tribulation encountered on a general basis is known to associate and contribute to many oral and systemic diseases. Eradication of these biofilms is a primary step in treatment of the underlying malady. Management of a biofilm is governed by various factors: the microenvironment within a biofilm, bond between the adhered surface and the biofilm, location of the biofilm, access to the biofilm for removal. Though annihilation is the priority, the mode of approach to achieve the same is equally important, because biofilm's heterogenic nature and location govern the strategical treatment required. Literature supports that the consequences of oral biofilms is not restricted to its home ground, but disseminated to other systems of the body. This contemplates us to procure knowledge on its development, structure and progression to aim its eradication. Therefore, this review attempts to recognize the type of biofilm based on location and enumerate all the possible chemical modes of management for the specific type of oral biofilms encountered. In addition, to the traditional strategies prescribed or administered, newer approaches which are gaining popularity due to their ease and efficiency are also addressed. Frontiers in the above field, under investigation and promising in near future are also compiled. Thus, the present review aims to provide a comprehensive elucidation of chemical management of oral biofilms, both the conventional and novel approaches under investigation.

Incidence, Risk factors and Outcome of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Term Infants at Academic Centre, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a respiratory disorder of neonates that manifests itself within few hours after delivery. It is one of the most common causes of admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and respiratory failure in neonates. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and the short-term outcomes of RDS in term infants born in an academic tertiary care center at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Data of all infants admitted to the NICU at the academic center between January 1st 2016 and December 31st 2016 were retrospectively collected. Cases were all term infants who were admitted to NICU with the diagnosis of RDS during the study period. Controls were term infants and 1:1 matched for the date of birth (one or two days from the date of birth of the case) and received routine newborn care. RESULTS: Fifty-nine term infants (59/3601, 1.64%) were admitted to the NICU with RDS and 59 control infants were matched during the study period. Infants with RDS were significantly of lower birth weight and had lower Apgar scores at one and five minutes. Although there was a higher number of cesarean section and PROM in the RDS group, but that didn't reach statistical significance. Three infants (5.1%) died in the RDS group. CONCLUSION: Respiratory distress in term infants is still a significant cause of admission to NICU and a predisposing factor for neonatal mortality and morbidity. Preventative and anticipatory measures should be further explored to decrease the burden of this disease.

Saudi Vigilance Program: Challenges and lessons learned.

Pharmacovigilance is vital to public health. Adopting a robust spontaneous reporting system for adverse drug events can counteract most hazards that arise from utilizing medicinal products. Prior to the establishment of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), the number of pharmacovigilance-related activities in Saudi Arabia was limited. In 2009, the SFDA established the National Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety Center (Saudi Vigilance). The pharmacovigilance system has remarkably improved during the past few years. Several initiatives have been taken to improve the program's performance. These initiatives include initiation of pharmacovigilance guidelines, enhancement of communication and reporting tools, training sessions for concerned staff and healthcare providers, and compliance from stakeholders. This review article provides an overview of what the Saudi Vigilance program is, focusing on the scope, mission and vision, hierarchy, operational themes, and overall work processes. Additionally, we will shed light on the challenges we encountered during the early phase and on our future plans.