Comorbidities, medications, depression, and physical performance measures associated with severe cognitive impairments in community-dwelling adults.

Cognitive impairment negatively impacts health, psychological, social, and economic domains. Cognitive impairment commonly affects physical functions in older adults, whereas these are deteriorated. However, the prevalence and associated factors of cognitive impairment among community-dwelling adults in Saudi Arabia have not been investigated yet. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of severe cognitive impairment and its associated factors in community-dwelling older adults in Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study involved adults aged ≥50 years. Demographic data and clinical data, including number of medications and body mass index (BMI), were collected. Cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms were measured using Arabic versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), respectively. The participants were divided into severe cognitive impairment and mild cognitive impairment or normal cognitive function groups based on a score of <20 or ≥20, respectively, using the MoCA. Physical measures included dynamic gait index (DGI) scores, timed up-and-go (TUG), 5 times sit-to-stand (5XSST), functional reach test, and 6-minute walk test. A total of 206 participants (female: n = 96) were included. The prevalence of severe cognitive impairment in the community-dwelling older adults was 12.6%. The number of chronic conditions (odds ratio [OR]: 2.31, p<0.001), number of medications (OR: 1.36, p = 0.003), and depressive symptoms using PHQ-9 (OR: 1.11, p = 0.009) were significantly associated with severe cognitive impairment after adjustment for other covariates, including age, sex, and BMI. Based on the physical function measures, only the scores for DGI (OR: 0.86, p = 0.003), TUG (OR: 1.16, p = 0.035) and 5XSST (OR: 1.25, p <0.001) were significantly associated with severe cognitive impairment. This study revealed a high prevalence of severe cognitive impairment among community-dwelling adults in Saudi Arabia. Its major risk factors include depressive symptoms, number of chronic conditions and medications, and physical measures, including DGI, TUG, and 5XSST.

Analgesic Efficacy of EMLA Cream Among Patients Undergoing Hemorrhoidectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Post-hemorrhoidectomy pain is a concerning complication for patients and doctors, mainly due to perianal skin dissection and the complex innervation of the area. Therefore, our aim is to explore the analgesic efficacy and safety of EMLA cream among patients undergoing hemorrhoidectomy. We conducted a comprehensive search of five electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane) from inception until July 6, 2024. A risk of bias assessment was performed using the Risk of Bias Version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB-2). Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Our outcomes of interest were pain assessment using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, patient satisfaction, meperidine dosage, frequency of meperidine requests, and single urinary catheterization. We used RevMan software to conduct the statistical analysis. Dichotomous data were pooled as relative risk (RR), while continuous data were pooled as mean difference (MD). Four RCTs were included in our review. Two RCTs showed a low overall risk of bias, while one RCT showed a high risk, and the last one showed some concerns. Our analysis showed a significant difference between the two groups, favoring the EMLA group over the control group, upon arrival at the recovery room and at night on the day of the operation (MD=-1.76, 95% CI (-3.17, -0.36), p=0.01 and MD=-1.65, 95% CI (-2.48, -0.81), p=0.0001, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the morning on the day after the operation (MD=-0.9, 95% CI (-2.02, 0.21), p=0.11). Moreover, patients who used EMLA cream reported increased patient satisfaction compared to those who did not. However, there was no significant difference between both groups in terms of the use of urinary catheterizations. In conclusion, our study showed that applying EMLA cream over the perianal area after hemorrhoidectomy can effectively reduce postoperative pain and decrease the required opioid dosage and patient requests. This ultimately leads to increased patient satisfaction. However, further studies are still required to confirm these findings.

Multisite Musculoskeletal Pain Is Associated with Long-Term Declined Physical Quality of Life and Knee-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults with or at Risk of Knee Osteoarthritis.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to examine the longitudinal impact of multisite musculoskeletal pain on physical and mental health-related quality of life among individuals with or at risk of knee osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: This study is a prospective longitudinal design over 8 years of follow-up. Data from 4796 participants aged between 45 and 79 years were acquired from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Based on self-reported physician-diagnosed osteoarthritis and grade ≥2 in either knee using Kellgren and Lawrence grade at baseline, individuals at risk were classified as those who did not have knee osteoarthritis at baseline but could develop osteoarthritis throughout the study. Physical and mental components of health-related quality were assessed over an 8-year follow-up period using both knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome scores and the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey. Multisite pain was examined using a self-reported questionnaire for 20 sites. Two separate generalized estimating equations modeled with a linear regression analysis were utilized. Results: The results showed that participants with one painful site (Beta [B] = -0.92, p = 0.01), two painful sites (B = -1.94, p < 0.001), and multisite pain (≥3 painful sites) (B = -4.68, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with declined physical health-related quality of life over time when compared to those with no painful site at baseline after adjustments for covariates. However, there was no significant association with declined mental health-related quality of life over time. Conclusions: This study revealed that baseline multisite musculoskeletal pain was linked to declining physical and knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score quality of life among individuals with or at risk of knee osteoarthritis. Moreover, having baseline multisite pain and two painful sites were associated with a decline in physical and knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score quality of life, while mental health-related quality of life did not show a significant association with multisite pain. Therefore, it is imperative for primary healthcare settings to prioritize the assessment of multisite musculoskeletal pain and develop interventions aimed at preserving and enhancing physical health-related quality of life in people with or at risk of osteoarthritis.

Palbociclib-Induced Vitiligo-Like Lesions: A Report of a Challenging Case.

Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and 6 inhibitors, such as palbociclib, have emerged as essential in managing hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) advanced or metastatic breast cancer. While effective, these inhibitors can cause rare dermatologic side effects, including vitiligo-like depigmentation. We report a rare case of a 52-year-old female with HR+, HER2- metastatic breast cancer who developed vitiligo-like depigmentation following palbociclib treatment. The patient presented with asymptomatic depigmented lesions on the lower limbs and abdomen, appearing seven months after starting palbociclib. Examination and investigations confirmed the diagnosis after excluding other potential causes. Despite treatment with topical steroids and calcineurin inhibitors, there was no significant improvement, highlighting the need for more research into effective management strategies for drug-induced vitiligo. This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing rare dermatologic side effects of CDK4/6 inhibitors like palbociclib. Ongoing vigilance, reporting, and research are necessary to improve understanding and management of these side effects, ultimately enhancing patient care in oncology.

Promoting workplace retention during global crises: An international survey of the preventive role of psychological support among victims of social discrimination in long-term care facilities.

This international cross-sectional survey examined the potential role of organizational psychological support in mitigating the association between experiencing social discrimination against long-term care (LTC) facilities' healthcare professionals (HCPs) and their intention to stay in the current workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants included a convenience sample of 2,143 HCPs (nurses [21.5 %], nurse aids or residential care workers [40.1 %], social workers [12.1 %], and others [26.4 %]) working at 223 LTC facilities in 13 countries/regions. About 37.5 % of the participants reported experiencing social discrimination, and the percentage ranged from 15.3 % to 77.9 % across countries/regions. Controlling for socio-demographic and work-related variables, experiencing social discrimination was significantly associated with a lower intention to stay, whereas receiving psychological support showed a statistically significant positive association (p-value=0.015 and <0.001, respectively). The interaction term between social discrimination and psychological support showed a statistically significant positive association with the intention to stay, indicating a moderating role of the psychological support.

Traumatic vertebral artery dissection associated with cervical neck traction devices.

Cervical arterial dissection (CAD) is a common cause of stroke in young people which can be classified as either spontaneous or traumatic. The primary initial symptoms are headache, neck pain, and dizziness. Recently, a 57-year-old woman experienced a severe headache after using a cervical neck traction device. Radiological examination of the head and neck revealed right vertebral artery dissection, which emphasizes the importance of recognizing that using cervical neck traction devices increases the risk of traumatic vertebral artery dissection.

Multiple Long-Term Conditions and Disability are Independently Associated with Higher Risk of Fall Among Community Adults: a Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Previous studies have suggested an association between falls and the presence of Multiple Long-Term Conditions (MLTC) or disabilities. However, there is limited understanding of how these factors independently or collectively contribute to the risk of falls and fear of falling among community-dwelling adults. Objective: This study examined the independent association between MLTC and the presence of disability with the risk of falls among community adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 324 adults (age ≥ 50). Demographic and clinical data included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), MLTC (≥ two chronic diseases) risk of fall (ie, history of fall in the previous 12-months, number of falls, and recurrent falls). The Barthel Index and Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I) were used to assess disability and fear of fall, respectively. Results: MLTC (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.50, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) [1.26, 4.95], p=0.009), and disability (OR 1.71, 95% CI [1.04, 2.79], p = 0.034) were independently associated with history of falls. MLTC (Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) 2.87, 95% CI [1.93, 4.29], p < 0.001) and disability (IRR 1.86 95% CI [1.46, 2.36], p < 0.001) were independently associated with an increased number of falls. MLTC (OR 4.50, 95% CI [1.78, 11.36], p = 0.001) and disability (OR 2.82, 95% CI [1.58, 5.05], p < 0.001) were independently associated with recurrent falls. MLTC (B = 6.45, p < 0.001) and disability (B = 3.05, p = 0.025) were independently associated with increased fear of falling. Conclusion: This study indicated that both MLTC and disability are independently associated with falls, number of falls and fear of falling in this population.

Comparative Assessment of Crohn's Disease Activity Using Magnetic Resonance Enterography and Endoscopy.

Introduction Magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) has emerged as a promising technique for evaluating the extent and severity of Crohn's disease activity. To compare how we measure Crohn's disease activity with MRE and endoscopy. Material and methods We retrospectively reviewed MRE studies of 60 patients with suspicious Crohn's disease who underwent 1.5-T MRI examinations (T1-weighted images pre- and post-IV contrast medium administration and T2-weighted images) and endoscopy within one month, and they were evaluated by one radiology consultant with experience of 17 years. Endoscopy was used as the reference standard for diagnosing active Crohn's disease cases. Data analysis was performed using the websites (www.graphpad.com and www.medcalc.org) and Microsoft Excel (Microsoft® Corp., Redmond, USA). Results A total of 35 patients were included in the study. The remaining 25 patients were excluded either due to non-available data in the endoscopy report or cases of non-Crohn's disease. The MRI examinations were reviewed by one radiology consultant and revealed 27 active and eight non-active Crohn's disease cases compared to 30 active and five non-active Crohn's disease cases in endoscopy. The sensitivity of MRI in detecting active cases of Crohn's disease compared to endoscopy was 83.3% and the specificity of 60%. The strength of agreement between both methods was fair to good (Kappa = 0.347, p-value = 0.4497, Chi-squared = 0.571 with one degree of freedom). Conclusion MRE statistically has a good impact on the assessment of Crohn's disease as well as endoscopy with the parameters used in this study. Non-invasiveness and the changes of activity seen in the bowel proximal to the ileocecal junction undetectable by endoscopy make MRE more practically applicable in this aspect.

Comparison of a two-wavelength pyrometer system and spectral pyrometry for high-temperature measurements.

A pyrometer system is an optically passive, non-intrusive method that uses thermal radiation law to determine temperature. It combines electronic and optical instruments to detect low-level signals of radiation measurements. Surface high-temperature measurements are successfully obtained using a two-wavelength pyrometer system. This study used a pyrometer system to achieve high stability, minimize errors due to changing emissivity, and remove background noise from the radiation measurement for surface high-temperature measurements. Temperature measurements were also obtained from Planck's model, and the results were compared with logarithmic assumption. The precision of these measurements is improved through variable optimization of the instruments, validation of the data, and calibration of the pyrometer system. The 16 temperature measurements were obtained (800-1600°C temperature measurement range) with a correlation coefficient above 97%. The response time between temperature readings is within 785 µs. Furthermore, the high-temperature measurements were obtained with higher stability (±2.99∘ C at 1600°C) and less error (less than 2.29% for Si sensor). In addition, the error of the temperature measurement was reduced from 5.33% to 0.86% at 850°C by using Planck's model compared with using logarithmic assumption. A cooling system temperature is also optimized to reduce the error temperature reading. It was found to be at 10°C that the uncertainty was reduced from 2.29% at ambient temperature to 1.53% at 1600°C. The spectral pyrometry system was also used in comparison with the two-wavelength pyrometer system to confirm that the calibration curves of the spectral pyrometry can be used to determine temperature measurements.

Sonographic imaging of the stellate ganglion in healthy adults: An observational study.

The aim of this study is to estimate the normal cross-sectional area and diameter of the stellate ganglion (SG) by ultrasound (US) in healthy adults. The study sample included 80 stellate ganglia in 40 participants (15 males, 25 females), mean age 38 years, mean height 162.5 cm, mean weight 67.8 kg, mean body mass index 25.4 kg/m2. Two radiologists separately obtained US images of the bilateral SG. Each participant was scanned 3 times bilaterally to assess for intra-observer reliability. The mean diameter of the SG was 1 mm (range: 0.1-2). The mean CSA of the bilateral SG was 1.3 mm2 (range: 0.6-3.9). The SG diameter positively correlated with age. Our study demonstrates the ability of US to image the SG and estimate its normal diameter and CSA. Knowledge of how to identify and measure the SG during ultrasound-guided procedures would be expected to decrease the risk of associated complications and help establish normal reference values.

Development and validation of a questionnaire about reasons for academic cheating by nursing students: A cross-sectional study.

Cheating behavior is spreading among nursing students worldwide, necessitating the development of a validated questionnaire evaluating the reasons for such behavior. Nursing students (N = 482) from 2 universities in Saudi Arabia participated in this observational study. A survey containing items on socio-demographics and the 33-item Reasons for Cheating Scale (RCS) was completed by the respondents. The RCS had a 1-factor structure; the model fit indices were similar between the 1-, 2-, and 3-factor models, but the inter-factor correlations were too high for the 2- and 3-factor models. The measures of the quality of the factor score estimates were as follows: factor determinacy index, 0.987; expected a posteriori marginal reliability, 0.974; sensitivity ratio, 6.178; and expected percentage of true differences, 97.3%. The measures of the closeness to unidimensionality for the overall RCS were as follows: unidimensional congruence, 0.957; explained common variance, 0.875; and mean item residual absolute loading, 0.223. The intraclass correlation coefficient and McDonald's omega were 0.96 (CI: 0.93-0.98) and 0.962 (95% CI: 0.958-0.967), respectively. The severity score, infit, and outfit ranged from -0.847 to -2.015, 0.813 to 1.742, and 0.837 to 1.661, respectively. For all RCS items, the thresholds ranked τi1 < τi2 < τi3 < τi4 and showed invariance between the sexes. The RCS showed robust psychometric validity for both classical and item response theory parameters. It also had excellent test-retest reliability, internal consistency, item discrimination, factorial validity, measurement invariance, and ordered threshold level for the responses. Therefore, the RCS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing cheating behavior among nursing students.

Validation of the Arabic Version of the Attitude Toward Education and Advice for Low Back Pain Questionnaire.

Purpose: This cross-sectional study aimed to validate the Arabic version of the Attitude toward Education and Advice for Low Back Pain (AxEL) Questionnaire. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted in two phases. First, the AxEL questionnaire was translated into Arabic and cross-culturally adapted. Second, the psychometric properties (such as validity) of the translated AxEL were evaluated. Results: The results showed that back translators and language specialists had no trouble translating the AxEL. The translators' agreement was very high (88.2%), and the questionnaire items were logically and clearly translated from English into Arabic. Conclusion: The Arabic version of AxEL is a valid tool that can assess individuals' beliefs and attitudes towards low back pain (LBP). It fills a significant void in cross-cultural research and can help healthcare providers understand the attitudes and beliefs influencing individuals' management of LBP within the Arabic context.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for neurological disability among subacute stroke survivors to improve multiple domains in health-related quality of life: Randomized controlled trial protocol.

OBJECTIVES: The primary goal of the current proposal is to fill the gaps in the literature by studying the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on lifestyle parameters, and physical, behavioral, and cognitive functions among stroke survivors, and understanding the factors that mediate the effects of various domains related to Health-related Quality of life (HRQoL) improvements. METHODS: Anticipated 64 volunteer subacute stroke survivors (>7 days to 3 months post stroke) aged 40-75 years with National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score of >10 and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score between 18 and 23 will be randomly assigned at a ratio of 1:1 to receive either: (1) 20 sessions of anodal tDCS or (2) sham tDCS in addition to conventional rehabilitation. Battery driven tDCS will be applied at 2 mA intensity to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and primary motor cortex for 20 minutes. The primary endpoints of study will be 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) post intervention at 4 weeks. The secondary outcomes will include Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS_QOL), Montreal cognitive assessment (MCA), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), 10 m walk test and Modified Barthel Activities of daily living (ADL) Index. At 0.05 level of significance, data normality, within group and between group actual differences will be analyzed with a moderate scope software. DISCUSSION: Our knowledge of this technique and its use is expanding daily as tDCS motor recovery studies-mostly single-center studies-in either single session or many sessions have been completed and shown positive results. The field is prepared for a multi-center, carefully planned, sham-controlled, double-blinded tDCS study to comprehensively examine its feasibility and effectiveness in enhancing outcomes in stroke population. CONCLUSION: The function of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in aiding stroke recuperation will be ascertained.

Diabetes is associated with longitudinal declined physical performance measures in persons with or at risk of knee osteoarthritis: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

BACKGROUND: The primary aim of this study was to longitudinally examine the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on physical performance measures including Gait Speed and Chair Stand tests over 8 years of follow-up in people with or at risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: A prospective longitudinal study. SETTING: Multisite community based. POPULATION: This study included participants with or at risk of knee OA aged from 45 to 79 years from the Osteoarthritis Initiative from baseline to 96 months follow-up. METHODS: The participants performed physical performance measures using a 20 m Walk Test for Gait Speed and 5 Times Sit To Stand for repeated chair stand test time at baseline and during follow-up visits. Participants were asked about the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) at baseline and categorized into with or without DM. Generalized estimating equations were utilized with 2 models, one for DM and Gait Speed and the other for DM and Repeated Chair Stand Test after controlling for covariates including age, sex, education, Body Mass Index (BMI), depressive symptoms, physical activity level, baseline number of comorbidities, and baseline Kellgren and Lawrence grades for OA grading for each knee. RESULTS: A total of 4796 participants were included and categorized into those with DM (N.=362) and without DM (N.=4311) at baseline. Participants with DM at baseline showed significantly declined gait speed (B=-0.048, 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI]: [-0.07, -0.02], P<0.001) and significantly an increased time for repeated chair stand test (B=0.49, 95% CI: [0.08, 0.89], P=0.018) over time when compared to those without DM at baseline, after controlling for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: DM was associated with negative impact on Gait Speed and Repeated Chair Stand Test time in individuals with or at risk of knee OA. Individuals with knee OA and diabetes who exhibit declining physical performance measures are at risk of functional dependence, reduced quality of life, and complex rehabilitation requirements.

The key determinants of low back pain among lifestyle behaviors in adolescents: A cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia.

Establishing preventive measures and treatment strategies for adolescents with low back pain (LBP) may be greatly enhanced by fully grasping the complex interaction between LBP and lifestyle behaviors. The key objective of this study was to explore the possible associations between lifestyle behaviors and LBP among adolescents in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among high school students from 5 major regions in Saudi Arabia. Participants were enlisted for the research project between May and November 2021. To evaluate the presence/severity of LBP, physical activity, sedentary duration, sleep quality, nutrition, health responsibility, interpersonal relationships, spiritual growth, and stress management, a well-established web-based survey was employed. A total of 2000 students participated, with 57.9% reporting LBP. Students with LBP had lower scores on overall health-promoting lifestyle behaviors and all subscales, including physical activity, compared to those without LBP. Linear regression analysis revealed significant associations between sedentary duration and global sleep quality with pain severity among students with LBP. This study highlights the association between lifestyle behaviors and LBP among adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Promoting physical activity, reducing sedentary behavior, and improving sleep quality may be crucial in preventing and managing LBP in this population. Comprehensive strategies targeting lifestyle behaviors should be implemented to improve the well-being of adolescents and reduce the burden of LBP. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms and develop effective preventive and treatment strategies for LBP among adolescents.

The Influence of Saudi Board of Emergency Medicine Residency Educators on Residents' Academic and Clinical Performance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: The Saudi Board of Emergency Medicine (SBEM) is required to assign educators including program directors to supervise their residents. These educators may impact the residents' academic and clinical performances. After thorough review, we noticed that the current literature lacks information about the direct influence of emergency medicine educators on their residents' academic and clinical performances. The main purpose of this study is to assess the residents' confidence level, and to measure the program directors' satisfaction of the residents' performances during their SBEM training years in Riyadh hospitals. METHODS: This concurrent mixed-methods study was conducted in nine training hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the 2021-2022 academic year. For the quantitative aspect, a cross-sectional survey was used, based on a questionnaire administered to postgraduate year (PGY)-2 to PGY-4 SBEM residents (n=120) using a nonprobability convenient sampling technique. The survey aimed to assess residents' confidence in their academic and clinical performance, influenced by their educators. A Likert scale with a total of 25 items, covering the seven roles of the CANMEDs framework, was employed. This assessment utilized a published tool called the In-Training Evaluation Report. For the qualitative aspect, program directors' perspectives were gathered through one-on-one unstructured interviews (n=9), guided by theoretical saturation. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select program directors. The interview tool collected demographic data, including gender, years of experience, and training hospital, and included 17 open-ended questions to explore program directors' opinions. RESULTS: The result of mixed methods showed that both quantitative and qualitative data sets were divergent with all independent variables (resident's age, gender, and training level) with the exception of the training hospital which was convergent. Thus, the residents' confidence toward their academic and clinical performances induced by their institutional educators was high. However, the program directors indicated changes that related to residents' training level. CONCLUSION: The residents' confidence toward their academic and clinical performance induced by their institutional educators was high. The educators had a great deal of influence over the academic and clinical performance of the residents. However, the program directors thought there were some issues with the performance of the residents. Most of the program directors also believed that several influential factors that may have affected the residents' overall performance include stress and receipt of constructive feedback.

Knowledge of Common Symptoms of Rheumatic Diseases and Causes of Delayed Diagnosis in Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the general population's knowledge on the different symptoms of rheumatic diseases, the key factors for diagnosis delays from the patient's perspective, the length of delay from the onset of symptoms to the diagnosis, and the effect this holds on the disease activity, response to therapy, and the development of complications and nonreversible deformities in patients diagnosed with rheumatic diseases. Patients and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Our target study population were the residents of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected via an online questionnaire and analyzed with SPSS. Results: The overall prevalence of rheumatic disease in our cohort was 8.7%. Joint pain (75.7%), joint swelling (47.1%) and morning stiffness (32.9%) were the first and most common presenting symptom. Persistence of symptoms (N=32, 45.7%) and symptom worsening (N=21, 30.0%) was the predominant cause to visit rheumatologist. The duration between first symptom and rheumatic disease diagnosis is significantly longer for patients aged <50 years compared to that of those with ≥50 years of age. Results show that 36.4% of patients aged ≥50 years had delayed diagnosis due to late appointment compared with 5.7% of patients aged <50 years. In addition, patients with longer duration of symptoms were likely to have more visits to the rheumatologist. Most of the participants of <50 years significantly agreed that rheumatologists treat autoimmune diseases, only a few approved that they treat muscle problems. Conclusion: Most participants in our study have lesser knowledge about their symptoms and they did not know where to consult for the treatment of their disease. This caused unnecessary delays and worsening and aggravation of the symptoms. There is an increased need to organize an awareness campaign in the general population regarding autoimmune and rheumatic diseases.

A national perspective on cardiovascular diseases in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are common chronic conditions that lead to morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, there are no recent national or regional reports about CVDs in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the national and regional prevalence rates of CVDs among the Saudi population. METHODS: This study used data from an ongoing household health survey conducted by the General Authority for Statistics in 2017. The survey sample comprised 24,012 homes that were determined to be a representative sample of the population and dispersed throughout the 13 administrative areas. A self-reported diagnosis of CVD was collected by asking subjects if they had been diagnosed by a physician. RESULTS: The prevalence of CVDs among the Saudi population aged 15 years and older was 1.6% (n = 236,815). The prevalence is higher in males at 1.9% compared to females at 1.4%. Age is a significant factor, with a gradual increase in CVD prevalence until the age of 50, followed by a sharp rise. The prevalence among the age group (≥ 65 years) was the highest, recording 11% (n = 93,971), followed by the age group (60-64 years) which reached 6.5% (n = 31156.71), and the lowest prevalence was found in the age group (< 40 years) as 1.2% (n = 108,226). When considering regional differences, Makkah has the highest prevalence at 1.9% (n = 85,814), followed by Riyadh at 1.7% (n = 79,191). Conversely, Najran has the lowest prevalence at 0.76% (n = 332), with the Northern Border Region having the second lowest rate at 1,46% ( n = 4218) These findings underscore the importance of considering both demographic and regional factors in addressing and managing cardiovascular health in Saudi Arabia. CONCLUSION: This study provides the most recent estimates of the national and regional prevalence rates of CVDs in Saudi Arabia. The findings suggest that CVDs are more common among older adults, males, and residents of the Makkah region. This information can be used to inform public health policies and interventions to reduce the burden of CVDs in Saudi Arabia.

Awareness of Bariatric Sleeve Gastrectomy Complications Among the General Population of Saudi Arabian Regions.

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a type of procedure called bariatric surgery that provides large weight loss and has a positive impact on diseases associated with obesity. However, it has brought several complications that have an impact on those undergoing surgery, which are classified into intraoperative and postoperative issues. The study's goal is to assess the Saudi Arabian population's awareness of SG consequences. This study assessed the general population's knowledge in Saudi Arabia in 2023 using a cross-sectional approach. The total number of participants was 1,013, the majority of whom were individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 (471, 46%), and females (692, 68%). A total of 692 (68%) participants showed awareness of BMI; in addition, 987 (97%) were aware of gastric sleeve surgery, and 538 (53%) understood its indications correctly. Regarding SG complications, approximately 821 (81%) of participants showed awareness. There were significant associations between knowledge of gastric sleeve surgery and residence in the northern region of Saudi Arabia. In conclusion, our study indicated that the general population is aware of the complications of gastric sleeve surgery, but it found a deficiency in their knowledge about BMI.