Quality of Life of Autistic Children and Supported Programs in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurobehavioral condition marked by social interaction challenges, communication deficits, and repetitive behaviors, with studies in Saudi Arabia showing varying prevalence rates in different regions. This study aimed to evaluate the social context of autistic children and the quality of life (QOL) for families of children with autism utilizing the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale (BCFQOL). METHODS: This cross-sectional study, conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Saudi Arabia over a six-month period, included ASD children aged 1-14 years. The QOL was measured using the BCFQOL scale for families. Data were analyzed using the Jamovi software (Windows version 2.4.1, the Jamovi Project, retrieved from https://www.jamovi.org). RESULTS: A total of 102 responses were collected in the study. The overall satisfaction score was 93.6±16.6 out of 125, with 85.3% of participants expressing satisfaction. Domains explored included family interaction (23.8±5.29 out of 30), parenting practices (23.9±3.83 out of 30), emotional well-being (13.1±4.16 out of 20), physical and material well-being (18.7±4.24 out of 25), and disability-related support (14.2±4.0 out of 20). In terms of specific sociodemographic factors, no statistically significant differences in satisfaction were observed across various categories. CONCLUSION: Families of children with ASD in Saudi Arabia generally report high levels of satisfaction, as assessed by the BCFQOL. The study covered various domains, including family interaction, parenting practices, emotional well-being, physical well-being, and disability-related support, with most respondents expressing satisfaction in these areas. Notably, sociodemographic factors did not significantly influence satisfaction levels, underscoring the pervasive nature of the findings across different demographic groups. Further studies with a larger sample size and a longer follow-up period are required to validate these findings.

New-Onset Illness Anxiety Disorder After Helicobacter Pylori Infection: A Case Report.

In this study, we present a case of new-onset illness anxiety disorder (IAD) in a 21-year-old female patient after Heliobacter pylori infection. The patient experienced a distressing preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness with mild somatic symptoms for more than six months. IAD adversely affected our patient's life and made her engage in excessive care-seeking behaviors and maladaptive avoidance in some instances. In this case, we highlight the unique presentation of symptoms related to illness anxiety disorder and H. pylori infection. Furthermore, we discuss the possible psychosocial factors that are considered risk factors for developing IAD. We also discuss the pharmacological and psychological treatment options for patients with such a presentation.

Retraction: Inguinal Hernia Containing an Inflamed Appendix: A Case of Amyand Hernia.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.21121.].

Hyponatremia-Induced Seizure in a Patient With Psychogenic Polydipsia: A Case Report.

Psychogenic polydipsia is a rare condition characterized by overconsumption of water. It can lead to water intoxication, which is potentially a life-threatening situation. Moreover, it usually occurs in patients with mental disorders, mainly schizophrenia. This report discusses a successful treatment of a 16-year-old male with psychogenic polydipsia and delusional disorder presenting to the emergency room with a hyponatremia-induced seizure. After stabilizing the patient, he was referred to a psychologist, and behavioral therapy was conducted. Post-discharge follow-ups revealed that behavioral therapy and the use of self-monitoring technique were effective in controlling the patient's condition. His water intake was reduced from 15 liters per day to three liters per day. This case highlights the importance of psychological assessment for patients with features suggestive of psychogenic polydipsia. It also highlights the need for immediate admission and prompt treatment for such patients as it is a high-risk condition.

Suicide Attempt by Cement Ingestion: A Case Report.

A 30-year-old Pakistani construction worker, not known to have any chronic medical illnesses, presented to the emergency room with a history of ingesting two cups of cement diluted in water, seven hours prior to the presentation, in addition to a cut on his left wrist using a sharp piece of ceramic. He was conscious, oriented, and vitally stable. Physical examination was unremarkable except for epigastric hardness and tenderness. Treatment upon admission included escitalopram 10 mg and haloperidol 5 mg. Upper GI endoscopy showed large, hard cement in the stomach and multiple pre-antral erosions. The patient was started on omeprazole 40 mg after the procedure. Exploratory laparotomy and gastrotomy were performed as well. The procedure showed a foreign body, gypsum, occupying the stomach and extending from the fundus to the pylorus. Multiple small foreign bodies were seen in the rectum. The foreign bodies were extracted completely. Before discharge, a suicide risk assessment was done using the modified SAD PERSONS scale. The patient's total score was 5, which is low risk. The patient received psychiatric care, and his post-discharge follow-up was unremarkable.

Inguinal Hernia Containing an Inflamed Appendix: A Case of Amyand Hernia.

Inguinal hernia is a prevalent surgical condition worldwide. The hernia sac typically contains the omentum and small intestine. However, it has been reported that some other organs might be seen, including the ovary, fallopian tube, bladder, and colon. We report the case of a 23-year-old man who presented to our emergency department with the complaint of scrotal pain for the last six days. The pain was mainly in the right side. There was no history of preceding trauma, and the pain developed gradually. He described the pain as having a sharp nature and was constant. He reported having a low-grade fever that resolved with the use of over-the-counter analgesics. There was no change in the urine or bowel habits. No penile discharge was reported. On examination, the patient had a low-grade fever and tachycardia. The patient appeared in pain and was not cooperative to have a complete genitalia examination. However, there was a positive cough impulse in the right inguinal region. The laboratory findings suggested the presence of inflammatory or infectious processes with elevated leukocytes, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The patient was prepared for emergency laparotomy for reduction of the hernia and resection of the appendix. During exploration, the appendix was reduced from the hernia sac. The appendix appeared edematous, with marked erythema representing acute appendicitis. The appendix was resected and the hernia sac was closed. The presence of an appendix in the inguinal hernia sac is very rare. The preoperative diagnosis of Amyand hernia, the inguinal hernia containing the appendix, can be difficult based on the clinical presentation. Early diagnosis is crucial to avoid the potential complications of Amyand hernia, including perforation and abscess formation. Imaging studies can establish the diagnosis of Amyand hernia with high accuracy and confidence.