Awareness of patients with multiple sclerosis in Saudi Arabia regarding the relationship between smoking and multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the awareness of patients with multiple sclerosis about the relationship between smoking and multiple sclerosis in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 2018 for 162 patients who are attending a tertiary hospital in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Self-administered questionnaire and telephone-based interview were used to collect the data. The Analysis was carried out through a statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) software version 21 by using chi-square. RESULTS: A total of 162 patients responded to the questionnaire (response rate, 58.1%). Among the respondents, 56 were current smokers, and 41 of them were males. Thirty-nine patients had a previous cessation attempt, and in 64.1% of the cases, it was mainly a self-made decision. Doctors counseled only 52.7% of the active smokers regarding the effect of smoking on the progression of their disease. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that there a is low level of awareness regarding the risk of smoking on multiple sclerosis. Therefore, educational programs and campaigns would be beneficial to fulfill the gap. Moreover, Health institutions and health care workers should take this issue into account when counseling the patient.

Comparison of quality of life in children undergoing peritoneal dialysis versus hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVES: To record pediatric end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients' quality of life (QOL) in relation to peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD). Chronic kidney disease is a rising global epidemic yielding worldwide prevalence of 11-13%. It could possibly lead to ESRD, thus imposing serious burdens on patients and reducing their QOL. These burdens may affect their family members as well. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined 23 pediatric ESRD patients aged 2-18 years who were undergoing peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in July 2018. Data were collected using the validated Pediatric Quality of Life InventoryTM 3.0 ESRD Module questionnaire. Results: The sample included HD (n=9, 40.9%) and PD (n=14, 60.9%) patients. According to the parent-proxy report, we found that the QOL among PD pediatric patients was significantly higher than HD patients (p=0.045). Also, male HD patients had a significantly better QOL on the interaction subscale (70.83±15.95 compared to 30.00±24.00 for females [p=0.023]). Conclusion:   Quality of life was found to be better among PD pediatric patients in King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.