A population-based study of 15,000 people on Knowledge and awareness of lung cancer symptoms and risk factors in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Lung cancer is currently the most fatal form of cancer worldwide, ranking as the fourth most prevalent type in Saudi Arabia, particularly among males. This trend is expected to increase with growing population, lifestyle changes, and aging population. Understanding the awareness of the Saudi population regarding the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer is necessary to attenuate the predicted increase in cases. Method: A cross-sectional, population-based survey was performed using a previously validated questionnaire (Lung CAM). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess variables associated with deficiency in knowledge and awareness of risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer. Results: Majority of the 15,099 respondents were male (65%), aged between 18 and 30 years (53%), 50% of which were educated up to a bachelor's degree level. Overall awareness of lung cancer signs and symptoms was 53%, with painful cough and coughing up blood being the best-known symptoms. Conversely, persistent shoulder pain (44%) and clubbing fingers (47%) were the least known lung cancer symptoms. Also, 60% of the respondents showed low confidence in identifying the signs and symptoms of lung cancer. The overall awareness of the risk factors for lung cancer development was 74%, with first-hand (74%) and second-hand (68%) smoking being the most known risk factors. However, only ≤ 62% know the other non-smoking risk factors. Awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer depended on age, gender, education, marital and employment status (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Public awareness of the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer in Saudi Arabia is inadequate and heavily dependent on education and socio-economic status. Awareness can be improved through campaigns to raise awareness about other lesser-known lung cancer risk factors and symptoms.

Development of novel polymer haemoglobin based particles as an antioxidant, antibacterial and an oxygen carrier agents.

This innovative work aims to develop highly biocompatible and degradable nanoparticles by encapsulating haemoglobin (Hb) within poly-ε-caprolactone for novel biomedical applications. We used a modified double emulsion solvent evaporation method to fabricate the particles. A Scanning electron microscope (SEM) characterized them for surface morphology. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopies (UV-visible) elucidated preserved chemical and biological structure of encapsulated haemoglobin. The airproof equilibrium apparatus obtained the oxygen-carrying capacity and P50 values. The DPPH assay assessed free radical scavenging potential. The antibacterial properties were observed using four different bacterial strains by disk diffusion method. The MTT assay investigates the cytotoxic effects on mouse fibroblast cultured cell lines (L-929). The MTT assay showed that nanoparticles have no toxicity over large concentrations. The well-preserved structure of Hb within particles, no toxicity, high oxygen affinity, P50 value, and IC50 values open the area of new research, which may be used as artificial oxygen carriers, antioxidant, and antibacterial agents, potential therapeutic agents as well as drug carrier particles to treat the cancerous cells. The novelty of this work is the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of developed nanoparticles are not been reported yet. Results showed that the prepared particles have strong antioxidant and antibacterial potential.

Correlation of Anemia Due to Poor Iron Status With Obesity at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background Saudi Arabia has a high prevalence of chronic diseases such as obesity. Moreover, iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in developing countries is the most prevalent type of anemia. This study aims to assess the correlation between anemia related to poor iron status and obesity. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the obesity center in King Fahad Medical City, Saudi Arabia, from April to September 2020. Two hundred and forty participants were needed to be included in the study. The data was gathered by utilizing a designed data collection form. Socio-demographic data, weight and height, questions related to the history of anemia, and gynecological data (for females) were collected. The data was analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) version 28.0. Descriptive statistics were used to present numerical and categorical data and a Chi-square test was conducted to assess the correlation between categorical variables. Informed written consent was obtained from all participants and ethical approval was obtained from the Ethical Board Committee in King Fahad Medical City. Results The study included 240 participants. Two-thirds of the study population are females (64.6%), 66.7% are married, and 65.8% have obesity. Almost one-half of the study population (46%, N=128) was diagnosed with IDA with malnourishment being the most common reason for IDA (88.2%). The results indicated a correlation between obesity and the prevalence of IDA. The prevalence of IDA among participants with obesity (60.4%) was significantly higher compared to non-obese participants (39.5%), p=0.002. The study found that females and underweight individuals have a higher prevalence of IDA (p<0.001). Conclusion Results of the present study suggest that obesity could be associated with a risk of IDA. In addition, Saudi women could be more prone to IDA than men. Further prospective controlled studies among diverse populations in Saudi Arabia including laboratory assessment of inflammatory markers and iron status are required to better understand the correlation between obesity and IDA.

Maxillary Odontoma Associated With Noonan Syndrome: A Case Report.

Noonan syndrome (NS) is a common congenital syndrome characterized by multiple anomalies commonly observed in children. In this article, we describe a case of a patient with congenital heart disease, severe mitral regurgitation, and Nonaan syndrome presented with left maxillary swelling and pain, which was treated by complete surgical excision of the left maxillary odontoma. Based on this case, we conclude that numerous oral abnormalities may be related to NS and thus necessitate interdisciplinary treatment planning and prompt therapy. The importance of including oral manifestations as a scoring criterion in diagnosing NS cannot be overstated, as the significance of oral findings in NS has largely been overlooked.

Single Versus Dual Antiplatelet Therapy After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Unprotected Left-Main Coronary Disease.

BACKGROUND: The use of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after coronary revascularization for left-main disease is still debated. The study aimed to characterize patients who received dual versus single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for unprotected left-main disease and compare the outcomes of those patients. RESULTS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 551 patients who were grouped into 2 groups: patients who received SAPT (n = 150) and those who received DAPT (n = 401). There were no differences in age ( P = 0.451), gender ( P = 0.063), smoking ( P = 0.941), diabetes mellitus ( P = 0.773), history of myocardial infarction ( P = 0.709), chronic kidney disease ( P = 0.615), atrial fibrillation ( P = 0.306), or cerebrovascular accident ( P = 0.550) between patients who received SAPT versus DAPT. DAPTs were more commonly used in patients with acute coronary syndrome [87 (58%) vs. 273 (68.08%); P = 0.027], after off-pump CABG [12 (8%) vs. 73 (18.2%); P = 0.003] and in patients with radial artery grafts [1 (0.67%) vs. 32 (7.98%); P < 0.001]. While SAPTs were more commonly used in patients with low ejection fraction [55 (36.67%) vs. 61 (15.21%); P < 0.001] and in patients with postoperative acute kidney injury [27 (18%) vs. 37 (9.23%); P = 0.004]. The attributed treatment effect of DAPT for follow-up major adverse cerebrovascular and cardiac events was not significantly different from that of SAPT [ß, -2.08 (95% confidence interval (CI), -20.8-16.7); P = 0.828]. The attributed treatment effect of DAPT on follow-up all-cause mortality was not significantly different from that of SAPT [ß, 4.12 (CI, -11.1-19.32); P = 0.595]. There was no difference in bleeding between groups ( P = 0.666). CONCLUSIONS: DAPTs were more commonly used in patients with acute coronary syndrome, after off-pump CABG, and with radial artery grafts. SAPTs were more commonly used in patients with low ejection fraction and acute kidney injury. Patients on DAPT after CABG for left-main disease had comparable major adverse cerebrovascular and cardiac events and survival to patients on SAPT, with no difference in bleeding events.

Life-Saving Treatments for Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Global Access and Availability.

Background and Objectives: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disorder manifesting with progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. SMA type 1 used to be fatal within the first 2 years of life, but is now treatable with therapies targeting splicing modification and gene replacement. Nusinersen, risdiplam, and onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi improve survival, motor strength, endurance, and ability to thrive, allowing many patients to potentially attain a normal life; all have been recently approved by major regulatory agencies. Although these therapies have revolutionized the world of SMA, they are associated with a high economic burden, and access to these therapies is limited in some countries. The primary objective of this study was to compare the availability and implementation of treatment of SMA from different regions of the world. Methods: In this qualitative study, we surveyed health care providers from 21 countries regarding their experiences caring for patients with SMA. The main outcome measures were provider survey responses on newborn screening, drug availability/access, barriers to treatment, and related questions. Results: Twenty-four providers from 21 countries with decades of experience (mean 26 years) in treating patients with SMA responded to the survey. Nusinersen was the most available therapy for SMA. Our survey showed that while genetic testing is usually available, newborn screening is still unavailable in many countries. The provider-reported treatment cost also varied between countries, and economic burden was a major barrier in treating patients with SMA. Discussion: Overall, this survey highlights the global inequality in managing patients with SMA. The spread of newborn screening is essential in ensuring improved access to care for patients with SMA. With the advancement of neurotherapeutics, more genetic diseases will soon be treatable, and addressing the global inequality in clinical care will require novel approaches to mitigate such inequality in the future.

Evaluating the Clinical Effectiveness and Safety of Semaglutide in Individuals with Uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes. Real-World Evidence from Saudi Arabia: The Observational, Multicenter, 15-Month EVOLUTION Study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of semaglutide, administered either by weekly subcutaneous (SC) injection or orally, in real-life practice in Saudi Arabia in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: A retrospective chart review study was conducted at 18 Saudi Arabia centers. An accredited centralized institutional review board approved the study. Medical records were included for individuals of any age ≥ 18 years with uncontrolled T2DM. The primary outcome measure was the laboratory glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level. Secondary measures included fasting blood glucose (FBG), weight, and hypoglycemia. All variables were checked after 6 and 12 months of semaglutide initiation. RESULTS: The analysis of this study included 1223 patients with uncontrolled T2DM (HbA1c > 7%). The mean (SD) baseline HbA1c was 10.02% (1.17). HbA1c was reduced by an average of 3.02% (0.84) and 3.17% (0.84) at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Results of a repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated significant differences in HbA1c (p value < 0.001). HbA1c levels at 6 and 12 months were significantly lower, 7.00% (0.70) and 6.85% (0.69), than at baseline, 10.02% (1.17). About 193 patients (56.4%) of the 295 patients having HbA1c < 9% achieved HbA1c of 5.7% or less. The frequency of hypoglycemia events was 4.60 (1.10) in the 3 months before semaglutide was initiated. The frequency of hypoglycemia events in the last 3 months was 2.30 (0.80) events and 0.80 (0.50) events at 6-month and 12-month follow-up visits, respectively. The percent reduction in body mass index (BMI) was an average of 13.07% (1.53) and 19.89% (4.07) at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Lipid profile and blood pressure were improved at 6 and 12 months. CONCLUSION: Semaglutide, administered either by SC injection or orally, provided substantial glycemic and weight-loss benefits in adults with T2DM.

Generative and Discriminative Learning for Lung X-Ray Analysis Based on Probabilistic Component Analysis.

Introduction: The paper presents a hybrid generative/discriminative classification method aimed at identifying abnormalities, such as cancer, in lung X-ray images. Methods: The proposed method involves a generative model that performs generative embedding in Probabilistic Component Analysis (PrCA). The primary goal of PrCA is to model co-existing information within a probabilistic framework, with the intent to locate the feature vector space for X-ray data based on a defined kernel structure. A kernel-based classifier, grounded in information-theoretic principles, was employed in this study. Results: The performance of the proposed method is evaluated against nearest neighbour (NN) classifiers and support vector machine (SVM) classifiers, which use a diagonal covariance matrix and incorporate normal linear and non-linear kernels, respectively. Discussion: The method is found to achieve superior accuracy, offering a viable solution to the class of problems presented. Accuracy rates achieved by the kernels in the NN and SVM models were 95.02% and 92.45%, respectively, suggesting the method's competitiveness with state-of-the-art approaches.

Outcomes of Hallux Valgus Corrective Osteotomy: A Tertiary Hospital Experience.

BACKGROUND: A common form of forefoot deformity, hallux valgus (HV) is characterized by a prominent first metatarsal head, lateral deviation of the hallux, and medial deviation of the first metatarsal bone. In the case of HV, corrective osteotomies are performed with good results and patient satisfaction. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent corrective osteotomy for hallux valgus from 2016 to 2022 was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected by chart review using the BestCARE system. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23.0 (Released 2015; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Our study included 166 patients. The mean age of the patients was found to be 41.3 years old and about 152 (91.6%) of them were females. The most frequently reported comorbidity was hypertension (10.2%). The mean hallux valgus angle was found to be 36.1 ± 9.9 and the mean intermetatarsal angle was found to be 15 ± 4.4 degrees. Seventy-six (45.8%) patients underwent nonoperative management first. The mean age at diagnosis among males was found to be 28.5 ± 11.3 years and among females was 37.9 ± 14.4 years; a significant difference between means was noted (p-value = 0.019) with mean age at diagnosis in males being significantly lesser than in females. CONCLUSION: Significant improvement and reduction were seen in HV angle post surgery. Nearly half of the patients underwent nonoperative management first. Age at diagnosis is significantly younger in males compared to females.

Outcomes of Operative Versus Nonoperative Management for Hallux Rigidus: A Tertiary Care Center Experience.

Background This study aims to investigate and report the outcomes of various management modalities used for hallux rigidus, a common form of degenerative joint disease affecting the foot and ankle. The research focuses on understanding the pathophysiology, classification systems, and nonoperative approaches such as medical therapy, intra-articular injections, shoe modifications, and physical therapy. Surgical techniques, including joint-sparing and joint-sacrificing procedures, are explored, considering factors such as disease stage and patient preferences. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh. The study included all patients who were diagnosed with hallux rigidus from the period 2016 to 2022. Data were collected through the BESTCare system at KAMC. All the data were collected through Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington) and transferred for analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25 (Released 2017; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York). Frequencies and percentages were used to detail categorical variables, whereas continuous variables were examined by the mean and standard deviation. A p-value of <0.05 was considered to report the statistical significance. Results A total of 84 patients were included. The majority were women (60.7%). Diabetes and hypertension were prevalent comorbidities, affecting 21.4% and 35.7% of patients, respectively. Nonoperative management was the most common approach (66.7%). Complications were minimal (2.4% infections, 1.2% metatarsalgia), and 67.9% of patients reported no persistence of symptoms after treatment. Conclusion The low complication rates and the lack of significant associations between treatment modalities and outcomes suggest the generally safe and effective nature of the employed interventions. These findings can guide clinicians in making informed decisions regarding the management of hallux rigidus, while also highlighting areas for further research to improve treatment strategies and outcomes.

Prevalence of Sleep Disorders Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus at Primary Healthcare Centers in the South Region of Abha City.

Background Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar (glucose). This issue is of considerable importance in the field of public health, as it has a global impact on a substantial number of individuals. The primary emphasis in the management of type 2 diabetes is centered around achieving glycemic control, implementing lifestyle adjustments, and employing pharmaceutical therapies as preventive measures or for the purpose of managing problems that may arise as a result of the disease. Aim This research aimed to investigate the prevalence of sleep-belated issues among individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Methodology A total of 230 participants with type 2 diabetes patients of primary healthcare in Abha city whose age is ≥18 years were included in the study. The data collection process involved the distribution of a self-administered questionnaire that assessed various aspects of sleep disturbances, including difficulties in falling asleep, waking up during the night, excessive daytime sleepiness, and restless legs or leg muscle cramps. The questionnaire also collected demographic information and data on potential risk factors such as alcohol consumption, caffeine consumption, and smoking/tobacco product use. Data analysis was conducted using chi-square tests and significance levels were set at p < 0.05. Results The findings revealed a prevalence of sleep disturbances among individuals with type 2 diabetes. Difficulties in falling asleep and waking up during the night were reported by a substantial proportion of participants, and a notable number experienced excessive daytime sleepiness. Restless legs or leg muscle cramps that interrupted sleep were experienced occasionally by 16.5% and frequently by 8.7% of the participants. The study also found a significant association between the presence of sleep problems and lower sleep quality ratings. However, no significant associations were found between sleep disturbances and the duration of type 2 diabetes or the examined risk factors. Conclusion The findings from this study emphasize the detrimental effects of sleep disturbances on sleep quality and suggest that improving sleep quality can positively influence the overall health and well-being of individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Knowledge about Emergency Management of Orofacial Injuries among School Teachers at Alkharj Saudi Arabia.

Background: Children suffer from orofacial injuries during sport activities in schools. School teacher's knowledge about managing emergency during orofacial injuries will help in treatment prognosis. Aim: To assess and compare school teacher's knowledge about management of orofacial injuries at alkharj Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study was planned among school teacher working in various schools at alkharj. Questionnaire consisted of Demographic details such as age and year of experience and knowledge-related questions about management of orofacial injuries. Questionnaire was distributed and collected on the same day. Results: All participants were aware that sport activities results in injuries to head, orofacial structures, or teeth. 15.6% participants have undergone training. 84.4% of study participants have told they don't know to manage avulsed tooth. 92.8% of study participants are interested to get training on orofacial injury management. Conclusion: Knowledge of school teachers about management of orofacial injury is insufficient. Teachers are primary level of contact in schools during sports injuries, measures should be taken to improve their knowledge about orofacial injuries.

Comparative Evaluation of Postoperative Pain Scores and Opioid Consumption in Septorhinoplasty After Administration of Single-Dose Preemptive Paracetamol and Ibuprofen: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Introduction Septorhinoplasty operates on the nose's bone and cartilage and is ensued by severe postoperative pain. Objective The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of preoperative administration of intravenous (IV) paracetamol and ibuprofen on postoperative pain scores in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty. Methods A total of 150 patients undergoing septorhinoplasty were randomly assigned into 3 groups with 50 patients in each group. The control group (group A) was administered 100 ml saline solution; the paracetamol group (group B) was administered 1,000 mg of IV paracetamol in 100 ml of saline solution; and the ibuprofen group (group C) was administered 800 mg of IV ibuprofen in 100 ml of saline solution before surgery. Opioid analgesics were employed to achieve postoperative analgesia. Postoperative pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Postoperative opioid consumption and adverse effects were also recorded for each patient. Results In comparison with group A, the score in the VAS of groups B and C was statistically lower in all the time intervals (p < 0.05). In the 1st and 6th hours postoperatively, group C's score in the VAS in was lower than that of group B (p < 0.05). In the control group, total opioid consumption was highest in all time intervals (p < 0.05). In group C, total opioid consumption was significantly lower than in group B in the 0 to 6 and 6 to 12 hours intervals. (p < 0.05). Conclusion The single-dose preemptive administration of ibuprofen has a more profound postoperative analgesic effect than paracetamol in the first 6 hours after septorhinoplasty. After the first 6 hours postsurgery, there is no difference between ibuprofen and paracetamol in terms of analgesic effect.

Comparative Evaluation of Postoperative Pain Scores and Opioid Consumption in Septorhinoplasty After Administration of Single-Dose Preemptive Paracetamol and Ibuprofen: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction Septorhinoplasty operates on the nose's bone and cartilage and is ensued by severe postoperative pain. Objective The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of preoperative administration of intravenous (IV) paracetamol and ibuprofen on postoperative pain scores in patients undergoing septorhinoplasty. Methods A total of 150 patients undergoing septorhinoplasty were randomly assigned into 3 groups with 50 patients in each group. The control group (group A) was administered 100 ml saline solution; the paracetamol group (group B) was administered 1,000 mg of IV paracetamol in 100 ml of saline solution; and the ibuprofen group (group C) was administered 800 mg of IV ibuprofen in 100 ml of saline solution before surgery. Opioid analgesics were employed to achieve postoperative analgesia. Postoperative pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Postoperative opioid consumption and adverse effects were also recorded for each patient. Results In comparison with group A, the score in the VAS of groups B and C was statistically lower in all the time intervals ( p < 0.05). In the 1 st and 6 th hours postoperatively, group C's score in the VAS in was lower than that of group B ( p < 0.05). In the control group, total opioid consumption was highest in all time intervals ( p < 0.05). In group C, total opioid consumption was significantly lower than in group B in the 0 to 6 and 6 to 12 hours intervals. ( p < 0.05). Conclusion The single-dose preemptive administration of ibuprofen has a more profound postoperative analgesic effect than paracetamol in the first 6 hours after septorhinoplasty. After the first 6 hours postsurgery, there is no difference between ibuprofen and paracetamol in terms of analgesic effect.

Ten-year cost-consequence analysis of weight loss on obesity-related outcomes in privately insured adults with obesity in Saudi Arabia.

AIM: This study aimed to estimate the 10-year cost-consequence of weight loss on obesity-related outcomes in a sample of privately insured adults with obesity in Saudi Arabia (KSA). METHODS: We analyzed data of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) available in Nphies, the private health insurance platform of the Council of Health Insurance, KSA. A micro-costing analysis was used to obtain domestic cost estimates for obesity-related outcomes. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the benefit of weight loss by preventing incident cases of 10 obesity-related outcomes. RESULTS: In the study cohort (n = 314,079), the 30-34.9 BMI category contributed two-thirds of the cohort, and no gender differences were found in the age distribution of BMI categories. The elderly population had a higher prevalence of obesity-related outcomes, such as hypertension, osteoarthritis, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The baseline cost (2023) for treating these outcomes was USD 1.245 billion, which could double in 10 years. A 15% weight loss could save USD 1.295 billion over 10 years, with most savings due to T2DM (USD 430 million), given its higher prevalence (27.5%). The model was most sensitive to cost variability in T2DM, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. LIMITATIONS: The results should be interpreted within the bounds of the study cohort, and Nphies is in its early stages of implementation. The cost estimates may differ if repeated among adults with obesity only, potentially leading to increased cost savings with weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate weight loss of 5-15% over 10 years is associated with substantial cost savings in Saudi Arabia. For a 15% weight loss, 18.8% of incidence cases of obesity-related outcomes may be prevented, and slowed increases in T2DM, dyslipidemia, and hypertension may lead to considerable cost savings. The findings would help policymakers to implement weight loss programs in KSA.

Outcome of the Masquelet Technique for Complex Bilateral Distal Femoral Bone Defects.

Bone defects are severe conditions caused by various etiologies, including trauma, tumor resection, or chronic osteomyelitis. Different surgical interventions can be utilized to manage such cases, including autologous graft or allograft implantation, distraction osteogenesis, acute shortening, amputation, or the induced membrane technique. Herein, the case of a 39-year-old woman with complex bilateral distal femoral fractures with intra-articular extension is presented. The fractures were accompanied by a significant metaphyseal bone defect, which was managed successfully using the induced membrane Masquelet technique. The patient fully healed despite residual knee joint contractures that did not inhibit her mobility. In conclusion, the Masquelet technique successfully manages complex bone defects and restores functionality even in bilateral simultaneous open bone defects.

Prevalence of internalized stigma in patients with psychiatric illness in Abha, Southern Region, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Mental stigma occurs when patients with various mental disorders are labeled by their disorders. Little is known about the burden of mental stigma on patients with mental disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of mental stigma on patients with psychiatric disorder in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among previously diagnosed patients with any psychiatric disorder attending King Khalid Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia. The patients were interviewed with a sociodemographic questionnaire and a validated Arabic version of the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness (ISMI-29) scale. Chi-square test and t-test were used to assess the association between various demographic characteristics and presence of stigma. RESULTS: The study included 489 patients with different psychiatric disorders. The mean age of the participants was 32.8 years and 54.6% were females. About 39% participants showed no to minimal internalized stigma, 37.4% of total sample had mild stigma, 20% had moderate stigma, and 3.7% had severe stigma. A signficantly higher proportion (71.4%) of widowed patients had stigma (P = 0.032). CONCLUSION: Self-stigma is prevalent among patients with psychiatric disorders in Abha, Saudi Arabia, but lower than the prevalence in developing countries. Marital status has a significant impact on the prevalence and severity of the self-stigma of patients. There is a need for awareness program to reduce self-stigma. Psychiatric institutions should also focus on promotion of patients' social life and increase patient's awareness of certain issues that could prevent stigma.

Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Its Association with Nocturnal Enuresis at the Primary Schools in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The correlation between nocturnal enuresis (NE) and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) was reported. We aim to determine whether there is an association between NE and SDB in children and to assess the prevalence of SDB and NE in primary school children aged 6-12 years in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among the caregivers of children aged 6-12 years in all Saudi Arabia regions. The data were gathered through a self-administered online questionnaire. It included demographic information, weight and height, and associated comorbidities, in addition to the weekly frequencies of snoring symptoms and of enuresis, as well as of unrefreshing sleep using Likert-type response scales. Counts and percentages, the mean ± standard deviation, chi-square test, independent samples t-test, and regression analysis were used in the statistical analysis using R v 3.6.3. The questionnaire was completed by 686 respondents. Most respondents did not report any comorbidities in their children (77.1%). Asthma and adenotonsillar hypertrophy were reported in 16.2% and 15.6% of children, respectively. Unrefreshing sleep, mouth breathing at night, snoring, chronic nasal obstruction, and difficulty breathing while asleep were reported once or twice per week in 38%, 34%, 28%, 18%, and 18% of children, respectively. The prevalence of NE was 22.3%, with about 36.6% of children having NE two or more times per week. Significantly, NE was reported in 26.6% of children who slept before 10 PM compared to 19% of children who slept after 10 PM; in 28.6% of children who snored or loudly snored (57.1%) three times or more per week; and in 51.2% and 27.5% of children with difficulty breathing while asleep and who breathed through their mouth at night for one or two nights per week, respectively. A multivariable regression analysis showed that male gender (OR = 1.52, p = 0.010), obesity (OR = 1.24, p = 0.028), early sleeping time (OR = 1.40, p = 0.048), loud snoring for three or more nights per week (OR = 1.54, p = 0.001), difficulty breathing for one or two nights per week (OR = 1.85, p = 0.010), and mouth breathing at night for one or two nights per week (OR = 1.55, p = 0.049) were associated with higher odds of NE. Our study revealed that 22.3% of primary school children reported suffering from NE. SDB is a common problem among children with NE. The exact mechanism that links SDB to the increase in the risk of NE is unknown. Male gender, obesity, early sleeping time, loud snoring, difficulty breathing, and mouth breathing at night are potential independent risk factors of NE in school-age children.

Osteo-NeT: An Automated System for Predicting Knee Osteoarthritis from X-ray Images Using Transfer-Learning-Based Neural Networks Approach.

Knee osteoarthritis is a challenging problem affecting many adults around the world. There are currently no medications that cure knee osteoarthritis. The only way to control the progression of knee osteoarthritis is early detection. Currently, X-ray imaging is a central technique used for the prediction of osteoarthritis. However, the manual X-ray technique is prone to errors due to the lack of expertise of radiologists. Recent studies have described the use of automated systems based on machine learning for the effective prediction of osteoarthritis from X-ray images. However, most of these techniques still need to achieve higher predictive accuracy to detect osteoarthritis at an early stage. This paper suggests a method with higher predictive accuracy that can be employed in the real world for the early detection of knee osteoarthritis. In this paper, we suggest the use of transfer learning models based on sequential convolutional neural networks (CNNs), Visual Geometry Group 16 (VGG-16), and Residual Neural Network 50 (ResNet-50) for the early detection of osteoarthritis from knee X-ray images. In our analysis, we found that all the suggested models achieved a higher level of predictive accuracy, greater than 90%, in detecting osteoarthritis. However, the best-performing model was the pretrained VGG-16 model, which achieved a training accuracy of 99% and a testing accuracy of 92%.