Prevalence of pharmacological and non-pharmacological coping mechanisms for anxiety management during the COVID-19 pandemic: investigating the transition to online learning among medical students.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a devastating effect on college students worldwide. Here, the authors aimed to determine the prevalence of anxiety and its related coping strategies, provide a theoretical basis for understanding self-prescription, and identify the factors contributing to stress and anxiety in medical students during the pandemic. METHODS: The authors conducted a cross-sectional study among medical students in Saudi Arabia from September to November 2020. They assessed anxiety using the GAD-7 scale based on seven core symptoms. The authors also examined perceived psychological stress using a single-item measure of stress, the factors contributing to stress during the transition to online learning and examinations, and related coping strategies. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0 was used to examine the data for both descriptive and inferential analyses. Chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and univariate linear regression were used to test the research hypotheses. RESULTS: The authors collected and analyzed data from 7116 medical students distributed across 38 medical colleges. Among them, 40% reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. Pre-clinical and female students experienced more stress than clinical and male students. 12.19% (n = 868) of respondents reported using medication during their college years. Among those, 58.9% (n = 512) had moderate to severe anxiety, and the most commonly used drug was propranolol (45.4%, n = 394). Among the studied sample, 40.4% (n = 351) decreased their medication use after switching to online teaching. Most students used these medications during the final exam (35.8%, n = 311) and before the oral exam (35.5%, n = 308). In terms of coping strategies, males were much more likely to use substances than females, who mainly resorted to other strategies. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a national overview of the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of medical students. The results indicated that the pandemic is associated with highly significant levels of anxiety. These findings can provide theoretical evidence for the need for supportive psychological assistance from academic leaders in this regard.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Saudi medical students' career choices and perceptions of health specialties: findings from a national cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on people across the globe. Its impact on medical students' education has also been profound. Here, we aimed to comprehensively determine the nature of this impact on their choice of specialty. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students in Saudi Arabia during the pandemic from May to June 2021. Data collected from 1984 medical students were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the total sample, 810 (40.8%) respondents reported that the pandemic could affect their choice of specialty, with the majority being in the third year (n = 235). Across all class-years, the most common reason chosen was the inability to explore specialties of interest (n = 539, 66.5%). Another reason cited was the inability to support residency application (n = 175, 21.6%). A majority expressed concerns regarding enrollment in research activities. As high as 17.9% (n = 356) of the respondents admitted that they were trying to avoid specialty with frontline exposure to COVID-19, while 353 students (17.8%) were considering local training programs only. While examining certainty levels, of the 1174 (59.2%) students who reported not being affected by the pandemic, 924 (78.7%) had a weak certainty level. The majority were in the third (54.8%, n = 342) and fourth years (44.8%, n = 212). CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first attempt to thoroughly examine the effect of COVID-19 on medical students' choice of specialty. This effect unfurled in 4 out of 10 surveyed students. Many students reported concerns regarding the inability to explore medical specialties and the inadequacy of obtained clinical knowledge. However, a subsidiary effect was observed among students who were assertive about their choice of specialty. These findings shed new light on the exigency of establishing a career counseling framework designed to meet individual learner needs, thereby galvanizing their morale. Further research could explore the long-term implications of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties Matching System.

Optimized Management of Patulous Eustachian Tube: Shim Size Modifications to Minimize Middle Ear Effusion and Enhancing Treatment Outcomes.

Objective: In this retrospective case series, we reported 4 patients presenting with a patulous Eustachian tube (PET) to highlight our institutional management approach to PET with shim insertion and a modified shim with hydroxyapatite injection. Methods: A single institution retrospective review. Results: One case was complicated by otitis media effusion; thus, the shim was downsized under local anesthesia with an immediately improved effusion. Another patient managed with a bilateral shim of the same size but is still symptomatic on one side; therefore, we upsized it, and the symptoms disappeared. The last one developed biofilm formation and thick secretion even after downsizing. Hydroxyapatite injection was performed under local anesthesia using the same shim insertion protocol. Conclusion: Shim insertion for the treatment of PET is considered a safe, reversible, and adjustable technique, giving satisfactory results while avoiding middle ear effusion. It can be performed under local or topical anesthesia in the clinic, and size adjustment can be considered to get maximum relief without middle ear effusion. This case series highlights that adjusting the size of the shim is a suggested method to eliminate symptoms and avoid complications of shim without the need for myringotomy and ventilation tube.

Practice Patterns of Biologics Prescriptions and Surgery in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) remains challenging to manage effectively, with high symptom recurrence rates and significant impacts on quality of life, prompting a need to evaluate the real-world use of biologics and optimize treatment strategies. OBJECTIVE: To assess the real-world application and perspectives of American Rhinologic Society (ARS) members on biologic treatments and surgical interventions for CRSwNP, focusing on clinical practice patterns, adoption of biologics, and their impact on surgical practices. METHODS: A standardized questionnaire evaluated clinical practice patterns of biologics prescriptions and surgery in treating CRSwNP between July 2022 and August 2023. Data collected from 162 ARS members were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 162 participants, a substantial majority (95.06%, n = 154) reported prescribing biologics in their practice. Notably, 45.45% (n = 70) found biologics easily accessible, although accessibility challenges remained for some. The impact of biologics on surgical practices was significant, with 36.36% (n = 56) observing a marked reduction in revision sinus surgeries. Among the participants, 47.16% (n = 71) agreed that aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) was the highest phenotype that tended to increase the possibility of biological treatment by more than 20%. Adopting Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) was prevalent, with 57.79% (n = 89) utilizing them in patient management. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the evolving landscape in managing CRSwNP, with a marked trend toward integrating biological treatments into clinical practice. It underscores the necessity for continued research, updates to clinical guidelines, and enhanced practitioner education to optimize treatment outcomes for CRSwNP patients.

Bilateral antrochoanal polyp: a case report of an extremely rare entity managed conservatively with a review from the past 26 years.

Antrochoanal polyp (ACP) is a well-known benign sinonasal polyp first described in the early 20th century. ACP mostly presents as a unilateral mass and is treated solely with surgical excision. Case presentation: We report a rare case of a middle-aged man presenting with nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, and sleeping disturbances, eventually diagnosed with bilateral ACPs. After confirming the diagnosis with imaging and biopsy studies, the patient was treated conservatively, with marked improvements in his symptoms during 2-3 months of regular follow-ups. A review of the relevant literature regarding the presentation, diagnosis, and outcome of this rare entity is presented, highlighting its controversial etiopathogenesis. Clinical discussion: Presenting symptoms of ACP in most cases is unilateral progressive nasal obstruction. The occurrence of ACP bilaterally is rarely encountered in clinical practice. Diagnosis is mainly clinical and is achievable via nasal endoscopic examination and supported by computed tomography imaging. Treatment remains to be surgical, with 2 years of regular follow-ups being advised to detect any recurrence. Conclusion: This case report adds to the scarce data pool on bilateral ACPs and highlights the necessity of prudent and timely diagnosis of this uncommon entity to avoid unnecessary investigations and lengthy medical or surgical treatment. Additionally, a trial of medical therapy may provide symptomatic relief for patients who do not qualify for surgery.

MALDI-TOF MS for Rapid Analysis of Bacterial Pathogens Causing Urinary Tract Infections in the Riyadh Region.

The successful treatment of bacterial disease is relied on selecting a suitable drug based on the type of bacteria and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The study's objective was to identify bacterial isolates from urine samples of patients from the community, followed by antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolated bacteria. A total of seventy urine samples were received in the clinical microbiology laboratory; out of which 18 culture-positive cultures and by direct identification using MALDI-TOF MS (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry) were identified. Of 18 identified bacteria, 17 (94%) were pathogenic. The culture demonstrated that the major species detected in urine samples were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, and Aeromonas caviae. E. coli (72.2%) was the most common bacterium retrieved from urine samples followed by K. pneumoniae (16.6%). Interestingly, all the isolates, except Enterococcus faecalis, were resistant to erythromycin. The isolates 8 of 13 (61.5%) were resistant to both of the cotrimoxazole and tetracycline. We performed MLST (Multi-locus Sequence Typing) typing of 13 E. coli isolates to study their genetic relatedness and diversity. MLST typing of E. coli showed a total of nine different STs (Sequence Types), which showed the diversity among them. ST 129 was the most common ST found in three E. coli isolates. In our study, two isolates with ST 1126 and ST 1432 represented the global clonal complex 155. MALDI-TOF MS provided dependable results for identifying the bacteria up to species level from urine samples by indirect culture methods. Such local surveillances are highly recommended for empirical therapy awareness and determining isolates' level of resistance.

Desmoplastic Fibroblastoma of the Supraclavicular Region: A Rare Soft-Tissue Tumor With a Review from the Last Decade.

Desmoplastic fibroblastoma (DF) is primarily a sporadic, rare, benign, soft-tissue tumor with an excellent prognosis and no reported recurrence to date. DF presents as a painless, slow-growing mass with symptoms due to its mass effect. We report a case of a middle-aged man presenting with a right supraclavicular mass and numbness of the right arm, eventually diagnosed as DF. After confirming the diagnosis with imaging and biopsy studies, the tumor was successfully excised using a transcervical approach with no complication or recurrence detected during the 2-year follow-up after surgery. A review of the relevant literature is presented regarding the presentation, diagnosis, and outcomes of published case reports of DF coinciding with those of our discussed case. This case report adds to the pool of uncommon DF cases mainly for its unique symptoms and location. It also highlights the necessity of health education related to painless masses that might be attributed as trivial in the community.

A rare case of glomangiopericytoma in the nasal cavity: A case report in light of recent literature.

Introduction and importance: Glomangiopericytoma (GPC) is a rare sinonasal tumor that behaves benignly with a long overall survival rate. It accounts for fewer than 0.5% of all sinonasal tumors. Case presentation: We report the case of a 64-year-old man who presented with recurrent episodes of epistaxis. Rhinoscopy revealed a left posterior nasal septal mass with active oozing. Computed tomography (CT) showed a well-defined soft tissue lesion in the left nasal cavity measuring 1.95 × 1.51 cm. Complete endoscopic resection was successfully performed. Histopathological findings favored the diagnosis of GPC as it revealed tumor cells positive for smooth muscle actin and ß-catenin with immunopositivity for CD34. Clinical discussion: Presenting symptoms of GPC are predominated by epistaxis and nasal obstruction. Since CT and MRI merely lead to a presumptive diagnosis, histopathological findings are indispensable. Complete surgical excision of GPC remains the treatment of choice with excellent prognosis, especially when immunohistochemistry is positive for actin and CD34 immunostaining is negative. Conclusion: GPC is a rare indolent tumor of pericytes that has a macroscopic appearance of a nasal polyp, which may result in uncertainty in the initial diagnosis. In most cases, GPC warrants only local excision. This case report adds to the literature and helps galvanize the developing clinical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment.