HbA1c and risk factors' prevalence in patients with stroke: a retrospective study in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and different types of stroke, and how different comorbidities and risk factors are related to the occurrence of stroke in a Saudi Arabian tertiary care hospital. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study included patients who experienced either hemorrhagic stroke (HS), ischemic stroke (IS), or transient ischemic attack (TIA) between 2015 and 2020. RESULTS: In total, 976 patients were included, of whom 670 were males (68.6%). The incidence of HS was significantly higher in males compared to females (14.2% vs. 6.9%), whereas the incidence of IS was higher in females (76.8% vs. 74.6%) (p=0.001). Ischemic stroke was significantly higher in the 65 years or older age group, whereas HS was comparatively higher among those aged <65 years. The means HbA1c levels in all three types of stroke were abnormally high. However, HbA1c levels were significantly higher in IS than in the other 2 stroke types (p=0.017). The HbA1c levels showed statistically significant differences between the different types of stroke, where the estimated marginal means were higher in patients with IS with a small effect size. Heart disease was also more prevalent in the IS group. Stroke-related mortality was reported in 16 patients and was significantly higher in the IS group than in the HS group. CONCLUSION: The HbA1c levels were elevated in all types of stroke, significantly in IS. Controlling patients' HbA1c and other modifiable risk factors could significantly reduce the risk of stroke.

Identification of the novel HLA-A*02:829 allele by sequencing-based typing.

The novel HLA-A*02:829 allele is likely generated from the recombination of both HLA-A*02:05:01:01 and HLA-A*32:01:01:01 alleles.

Identification of the novel HLA-B*53:69 allele by sequencing-based typing.

The HLA-B*53:69 allele differs from HLA-B*53:01:01:01 by two nucleotide changes in exon 3.

The Prevalence of Nephrolithiasis and Associated Risk Factors Among the Population of the Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia.

Background and objective Kidney stones, also referred to as nephrolithiasis or renal calculi, is a condition where crystal depositions are formed within the kidney and ideally excreted from the body via the urethra with no pain; however, larger calculi may cause significant pain and require further medical assistance. The vast majority of patients who develop renal calculi form calcium stones, which are either a composition of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate. Other types include uric acid, struvite, and cysteine. While kidney stones are one of the most significant diseases among the Saudi population, which require an acute emergency intervention to prevent serious long-term complications, there are limited studies published regarding this condition in Saudi communities. In light of this, we performed this study to assess the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors of kidney stones among the population of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between August and October 2023, aiming to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of nephrolithiasis among residents of the Riyadh province. Data were collected through an electronic questionnaire in both Arabic and English and distributed via social media in addition to barcode handouts in various selected venues in Riyadh. The questionnaire involved 12 questions categorized into three sections. The first section obtained demographical information while the second section collected data about the past medical history of the participants. Lastly, the third section aimed to assess the prevalence of nephrolithiasis among participants or any history of the condition among their families. Results A total of 1,043 participants were surveyed, of whom 533 were males (51.1%). The prevalence of kidney stones was reported in 98 individuals (9.4%) overall. Individuals in the age groups of 36-50, 51-60, and >60 years showed significantly more renal stone prevalence than those in younger age groups (p<0.001). The prevalence was found to be higher in participants who were smokers, diabetic, hypertensive, and those who suffered from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gout, chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperthyroidism, and hyperparathyroidism. Participants who took calcium supplements or had a positive family history of renal stones were found to have a higher prevalence of renal stones as well. However, only hypertension, gout, and family history showed any statistical significance (p<0.05). Conclusions A direct correlation was observed between hypertension, gout, positive family history, and aging and an increased prevalence of kidney stones among the inhabitants of the Riyadh province. Therefore, we encourage the local authorities to raise awareness of kidney stones and their related risk factors among the general public. Moreover, further local studies need to be conducted to gain deeper insights into kidney stone prevalence, especially pertaining to associated comorbidities and the pattern of the disease itself.

Influence of pharmaceutical representatives on prescription decisions by physicians in Qassim province.

Introduction: Pharmaceutical representatives are an important part of the marketing of pharmaceutical products and an important source of prescribing information for common practitioners. Thus, this study aims to identify factors that affect physicians' drug selection decisions, determine the main source of information for physicians about new drugs, and the most effective reminder methods used by pharmaceutical representatives. Method: This study is a cross-sectional study that was distributed to doctors in different health specialties and different clinics and hospitals in the Qassim region from February to March 2020. The data collected were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Result: The Internet is the most considered main source of new drug information. Moreover, hospital policy is the most common factor that affects physicians' drug selection decisions. Finally, leaflets and pharmaceutical sales representatives' (PRs') frequent visits are the most effective reminder methods. Conclusion: This study showed the main source of new drug information was the Internet. In comparison, the factor that affects the physician's drug selection decision in this study was hospital policy. Finally, the most effective reminder methods were PRs' frequent visits and also an equal percentage leaflet.

Identification of the novel HLA-DQB1*03:483 allele by sequencing-based typing.

A single nucleotide change in exon 1 of HLA-DQB1*03:01:01:03 results in the novel HLA-DQB1*03:483 allele.

Characterization of the novel HLA-A*68:280 allele by sequencing-based typing.

A single nucleotide change in exon 2 of HLA-A*68:01:02:02 results in the novel HLA-A*68:280 allele.

Characterization of the novel HLA-A*31:199 allele by sequencing-based typing.

A single nucleotide change in exon 4 of HLA-A*31:01:02:31 results in the novel HLA-A*31:199 allele.

Identification of a novel HLA-B*18 variant, HLA-B*18:01:01:52, in a Saudi individual.

A single nucleotide change in the 3' UTR of HLA-B*18:01:01:01 results in the novel HLA-B*18:01:01:52 allele.

Novel HLA-B*81:02:02 allele identified in a Saudi individual.

HLA-B*81:02:02 differs from HLA-B*81:02 by a synonymous substitution in exon 5.

Identification of the novel HLA-B*37:87 allele in a Saudi individual.

HLA-B*37:87 differs from HLA-B*37:01 by a single-nucleotide substitution (G → A) at position 2347.

Identification of the novel HLA-B*49:01:01:04 allele in a Saudi individual.

HLA-B*49:01:01:04 differs from HLA-B*49:01:01:01 by a single nucleotide substitution (G → A) at position 3627.

Identification of the novel HLA-A*29:02:01:06 allele in a Saudi individual.

HLA-A*29:02:01:06 differs from HLA-A*29:02:01:01 by a single nucleotide substitution (T➔C) at position 2471.

Identification of the novel HLA-DQB1*05:01:01:05 allele in a Saudi individual.

HLA-DQB1*05:01:01:05 differs from HLA-DQB1*05:01:01:01 by a single nucleotide substitution (G➔A) at position 1062.

A novel HLA-C null allele, HLA-C*12:299N, identified by next-generation sequencing in a Saudi individual.

A single nucleotide deletion in HLA-C*12:03:01:01 results in a novel null allele, HLA-C*12:299N.

A novel HLA-B allele, HLA-B*08:242, identified by next-generation sequencing in a Saudi individual.

HLA-B*08:242 differs from HLA-B*08:01:01:01 in codons 33 and 36 of exon 2.

Identification of the novel HLA-DPA1*02:01:01:06 allele in a Saudi individual.

HLA-DPA1*02:01:01:06 differs from HLA-DPA1*02:01:01:01 by a single nucleotide substitution (T → G) at position 948.

Identification of the novel HLA-DPA1*01:03:01:12 allele in a Saudi individual.

HLA-DPA1*01:03:01:12 differs from HLA-DPA1*01:03:01:01 by a single nucleotide substitution (G → C) at position 4239.