Quality of Life (QoL) among medical students in Saudi Arabia: a study using the WHOQOL-BREF instrument.

BACKGROUND: Poor Quality of Life (QoL) among medical students is associated with an unhealthy lifestyle, psychological distress, and academic failure, which could affect their care for patients in the future. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Arabic WHOQOL-BREF tool among Saudi medical students and to assess the effect of gender, educational level, and academic performance on their QoL. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study among medical students of King Abdulaziz University in February 2016, using the Arabic version of the WHOQOL-BREF instrument. RESULTS: Six-hundred-thirty medical students were included, where females constituted (51.1%). Cronbach's α coefficient for the overall domains of WHOQOL-BREF was 0.86. Students' self-reported QoL mean score was 3.99 ± 0.95, and their mean score for the overall satisfaction with health was 3.66 ± 1.06. The environmental domain had the highest mean score (67.81 ± 17.39). High achievers showed lower psychological health, while poor academic performance was associated with better psychological health and social relationship QoL scores (P < 0.013 and P < 0.014, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The WHOQOL-BREF is valid and reliable for assessing QoL among Saudi medical students. Although gender and academic year had no impact on the students' QoL, better-performing students reported lower psychological health and social relationships scores.

Initial outcomes of one anastomosis gastric bypass at a single institution.

INTRODUCTION: One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is an emerging bariatric procedure, which has been reported to be safe and effective. This study aims to evaluate the short-term outcome of OAGB and its midterm effects on weight loss and remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who had undergone OAGB between January 2013 and January 2017 in King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is presented here. Patients' perioperative characteristics, biochemical profile (fasting blood glucose, HbA1c and iron profile) and details on subsequent weight loss in terms of body mass index (BMI) and excess weight loss percentage (EWL%) along with early and late postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Out of the 47 patients who underwent OAGB, 42 were included in this study and completed the 2-year follow-up. Average operative time was 107±21.3 minutes and average length of hospital stay was 2.5±0.53 days. Mean preoperative BMI was 47.6±9.1 kg/m2, and at 1 and 2 years of follow-up, it was 30.5±7.4 and 27.1±5.1, respectively. No mortality, anastomotic leak or bleeding were reported. Most common midterm complication was iron deficiency anemia (n=7/42). Remission of T2DM at 6 months was 80%. Patients with preoperative T2DM for less than 10 years showed better remission (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Our analysis suggests that OAGB is a safe and effective weight loss procedure that carries low perioperative risk and acceptable nutritional complications in the midterm, with a notable remission of T2DM. Preoperative duration of T2DM plays a major role in achieving remission after OAGB.