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Context The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Saudi Arabia has been rising. Although the health burden of excess weight is well established, little is known about the economic burden. Aims To assess the economic burden—both direct medical costs and the value of absenteeism and presenteeism—resulting from overweight and obesity in Saudi Arabia. Settings and design The cost of overweight and obesity in Saudi Arabia was estimated from a societal perspective using an epidemiologic approach. Methods and materials Data were obtained from previously published studies and secondary databases. Statistical analysis used Overweight/obesity-attributable costs were calculated for six major noncommunicable diseases; sensitivity analyses were conducted for key model parameters. Results The impact of overweight and obesity for these diseases is found to directly cost a total of $3.8 billion, equal to 4.3 percent of total health expenditures in Saudi Arabia in 2019. Estimated overweight and obesity–attributable absenteeism and presenteeism costs a total of $15.5 billion, equal to 0.9 percent of GDP in 2019. Conclusions Even when limited to six diseases and a subset of total indirect costs, results indicate that overweight and obesity are a significant economic burden in Saudi Arabia. Future studies should identify strategies to reduce the health and economic burden resulting from excess weight in Saudi Arabia.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar los movimientos preferidos en maxila y mandíbula para obtener normalidad en morfología facial utilizando técnicas de superimposición en análisis 3D. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo para evaluar el desplazamiento óseo bimaxilar y del hueso hioides en sujetos clase facial tipo II y clase facial tipo III sometidos a cirugía ortognática. Para la superimposición se utilizó como puntos fijos Nasion - Silla - Porion y la sutura cigomática-maxilar. Estos puntos se superpusieron en CBCT pre quirúrgico y postquirúrgico y se evaluó el desplazamiento de la espina nasal anterior, Punto A, Punto B, mentón y del hueso hioides. Para la evaluación y comparación de las variables continuas antes y después de la cirugía ortognática se utilizó la prueba T de Student. Para la correlación entre las variables, se utilizó el Test de Spearman considerando un valor p

The present study aimed to investigate the potential of epimedin A to ameliorate DNFB-induced allergic contact dermatitis (CD) and reveal its potential underlying mechanisms of action, emphasizing its role in modulating NF-κB/NLRP3, Nrf2/HO-1 pathways, and inflammation.Seven-week-old BALB/c mice received epimedin A orally for 11 days at doses of 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg/day, starting from the seventh day of DNFB-inducing CD.Epimedin A dose-dependently ameliorated DNFB-induced CD, as revealed by the repression of the mice's scratching behavior, dermatitis score, ear thickness and weight, and ear tissue's histopathological changes, and area percent of collagen fibers induced by DNFB. These potentials were due to the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway suppression and the Nrf2 pathway enhancement, as demonstrated by the reduction of NF-κB, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, and 8 mRNA expression, and NF-κBp65, IL-1β, MDA levels, and NF-κBp65 binding activity, along with the enhancement of the Nrf2, HO-1, IκB-α, GSH levels, SOD activity, and Nrf2 binding activity. Besides, it suppressed ear tissues' NLRP3 and caspase-8 induced pyroptosis by suppressing the ear tissues' caspase-1, 8, GSDMD upregulation, and LDH activity. Additionally, it repressed the local inflammatory reaction of ear tissue, as evidenced by the reduction of the elevated inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, Il-4, TNF-α, and IFN-γ), the serum level of t-IgE, DNFB s-IgE, s-IgE/t-IgE ratio, and the abrogation of the ear tissues histopathological changes.Epimedin A is a novel, hopeful, natural therapeutic agent for CD by modulating NF-κB/NLRP3, Nrf2 pathways, and inflammation.

RESUMEN: COVID-19 es una enfermedad altamente contagiosa y potencialmente mortal que nos acompañara por largo tiempo. Las profesiones de la salud y la vida en general ha sido afectada de forma significativa en todo lugar del mundo. La odontología ha pasado de una etapa de gran desarrollo clínico a una etapa donde el manejo de barrera de protección, el control de tratamientos y el tiempo asignado a los pacientes cambiará la forma de realizar la profesión. El presente trabajo pretende resumir las indicaciones y recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia disponible y realizar un análisis de la condiciones de salud oral para Latinoamérica en esta época de pandemia. ABSTRACT: COVID-19 is a profound, highly contagious and life-threatening viral disease that will be with us for a long time. Health Care-related professions and life in its entirety are significantly, and perhaps irreversibly affected, all around the World. COVID-19 is and will continue to transform Dentistry and its practise. Based on the available evidence accrued to date, this work attempts to address such changes, current and anticipated, as well as present recommendations for clinical practise implementation, tailored for Latin/South America, in light of such lifealtering momentous pandemic.

Introduction: Heat is a kinetic process whereby energy flows from between two systems; hot-to-cold objects. In oro-dental implantology, conductive heat transfer/(or thermal stress) is a complex physical phenomenon to analyze and consider in treatment planning. Hence, ample research has attempted to measure heat-production to avoid over-heating during bone-cutting and -drilling for titanium (Ti) implant-site preparation and insertion, thereby preventing/minimizing early (as well as delayed) implant-related complications and failure. Objective: Given the low bone-thermal conductivity whereby heat generated by osteotomies is not effectively dissipated and tends to remain within the surrounding tissue (peri-implant), increasing the possibility of thermal-injury; this work attempts to obtain an exact analytical solution of the heat equation under exponential thermal-stress, modeling transient heat transfer and temperature changes in Ti implants upon hot-liquid intake. Materials and Methods: We investigate the impact of the material, the location point along implant length, and the exposure time of the thermal load on temperature changes. Results: Despite its simplicity, the presented solution contains all the physics and reproduces the key features obtained in previous numerical analyses studies. To the best of knowledge, this is the first introduction of the intrinsic time, a “proper” time that characterizes the geometry of the dental implant, where we show, mathematically and graphically, how the interplay between “proper” time and exposure time influences temperature changes in Ti implants, under the suitable initial and boundary conditions. Conclusions: This work aspires to accurately complement the overall clinical diagnostic and treatment plan for enhanced bone-implant interface, implant stability and success rates, whether for immediate or delayed loading strategies.

Abdulhadi M Alqahtani,1 Saja H Almazrou,2 Randah M Alalweet,3 Ziyad S Almalki,4 Basmah F Alqahtani,5 Saleh AlGhamdi1 1Research Center, Clinical Research Department, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3Preventive Health - General Department of Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 5Pharmacist, Inpatient Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Services Administration, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh City, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Abdulhadi M AlqahtaniResearch Center, Clinical Research Department, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh City, Saudi ArabiaEmail ph.abdalhadi@gmail.comObjective: We aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the knowledge and attitudes of patients among the Saudi population toward participating in clinical trials.Methods: We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional analysis using self-administered questionnaires for patients who attended the outpatient clinics at King Fahad Medical City and King Saud University Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaires included general questions about sociodemographic information, patient knowledge about clinical trials, and patient attitudes toward clinical trial participation. We used descriptive analysis to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on patient knowledge and attitudes about clinical trials.Results: From November 2019 to October 2020, 822 responses were collected from participants in two medical cities and included in the analysis. Most of the study participants (81%) were younger than age 42 years. Our findings showed no difference between participants who participated in clinical trials before versus during the COVID-19 pandemic (P = 0.129).Conclusion: The Saudi population knows about clinical trials, but they lack knowledge about the role of the ethics committee and about informed consent. Also, most of them do not have the experience of participating in a clinical trial. Still, they have moderately positive attitudes toward clinical trials.Keywords: knowledge, attitude, clinical trials, COVID-19, Saudi Arabia

Despite the availability and advancement of diagnostic and treatments with demonstrated benefits in minimizing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, hypertension control rates remain suboptimal. Therefore, this research aimed to determine the prevalence of uncontrolled BP in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and understand all potential risk factors for uncontrolled BP. We conducted a cross-sectional study on RA patients in 2 rheumatology clinics in 2 public hospitals in Riyadh. Patients’ information such as demographics, comorbidities, drug use, and other clinical data were captured through a review of medical records and supplemented by patient interviews. Multivariate logistic regression was utilized for the analysis to identify the significant factors of uncontrolled BP (systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg). In total, 834 subjects with RA and concomitant BP were involved in this cross-sectional study. The prevalence of uncontrolled BP was found to be 31.65% among all the study population. Multivariate analysis showed that males, subjects above 60 years of age, and smokers had a distinctly higher occurrence of uncontrolled BP. Among the patients with comorbid conditions, those with obesity, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, anemia, cancer, and reflex or gastroesophageal reflux disease also showed a significantly higher risk of uncontrolled BP (P

To find changes in hematologic parameters in patients who are COVID-19-positive with respect to high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) chest scan so that the exact picture of the disease course can be identified and an adequate treatment protocol can be planned to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.Patients' health-related data including age, gender, symptomatology, associated co-morbidities, laboratory test results and HRCT results were collected.The radiologic findings showed ground glass opacities (GGOs) was the most common manifestation. Analysis of HRCTs of patients with COVID-19 showed that lesions were mainly confined to the right and left lower lobes, suggesting that the COVID-19 virus is mainly harbored in the basal areas of the lungs.Radiologic and laboratory investigations can greatly help in early detection of COVID-19, thus allowing for timely interventions.

This article discusses the various nonsurgical treatments that can be performed in combination with facelift surgery to provide patients with a more complete facial rejuvenation. Nonsurgical adjuncts focus on facial volume enhancement, skin resurfacing, intense pulsed light for pigmentary changes, neuromodulators, and skin care in addition to the surgical techniques used to combat facial aging. Several options exist for skin resurfacing, including dermabrasion, chemical peels, and lasers; the advantages and limitations of each are discussed. Photographs demonstrating the effectiveness of nonsurgical treatments to facelift patients are displayed as examples of their powerful adjunctive effect.

Our aim was to give a morphometric description of the interproximal bone between the anterior maxillary teeth of subjects with class III facial deformity, who were candidates for segmented Le Fort I osteotomy. We measured the width of the interproximal bone from the upper right canine to the upper left canine in cone-beam computed tomographic images of 35 subjects, and identified five interproximal areas of measurement. The lower and upper measurements were established 5mm and 10mm from the cervical crest of the interproximal bone. A paired samples t test and Pearson's correlation coefficient were applied and probabilities of less than 0.05 were accepted as significant. In all the scans of interproximal bone, the apical zone was significantly wider than the inferior zone (p

In the present work, several mathematical models well-known in the literature for simulating drug release kinetics are compared using available experimental data sets obtained in real systems with different drugs and nano-sized carriers. Herein, the χ2 minimization method, is employed concluding that the Korsmeyer-Peppas model provides the best-fit in all cases. Hence, (i) better understanding of the exact mass transport mechanism(s) involved in drug(s) release, and (ii) quantitative prediction of the drug release kinetics, can be computed.

International audience; In this study, an efficient strategy for the synthesis of a new benzamide derivative N-hydroxy-2-(4-methylbenzamido)benzamide was reported by using readily available reagents, and its antibacterial activity against bacterial strains was investigated. This new compound crystallized in a monoclinic system with the P21/n space group. Its unit-cell parameters were a = 7.5103(2) Å, b = 11.7991(3) Å, c = 15.2645(4) Å, β = 91.907(2)° and Z = 4. Crystal packing was stabilized by hydrogen bonds and π-stacking interactions and van der Waals interactions. Hirshfeld surfaces and their associated two-dimensional fingerprint plots were utilized to analyze the intermolecular interactions in the crystal structure. In addition, electrostatic surface potential (ESP) was generated by the density functional theory.

An approach is described in this work for detecting discomfort moments during electrical water heater daily usage. The approach employs chromatic analyzing sensors signals of electrical water heater systems for producing distinguishable mapping to characterize and identify selected discomfort moments. The preliminary results obtained indicate that it is possible to distinguish such events in a non-intrusive approach. Hot water comfort detection and classification intelligently through human behavior monitoring and analyses plays an important role in both, energy saving and energy management. The focus is on recording the discomfort situations followed by merging system outcomes with efficiency evaluation will be used to provide helpful recommendations for selecting appropriate operating strategy., Comment: 7 pages

Objectives: We aimed to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia in various severity groups. Methods: Data for 485 patients were extracted from the medical records from the infectious disease center of Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Hospital in Riyadh. Patients' basic information, laboratory test results, signs and symptoms, medication prescribed, other comorbidities, and outcome data were collected and analyzed. Descriptive data were reported to examine the distribution of study variables between the severe and not severe groups. Results: Of 458 included patients, 411 (89.7%) were classified as not severe, 47 (10.3%) as severe. Most (59.1%) patients were aged between 20 and 39 years. Patients with severe conditions were non-Saudi, with a chronic condition history, and tended to have more chronic conditions compared with those without severe disease. Diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid disease were significantly higher in patients with severe disease. Death was reported in only 4.26% of severe patients. Only 16 (34.04%) patients remained in the hospital in the severe group. Conclusions: Severe cases were more likely to have more comorbidities, diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid disorders were most common compared with non-severe cases.

SUMMARY: Bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2) is a powerful osteo-inductive growth factor widely used in bone reconstruction and both the vehicle used to administer it and the scaffold substrate could determine its success in clinical situations. The aim was to analyse the clinical behaviour of dental implants placed in single alveolar ridges with a horizontal deficiency in the maxillary anterior region that were reconstructed horizontally with rhBMP-2 and porous hydroxyapatite (HA). Inclusion criteria were both males and females, between the ages of 18 and 29 with single tooth loss of one upper incisor. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) was used to take measurements prior to bone augmentation and again prior to the implant insertion. Surgery was carried out under local anaesthetic. In the primary procedure, bone substitute was introduced using porous HA and rhBMP-2; after 4 to 5 months, dental implant surgery was carried out and the implant placed; after 3 months of consolidation the provisional prosthesis was placed and then a definitive restoration was placed. Variables were analysed using the t-test with a p-value of < 0.05 in order to assess statistical significance. Thirteen subjects were included (6 females and 7 males). Bone augmentation resulted in a bone gain of 4.15mm (p=0.023), which was shown to be statistically significant. All of the grafts placed were successful and 13 implants were placed, using torques between 30 and 70N, without complications. For the final prostheses, 11 were screw retained and 2 were cemented in place. The horizontal bone augmentation using HA and rhBMP-2 is an efficient technique for single bone defects in the anterior maxillary area; clinical trials on a larger scale are needed to confirm these results.

Aims This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of the potential drug-herbal interaction among patients with chronic diseases in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia and to explore factors associated with the potential of drug-herbal interaction. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted through interview-based questionnaire at outpatient clinics in Al-Kharj. The study included patients with chronic diseases who used herbal products. Results This study included 336 patients in total. The mean age of participants was 52.4 ± 12.0 years, and their most-used medications were metformin, atorvastatin, and aspirin, while their most-used herbs were ginger (74.7%), mint (72%), and cumin (66.7%). In 310 out of 336 (92.26%) cases, at least one potential drug-herbal interaction was found, and most of these interactions (84%) were moderate. Conclusion A substantial percentage of potential drug-herbal interactions were found among patients with chronic diseases. Healthcare providers are encouraged to discuss the safety and efficacy of herbal products with their patients.

COVID-19 es una enfermedad altamente contagiosa y potencialmente mortal que nos acompanara por largo tiempo Las profesiones de la salud y la vida en general ha sido afectada de forma significativa en todo lugar del mundo La odontologia ha pasado de una etapa de gran desarrollo clinico a una etapa donde el manejo de barrera de proteccion, el control de tratamientos y el tiempo asignado a los pacientes cambiara la forma de realizar la profesion El presente trabajo pretende resumir las indicaciones y recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia disponible y realizar un analisis de la condiciones de salud oral para Latinoamerica en esta epoca de pandemia COVID-19 is a profound, highly contagious and life-threatening viral disease that will be with us for a long time Health Care-related professions and life in its entirety are significantly, and perhaps irreversibly affected, all around the World COVID-19 is and will continue to transform Dentistry and its practise Based on the available evidence accrued to date, this work attempts to address such changes, current and anticipated, as well as present recommendations for clinical practise implementation, tailored for Latin/South America, in light of such lifealtering momentous pandemic

In electrical power systems, the overhead transmission line (Figure 19.1a) is utilised for facilitating power delivery of electrical energy to consumers despite the long distance separating it from its resources. Standard three phase parallel transmission lines increase the power transmission capability. A schematic diagram of parallel three phase power lines is shown in Figure 19.1b. Compared to the generation and distribution parts of the power system, high failure probability is recorded in the transmission part despite the high standard measures in the design and material selection.

The community pharmacy is one setting that plays a crucial role in patient safety. To develop tailored patient safety improvement programs in this setting, it is essential to know the perspectives of the pharmacies' staffs on patient safety. Thus, in this study, we assessed patient-safety culture in the community pharmacy setting in Saudi Arabia.Between January and August of 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional study among staff working in the community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia. Data on patient safety culture were collected using the Pharmacy Survey on Patient Safety Culture (PSOPSC). Analyses were performed with descriptive statistics (frequency/percentages), Fisher's Exact test, Chi-square analysis, and multivariable ordinal logistic regression with proportional odds model analysis.PSOPSC data from 805 community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia were received (response rate: 78%). The overall average positive response rate for the 11 dimensions of the PSOPSC survey was 60.2%, with a range from 34.8% in the dimension of Staffing, Work Pressure, and Pace to 76.4% in the dimension of Teamwork. Most participants responded positively, as in total, 504 (62.6%) of the participants rated their pharmacy as 'excellent' or 'very good' on patient safety. Gender and work experience in a pharmacy were important predictors of the overall patient safety grade.The study revealed that all dimensions are scope for further improvement, and critical consideration ought to be given to the areas of weakness, for the most part in the dimension of Staffing, Work Pressure, and Pace.

RESUMEN: El ratón (Mus musculus) es un buen modelo animal de experimentación, donde sus glándulas salivales han sido utilizadas en estudios, especialmente de tipo preclínico. Sin embargo, las diferencias en la morfología de estas glándulas y, en particular de las submandibulares, entre humanos y roedores no son de conocimiento común. Por lo anterior, el objetivo de este estudio fue conocer las características morfocuantitativos de la glándula submandibular del ratón macho C57BL/6. Se utilizaron cinco ratones macho, cepa C57BL/ 6, de 11 a 13 semanas de nacidos, con un peso promedio de 30 g. Luego de su ambientación, los ratones fueron eutanasiados. Para el análisis histológico, las glándulas fueron extraídas y fijadas en formalina tamponada por 48 horas, procesada para su inclusión en paraplast y teñidas con hematoxilina y eosina, azul alcián pH 2,5, ácido peryódico de Schiff y Picrosirius Red. Se determinaron las características estereológicas de densidad de longitud (LVcond), de volumen (VVcond) y de superficie (SVcond) de los conductos. En las células acinares se evaluó la densidad de número (NVcel) y la densidad de volumen (VVcel). Para cada variable se obtuvo la media ± desviación estándar. La glándula submandibular se encontraba organizada de manera lobulada, cuyo parénquima era de tipo túbuloacinar mixto con predominio seroso, que se conectaba a través de conductos. Las células acinares presentaban reacción positiva para azul alcián y ácido peryódico de Schiff. El estroma de la glándula contenía principalmente colágeno tipo 1. Los resultados de las mediciones estereológicas fueron: LVcond = 220,02 ± 50,51 mm/mm3; VVcond = 50,48 ± 9,55 %; SVcond = 26,39 ± 5,45 mm2/mm3; NVcel = 16,85 x 104 ± 9,13 × 104/mm3; VVcel = 24,98 ± 6,22 %. Con los análisis presentados es posible realizar investigaciones experimentales, considerando las similitudes y diferencias morfocuantitativas que presenta la glándula submandibular de ratón macho, cepa C57BL/6 con la del humano.

RESUMEN: El ratón (Mus musculus) es un buen modelo animal de experimentación, donde sus glándulas salivales han sido utilizadas en estudios, especialmente de tipo preclínico. Sin embargo, las diferencias en la morfología de estas glándulas y, en particular de las submandibulares, entre humanos y roedores no son de conocimiento común. Por lo anterior, el objetivo de este estudio fue conocer las características morfocuantitativos de la glándula submandibular del ratón macho C57BL/6. Se utilizaron cinco ratones macho, cepa C57BL/ 6, de 11 a 13 semanas de nacidos, con un peso promedio de 30 g. Luego de su ambientación, los ratones fueron eutanasiados. Para el análisis histológico, las glándulas fueron extraídas y fijadas en formalina tamponada por 48 horas, procesada para su inclusión en paraplast y teñidas con hematoxilina y eosina, azul alcián pH 2,5, ácido peryódico de Schiff y Picrosirius Red. Se determinaron las características estereológicas de densidad de longitud (LVcond), de volumen (VVcond) y de superficie (SVcond) de los conductos. En las células acinares se evaluó la densidad de número (NVcel) y la densidad de volumen (VVcel). Para cada variable se obtuvo la media ± desviación estándar. La glándula submandibular se encontraba organizada de manera lobulada, cuyo parénquima era de tipo túbuloacinar mixto con predominio seroso, que se conectaba a través de conductos. Las células acinares presentaban reacción positiva para azul alcián y ácido peryódico de Schiff. El estroma de la glándula contenía principalmente colágeno tipo 1. Los resultados de las mediciones estereológicas fueron: LVcond = 220,02 ± 50,51 mm/mm3; VVcond = 50,48 ± 9,55 %; SVcond = 26,39 ± 5,45 mm2/mm3; NVcel = 16,85 x 104 ± 9,13 × 104/mm3; VVcel = 24,98 ± 6,22 %. Con los análisis presentados es posible realizar investigaciones experimentales, considerando las similitudes y diferencias morfocuantitativas que presenta la glándula submandibular de ratón macho, cepa C57BL/6 con la del humano. SUMMARY: The mouse (Mus musculus) is a good experimental animal model, where murine salivary glands have been widely used in research by their similarities with human glands. Stereology is a tool that has to demonstrated to be valuable in biomedical researc h. Therefore, the objective was to realize an analogy between morphology, function and morpho-quantitative characteristics of the C57BL/6 mouse submandibular gland. Five male mice, C57BL/6, from 11 to 13 weeks old were used, with an average weight of 30 g. After seven days, the mice were euthanized and the samples were extracted. Then, these were processed following the conventional histological processing protocol and stained with H&E, Picrosirius Red, AA and PAS. Finally, the histological and stereological analysis of the samples was performed. In the glandular ducts the length density (LVcond), volume density (VVcond) and surface density (SVcond) were determined; whereas, in the acinar cells the density of number (NVcel) and the density of volume (VVcel) were evaluated. For each stereological variable the mean ± standard deviation was obtained. The histological study revealed no discrepancies as previously described. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed the following: LVcond = 220.02 ± 50.51 mm/mm3; VVcond = 50.48 ± 9.55 %; SVcond = 26.39 ± 5.45 mm2/mm3; NVcel = 168467.38 ± 91288.67 /mm3 and VVcel = 24.98 ± 6.22 %. From this study, it will be possible to conduct comparative experimental research analyzing quantitative results from those presented in this research. From this study, it will be possible to carry out comparative experimental research, analyzing quantitative results from those presented in this investigation.

Introduction: Due to the diversity of reports and on the rates of medications errors (MEs) in Saudi Arabia, we performed the first meta-analysis to determine the rate of medications errors in Saudi Arabia using meta-analysis in the hospital settings. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search through August 2019 using PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar to identify all observational studies conducted in hospital settings in Saudi Arabia that reported the rate of MEs. A random-effects models were used to calculate overall MEs, as well as prescribing, dispensing, and administration error rates. The I2 statistics were used to analyze heterogeneity. Results: Sixteen articles were included in this search. The total incidence of MEs in Saudi Arabia hospitals was estimated at 44.4%. Prescribing errors, dispensing errors, and adminstration errors incidents represent 40.2%, 28.2%, and 34.5% out of the total number of reported MEs, respectively. However, between-study heterogeneity was also generally found to be >90% (I-squared statistic). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the MEs common in health facilities. Additional efforts in the field are needed to improve medication management systems in order to prevent patient harm incidents.

Objectives: Advances in technology are changing the way healthcare services are delivered. The adoption of different health technologies has significantly improved health access and efficiency. In addition, health-technology adoption can help immensely in improving health outcomes and enhancing public and private healthcare spending efficiency. However, the role of health technology in transforming healthcare delivery and enhancing spending efficiency is not well understood. In this paper, we reviewed the role of emerging technologies in delivering health services that promote health outcomes, improve productivity of the healthcare provider, and reduce healthcare costs. Methods: A narrative review was conducted of published articles as well as grey literature on application of technology in delivering medical care. Studies that met the following criteria were included: addressed a relevant aspect of technology in healthcare delivery; written in English; published between 1994 and June 2020; qualitative and quantitative study designs, systematic reviews, and primary and secondary research. Main results and conclusions: Utilizing technologies in delivering health services showed promise in improving health outcomes, enhancing healthcare productivity, and reducing overall healthcare costs. However, before these technologies are implemented, reimbursement and equity are two main issues that need to be addressed.

Objective: This study estimated nationally representative medical expenditures of gynecologic cancers, described treatment patterns and assessed key risk factors associated with the economic burden in the United States. Methods: A retrospective repeated measures design was used to estimate the effect of gynecologic cancers on medical expenditures and utilization among women. Data were extracted from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (weighted sample of 609,787 US adults) from 2007 to 2014. Using the behavioral model of health services utilization, characteristics of cancer patients were examined and compared among uterine, cervical, and ovarian cancer patients. Multivariable linear regression models were conducted on medical expenditure with a prior logarithmic transformation. Results: The estimated annual medical expenditure attributed to gynecologic cancers was $3.8 billion, with an average cost of $6,293 per patient. The highest annual cost per person was ovarian cancer ($13,566), followed by uterine cancer ($6,852), and cervical cancer ($2,312). The major components of medical costs were hospital inpatient stays (53%, $2.03 billion), followed by office-based visits (15%, $559 million), and outpatient visits (13%, $487 million). Two key prescription expenditures were antineoplastic hormones (10.3%) and analgesics (9.2%). High expenditures were significantly associated with being a married woman (p