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Context: Direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) have revolutionized HCV treatment, but their long-term impact on liver disease severity, fibrosis progression, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence among treatment-naïve cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients in Saudi Arabia remains underexplored. This study evaluated the sustained virological response (SVR), liver disease severity, fibrosis progression, and HCC incidence among treatment-naïve cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic HCV patients treated with DAAs in Saudi Arabia. Methods and Materials: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Assir Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia, from March 2019 to December 2022. The study enrolled 52 adults (>18 years) comprising both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic HCV patients who had received DAA treatment at least 6 months (24 weeks) prior. Demographic data, laboratory results, HCV genotype, and viral load were collected. Liver fibrosis was assessed using Fibroscan, while liver disease severity was evaluated using Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) and Child-Pugh scores. HCC screening was performed using alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), ultrasound, and triphasic CT abdomen. Results: Findings included no significant changes in laboratory values (INR, bilirubin, albumin, liver enzymes) before and after treatment. However, cirrhosis cases increased post-treatment (P = 0.033), while HCC incidence remained stable. The most prevalent HCV genotype was 4 (64%), with Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir being the most prescribed medication (44%). Conclusion: DAA treatment in treatment-naïve cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic HCV patients in Saudi Arabia demonstrated efficacy in achieving SVR and maintaining liver function. However, continued monitoring is crucial post-treatment, particularly for detecting fibrosis progression and cirrhosis development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is among the most typical life-threatening conditions that may require hospitalization and resuscitation associated with considerable morbidity and mortality association. Now, the recommended investigation for active UGIB is emergency esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) as it had a role in diagnosis and treatment of UGIB. Aim: The study aimed to assess the causes and endoscopic findings in patients presenting with UGIB at King Khalid Hospital (KKH), Najran city, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A retrospective record based observational study that was conducted between March 2017- March 2021 at KKH, Najran, KSA, from an electronic endoscopic reporting database. Data of all patients who were suspected of UGIB and had an endoscopy procedure were included. Extracted data include patients’ demographic data, medical history, drug history, clinical presentation of UGIB, and their endoscopic findings including PUD, PHD, and any other relevant findings. Results: A total of 308 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included. Exact of 186 (60.4%) patients aged less than 65 years while 122 (39.6%) aged more than 65 years. A total of 207 (67.2%) patients were males. History of Previous episode of UGIB was reported among 63 (20.5%) patients and 48 (15.6%) had history of liver diseases. The most reported clinical presentation was hematemesis (56.2%; 173), followed by melena (27.3%; 84), both of them (11.7%; 36). The most reported findings were gastritis (52.6%; 162), gastric ulcers (17.9%; 55), Esophagitis (15.6%; 48), gastric and duodenal ulcers (12.7%; 39), Esophageal varices (12%; 37). Conclusions: In conclusion, the current study showed that UGIB was more among young aged patients and males. NSAIDs was among the most frequent factors associated with UGIB. More than half of the cases were presented with hematemesis and melena. Gastric lesions were the most diagnosed using endoscopy especially gastritis and gastric ulcers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colostomy surgery significantly impacts the quality of life (QoL) of patients, encompassing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being. This study aimed to assess QoL among colostomy patients in Najran, Saudi Arabia, using the City of Hope Quality of Life-Ostomy Questionnaire (COH-QOL-OQ) Arabic version. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 73 colostomy patients at King Khaled Hospital. Demographic characteristics, colostomy-related factors, and QoL scores were analyzed using the descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. Results: Participants aged 18–30 years reported higher physical QoL scores than older age groups. Marital status before colostomy, educational level, and body mass index significantly influenced psychological, social, and spiritual QoL domains. Fecal incontinence as a reason for colostomy was associated with lower psychological well-being scores. Notably, participants with "I do not know" as the type of colostomy reported higher spiritual QoL scores. The findings emphasize the intricate relationship between demographic and colostomy-related factors and QoL domains. These insights underscore the need for comprehensive care strategies, acknowledging the multidimensional nature of patients' well-being. Conclusion: This study advances our understanding of QoL among colostomy patients in Saudi Arabia, offering insights for health-care professionals to develop more holistic care approaches. The findings illuminate the significance of multidimensional factors in shaping patients' overall well-being, thus contributing to enhanced patient-centered care and improved QoL outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is among the most typical life-threatening conditions that may require hospitalization and resuscitation associated with considerable morbidity and mortality association. Now, the recommended investigation for active UGIB is emergency esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) as it had a role in diagnosis and treatment of UGIB. Aim: The study aimed to assess the causes and endoscopic findings in patients presenting with UGIB at King Khalid Hospital (KKH), Najran city, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A retrospective record based observational study that was conducted between March 2017- March 2021 at KKH, Najran, KSA, from an electronic endoscopic reporting database. Data of all patients who were suspected of UGIB and had an endoscopy procedure were included. Extracted data include patients' demographic data, medical history, drug history, clinical presentation of UGIB, and their endoscopic findings including PUD, PHD, and any other relevant findings. Results: A total of 308 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included. Exact of 186 (60.4%) patients aged less than 65 years while 122 (39.6%) aged more than 65 years. A total of 207 (67.2%) patients were males. History of Previous episode of UGIB was reported among 63 (20.5%) patients and 48 (15.6%) had history of liver diseases. The most reported clinical presentation was hematemesis (56.2%; 173), followed by melena (27.3%; 84), both of them (11.7%; 36). The most reported findings were gastritis (52.6%; 162), gastric ulcers (17.9%; 55), Esophagitis (15.6%; 48), gastric and duodenal ulcers (12.7%; 39), Esophageal varices (12%; 37). Conclusions: In conclusion, the current study showed that UGIB was more among young aged patients and males. NSAIDs was among the most frequent factors associated with UGIB. More than half of the cases were presented with hematemesis and melena. Gastric lesions were the most diagnosed using endoscopy especially gastritis and gastric ulcers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burnout syndrome, characterized by chronic unmanageable workplace stress, has been linked to lower gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome. However, the relationship between burnout syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome among medical health providers and medical students in Saudi Arabia has not been fully explored. This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in Southern Saudi Arabia from 2021 to 2022 and involved 931 medical health providers and medical students who completed an electronic questionnaire. The study assessed the presence and severity of burnout and irritable bowel syndrome and examined their relationship. Burnout syndrome was evaluated using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS), while irritable bowel syndrome criteria and severity were assessed using validated tools. The study found that 85% of medical health providers and medical students experienced high levels of burnout and irritable bowel syndrome severity, with physicians and nurses mainly affected. Occupational exhaustion was high in 44.4% of participants, while depersonalization was high in 53% of participants. Personal accomplishment was low in 73.5% of participants. Mild, moderate, and severe irritable bowel syndrome was reported in 25.6%, 23.8%, and 12% of participants, respectively. The study highlights a significant association between burnout syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome severity among medical health providers and medical students in Saudi Arabia. These findings underscore the importance of developing effective interventions to prevent and manage burnout syndrome and related health issues among healthcare professionals and medical students in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lactose intolerance is defined as "Lactose malabsorption with gastrointestinal symptoms." Also, lactose malabsorption can be defined as "Not all ingested lactose was absorbed and that some has reached the large intestine." The common symptoms associated with the maldigestion of lactose are bloating, diarrhoea, nausea, and abdominal pain., Aim: The current study aims to assess knowledge of people awareness of the lactose intolerance disorder and its relation to nutrition and dietary habits in Saudi Arabia., Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional approach was used targeting all accessible population in Saudi Arabia aging 18 years or more and accept to participate in the study. Data were collected from participants using an online pre-structured questionnaire. The researchers constructed the survey tool after intensive literature review and expert's consultation. The questionnaire covered the following data: participants' socio-demographic data like age, gender, and monthly income. Second section covered participants' dairy products intake with associated symptoms. Third part covered personal and family history of glucose intolerance disorder among the study participants. Awareness was assessed using multiple repose and mutually exclusive questions., Results: A total of 1189 participants fulfilling the inclusion criteria completed the study questionnaire. Participants ages ranged from 18 to 58 years old with mean age of 25.1 ± 12.9 years. Exact of 692 (58.2%) participants were females. Exact of 104 (8.7%) of the study participants reported that they had lactose intolerance disorder which started at the age of 11 to 20 years among 41 (39.4%) and at the age of 21 to 30 years among 36 (34.6%). About 77% of the study participants know that lactose indolence disorder symptoms appear after eating dairy or its derivatives. A total of 45.8% reported that leaky gut syndrome (diarrhoea and bloating) is caused by symptoms that occur with lactose intolerance and 39.4% know lactose intolerance is an uncurable disease., Conclusion: In conclusion, this study revealed that nearly one out of each three persons on Saudi Arabia is knowledgeable regarding lactose intolerance disorder and its related factors and relieving factors. Dairy products use in daily basis was reported among two thirds of the study population with abdominal distention and abdominal pain was the main accompanying symptoms., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.)