Search

Introduction  Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness, often progresses silently, leading to irreversible optic neuropathy. Diabetics are at higher risk of developing glaucoma. In Saudi Arabia, with a high prevalence of diabetes, limited research has focused on glaucoma awareness among diabetics. This study investigates the current status of glaucoma awareness and knowledge among the general and diabetic populations in Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in March 2024 using a convenience sampling approach. An online questionnaire was distributed via social media and Google Forms, targeting Saudi Arabian residents, both diabetic and non-diabetic. The questionnaire, validated and translated into Arabic, included demographic questions and multiple-choice questions assessing glaucoma knowledge. A pilot study confirmed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.840). The sample size was calculated to be 385 participants, ensuring a 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error. Results A total of 518 participants were surveyed, with 52.9% having diabetes. Most participants (74.3%) were unaware of the term "glaucoma," and only 11.8% had been diagnosed with the condition. Awareness was significantly higher among those who had undergone ocular examinations in the past year (64.7%). Knowledge levels varied, with 43.1% showing average knowledge, 30.3% weak knowledge, and 26.6% good knowledge. Significant associations were found between knowledge levels and factors such as diabetes status (p=0.0001), educational level (p=0.021), and sources of information, particularly medical staff (p=0.0001). Conclusion The study highlights a significant gap in glaucoma awareness and knowledge among the Saudi Arabian population, especially among diabetics. Increased educational efforts, particularly through medical staff, are crucial to improve glaucoma awareness and early detection, potentially reducing the burden of this disease. Further research should explore targeted interventions to enhance glaucoma knowledge among high-risk groups., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Research Ethics Committee at King Faisal University issued approval KFU-REC-2024-MAY-ETHICS2430. Having reviewed the details submitted by the applicant regarding the abovenamed research project, the Research Ethics Committee at King Faisal University grants its ethical approval to the protocol. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Dossari et al.)

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most prevalent malignancy among males and ranks as the fifth primary cause of mortality worldwide, underscoring its substantial impact on public health. Notably, there is a lack of research focused on PCa within the context of Saudi Arabia. Consequently, this study endeavours to elucidate the knowledge, attitudes, and screening practices related to PCa among males in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was carried out on males over 40 years old in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia between December 2022 and March 2023. The survey used a web-based questionnaire containing questions about sociodemographic characteristics, PCa knowledge, and attitudes toward screening practices. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis evaluated the participants' knowledge and attitudes toward PCa screening. Results: Out of the 468 male participants aged over 40 years, approximately 44% demonstrated limited awareness about PCa. Intriguingly, 60.3% of participants showed a positive attitude toward PCa screening. Moreover, 35.7% reported consulting a urologist for screening purposes. Furthermore, 25.6% had undergone a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, with the predominant rationale (25.8%) being medical advice. Multivariate analysis revealed that being married (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.5, p = 0.011) and having a family history of PCa (AOR = 4.6, p = 0.001) were significant predictors of heightened PCa awareness. Concurrently, a history of PCa (AOR = 6.8, p = 0.001) and holding a postgraduate qualification (AOR = 5.5, p = 0.024) emerged as significant determinants of proactive practices toward PCa. Conclusion: The results revealed a significant lack of knowledge regarding PCa and the screening practices associated with it among the study participants. These results emphasize the urgent need to provide men with comprehensive information about the benefits and limitations of PCa screening in order to enable them to make more informed decisions., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Anas Elyas et al.)

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) is a severe type of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) characterized by a high risk of acute vision loss resulting from the affection of optic nerves. This vision loss results from direct pressure upon the optic nerve by the sinus tissues and bone degradation. This is why early involvement of a professional is significant so as not to result in a permanent disability. This systematic review and meta-analysis will analyze the efficacy of surgical operations in enhancing visual outcomes in patients with acute vision loss due to AFRS. A systematic search was carried out based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus with the keywords "acute vision loss," "allergic fungal rhinosinusitis," and "surgical intervention." The studies included patients who developed AFRS-related acute vision loss, those assessing the outcomes of the surgical interventions, and those published in English. Two separate researchers extracted data and conducted quality assessments. The data synthesis process employed the R studio software (Posit, Boston, MA). The identified studies for the review constituted 12 and involved 320 patients. The mean pooled event rate regarding acute vision loss of AFRS patients was 33.1%. Ear, nose, and throat surgeries, including functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and optic nerve decompression, had a mean pooled success in vision recovery of 68%. Early treatment and utilization of other types of corticosteroids were utilized to enhance the results. Hence, early and proper surgery like FESS, optic nerve decompression, and corticosteroid treatment have better visual prognosis in AFRS patients. Standard early diagnosis and management guarantee the prevention of irreversible blindness, which stresses the need for an interdisciplinary approach and further studies., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Otaif et al.)

Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease globally, with its prevalence rising worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and determinants related to NAFLD among adults in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Methods  A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated online questionnaire distributed to 540 participants in Jazan Province. Data analysis involved descriptive and comparative statistics to assess knowledge, attitudes, and influencing factors related to NAFLD. Results The majority of participants (244, 45.2%) demonstrated poor knowledge about NAFLD, while 226 (41.9%) had fair knowledge. Notably, individuals aged 40-49, males, healthcare workers, those with obesity and diabetes mellitus, and those with a family history of NAFLD showed significantly higher levels of knowledge (p < 0.05). Regarding attitudes, most participants (64.4%) exhibited a positive attitude toward NAFLD, 28.3% had a satisfactory attitude, and only 7% demonstrated a poor attitude. Conclusion The findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions and public awareness campaigns to enhance the general public's understanding of NAFLD. Providing accurate and up-to-date information about the disease, its consequences, and preventive measures is crucial for improving awareness and knowledge., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Standing Committee for Scientific Research, Jazan University issued approval REC-45/04/830. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Someili et al.)