Search

Background and Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the anxiety, depression, and fear in people with and without diabetes during the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. Methods: In this comparative study (n= 353), people with diabetes (n= 121) and those without diabetes (n= 232) were investigated for physiological aspects of COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant outbreak. This study was performed at the Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On request, the participants responded to the survey questionnaires, providing data on demographics, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) to screen for anxiety, depression, and COVID-19-related fears. Results: The GAD statement revealed a significantly higher degree of nervousness and anxiety among people with diabetes when compared to people without diabetes (P = 0.001). For the other GAD statements, no statistical difference was observed between the responses of people with and without diabetes, including the overall GAD-7 (P = 0.091). The PHQ-2 statement, concerning a feeling of depression or hopelessness noted a significant escalation among diabetes compared to nondiabetes (P = 0.004). Furthermore, in the overall PHQ-2, a significant escalation (P = 0.011) was noticed among people with diabetes compared to nondiabetes. In addition, people with diabetes had a significantly high (P = 0.037) COVID-19-related fear reported, compared to people without diabetes. Conclusion: The need for comprehensive research is urgent, as it will facilitate a better understanding of the physiological aspects of COVID-19 for patients with diabetes.

Background: Multiple factors contribute to Saudi Arabia's severe anemia epidemic. The incidence of anemia has been widely studied in Saudi Arabia, with consistent results showing a high rate of occurrence among young people, young adults, and women of childbearing age. This study aimed to establish the prevalence and risk variables among Saudi patients. Methods: The current study aims to determine the prevalence of anemia among adult Saudi patients at a single point of measurement as reported by parents. The most suitable design is cross-sectional study. It was descriptive and correlational study. This enables the researcher to measure the effect and the outcome at a single point of time. This study design gives reliable results with short time and less effort. The study was conducted at (place). The participants were selected during the period from October to November 2022. This study included adults aged 19 years or more via non-probability convenient sampling technique at a confidence level of 95% using Epi Info software equation. Results: Study included 832 participants. Among them, 61.3% were males (n= 510) and 322 participants were females (38.7%). Most of study participants were more than 35 years (n= 357, 42.9%). More than half of study participants had a normal body mass index (BMI) (n= 468, 56.3%) while 61 participants were categorized as underweight (7.3%). Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbid condition (n= 92, 11.1%). Participants were asked about medical issues that might cause anemia. Hemorrhoid was present among 93 participants (11.2%) while menorrhagia was found among 48 female. Furthermore, 189 participants reported having iron deficiency anemia (22.7%). Anemia was prevalent among female participants more than male participants (P Conclusion: Our research revealed a significant incidence of anemia among study participants. When compared to the male population, anemia is more common among females. Microcytic anemia was the most frequent kind of anemia in women, especially in the reproductive age range of 15 to 49, whereas normocytic anemia was more common in men. Both men and women were more likely to have mild or moderate anemia, although more women than men were affected with severe anemia. The government of Saudi Arabia has to take action to reduce the rate of anemia among its citizens.

Background: Nipple discharge (ND) is known as any fluid that leaks from one or both nipples of a non-pregnant and non-breastfeeding breast. Intraductal papilloma, duct ectasia, papillomatosis, mastitis, or fibrocystic changes are the most frequent causes of abnormal benign conditions. Up to authors' knowledge; there are not enough published papers regarding perception and attitude of Saudi women about abnormal ND and its causes. The main objective of this study was to examine perception and attitude of Saudi women about abnormal ND among Saudi women in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September to November 2020. A pre-designed online questionnaire was distributed on social media targeting Saudi women in different age groups to be self administered. Data were compiled and analyzed using a statistical package for the social sciences. The relation between abnormal ND and sociodemographic characters was determined using the chisquare test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: According to our results, 8.2% (n = 176) of participants reported abnormal breast secretions other than during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Among 30.7% (n = 54) of cases, the secretions were accompanied by redness, 41.5% reported breast pain, 48.8% had small pits or wrinkles in the skin, 36.4% suffered from nipple retraction, 35.2% reported itchy sores or a rash on the nipple, in 32.4% of cases the secretions accompanied with a change in the size or shape of the breasts, and 25.6% observed that secretions were accompanied with a change in the internal composition of the breast or the appearance of an unknown mass. Conclusion: Abnormal ND was relatively prevalent among Saudi women. There was a significant relationship between social status, smoking, menstrual cycle regularity, having children, and late for childbearing.

Introduction: Within the near future, doctors can be anticipated to encounter patients in very distinctive wellbeing care settings compared with the present time. As a result, artificial intelligence will be an essential tool. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the attitudes of Jordanian medical students regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). Moreover, to estimate the level of knowledge and understanding of the effects of AI on medical students. Methods: Nine hundred medical students from six universities in Jordan participated in this survey. The participants were asked to fill out an electronic pre-validated questionnaire using Google’s forms and those forms were published via social media. The questionnaire included questions of Likert and dichotomous questions. Results: 89% of the students believed in the importance of AI in the medical field, and 71.4% believed in the beneficiary of teaching AI in the medical career. 47% of the students had an understanding of the basic principles of AI, 68.4% of the students believed that it is mandatory for medical students to receive knowledge of AI. Statistically, students who received teaching/training in AI were more likely to consider radiology as a career given the advancement in AI (p = 0.000). Conclusion: Medical students in Jordanian universities appreciate the importance of artificial intelligence and machine learning in medical advancements. Adding courses and training related to artificial intelligence and machine learning to the study plan should be considered.

Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent disease that affects all ages and is a symptom that induces immobility. Patients’ beliefs may influence LBP management, and adjusting detrimental beliefs is required to improve treatment outcomes. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of LBP within the Saudi population and beliefs regarding LBP, physical activity, rest, imaging, and medication. People with LBP were targeted with a questionnaire containing sections on demographic information and the validated Back Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ), in addition to questions regarding imaging, physical activity, rest and medication. A total of 651 responses were received, 559 of them (86%) experienced LBP. The most common age group was those aged 18–21 (n = 221), 80% from females. The average BBQ score was 27.8 (SD = 5.58). The majority of the respondents held the following beliefs, which are contrary to the best available evidence: back pain must be rested (77.1%) and X-rays or scans are required to gain the best medical care for LBP (73.2%). The Saudi population holds unhelpful beliefs that may affect their quality of life. Healthcare professionals working with patients with LBP have an important role in changing detrimental beliefs and behaviors about the condition.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the literature regarding the clinical performance of zirconia crowns for primary teeth. Materials and Methods: Four electronic databases, Ovid, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. Clinical, observational, and laboratory studies were included. Studies that assessed the performance of zirconia crowns for primary teeth using outcomes such as gingival and periodontal health, parental satisfaction, color stability, crown retention, contour, fracture resistance, marginal integrity, surface roughness, and recurrent caries were included. Risk of bias was assessed using different assessment tools depending on the type of the assessed study. Results: Out of the 2400 retrieved records, 73 full-text records were assessed for eligibility. Thirty-six studies were included for qualitative analysis. The included studies reported that zirconia crowns for primary teeth were associated with better gingival and periodontal health, good retention, high fracture resistance, color stability, high parental acceptance, good marginal adaptation, smooth cosmetic surface, and no recurrent caries. Conclusion: Zirconia crowns are promising alternative to other restorative materials and crowns in the field of pediatric dentistry. They showed higher properties and performance in different clinical aspects and great parental satisfaction.

Acute pancreatitis has many causes; however, the most common cause of pancreatitis is gallstones globally. We have searched for relevant studies in this field aiming at establishing a short review about the usefulness of biomarkers in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and the relevant biomarkers and tests that can differentiate acute gallstone pancreatitis from other etiologies. It is worth mentioning that for the diagnosis and prognosis of biliary pancreatitis, radiological and laboratory diagnosis plays a major role in this field. Three biomarkers including serum amylase, lipase, and trypsinogen are the most important and most frequently noticed biomarkers in association with acute pancreatitis. Serum amylase has a specificity rate of 95% and a sensitivity of 61% when it measures more than 1000 IU/l which is three times as high as the normal level. However, it can be also found in other intrabdominal inflammatory conditions, and therefore, it cannot be used alone in the diagnosis. It has been reported that the specificity and sensitivity were 95% and 94%, respectively, for detecting high trypsinogen-2 levels in the patients’ urinary samples, which were indicative of acute pancreatitis. For the diagnosis of biliary pancreatitis, liver function tests should be assessed. Although they might be specific, they are not always diagnostic in some cases, and therefore, other approaches for detecting gallstones as ultrasonography and MRCP should be considered together with the liver enzymes for an appropriate diagnosis.

Contraception is important for reducing the rate of unplanned pregnancy in all ages, some abortions, allowing a spacing of families, and improving the health of women. Studies stressed that successfully using contraception to prevent an unplanned pregnancy is a complex undertaking that requires alignment of multiple domains: knowledge about available methods, personal attitudes and beliefs, subjective norms, and a person's ability to obtain and actually use a birth control method. Advance practice nurses in many settings can prescribe and insert contraceptive devices. The present study aimed to determine women’s knowledge level regarding oral contraception pills (OCP) and intrauterine device (IUD) in Riyadh, and assessing the factors associated with this knowledge; either socio-demographic characteristics or gynecological and obstetrical history. A cross-sectional prospective study conducted among Saudi women attending ten primary care centers in Riyadh, from January to March 2016. Two hundred women participated, the women aged ≥18 years who agreed to contribute to a study concerning contraception. A structured questionnaire was developed and used to compiled respondent socio-demographic, gynecological and obstetric history. It also assessed defendant’s knowledge regarding oral contraceptive pills and intrauterine device. Most of the study sample (97.5%) were educated and only (2.5%) illiterate. About (75%) were employees, (23%) were bachelors. (66%) Are using or at a point used contraceptives. Among those who used contraceptive methods, (61%) used OCP and (8%) used IUD. The primary source of women's knowledge regarding contraceptives was the health care team; doctor, nurse, and pharmacist. Women’s average knowledge score level regarding contraceptives was relatively low; 39.85 of OCP and 33.40 of IUD. Multiple regression analysis showed that age, educational attainment, parity and use of contraceptives influencing knowledge level regarding OCP or IUD. In conclusion, oral contraceptive pills (OCP) are the most commonly used contraceptive/ than the intrauterine device (IUD) so nurses should develop more effective education about contraceptive methods.