The prevalence of hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy: A retrospective study based at King Abdulaziz University Hospital,Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Objectives:To estimate the prevalence of hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy (TT) at a tertiary center.Methods:This retrospective study was conducted between 2014 and 2019 at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study was based at the Department of General Surgery and was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of KAUH. Medical records of 154 patients who had undergone TT were reviewed. Data such as age, gender, level of postoperative calcium at 24 and 48 hours after surgery, parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, central neck dissection (CCND), histological diagnosis were entered into Microsoft Excel sheets.Results:Hypocalcemia occurred more on the second day after surgery in 67.4% of patients. Among them, 83.9% were female and 16.1% were male. The majority of patients were asymptomatic and benign thyroid disease was the most common. There was a significant association between hypocalcemia and the PTH level (p<0.001).Conclusion:There was a high prevalence of hypocalcemia on the second day after surgery. Presence of hypocalcemia association with the PTH level. Meticulous surgical technique and preservation of parathyroid vascularity are important in preventing postoperative hypocalcemia.     

The prevalence of internet gaming disorder among medical students at King Saud University,Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Objectives:To estimate the prevalence of internet gaming disorder (IGD) among King Saud University (KSU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia medical students and to determine the association of IGD with gender, age, academic achievement, amount of sleep, and accommodation.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional study between October 2019 and April 2020 on KSU medical students with a sample size of 281 medical students currently studying at KSU chosen by a stratified proportionate random sampling. The questionnaire contained the IGD short scale and questions eliciting demographic data.Results:The sample comprised of 228 responses. The prevalence of IGD was 8.8% (n=20), while 19.3% (n=44) of the participants were risky gamers. There was a significant association (p=0.0040) between IGD and gender, with 10.1% (n = 15) of males having IGD compared to 6.3% (n=5) of females. Additionally, 25% (n = 37) of males were risky gamers, as compared to 8.8% (n=7) of females.Conclusion:There is a high prevalence of internet gaming disorder among KSU medical students, with higher frequency among males. However, there was no significant association between this disorder and age, sleep, academic achievement, or accommodation.     

300例住院患者质子泵抑制剂的合理用药评价

目的 通过对住院患者质子泵抑制剂（proton pump inhibitors,PPIs）进行合理用药评价,促进医院质子泵抑制剂的合理应用,保障患者用药安全。方法 回顾性分析2021年1月至2022年6月安顺市西秀区人民医院治疗使用PPIs的出院患者300例,根据PPIs临床应用指南、药品说明书等循证依据,从治疗原则、适应症、给药途径等多方面对PPIs进行合理用药评价。结果 共有79份（26.33%）病历使用PPIs存在不合理用药,包括给药途径不适、治疗用药无指征、围手术期预防用药无指征、缺少相关诊断、更换PPIs无依据、适应症不适宜等。其中,治疗用药不合理65例,预防用药不合理14例。结论 针对PPIs使用存在的问题持续开展用药评价,对规范临床合理使用此类药物具有较大意义。     

Prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea and its effect on the quality of life amongst female medical students at King Saud University,Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Objectives:To quantify the prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea, study its associated factors, and to assess its effect on the quality of life of female medical students.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 376 female medical students at King Saud University student campus and King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between September 2017 and May 2018. The study was conducted using a consecutive, non-random sampling technique.Results:The prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea among female medical students was 80.1%; most of the participants (n=134) reported moderate pain (49.8%). Primary dysmenorrhea was significantly associated with caffeine consumption (p<0.05) and did not show an association with factors, body mass index, diet, lack of physical activity, and smoking. Among the SF-36 domains, the 4 domains physical health (p<0.001) and emotional health (p=0.01) including health changes (p=0.033) and pain (p<0.001) were statistically significantly affected by dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea also had a significant impact on the students’ academic performance where a higher proportion of students suffering from primary dysmenorrhea showed negative effects on their attendance, concentration, study time, and participation in class.Conclusion:Most female medical students suffer from primary dysmenorrhea, which adversely affects their quality of life and academic performance. Caffeine consumption demonstrated a significant association with primary dysmenorrhea. Periodical awareness programs to minimize the consequences of primary dysmenorrhea should be introduced.     

Prevalence and determinants of burnout syndrome and depression among medical students at Qassim University,Saudi Arabia

Objectives:To investigate the prevalence and determinants of burnout syndrome and depression among medical students at Unaizah College of Medicine (UCM), Qassim University, Qassim, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).Methods:A cross-sectional study of all Saudi medical students studying at UCM, Qassim University, Al Qassim, KSA, between February to March 2020.Results:Of the total 305 students sampled, 153 (50.2%) fit the category of depression. Concerning burnout, only 5.6% of the total population met the Maslach Burnout Inventory diagnostic criteria for burnout, with those determined to have burnout having ranked high on the emotional exhaustion and cynicism subscales, and low on the academic efficacy subscale. Male was strongly associated with burnout, while female gender and raising children were strongly associated with the presence of depression. Emotional exhaustion and high cynicism as determinants of burnout elevate the risk of depression.Conclusion:Our results highlight the high rate of depression and burnout, as well as the need for psychological intervention programs at medical schools to prevent the deterioration of student’s mental health that has been associated with advancement in medical school.     

Prevalence and determinants of distress among oncology patients at a tertiary care medical city in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

Objectives:To estimate the prevalence of distress in patients with cancer in Saudi Arabia and to identify common psychosocial stressors in these patients. We also looked for associations between distress and psychological, sociodemographic, and medical factors.Methods:This cross-sectional study was performed in the oncology outpatient clinic at King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 2018 to December 2019. It included 280 patients with breast cancer, colorectal cancer, or lymphoma. Sociodemographic information was collected using questionnaire, along with information on medical history and any psychiatric history. Distress was assessed using the Distress Thermometer and Problem List. Satisfaction with social support was rated using the visual analog scale. All patients were screened for depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item depression scale and anxiety using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale.Results:The prevalence of distress in our study population was found to be 46%. Distress was associated with several practical, family, emotional, and physical stressors in the problem list. Logistic regression identified predictors of distress to be anxiety (odds ratio [OR] 8.7, confidence interval [CI] 1.98-38.24, p=0.002) and receiving radiotherapy (OR 3.6, CI 1.33-9.99, p=0.009), while Saudi nationality (OR 0.22, CI 0.05-0.95, p=0.037) and stage I cancer (OR 0.18, CI 0.05-1.40, p=0.002) were associated with low distress.Conclusion:Approximately half of cancer patients were found to have distress. Anxiety, advanced cancer stage, and radiotherapy were independently associated with distress.     

Cytological patterns of thyroid lesions in Najran,Saudi Arabia: A 5-year retrospective study

Objectives:To assess the cytological pattern of thyroid lesions in Najran, Saudi Arabia.Methods:A retrospective study, from the period of January 2015 to December 2019. All patients with thyroid enlargement who were presented to different hospitals in Najran and assessed by fine needle aspiration cytology were included in this study.Results:Of 1353 cases, 1138 (84.1%) were female and 215 (15.9%) were male. Most of the thyroid lesions were benign (72.5%) including follicular nodules (39.5%), Hashimoto’s disease (21.2%), and colloid nodules (11.8%). There were 107 (7.9%)cases of suspicious malignancy, and the most common malignant tumor was papillary carcinoma (10.2%). The 2^nd age group (21-40 years) was the common age to be diagnosed with malignant tumors, particularly in males. The 3^rd age group (41-60 years) was most affected by thyroid lesions, particularly in females.Conclusion:Most of thyroid lesions in Najran were benign, and females were more affected by thyroid lesions than males. However, papillary carcinoma was the 4^th most frequent thyroid lesion in females, while it was the 2^nd most frequent in males and diagnosed mainly in younger males (21-40 years). Finally, ages 21-60 years were associated with most of the thyroid lesions in both males and females.     

Clinicopathological characteristics of young versus older patients with breast cancer: A retrospective comparative study from the Madinah region of Saudi Arabia

Objectives:To compare the clinicopathological, histological and immunohistochemical features of breast cancer (BC) in between young (≤40 years) and older (>40 years) patients.Methods:This retrospective study included histopathological reports of all patients with primary BC diagnose at the King Fahad Hospital, Madinah, Saudi Arabia between January 2006 and November 2020.Results:During the study period, a total of 708 patients with BC were identified; 173 cases (24.4%) were ≤40 years old and 535 (75.6%) were above 40 years. There were significant differences in tumor size (p=0.046), tumor grade (p<0.0001), tumor stage (p=0.047), lymphovascular invasion (p<0.0001), and distant metastasis (p<0.0001) between the 2 groups. Comparing the status of the hormone receptors and molecular subtypes between the 2 age groups, BCs in the younger patients were triple–negative (p=0.008) in majority of the cases and less likely to be estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) hormone receptors–positive (p=0.0001, p<0.0001). Young patients exhibited the HER2/neu type with more frequent statistical significance (p=0.016) and the tumor type luminal A (p=0.002) with less frequent statistical significance compared to old patients.Conclusion:Although BC in young women is uncommon, it may be different with regards to poor prognostic outcomes, which are attributed to more aggressive histopathological features and less favorable receptor status when compared to the cases diagnosed in older women.     

质子泵抑制剂和氯吡格雷联用与支架内再狭窄关系的回顾性研究

目的:评估接受经皮冠状动脉介入治疗术后患者,氯吡格雷联合质子泵抑制剂治疗是否会增加支架内再狭窄的风险.方法:根据服用氯吡格雷抗血小板治疗的同时是否使用质子泵抑制剂,分为氯吡格雷治疗组(n=250)和氯吡格雷+质子泵抑制剂治疗组(n=189),比较分析两组患者支架内再狭窄发生率.结果:平均随访(13±5.9)月观察发现,经皮冠状动脉介入治疗术后氯吡格雷加用质子泵抑制剂治疗组患者,支架内再狭窄发生率明显高于未使用质子泵抑制剂治疗组患者(19.6％ vs 8.0％),两者比较差异具有统计学意义,P＜0.001.结论:经皮冠状动脉介入治疗术后患者,使用氯吡格雷治疗的同时联用质子泵抑制剂增加了支架内再狭窄的发生率,质子泵抑制剂的使用可能会影响经皮冠状动脉介入治疗术后患者使用氯吡格雷抗血小板治疗的临床获益.     

Evaluation of hematological parameters in dyspepsia patients infected with Helicobacter pylori : A retrospective study from the Central Region of Saudi Arabia

Objectives:To evaluate the hematological parameters in dyspepsia patients infected with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection from Al Qassim province of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).Methods:This retrospective study was carried out in Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Hospital, Al Qassim, KSA. The data of dyspepsia and epigastric pain patients were derived from the hospital based registration system between 2020-2021. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the correlation between the onset of H. pylori infection and anemia.Results:Among 810 enrolled patients, there were 202 (24.9%) patients with H. pylori infection and 144 (17.8%) with anemia. The prevalence of anemia in the H. pylori (+) group was not statistically higher than the H. pylori (-) group after adjusting age, red blood cell count, serum ferritin, mean corpuscular volume, platelet count, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (p>0.05). The level of hemoglobin was almost identical in both the H. pylori (+) group and the H. pylori (-) group (p>0.05).Conclusion:The findings show that H. pylori infection may not be related to anemia in dyspepsia patients from the Central region of KSA.     

The outcome of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection at King Abdulaziz University Hospital,Western Region of Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Study

Objectives:To describe the effectiveness of HIV guidelines in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT).Methods:A retrospective review from January 2009 to December 2018 at the King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The main outcome measures were characteristics of HIV-exposed patients and transmission rate.Results:A total of 18 HIV-positive mothers and their 26 infants were included. The mean age of mothers at delivery was 31.69 years, and 50% were under 30 years old. All mothers received lifelong ART, except one who was not diagnosed until the 27th week of gestation. Among the mothers, 83% complied with treatment regimens, and 11% had ART resistance. Human immunodeficiency virus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was undetectable in 19 pregnancies. Seven mothers had opportunistic infections and treatment was immediately initiated. After reviewing the infants’ HIV PCR tests, the transmission rates of HIV were 0% for both spontaneous vaginal delivery and cesarean section.Conclusion:Many challenges face the efforts to decrease vertical HIV transmission, and a particular focus on the transitions between stages of care is needed. We believe that early screening, counseling, and regular follow-up have contributed to MTCT elimination.     

Assessment of disaster preparedness at general hospitals in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Province,Western Region of Saudi Arabia: A study of pre intervention and post intervention test scores from 2017 to 2019

Objectives:To evaluate the Ministry of Health (MoH) hospitals preparedness for potential disasters and crisis events using the World Health Organization (WHO) hospital emergency response checklist.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted at MoH hospitals in Al-Madina, Saudi Arabia using the WHO hospital emergency response checklist. The overall level of hospital preparedness was categorized as unacceptable if the rating is between 0-64, insufficient if it is between 65-129 and effective preparedness if the score is between 130-184. The study conducted in 3 phases. First phase, the preintervention assessment was conducted from August 23 to 27, 2017. Second phase, intervention strategies were implemented between 2018 and 2019 to enhance the hospitals preparedness for any potential disaster situation. Third phase, the postintervention assessment was conducted from September 5 to 7, 2019, using with the same checklist.Results:The preparedness score of key components at the participating hospitals showed an “insufficient” level of preparedness. The mean preparedness score of the participating hospitals was 81.5±11.39 (range: 65-91), which is lower than the recommended WHO cut-off level of effective preparedness. The preparedness score of the post-recovery component was very low 01±1.15 compared to the WHO range (0-18).Conclusion:A total of 4 hospitals participated in the study. The participated hospitals showed insufficient levels of preparedness for potential disasters and crisis events.     

Pattern of cancers in adolescent and young adults.: A 15-year retrospective study at King Fahad Hospital,Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah,Saudi Arabia

Objectives:To evaluate the incidence and pattern of cancer in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) age group in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah region of Saudi Arabia.Methods:This retrospective histopathology-based study was conducted at a tertiary care center in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia and comprised cases of cancers for 15 years between January 2006 and December 2020.Results:During the last 15-year period, 8,769 cases of cancers were diagnosed out of which 475 (5.4%) cases were registered in AYAs. Of these cases, 232 (48.8%) were males while 243 (51.2%) were females, with a male-to-female ratio of 0.9:1. The 3 most common cancer groups in the entire cohort were carcinomas (n=165; 34.7%), lymphomas (n=135; 28.4%), and leukemias (n=91; 19.2%). The most common sites in carcinomas were thyroid (n=60; 12.6%), breast (n=35; 7.4%), and gastrointestinal (n=18; 3.8%). The leading cancers in males were the lymphomas (n=74; 15.6%), leukemias (n=57; 12%), bone (n=21; 4.4%), and central nervous system (n=20; 4.2%), while in females, the most common cancers were the lymphomas (n=61; 12.8%), thyroid (n=40; 8.4%), breast (n=34; 7.2%), and leukemias (n=34; 7.2%).Conclusion:Our findings are in concordance with studies in national and international literature and we believe that our study provides a baseline tool for future population-targeted studies.