Evaluation of medication counseling practice at community pharmacies in Qassim region,Saudi Arabia

Introduction

Pharmacists have a unique opportunity to promote good health through assuring the quality use of medicines. One of the most important tools to achieve this is medication counseling. Counseling plays an important role in enhancing medication adherence and optimizing medication therapy. Therefore, for improving the quality of services delivered by community pharmacists, it is essential to assess the current situation of counseling services delivered to patients.

Factor V-Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, and MTHFR C677T mutations among patients with sickle cell disease in Eastern Saudi Arabia

The prevalence of factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, and MTHFR C677T mutations were investigated among 87 Saudi sickle cell disease (SCD) patients (38 males and 49 females) and 105 healthy controls (65 males and 40 females). The prevalences of factor V Leiden (P = 0.174) and PRT G20210A (P = 0.397) were not different between patients and controls, thereby giving no support to an association of either single-point mutation with SCD. However, an increased prevalence of the MTHFR 677 T/T genotype was seen among patients (8/87) compared to controls (4/105), but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.217; OR = 2.56). This suggested a low impact of inherited hypercoagulability risk factors in the pathogenesis of SCD and/or its complications.     

Latex allergy in Saudi children with spina bifida

BACKGROUND: Children with spina bifida (SB) are exposed to latex soon after birth during bladder catheterization, rectal disimpaction, and multiple surgical procedures. IgE-mediated latex-allergic reactions have been reported recently in these children. Our study was designed to assess the prevalence of allergic reactions to latex products in a group of Saudi Arabian children with SB in a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients, aged 1-20 years, with SB were evaluated by a questionnaire on type of latex reactions; family and personal history of other allergic disorders, such as asthma, rhinitis, and urticaria; type and number of surgical procedures; and frequency of bladder catheterization and manipulation with latex materials. Confirmation of latex sensitivity was measured by skin prick test (SPT), CAP test, and latex skin challenge. RESULTS: Allergy to latex was detected in 25% of the study group. There was a significant variation in allergic reaction by sex (males 42%, females 12%) (P<0.01), use of catheters (yes 38%, no 13%) (P<0.05), and urologic surgery (yes 60%, no 18%) (P<0.01). The number of surgical procedures, age of patient, and V-P shunt were not significantly related to allergic reactions. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support previous studies indicating a high prevalence of latex allergy among SB patients. The CAP test was a more sensitive measure of latex allergy in SB patients than SPT or latex challenge. There was significant correlation with urologic procedures and the use of urethral catheters.     

Association of Toll-Like Receptors 2, 4, 9 and 10 Genes Polymorphisms and Helicobacter pylori-Related Gastric Diseases in Saudi Patients

Purpose: Helicobacter pylori is one of the most prevalent human pathogens worldwide. However, the outcomes of H. pylori infection are markedly variable from asymptomatic mild lesion to malignant transformation. Many factors are suggested to influence these infection outcomes, including host immunity and genetic susceptibility. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) can recognise different microbial components and play an essential role in the mucosal immune response against H. pylori infection. Materials and Methods: The association between the common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes of TLR2, 4, 9 and 10 and H. pylori-related gastric diseases were investigated by molecular methods after the confirmation of H. pylori infection. The study included 210 patients in three groups; chronic gastritis (n = 90), peptic ulcer disease (PUD) (n = 75) and gastric carcinoma (n = 45). Results: The results showed a significant association between TLR4 SNPs (rs4986790 and rs4986791) and the presence of H. pylori infection, especially in chronic gastritis patient group. Furthermore, TLR9-rs352140 TT genotype was more prevalent among chronic gastritis patient group. TLR10-rs10004195 TT genotype was found to be less prevalent among H. pylori-related chronic gastritis and PUD and was suspected to have a protective effect. TLR2 SNPs (rs3804099 and rs3804100) showed no significant statistical difference between H. pylori-infected patients and the controls. Conclusion: TLR genes polymorphisms may play a role in H. pylori infection susceptibility and may influence its outcomes; however, the ethnic and other factors may modify this effect.     

Toll-like receptor 3 polymorphism and its association with hepatitis B virus infection in Saudi Arabian patients

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the major causative agent of chronic liver complications including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Individuals infected with HBV show a wide spectrum of disease manifestations ranging from asymptomatic carriers to HCC. TLR3 is part of the innate immune system that recognizes double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) and provides early immune response to exogenous antigens. The genetic polymorphisms such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TLR3 could be considered as factors for the susceptibility to viral pathogens including HBV. Due to lack of knowledge on the role of TLR3 polymorphisms in HBV infection, this study investigated the distribution of nine SNPs in the TLR3 gene and its association with Saudi Arabian patients infected with HBV. A total of 707 patients and 600 uninfected controls were examined for different parameters including the nine SNPs (rs5743311, rs5743312, rs1879026, rs5743313, rs5743314, rs5743315, rs111611328, rs78726532 and a newly identified SNP located at position 184322913 of chr4). The association analysis confirmed that only one SNP, rs1879026 (G/T), showed a significant difference (P = 0.0480; OR = 0.809, 95% CI = 0.655–0.999) in the distribution between HBV carriers and uninfected controls. While, the rest of the SNPs showed no significant association with regards to HBV infection or in the progression to cirrhosis of the liver and HCC. Furthermore, haplotype analysis revealed that one haplotype GCGA (rs1879026, rs5743313, rs5743314, and rs5743315, respectively), was associated significantly with HBV infection in this population. These findings indicate that genetic variations in the TLR3 gene could affect the outcome of HBV infection among Saudis. J. Med. Virol. 84:1353–1359, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Some epidemiological aspects of needle stick injuries among the hospital health care workers: Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

This study was conducted to provide some epidemiological aspects of needle stick injuries among health care workers in the eastern province in Saudi Arabia. Data about 282 injuries reported from the hospitals of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia were collected through specially designed questionnaire retrospectively from 1995 to 1997. Results showed that 50% of injuries occurred in the first 3 years of employment. Workers in medical and surgical specialties suffered an equal degree of reported exposure. The highest percentage (46.8%) of injuries occurred during syringe related actions. Patients' wards were the major location of incidents (48.5%) followed by ICUs and dialysis units (17.7%), theatres (15.6%) and accidents and emergency departments (13.8%). There was no significant association between injuries and type of shifts. The middle hours of the shifts showed a significant association with injuries. The pattern of injuries was significantly associated with over loaded periods of medical practices. Deficiencies in implementing the standard recommendations for prevention and control of needle stick injuries were noted in the studied hospitals.     

Hyperuricemia in Saudi Arabia

The objective of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout in a sample of Saudi individuals and their relationship to certain risk factors, namely, obesity, serum glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, age, and sex. A total of 487 Saudis (250 males and 237 females) from 14 primary care clinics were interviewed, examined, and investigated. The mean age for the males was 46.89 ± 17.01 years (range 14–83) and for the females 45.08 ± 13.67 years (range 21–80). Serum uric acid (SUA) values above 420 μmol/l for males and 360 μmol/l for females were considered to be high. Of the 487 individuals, 41 (8.42%; 20 males and 21 females) had hyperuricemia. The mean SUA was 308.41 ± 90.64 μmol/l for males and 254.59 ± 85.79 μmol/l for females. In females, uric acid levels correlated significantly with age, body mass index (BMI), serum creatinine, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), but not with serum cholesterol or triglycerides. In males, uric acid levels only correlated significantly with BMI and serum creatinine. No case of gout was found. Received: 16 June 2000 / Accepted: 2 August 2000     

Statistical stereo‐acuity norms in Saudi children

Purpose: This paper aimed to study the norms for clinical stereo‐acuity in Saudi children aged between six and 12 years and to determine the 95 per cent confidence limits for stereo‐acuity thresholds in this group of subjects. Methods: A total of 1,383 normal subjects (883 male and 500 female) aged between six and 12 years participated in this study. External examination, cover test, visual history and visual acuity were assessed for each subject prior to Titmus stereo‐acuity measurement. Results: The range of stereo‐acuities attained by subjects for each age was 40 to 100 seconds of arc. The average stereo‐acuity threshold showed an inverse (improved) relationship with the age of the subjects. Conclusion: This study indicates that not all children achieve the normal adult stereo‐acuity of 40 seconds of arc by the age of 12 years. However, approximately 99 per cent of all children up to and above the age of six years achieve stereo‐acuity thresholds of 80 seconds of arc or better. These results should serve as a guide when assessing the binocular vision status of school‐aged children in Saudi Arabia.     

Intestinal parasitic diseases in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: prevalence, sociodemographic and environmental associates

Our objectives were to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Riyadh and to determine associated sociodemographic and environmental factors. The study was conducted through a household survey. Three health centres were chosen from each of the five Riyadh urban regions and 15 from rural areas. Based on the average family size, a random sample of households were chosen. All household members were asked to participate in the study. Data were collected using a pre-designed questionnaire eliciting data on sociodemographic and environmental factors. A stool specimen of each individual was examined microscopically for the presence of trophozoites and cysts. Six thousand and twelve participants with a mean age of 23.3 +/- 17.4 (median 19 years, 48.6% males) were studied and 32.2% were infected. The infection rate was high in urban areas (33.3%), among children < 12 years (34.4%), non-Saudis (42.2%), single persons (34.9%), illiterate individuals (33.8%), those who obtained drinking water from tankers (36.1%) and those who disposed of sewage in open channels (47.1%). Stratified analysis showed that for Saudis <12 years parasitic infections were significantly higher among tanker users (39.5%) and septic tank users (36.8%). For Saudis> or =12 years low education, water storage and open sewage disposal were statistically associated with parasitic infections (P < 0.05). Among expatriates, infections were high among males (47.6%), urban residents (48.3%), single persons (46.9%), tanker users (39.5%) and septic tank users (78.6%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age < 12 years, non-Saudi nationalities, educational level below secondary school, tanker as source of water and open sewage disposal were independently associated with high intestinal parasitic infection.