Annals of Saudi Medicine

BACKGROUND: Inevitably, the floors of mosques are contaminated with microorganisms, and the risk of pathogen transmission is probably high between the many visitors, but the issue has been infrequently studied. OBJECTIVES: Investigate microorganism variety and risk of contamination on commonly used carpets and rosaries (prayer beads). DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTINGS: Mosques. METHODS: This study was carried out in three different cities of Turkey in 2023, focusing on mosques located around hospitals...

BACKGROUND: Hospitalizations are more resource intensive and expensive than outpatient care. Therefore, type 2 diabetes-related preventable hospitalization are a major topic of research efficiency in the healthcare system. OBJECTIVES: Analyze county level variation in type 2 diabetes-related preventable hospitalization rates in Kentucky before the Medicaid expansion (2010-2013) and after the Medicaid expansion (2014-2017). DESIGN: Geographic mapping and cluster analysis...

BACKGROUND: Despite the beneficial effects, RBC transfusion can be associated with infectious and non-infectious complications in critically ill patients. OBJECTIVES: Investigate current RBC transfusion practices and their effect on the clinical outcomes of patients in intensive care units (ICUs). DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Three mixed medical-surgical adult ICUs of a large academic tertiary hospital...

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have demonstrated a correlation between a high body mass index and discriminatory COVID-19 outcomes. Studies appear to indicate that there is a correlation between obesity-related comorbidities and less favorable outcomes. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of the current investigation is to conduct a thorough assessment of the correlation between BMI and comorbidities associated with obesity, and their potential impact on the severity and consequences of COVID-19 infection among patients receiving care in a tertiary healthcare setting...

BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) represents the second most common hematologic malignancy (15%). Induction with bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamthasone VCd (d: low dose dexamthasone) regimen is widely used due to its high effectiveness, low toxicity and good tolerability, particularly with renal impairment. Real-world data on the use of VCD in clinical practice is lacking. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the real-world experience of the VCD regimen. DESIGN: Retrospective...

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common reason for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and sepsis. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication of community-acquired pneumonia and is associated with increased short- and long-term morbidity and mortality and healthcare costs. OBJECTIVE: Describe the prevalence of AKI in patients with CAP requiring mechanical ventilation and evaluate its association with inhospital mortality. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort...

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BACKGROUND: Functional constipation (FC) is a common condition in children, and information on the clinical characteristics of FC in Saudi children is scarce. OBJECTIVE: Describe the clinical profile of FC in Saudi children. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Hospital that provides primary, intermediate and tertiary care. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All children diagnosed with FC according to the Rome IV criteria were included and had at least one follow-up clinic visit...

BACKGROUND: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) comprises a spectrum of diseases ranging from unstable angina (UA), non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (non-STEMI) and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Treatment of ACS without STEMI (NSTEMI-ACS) can vary, depending on the severity of presentation and multiple other factors. OBJECTIVE: Analyze the NSTEMI-ACS patients in our institution. DESIGN: Retrospective observational. SETTING: A tertiary care institution with accredited chest pain center...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cushing's disease is a rare endocrine disorder. This review aimed to examine sex-specific differences in Cushing's disease. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: A meta-analysis was performed on published articles discussing the gender impact of Cushing's disease. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted to identify studies from Medline, Embase, CENTRAL and Scopus. Nine studies enrolling 1047 patients diagnosed with Cushing's disease were included in this meta-analysis...

BACKGROUND: Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is a very rare benign defecation disorder characterized by distinct clinical features and histological findings. Conventional measures are often shown to be ineffective for the treatment of ulcers. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) has recently been shown to be an effective treatment method for SRUS that is refractory to conventional therapy. OBJECTIVES: Determine the efficacy of APC treatment for patients suffering from SRUS...

BACKGROUND: Adolescent pregnancies are more likely to be complicated with adverse perinatal outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Assess the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of adolescents who have delivered singleton newborns. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTINGS: A tertiary training and research hospital in Turkey. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a review of adolescents and adults who delivered singleton newborns at a tertiary health center between January 2018 and June 2022...

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a standard preoperative diagnostic modality for thyroid nodules. The Bethesda Thyroid Cytopathology Reporting System (TBSRTC) defines the FNAC atypia group as atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS). OBJECTIVES: Determine the risk of malignancy after surgical resection in patients with AUS/FLUS. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Pathology department of a tertiary care center...

BACKGROUND: and Objectives: Hypocalcemia is a commonly reported complication after thyroid surgery. Many possible risk factors have been identified. The purpose of this study is to analyze various risk factors possibly associated with development of postoperative hypocalcemia after thyroid surgery by dividing the sample population into postoperative hypocalcemia and normal calcium groups. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Multiple centers in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia...

BACKGROUND: West Nile virus (WNV)-related illness is a global health problem. Understanding the seropositivity rates and identifying the risk factors related to WNV in various animal species including humans is crucial for the implementation of effective prevention strategies. OBJECTIVES: Assess the rate of seropositivity and the risk factors associated with WNV seropositivity. DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional. SETTING: Microbiology and virology departments in a veterinary college...

BACKGROUND: Hyperuricemia is linked to an increased risk of various chronic diseases, but data on the prevalence and association of hyperuricemia with liver function in Saudi Arabia are scarce. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the prevalence, association, and risk measures of hyperuricemia and liver function in the Saudi population. DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis. SETTING: Database on large portion of Saudi population...

BACKGROUND: Neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT) is a rare disease that can be lethal. Most patients require parathyroidectomy. OBJECTIVE: Report experience in managing this severe disease. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of case series. SETTING: Tertiary health care center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed data on patients managed for NSHPT from June 2001 to January 2023. Demographic, clinical, and follow-up data were collected, and descriptive data were generated...

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) can mutate frequently and many new strains have emerged thus far. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics differ with each dominant strain. OBJECTIVES: Obtain an understanding of the clinical characteristics of patients infected with the Omicron variants of the SARS CoV-2. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort SETTINGS: Teaching hospital in China. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data on sociodemography, signs/symptoms, hospital stay, viral shedding period, comorbidities, treatment options and final outcome were retrieved from hospital electronic medical record...

BACKGROUND: Rebound pain is characterized by sudden, significant acute postoperative pain occurring after the resolution of inter-scalene block (ISB); it affects the quality of recovery postoperatively. Dexamethasone increases ISB resolution time and decreases opioid consumption and the incidence of rebound pain. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate whether multimodal analgesia including intravenous dexamethasone administration with preoperative ISB reduces the incidence of rebound pain...