Introduction Cancer is a group of diseases with uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers. Increased intake of animal-source foods, sedentary lifestyle, decreased physical activity, and increased prevalence of excess body weight are independently associated with CRC risk. Additional risk factors include heavy alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and consumption of red or processed meat. Ultra-processed food (UPF) is made utilizing multiple components and a number of procedures. Soft drinks and salty or sugary snacks typically contain a lot of added sugar, fats, and processed carbohydrates, which negatively affect the balance of the gut bacteria, nutrients, and bioactive substances that are necessary for the prevention of CRC. The aim of this study is to assess the awareness of the general population in Saudi Arabia toward the relationship between UPF and CRC. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in Saudi Arabia between June and December, 2022. Result The study involved 802 participants, of which 84% consumed UPF and 71% were aware of the link between UPF and CRC. Only 18.3% were familiar with the particular type of UPF and only 29.4% knew how to prepare them. The prevalence of participants who were aware of the link between UPF and CRC was significantly more among the older age groups, people living in the Eastern Region, and those who knew how to manufacture UPF, while the prevalence of awareness was significantly less among those who regularly consumed UPF. Conclusion The study showed that a significant portion of subjects regularly ate UPF, and only a few were aware of its link to CRC. This highlights the need for greater awareness of the fundamentals of UPF and its impact on health. Governmental organizations should develop a strategy to raise public awareness of excessive UPF use.
To compares the endoclose technique (ET) techniques and surgicel plug technique (SPT) in terms of port-site related complications. Minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) are widely performed nowadays, nonetheless, port-site closure technique plays a role in the prevention of port-site related complications.This retrospective study was carried out at general surgery and urology departments of King Fahad Medical City, Saudi Arabia. Variables that were collected include age, gender, height, weight, body mass index, co-morbidities, type and date of surgery, intraoperative visceral injury or bleeding, technique cost, and port-site post-operative complications (hernia, infection, bleeding, dehiscence, and hypertrophic scarring). Data was collected from electronic medical records. Patients included are whom underwent any minimally invasive procedure from the beginning of 2014 until the end of September 2020. Follow up period was at least for 2 years.We analyzed 397 patients. Surgicel plug technique was more of having hernia (2.3%) than of ET (0%). While ET was more on infection (0.9%) than in SPT, but no significant difference being observed (p=0.064).There is no significant difference between the ET and the novel SPT in terms of port-site related complications.
Objective: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is an arrhythmia most commonly seen after cardiac surgery. Its association with increased mortality, cost and adverse events has made it crucial to identify those at risk and to prevent POAF through preoperative therapy. In order to do that, we have studied the utilization and predictive power of the CHA2DS2-VASc score, and the relationship between other factors such as preoperative medications and patient clinical characteristics. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted by reviewing medical charts for patients who underwent coronary arteries bypass grafting (CABG) with or without aortic valve replacement or mitral valve/tricuspid valve repair and aged >18 years. Patients with a preoperative history of atrial fibrillation (AF) or flutter, patients with a pacemaker, patients with prior antiarrhythmic drugs use within the last 6 months, patients who underwent MAZE procedures, or patients with mechanical mitral valve were excluded. Results: At a cut-off score of ≥ 2 the CHA2DS2-VASc showed a 96.8% sensitivity and 23.1% specificity for predicting POAF. It also showed an increased risk at higher scores, a score of at least 3 significantly predicted the occurrence of events (p<0.000). Age, male gender, high BMI were significant predictors of POAF (p<0.001, p<0.05, p<0.001). Patients who received statins preoperatively were at significant lower risk (p<0.001). Conclusion: The CHA2DS2-VASc score is a strong predictor of adverse events postoperatively.
Adherence to therapeutic guidelines is crucial when treating pneumonia, as it reduces mortality rate, length of hospital stay and duration of antibiotic therapy. However, the high non-adherence rate to treatment guidelines, in general, and to the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) guidelines, are still reported globally. According to our knowledge, no existing data is available regarding the rate of physicians' adherence to the IDSA guidelines for managing pneumonia in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, we aim to assess the adherence rate and the clinical outcomes among patients treated according to the IDSA guidelines, in a tertiary care center in Riyadh.A single-centered, retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study was conducted at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All data were extracted from the hospital's electronic information system, known as Esihi. Adult patients (≥18 years old) diagnosed and treated in the hospital for community-acquired pneumonia, hospital-acquired pneumonia, or ventilator-associated pneumonia from Nov 2019 to Nov 2021 were included.A total of 148 patients were included in this study, and the management of 50% of them (74 patients) adhered to the guidelines' recommendations. Even though the patients who received guidelines-adhered management were older (70 ± 16 vs 59 ± 22; p = 0.001), and had a higher CURB-65 score for pneumonia severity (1.86 ± 1.03 vs 1.39 ± 1.26; p = 0.026) and an average calculated Charlson comorbidity index (4.62 ± 2.19 vs 3.28 ± 2.80; p = 0.001) than patients who were treated irrespectively of the guidelines, yet they had a better cure rate (95% vs 84%; adjusted OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 0.82-18.58), lower mortality (5% vs 14%; adjusted OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.04-4.05) and shorter length of hospital stay (LOS) (6.5 vs 8 days; p = 0.082); compared to patients who were treated irrespectively of the guidelines.Comparable to previous literature, non-adherence to evidence-based guidelines has been observed in 50% of patients treated for pneumonia. Despite being nonsignificant, higher clinical cure rates, shorter LOS, and lower mortality rates have been observed in patients who were treated based on evidence-based guidelines. Further measures to improve guidelines compliance in pneumonia treatment are needed.
Cholelithiasis, or gallstone disease, is a prevalent medical condition with substantial global implications. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the dominant surgical solution for treating various biliary conditions in affluent countries due to its numerous benefits, such as shorter hospital stays and reduced costs. An assessment of postoperative recovery, patient satisfaction, and quality of life (QoL) is crucial to judge the success of any medical procedure regarding long-term patient well-being. Given the scarcity of research on the satisfaction, QoL, and cost-effectiveness of LC among Saudi patients, this study seeks to fill this gap.To achieve the study's objectives, a cross-sectional research study was conducted from January to December 2023, focusing on Saudi patients who had received LC for gallstone disease. We utilized an extensive questionnaire to determine patient satisfaction, QoL, and the perceived value of LC, which combined closed and open-ended questions to provide a holistic understanding. Additionally, an in-depth literature review was performed to compare our findings with existing research.Our survey received answers from 886 Saudi LC patients. Generally, participants showed satisfaction with LC, though complications were reported in a significant number of cases. However, a minority of participants were dissatisfied. Most respondents indicated a moderate enhancement in their QoL postsurgery. Notably, demographic factors like gender, age, and employment status had profound effects on satisfaction and QoL, with male participants more likely to report higher satisfaction and QoL than females.Our data firmly support the ongoing use of LC as the preferred surgical technique for treating biliary diseases in Saudi Arabia. They emphasize the benefits of personalizing care based on patient demographics to improve the overall experience. Proper communication, thorough preoperative planning, and attentive postoperative care are essential for achieving the best outcomes. Despite these findings, more research is needed, focusing on different patient demographics and comparing LC with other treatment methods to enhance our understanding of gallstone disease management in the Saudi context.
Artificial intelligence (AI) holds the promise to revolutionize the field of medicine and enhance the well-being of countless patients. Its capabilities span various areas, including disease prevention, accurate diagnosis, and the development of innovative treatments. Moreover, AI has the potential to streamline health-care delivery and lower expenses. The community should be aware of the potential applications of AI in health care, so that they can advocate for its development and adoption. Hence, the objective of this study is to assess the community's perspectives regarding the utilization of AI in health care.
Abstract Context: The interplay between psychosocial factors and medical interventions is notably evident in paediatric patients dealing with congenital or acquired deformities, and the relationship between an individual’s physical appearance and their psychological well-being has long been a focal point of psychosocial research. Paediatric patients, with their still-evolving sense of self, are especially vulnerable to body image disturbances when faced with congenital or acquired physical deformities. Despite the prevalence of such surgeries, the longitudinal psychosocial benefits have not been thoroughly examined, presenting a notable gap in both literature and clinical approach. This study ventures to fill this void by evaluating the enduring psychological effects of corrective surgery on body image and self-esteem in paediatric patients. Aims: The significance of this research is manifold, poised to refine clinical practices, enhance patient counselling and contribute to the holistic psychosocial betterment of affected children. Settings and Design: The cross-sectional study evaluated the psychological outcomes of childhood corrective surgeries among 480 Saudi Arabian adults. Participants indicated moderate satisfaction with their appearance, often comparing themselves to others, which affected their self-esteem, highlighting the need for supportive measures addressing body image in this population. Subjects and Methods: It utilised stratified random sampling and standardised questionnaires to reflect diverse demographic variables. Statistical Analysis Used: Data analysis was done with SPSS, adhering to ethical protocols, including informed consent. Results: The majority of our study’s participants were adults, with 18.3% of them being female. Our participants experienced an improvement in the confidence in their physical appearance post-surgery (mean = 3.86, standard deviation [SD] =0.855) with a moderate level of satisfaction with the results of their corrective surgery (mean = 3.69, SD = 1.010). Surgery had positive influence on self-esteem and self-confidence with a mean score of 1.72 (SD = 0.134). Notable, males demonstrated significantly higher self-esteem than female counterparts, with an odd ratio of 1.54 (95% confidence interval = 1.20–1.98, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Corrective surgeries in paediatric patients are demonstrably linked to positive psychosocial outcomes, reinforcing the imperative for such interventions to transcend physical rectification. This study enriches the body of literature by situating the psychosocial effects within the cultural context of Saudi Arabia and underscores the necessity for healthcare professionals to integrate psychosocial assessments into paediatric surgical care. The findings advocate for policy reforms that support comprehensive care approaches, ensuring that the psychosocial dimensions of paediatric surgeries are not overlooked. Future research, ideally longitudinal in design, should further delineate the sustained impacts of these surgeries to inform more nuanced clinical strategies and policies.
The assessment of the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine is crucial to inform individuals about the potential risks and benefits of vaccination and to provide appropriate medical care if necessary. The study aimed to assess the effect of the COVID-19 vaccine on smokers and diabetic individuals and to investigate the occurrence of any side effects in the subpopulation of the Al Jouf region, KSA.The questionnaire had three main sections: the first covered basic information including gender, age, general health status, place, socio-economic position, nationality, smoking, and diabetes. Section 2 included the COVID-19 vaccination status and side effects, and the third section dealt with the dental history. Informed consent was obtained from the recruited individuals. Participants completed a Google self-administered questionnaire.One hundred and twenty participants responded to the survey forms. Similarly, for diabetics versus non-diabetics, there was no statistically significant difference in the type of vaccine received (chi-square value = 3.125, p-value = 0.682). For smokers versus non-smokers, the chi-square test showed a non-significant difference in side effects (chi-square = 2.56, p-value = 0.109), indicating that there was no significant difference in the side effects experienced by smokers and non-smokers. For diabetics versus non-diabetics, the chi-square test showed a non-significant difference in side effects (chi-square = 0.34, p-value = 0.560), indicating that there was no significant difference in the side effects experienced by diabetics and non-diabetics.Smokers and diabetics had higher harmful effects than non-smokers and non-diabetics. These findings need larger, robust trials to support treatment decision-making.
ABSTRACT Introduction Anastomotic leakage following rectal surgery is a major complication, which may occur due to insufficient vascular supply. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of using indocyanine green fluorescence angiography for intraoperative assessment of vascular anastomotic perfusion in robotic low anterior resection. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study that included consecutive patients undergoing robotic low anterior resection for rectal cancer between March 2017 and February 2019. Intraoperative use of indocyanine green fluorescence for assessment of bowel perfusion was performed in patients operated after April 2018. Those who underwent the surgery before that comprised the control group. The primary outcome was the occurrence of anastomotic leakage between the two groups. Results Each group included 48 patients. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of demographic data or tumor characteristics. The planned anastomotic site was revised in 1 of 48 patients who received indocyanine green fluorescence based on the surgeon's subjective finding of a hypo-perfused distal segment. Postoperative anastomotic leakage was confirmed clinically and radiologically in one patient (2.8%) in the indocyanine green group compared with two patients (4.16%) in the control group. Conclusion Indocyanine green fluorescence may be considered a useful intraoperative tool for assessment of vascular perfusion of bowel during robotic rectal surgery. Change in the site of resection and/or anastomosis may be indicated, possibly affecting the incidence of anastomotic leakage.
