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Introduction: D-dimer is a marker of coagulation and fibrinolysis widely used in clinical practice for assessing thrombotic activity. While it is commonly ordered in the Emergency Department (ED) for suspected venous thromboembolism (VTE), elevated D-dimer levels can occur due to various other disorders. The aim of this study was to find out the causes of elevated D-dimer in patients presenting to a large ED in Saudi Arabia and evaluate the accuracy of D-dimer in diagnosing these conditions. Methods: Data was collected from an electronic hospital information system of patients who visited the ED from January 2016 to December 2022. Demographic information, comorbidities, D-dimer levels, and diagnoses were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software. The different diagnoses associated with D-dimer levels were analyzed by plotting the median D-dimer levels for each diagnosis category and their interquartile ranges (IQR). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated and their area under the curve (AUC) values were demonstrated. The optimal cut-off points for specific diseases were determined based on the ROC analysis, along with their corresponding sensitivities and specificities. Results: A total of 19,258 patients with D-dimer results were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 50 years with a standard deviation of ± 18. Of the patients, 66% were female and 21.2% were aged 65 or above. Additionally, 21% had diabetes mellitus, 20.4% were hypertensive, and 15.1% had been diagnosed with dyslipidemia. The median D-dimer levels varied across different diagnoses, with the highest level observed in aortic aneurysm 5.46 g/L. Pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were found in 729 patients (3.8%) of our study population and their median D-dimer levels 3.07 g/L (IQR: 1.35–7.05 g/L) and 3.36 g/L (IQR: 1.06–8.38 g/L) respectively. On the other hand, 1767 patients (9.2%) were diagnosed with respiratory infections and 936 patients (4.9%) were diagnosed with shortness of breath (not specified) with median D-dimer levels of 0.76 g/L (IQR: 0.40–1.47 g/L) and 0.51 g/L (IQR: 0.29–1.06 g/L), respectively. D-dimer levels showed superior or excellent discrimination for PE (AUC = 0.844), leukemia (AUC = 0.848), and aortic aneurysm (AUC = 0.963). DVT and aortic dissection demonstrated acceptable discrimination, with AUC values of 0.795 and 0.737, respectively. D-dimer levels in respiratory infections and shortness of breath (not specified) exhibited poor to discriminatory performance. Conclusion: This is the first paper to identify multiple causes of elevated D-dimer levels in Saudi Arabia population within the ED and it clearly highlights their accurate and diagnostic values. These findings draw attention to the importance of considering the specific clinical context and utilizing additional diagnostic tools when evaluating patients with elevated D-dimer levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic diseases affect more than 80% of older adults. One modifiable risk factor for secondary prevention is physical activity. Public parks are an essential resource for physical activity, but environmental features may limit participation. Our aims were (1) to assess the feasibility and utility of the Path Environment Audit Tool (PEAT) for use in a larger-scale study focused on older adults and (2) to examine the physical activity-promoting features of five public parks. Methods: A descriptive study design was used to assess five public parks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from April to June 2022. Additionally, process, resource, and management assessments were also conducted. Results: The PEAT was easy to use, but additions are recommended to increase relevance to older adults with chronic disease. Descriptive analyses revealed positive features, such as adequate lighting, but other features such as path slope were more variable. Conclusions: Study findings can guide the future use of the PEAT for older adult participants and inform environmental modifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the variations in comprehensive exam results in the English department at Qassim University in Saudi Arabia across six semesters, focusing on average score, range, and standard deviation, as well as overall student achievements. Additionally, it sought to assess the performance levels of male and female students in comprehensive tests and determine how they differ over the past six semesters. The research design utilized both analytical and descriptive approaches, with quantitative analysis of the data using frequency statistics such as mean, standard deviation, and range. The data consisted of scores from six consecutive exit exams. The findings reveal that male students scored slightly higher on average than female students, with minimal difference (p = 0.07). Moreover, male scores exhibited more variability and spread, indicating varying performance levels. These results suggest the need for further investigation into the factors that contribute to gender-based differences in test performance. Furthermore, longitudinal studies tracking individual student performance over multiple semesters could offer a more indepth understanding of academic progress and the efficacy of comprehensive exam practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]