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Background: The relationship between the microbiome and oral health is intricate, yet there is a lack of comprehensive knowledge regarding the microbiome's impact on oral health. Integrating knowledge regarding the oral microbiome and its significance in oral and systemic diseases holds profound implications for dental professionals in patient care and professional development. This study assessed dental professionals' oral microbiome comprehension and knowledge levels in Saudi Arabia and its implications for oral healthcare. Methods: Data were gathered using a cross-sectional design by administering a comprehensive online questionnaire to 253 dental professionals from diverse demographic backgrounds. The questionnaire, administered in English, was divided into four sections: (1) Microbiome awareness and understanding, (2) Diet, nutrition, and microbiome relationship, (3) Microbiome and oral and systemic diseases, and (4) Counselling, education, and implications. Statistical analyses were used to identify and understand underlying patterns, including descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, ANOVA, and post hoc tests. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was applied to assess self-rated knowledge. Results: Of the 253 participants, 94.6% were familiar with the term "microbiome." Merely 13% of participants considered the oral microbiome to be the second most diverse, following the gut microbiome. About 39.9% of participants knew the connection between oral mucosal diseases and the oral microbiome. Furthermore, only 6.7% thought there was a connection between systemic diseases and the oral microbiome. Participant comprehension of oral microbiome questions averaged 9.19 out of 13, with 83.7% scoring "good". There were significant differences in knowledge scores among dental specializations (F = 7.082, P < 0.001) and years of professional experience (F = 4.755, P = 0.003). Significantly, 53.8% of participants had uncertain self-perceptions of their knowledge of the oral microbiome, while only 0.8% rated their understanding as 'very good'. Conclusion: Our findings reveal that dental professionals have varying levels of awareness and comprehension of the oral microbiome. Despite widespread awareness, understanding its diversity and implications for oral and systemic health remains limited. It is essential to address these gaps in knowledge through future research and educational interventions, considering the vital part that dental professionals play in promoting oral health through personalised dietary recommendations, lifestyle changes, and hygiene practices. These initiatives may promote a robust oral microbial community, enhance patient outcomes, and advance oral healthcare locally and globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: Cross-sectional Objective: This study evaluated the various reasons and causes for odontophobia among Saudi parents accompanying pediatric patients at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on a total number of 300 parents (Male=150; Female=150) who participated in the study with age ranges from 30- to 55-year-old to know the various reasons and causes for odontophobia among Saudi parents accompanying pediatric patients attending dental clinic in college of dentistry, King Khalid University, Abha. The Questionnaire was given to Saudi parents accompanying pediatric patients attending dental clinics and data was collected from them. The data were entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 20). A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The majority of participants, 189(63%) were, said that they have experience of dental fear and anxiety in their lifetime period. 255(85%) agreed that they have come across one of their relatives or friends having the fear of dental treatment. Parents experienced various reasons for the cause of their dental fear, one of the major factors for dental fear they told was having the dentist remove their tooth (26%). Parents 155 (52%) stated that they visited dental clinic for treatment very often and 66(22%) visited rarely. Conclusions: Recognizing the level of fear that prevents patients from seeking dental care and understanding the occurrence of dental anxiety hold crucial importance in dental practice. While only a small percentage of subjects reported dental fear or would consider refusing dental consultations, assessing dental fear provides valuable insights for dental practitioners. However, there is a call for further research and efforts to enhance the comprehension of dental anxiety and behaviors during dental visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Celiac serology can be transiently elevated in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and normalized despite gluten consumption. This study aimed to identify the frequency and predictive factors of spontaneous normalization of anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-TTG-IgA) antibodies in these patients. Methods: The charts of all patients (≤18 years) with T1DM were retrospectively reviewed from 2012 to 2021 at a tertiary care center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The following data were collected: clinical characteristics of the participants, anti-TTG-IgA-immunoglobulin (Ig) A antibody, and histological findings. The outcome of positive anti-TTG-IgA-IgA in patients with T1DM and the predictive factors for spontaneous normalization were investigated. Results: Of the 1,006 patients with T1DM, 138 (13.7%) had elevated anti-TTG-IgA antibodies, celiac disease was diagnosed in 58/138 (42%) patients, spontaneous normalization of anti-TTG-IgA was observed in 65 (47.1%) patients, and fluctuating anti-TTG-IgA antibodies were seen in 15 (10.9%) patients. The patients with anti-TTG-IgA levels at 3–10 times the upper normal limits (UNL), and those with levels ≥10 times UNL were less likely to have spontaneous normalization of anti-TTG-IgA compared to patients with levels at 1–3 times UNL (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.28, 95% confidence interval [Cl] = 0.13–0.61, P = 0.001, and HR = 0.03, 95% Cl = 0.00–0.19, P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Asymptomatic patients with T1DM with mild elevation of anti-TTG-IgA need not be rushed for invasive endoscopy or exposed to an un-needed gluten-free diet but should rather have a regular follow-up of their celiac serology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burnout syndrome, characterized by chronic unmanageable workplace stress, has been linked to lower gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome. However, the relationship between burnout syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome among medical health providers and medical students in Saudi Arabia has not been fully explored. This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in Southern Saudi Arabia from 2021 to 2022 and involved 931 medical health providers and medical students who completed an electronic questionnaire. The study assessed the presence and severity of burnout and irritable bowel syndrome and examined their relationship. Burnout syndrome was evaluated using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS), while irritable bowel syndrome criteria and severity were assessed using validated tools. The study found that 85% of medical health providers and medical students experienced high levels of burnout and irritable bowel syndrome severity, with physicians and nurses mainly affected. Occupational exhaustion was high in 44.4% of participants, while depersonalization was high in 53% of participants. Personal accomplishment was low in 73.5% of participants. Mild, moderate, and severe irritable bowel syndrome was reported in 25.6%, 23.8%, and 12% of participants, respectively. The study highlights a significant association between burnout syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome severity among medical health providers and medical students in Saudi Arabia. These findings underscore the importance of developing effective interventions to prevent and manage burnout syndrome and related health issues among healthcare professionals and medical students in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is highly prevalent among patients with diabetes mellitus. It affects approximately 20% of diabetic patients, who are believed to be more than 400 million individuals. The objectives of the present work were to assess patterns of albuminuria and determine microalbuminuria predictors among patients living with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who attended the family medicine department of Jazan Armed Forces Hospital. Methods: A case–control design was used and included two groups (n, 202/group), one with microalbuminuria and the other with a normal urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR). Data regarding patient history, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, renal function tests, ACR, ASCVD (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease) risk, etc., were collected. Results: The prevalence rates of microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria were 26.4% and 3.9%, respectively. HbA1c was significantly higher in patients with microalbuminuria (9.3 ± 2.2; P˂0.001) and macroalbuminuria (10.5 ± 2.3; P˂0.001) than in those with normal ACR (8.3 ± 1.9%). The predictors of microalbuminuria were poor glycemic control with HbA1c ≥ 7% {OR, 2.5 (95% C. I, 1.5–4.2)}; hypertension {(OR, 1.8 (95% C. I, 1.2–2.8)}; estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of ˂90 mL/min/1.73 m2 {OR, 2.2 (95% C. I, 1.4–3.6}; smoking {OR, 1.3 (95% C. I, 0.7–2.6}; and body mass index {OR, 1.05 (95% C. I, 1.01–1.09}. Conclusion: Microalbuminuria is highly prevalent among patients with type 2 diabetes and is associated with poor glycemic control and hypertension, necessitating aggressive and timely screening and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is an uncommon inflammatory, intramedullary, disorder of the spinal cord. Spastic paraplegia, impaired sphincter functions, and sensory loss, with sensory level, are the clinical manifestations of this devastating disorder. The utilization of magnetic resonant imaging (MRI) contributes to the surge in the diagnosis of more ATM cases. Although the causes of ATM are numerous, both Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Schistosoma mansoni are uncommon causes and their co-existence in the same patient has not been reported before in Saudi Arabia. Case Summary: We report a 25-year-old ATM male patient presented with a history of sudden onset severe low back pain. Within four hours from the onset of the back pain, he became completely paraplegic with impaired functions of the bowel and urinary bladder sphincter. Furthermore, he lost all modalities of sensory functions in the lower limbs. His examination revealed spastic complete paraplegia with sensory level at T6. Clinical neurological examination revealed normal upper limbs and brain functions. The MRI of the cervico-dorsal spine showed extensive longitudinal hyperintense lesion extending from the upper cervical segments to the lower dorsal segments (extensive longitudinal transverse myelitis). A post-infectious immune-mediated predisposition was highly suspected due to the very high titers of anti-Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgM and IgG that were detected. The immunosuppressant therapy did not improve his paraplegia. A spinal cord biopsy revealed the presence of several Schistosoma mansoni ova surrounded by chronic inflammatory reactions and reactive gliosis. Conclusions: Both Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Schistosoma mansoni should be investigated in cases with extensive longitudinal ATM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim was to compare two measurements of lower facial height (base of chin-subnasale and base of chin-tip of the nose) as related to different anthropometric measurements in dentate and completely edentulous subjects. Method and Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 132 male subjects (group 1 [G1], 120 dentate subjects; and group 2 [G2], 12 completely edentulous subjects). Base of chin-subnasale measurement (FM1), base of chin-tip of the nose measurement (FM2), Willis' measurement (FM3), glabella-subnasale measurement (FM4), length of the index finger measurement (AMI), and tip of thumb-tip of index finger measurement (AM2) of subjects of G1 and G2 were measured by using a modified caliper while the subjects in G1 dosed in centric occlusion, and the subjects of G2 were asked to close the maxillary and mandibular complete dentures in centric relation. Statistical analysis was carried out by using paired f test, Pearson's correlation (PC), and regression analysis. Results: There were no significant differences between G1FM1 and G1FM3, G1FM1 and G1FM4, G1FM1 and G1AM2 (P > .05), and PCs were R = 0.74, R = -0.35, and R = -0.32 respectively. However, there were significant differences between G1FM2 and G1FM3, G1FM2 and G1FM4, G1FM2 and G1AM2 (P ≤ .05), and there were significant differences between G2FM2 and different measurements of G2 (P ≤ .05). Conclusion: The use of the linear equation to predict the possible base of chin-subnasale measurement through the Willis' measurement was recommended and could be used as a guide during restoration of the vertical dimension of occlusion when it has been lost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common disorder in childhood. Early identification and appropriate antibiotic use are essential to avoid long-term sequels. The trial objective was to identify the prevalence of URI in children, and the risk factors. Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study conducted in the Saudi Arabia, from April 4th 2020 till July 30th 2020. The sample was randomly selected from children who presented to the ministry of health tertiary hospitals. People answered a questionnaire of 10 items. Results: 1083 people participated in the current trial. The prevalence of UTI was 25.8%. The mean age was 4.5-5 years. UTI was commoner in females than males. Urethritis was the main presenting complaint. Western region was the commonest identified area. Those with multivitamin deficiency had the highest prevalence. Conclusion: UTI is not a very common problem for children in Saudi Arabia. Western region had the highest prevalence and the peak age ranged from 4.5 to 5 years. Additionally, nearly a sixth of children could develop severe/complicated UTI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and life-threatening medical condition with non-specific clinical presentation. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CT-PA) has been the diagnostic modality of choice, but its use is not without risks. Clinical decision rules have been established for the use of diagnostic modalities for patients with suspected PE. This study aims to assess the adherence of physicians to the diagnostic algorithms and rules. Methods: A retrospective observational study examining the utilization of CT-PA in the Emergency Department of King Fahd Hospital of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University for patients with suspected PE from May 2016 to December 2019. The electronic health records were used to collect the data, including background demographic data, clinical presentation, triage vital signs, D-dimer level (if ordered), risk factors for PE, and the CT-PA findings. The Wells score and pulmonary embolism rule-out (PERC) criteria were calculated retrospectively without knowledge of the results of D-dimer and the CT-PA. Results: The study involved a total of 353 patients (125 men and 228 women) with a mean age of 46.7 ± 18.4 years. Overall, 200 patients (56.7%) were classified into the "PE unlikely" group and 153 patients (43.3%) in the "PE likely" group as per Wells criteria. Out of all the CT-PA, 119 CT-PA (33.7%) were requested without D-dimer assay (n = 114) or with normal D-dimer level (n = 5) despite being in the "PE unlikely" group. Only 49 patients had negative PERC criteria, of which three patients had PE. Conclusions: The study revealed that approximately one-third of all CT-PA requests were not adhering to the clinical decision rules with a significant underutilization of D-dimer assay in such patients. To reduce overutilization of imaging, planned interventions to promote the adherence to the current guidelines seem imperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Food allergy is a growing global health concern, with limited studies conducted in developing countries. High-risk behavior regarding allergies is common among young adults, making them prone to severe allergic reactions. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of food allergies among Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU) students and to determine the rate of high-risk behaviors in this group. Methods: An online survey was conducted among IAU students enrolled between the academic years of 2008 and 2018. The survey addressed food allergies with respect to age of onset, allergy testing, self-injectable epinephrine (SIE) prescription, associated allergic conditions, and attitude and behavior of university students regarding food avoidance and epinephrine use. Results: In total, 5497 completed surveys were analyzed; 526 participants were clinically diagnosed with allergies to at least one food item. A SIE device was prescribed for only 129 (24.5%) of the diagnosed individuals, of which only 4.7% carried the device at all times. Thirty-nine individuals (30.2%) reported that they and their family members know the proper epinephrine device technique. Strict avoidance of food allergens was reported by 30.2% of the individuals. Associated allergic conditions were observed in 69.3% of the clinically diagnosed individuals. Conclusion: Food allergies are prevalent among IAU students, with under-prescription of SIE devices. A high rate of high-risk behaviors with respect to food avoidance and carrying SIE was noted. Interventional strategies are needed to mitigate the risk of severe reactions among these university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Musculoskeletal symptoms account for the majority of work-related illnesses resulting in a significant economic burden on society. Computer users are subject to unique repetitive strains that predispose them to musculoskeletal symptoms. In the digitalized field of radiology, radiologists spend long hours interpreting medical images on computers. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among radiologists in Saudi Arabia and their contributing factors.Methods: An online survey was sent to radiologists in all hospitals (academic, public and private) in the major cities of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia covering demographic characteristics, workload (e.g. the time spent at a computer workstation), and workstation environments including the number of monitors as well as the adjustability of the height of the workstation and the viewing distance. This survey of 263 radiologists was conducted in April 2019. It included an evaluation of musculoskeletal symptoms using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The study outcome was the presence of disabling musculoskeletal symptoms in any body region, which restricted the performance of normal activities in the last 12 months. Results were analyzed descriptively using a Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis to estimate the odd ratio of experiencing disabling musculoskeletal symptoms in the last 12 months.Results: The survey was completed by 198 participants (111 men and 87 women) with a response rate of 75.3%. Most participants (71.2%) were aged below 40 years. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed being a female radiologist (OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.2-6.5), aged 30-39 years (OR = 4.1; 95% CI: 1.1-15.3), and predominantly reviewing computed tomography (CT) images (OR = 4.1; 95% CI: 1.4-12.3) or ultrasound scans (OR = 5.9; 95% CI: 1.4-25.3) were associated with higher prevalence of disabling musculoskeletal symptoms, compared to those aged below 30 years and those who reviewed various imaging modalities, respectively.Conclusions: Musculoskeletal symptoms are common among radiologists with lower back and neck pain being the most frequent complaints. Being a female radiologist, aged 30-39 years, and reviewing CT or ultrasound scans were associated with higher rates of disabling musculoskeletal symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the species richness of the blow fly (Calliphoridae: Diptera) fauna (1600 species), the relevant environmental, medical, agricultural, and forensic knowledge of these species found in Saudi Arabia is limited. As part of a study on the biodiversity of Diptera of south-western Saudi Arabia a survey of the Diptera fauna of Jazan, Asir and Najran was performed between 2010-2016 at 17 sites, mainly using Malaise traps, sweep nets and baited traps. Eighteen species of Calliphoridae were identified and recorded in this study, seven of which were recorded for the first time. This makes the total number of Calliphoridae species in Saudi Arabia (including 26 species previously recorded and excluding two species which were synonymized namely: Rhyncomya zumptii Peris 1952; Chrysoma regalis Robineau-Desvoidy 1830) to be 44. A list of all species of Calliphoridae recorded from Saudi Arabia is provided. Images of five species are presented. Biological information on each species (where known) and geographical distribution are included. In addition to the results of the identifications all available literature about Calliphoridae of Saudi Arabia is summarized and analysed. The species recorded in this study are more Afrotropical in origin than they are to other regions. The need for further field and laboratory work and surveillance is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The objective was to assess the effects of different orthodontic treatment needs on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of Saudi children seeking orthodontic treatment as perceived by the children and their parents. Methods: A cross-sectional evaluation of orthodontic patients and their attending parents was conducted to assess the relationship between orthodontic treatment needs and the OHRQoL. The study sample comprised 120 young orthodontic patients (36 boys, 84 girls; age range, 12-15 years). Each participant was assessed for orthodontic treatment needs and OHRQoL using the Dental Health Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Needs and the Michigan Oral Health-related Quality of Life Scales-Version C (child) and Version PG (parent/ guardian), respectively. Results: Orthodontic treatment needs significantly affected mouth aching, chewing and biting, going to school, and playing. Higher income and borderline index of orthodontic treatment needs are significantly related to oral health impact on quality of life perceived by the child, while younger age and high school education are related to oral health impact on quality of life as perceived by the parent/guardians. Conclusion: These findings emphasize the impact of malocclusion on OHRQoL in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evaluation of self perceived and actual need for orthodontic treatment helps in planning orthodontic services and estimating the required resources and man power. In the present study, the perceptive need as evaluated by patients and the actual need to orthodontic treatment, as assessed by orthodontists, were evaluated at two types of dental practices in the city of Jeddah using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). Methods: A consecutive sample of 743 adults seeking orthodontic treatment at two different types of dental practices in Jeddah; King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Dentistry (KAAU) (Free treatment) and two private dental polyclinics (PDP) (Paid treatment), was examined for orthodontic treatment need using the dental health component (DHC) of the IOTN. The selfperceived need for orthodontic treatment was also determined using the aesthetic component (AC) of the IOTN. The IOTN score and the incidence of each variable were calculated statistically. AC and DHC categories were compared using the Chi-Square and a correlation between them was assessed using Spearman's correlation test. AC and DHC were also compared between the two types of dental practices using the Chi-Square. Results: The results revealed that among the 743 patients studied, 60.6% expressed no or slight need for treatment, 23.3% expressed moderate to borderline need and only16.1% thought they needed orthodontic treatment. Comparing these estimates to professional judgments, only 15.2% conformed to little or no need for treatment, 13.2% were assessed as in borderline need and 71.6% were assessed as in need for treatment (p < 0.001). Spearman's correlation test proved no correlation (r = -.045) between the two components. Comparing the AC and the DHC between the KAAU group and PDP group showed significant differences between the two groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Patient's perception to orthodontic treatment does not always correlate with professional assessment. The IOTN is a valid screening tool that should be used in orthodontic clinics for better services especially, in health centers that provide free treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European-American norms are still used in the orthodontic treatment of Saudi patients, despite the different ethnic backgrounds of Saudis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the cephalometric features of a Saudi population and to establish cephalometric norms for Saudis living in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Seventy lateral cephalometric radiographs of Saudis (32 females and 38 males; aged 18-28 years) with acceptable profiles and Class I dental relationships were traced and analyzed. The mean value, standard deviation, and range of 16 angular and linear variables were calculated. The resulting norms for Saudis were compared with European-American norms using an independent t-test. Male and female groups were also compared using the t-test. Saudis tend to have an increased ANB angle because of retrognathic mandibles and bimaxillary protrusion as compared with European-Americans. Males tend to have more prognathic mandibles than females as indicated by the statistically significant increase in facial angle (P < .05) and SNB angle (P < .05). Although the anterior lower face height was similar in males and females, males tend to have a steeper mandibular plane angle when related to the anterior cranial base than females (P < .05). Saudis have distinct cephalometric features, which should be used as a reference in treating Saudi orthodontic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have established specific cephalometric norms for children with different ethnic backgrounds, showing different facial features for each group. Up till now, there is a paucity of information about the cephalometric features of Saudi children living in the western region of Saudi Arabia, who have distinct social and climatic characteristics. The aim of the present study was to establish cephalometric norms for children living in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A total of 62 lateral cephalometric radiographs of Saudis (33 females and 29 males; aged 9-12 years) having good facial proportions and Class I dental occlusion, were traced and analyzed. Using the t-test, the mean value, standard deviation and the range of 20 angular and linear variables were calculated and compared to norms of adult Saudis living in the Western region of Saudi Arabia using the t-test. Male and female groups were also compared using the t- test. Results: Saudi children tend to have a significantly shorter and lower face height, a larger angle of convexity, and more proclined and protruded incisors when compared with adult Saudis (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between male and female groups. Conclusion: Saudi children have distinct cephalometric features, which should be used as a reference in the orthodontic treatment of young Saudi patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common life-threatening condition with non-specific clinical presentations. The diagnosis of PE depends highly on imaging studies, which may also provide prognostic information. This study aimed to describe the clinical and imaging profiles of patients with PE, emphasizing the differences between central and peripheral PE. Methods: After ethics review board approval, this retrospective observational study examined the non-negative results in adult patients who underwent computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CT-PA) at our hospital between May 2016 and December 2019. Demographic and clinical information and imaging findings were collected from the electronic medical records. Results: The study included 85 cases that were identified after re-interpreting the 103 non-negative CT-PA scans. Six cases were excluded for incomplete data and 12 cases were false-positive. Central PE was found in 63.5% of the cases. Obesity was the most common risk factor seen in 37.6% of the cases. Furthermore, 9.4% of the patients had sickle cell disease, which tended to be associated with peripheral PE. There was no difference between the peripheral and central PE in most clinical and imaging parameters evaluated (P > 0.05). However, patients with isolated subsegmental PE were more likely to develop hemoptysis (P = 0.04). Conclusion: This study suggests that patients with obesity and sickle cell disease constitute an important proportion of all PE cases. Furthermore, the clinical and imaging profiles in patients with peripheral PE are similar to those in patients with central PE. Future research should focus on the clinical value of peripheral PE in patients with sickle cell disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Illness perception questionnaires for various medical conditions have become more useful in recent years. However, very few have addressed this issue for Type 2 diabetes in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to Type 2 diabetic patients attendees of primary health care centers and Al Kharj Military Industries Corporation Hospital in Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia, from November 24th 2016 to April 24th, 2017. Results: Overall, 383 of the 500 distributed questionnaires were returned, and 187 were males (48.8). Most participants understood that what led to diabetes was hereditary, including diet or eating habits. The Cronbach’s alpha value for identity, timeline (cyclical), and emotional factors were relatively high, showing that these scales had a strong level of internal consistency; it also showed that the timeline (acute/chronic) and treatment control scales were low, thus showing internal consistency of these scales. Cronbach’s value of coherence and consequences scales were low. Conclusion: Saudis with type 2 diabetes mellitus had appropriate knowledge of their disease. They agreed that diabetes was likely to be permanent and would have major consequences on their lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: despite the worldwide recognition of the importance of pre-screening education of parents, the current body of evidence suggests that parents often receive little information about neonatal screening (NS) and may even be unaware about the screening of their baby. Aim of the work: this study aimed to assess the attitudes and knowledge of the Saudi women towards the NS program and their psychological impact. Methods: we performed a cross-sectional study on mothers during the postpartum hospitalization period at health care facilities in the Eastern Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A modified version of the Maternal Attitudes and Knowledge about Newborn Screening Survey was used to assess the attitudes and knowledge of the women towards the NS program. Results: we retrieved 388 surveys. Twenty-five percent of the women acquired their knowledge about NS programs from the internet. Eighty-two percent of the women had healthy children and 42% of them think that the best time to know about NS programs is at the time of screening itself. Our analysis showed a significant association between the educational level and knowledge about the best time to learn about neonatal screening (p=0.0001). Almost half of the women who had one child stated that the screening should take place 2-3 months before the baby is born (p=0.018). The child health status was also associated with the knowledge that if the baby's newborn test is abnormal I might have something wrong with my DNA (p=0.015). It was also associated with knowing that NS will test for common diseases that run in families like diabetes, asthma and heart disease (p=0.02). Conclusion: Saudi women had a positive attitude, but with little knowledge towards the NS program. Further studies are needed to assess the predictors of different levels of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common disorder in childhood. Early identification and appropriate antibiotic use are essential to avoid long-term sequels. The trial objective was to identify the prevalence of URI in children, and the risk factors., Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study conducted in the Saudi Arabia, from April 4th 2020 till July 30th 2020. The sample was randomly selected from children who presented to the ministry of health tertiary hospitals. People answered a questionnaire of 10 items., Results: 1083 people participated in the current trial. The prevalence of UTI was 25.8%. The mean age was 4.5-5 years. UTI was commoner in females than males. Urethritis was the main presenting complaint. Western region was the commonest identified area. Those with multivitamin deficiency had the highest prevalence., Conclusion: UTI is not a very common problem for children in Saudi Arabia. Western region had the highest prevalence and the peak age ranged from 4.5 to 5 years. Additionally, nearly a sixth of children could develop severe/complicated UTI.

Purpose: Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CT-PA) is the diagnostic modality used for pulmonary embolism (PE). This study aimed to estimate the positive CT-PA rate and identify the predictors of positive CT-PA results., Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted by examining the CT-PA data for ruling out PE in all adult patients who visited the King Fahd Hospital of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. The data regarding background demographic information, clinical information, and CT-PA findings were collected from electronic health records. Data were analyzed descriptively using the chi-squared test. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of positive CT-PA results., Results: In total, 548 patients (209 male, 339 female) who underwent CT-PA scans were included. The positive CT-PA rate was 18.8%. The Charlson Comorbidity Index was not significantly associated with positive CT-PA results (p = 0.456). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that smoking (odds ratio [OR] 4.96; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.05-12.02) was an independent factor associated with positive CT-PA results. The CT-PA scans performed in winter and spring were 43% (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.22-0.84) and 52% (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.28-0.97) less likely to show positive results compared with those performed in autumn, respectively., Conclusion: The positive CT-PA rate varied significantly between seasons. Smoking was a predictor of positive CT-PA results. These findings may assist in developing interventions for improving the utilization of CT-PA scans to avoid unnecessary exposure of patients to radiation., Clinical Trial Registration: N/A.

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the impact of dental visits on oral health awareness among the Saudi population., Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia. An online self-administered questionnaire was distributed from January 2011 to June 2013. The questionnaire consisted of 21 multiple choice questions which was categorized into four: demographic data, dental care status, oral hygiene behavior, and oral health knowledge (OHK). Responses to the questions in the OHK category were grouped and scored according to their percentage of correct answers: 1 = very poor (0 to <25% correct), 2 = poor (25% to <50% correct), 3 = acceptable (50 to <75% correct), and 4 = good (75-100% correct). The sample was divided based on dental visit behavior into poor, average, and good dental visitors. Descriptive statistics, group comparisons, correlations, and linear regressions were conducted using SPSS (V16.0). A significance was set at p < 0.05., Results: A total of 845 participants were included: 73.4% were females, 85.1% were older than 19 years, 76.9% had a college-level education, and 75.3% were from western Saudi Arabia. A total of 14.1% were poor dental visitors, 67.5% were average dental visitors, and 18.5% were good dental visitors. The good dental visitor group showed significantly better results than the other two groups in terms of dental services received, brushing habits, interdental cleansing habits, use of miswak, and OHK ( p < 0.05). The best predictors with significant but weak effects on dental visit habits were brushing habits, interdental cleansing habits, use of miswak, and OHK ( F (8,836) = 7.212, R 2 = 0.065, p < 0.0001)., Conclusion: Dental visits were significantly correlated with OHK. However, the impact of dental visits on oral health awareness was found to be weak., Clinical Significance: Well-designed preventive and educational dental visit programs need to be widely implemented as part of the governmental oral health plans.

This pilot study examines reimbursement practices in private healthcare centers in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The objective of the study was to assess the extent to which the private healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia follows international best practices in reimbursement, as identified in a literature review. The study examined reimbursement practices in a sample of six private healthcare facilities through the use of similar questionnaire guidelines with each facility. Similarities among the facilities' practices included the use of contracts with insurance companies and the availability of a chargemaster. Differences included the types of reimbursement software used. Bundled payment systems were identified in four facilities but were not examined in all of the facilities studied. International best practices that were not present in any of the facilities in the study included electronic transfer protocols to link healthcare facilities, insurance companies, and banks; the use of reimbursement key performance indicators; the use of diagnosis-related groups; and the integration of disease coding into the reimbursement process. Major findings of this pilot study are that diverse types of reimbursement systems are in use in Saudi healthcare facilities and that these systems are preliminary and are largely unregulated. The authors suggest that regulation and standardization would therefore be easier at this stage than at later stages of the development of private healthcare systems in Saudi Arabia.