Saudi Population Research Articles

Thyroid cancer, risk factors, clinical features, prognosis, and its incidence preference in Saudi populations: review

Within the diverse cancers reported, the epidemiology of thyroid cancer increased 3-fold in the latest years which may be due lifestyle changes, lack of cancer awareness, lack of screening, and early cancer investigations and detection programs in addition to genetics and deficiency of iodine and vitamin D. The aim of this review was to discuss Thyroid cancer incidence, risk factors, and clinical features and prognosis. The cause of thyroid cancer is unknown, but because the thyroid gland is very sensitive to radiation, exposure to radiation can cause precancerous changes. For unclear reasons, thyroid cancer like almost all diseases of the thyroid, occurs about 3 times more often in women than in men at any age, but the risk peaks earlier for women at 40 to 50 years. Several inherited conditions have been linked to different types of thyroid cancer but some patients with thyroid cancer do not have inherited conditions or a family history of the disease. Four general types of thyroid cancer were explained, Papillary, Follicular, Medullary, and Anaplastic. Over the last decade, the incidence of Papillary and Follicular thyroid cancers increased at the same time.

Community Perspectives Toward Food Allergies

Background: Food allergy is a widespread condition with multiple manifestations across the globe. The purpose of this study was to analyze the community's knowledge of techniques to improving food allergy awareness in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This cross-sectional poll includes 15141 Saudi residents between December 2020 and January 2021. The data was gathered using convenience/snowball sampling via an online poll. The questionnaire was created using the verified design by Gupta et al. [12]. The survey was marketed on social media and by e-mail. Results: In this study, 15142 individuals had been surveyed. This population's average overall knowledge was 57.1%. Approximately 12% of participants claimed food allergies and had previously been diagnosed with an IgE test, with 11.7% males and 12% females. Contacting a person with FA calmed about 11% of people, including 8.4% of men and 11.6% of women. Conclusion: The Saudi population has a low level of overall understanding about FA allergy. FA proportions are higher among those aged 36 to 45. The knowledge level of FA does not appear to be affected by gender, financial situation, or education level. In this study, FA prevalence rates were lower in nations with lower rates.

Association of genetic predisposition studies in CYP1A1 polymorphism studies in acute myeloid leukemia

Cytochrome P450 Family 1 Subfamily A Member 1 (CYP1A1) gene is one of the sub-members of CYP450 family member and it encodes with the families of drug metabolizing enzyme families along with the cancers and leukemias. Among leukemias, AML is considered to be one of the important leukemia which attack the older adults. The aim of this study is to explore the role of A4889G polymorphism in CYP1A1 gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the Saudi population. This study was designed as an experimental case-control study in which 100 AML cases and 100 controls were selected. This in vivo study was carried out using genomic DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction and agarose gel electrophoresis and then BsrDI restriction enzyme to digest the A4889G polymorphism of the PCR products. In this study, 200 subjects were digested and based on the appearance of the bands, genotypes were categorized. The attained data was used to calculate the clinical details as well as genotype analysis. The study results confirmed AG genotype (OR = 3.23, CI = 1.60–6.55, p = 0.0008), AG + GG (OR = 3.47, CI = 1.76–6.86, p = 0.0002) and GG + AA (OR = 12.47, CI = 6.18–15.17, p < 0.0001) and G vs A (OR = 3.15, CI = 1.71–5.81, p = 0.0001) were associated in AML cases. In conclusion, we confirm that A4889G polymorphism is associated with AML in the Saudi population.

Histopathological Findings in Adult Patients With Dyspepsia and Their Association With Helicobacter pylori Infection.

Helicobacter pylori infection is prevalent among Saudi adults and has been linked to gastric cancer and other tumor-like conditions. We aimed to explore the pathological characteristics of endoscopic gastric biopsies among symptomatic adult Saudi patients and their relation to H. pylori infection. Among 151 gastric biopsies, gastritis was detected in 97 (64.2%) cases, chronic active gastritis in 26 patients (17.2%), duodenitis in 20 (13.2%) patients, and total metaplasia in 14 (9.3%) patients. H. pylori was detected in 83 cases (55%), with a recurrence or reinfection rate of 9.8%. The patients with H. pylori infection were considerably young (median age: 34 (IQR: 15) vs. 35.5 (IQR: 11), p = 0.024) and had a low frequency of epigastric pain (78.3% vs. 91.2%, p = 0.031), reflux/regurgitation (7.2% vs. 20.6%, p = 0.016), and dysphagia (4.85% vs. 14.7%, p = 0.037). However, they exhibited a higher incidence of chronic active gastritis (96.2% vs. 3.8%, p < 0.001) and intestinal metaplasia (85.7% vs. 14.3%, p = 0.015). Young age (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.02-1.16, p = 0.011) and H. pylori infection (OR = 30.85, 95% CI = 3.26-291.60, p = 0.003) were identified as a positive predictor of intestinal metaplasia while heartburn (OR = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.01-0.58, p = 0.012) was a negative predictor. H. pylori infection is prevalent among Saudi adults experiencing upper gastrointestinal symptoms and is associated with intestinal metaplasia. Infection rate and intestinal metaplasia were higher in patients with milder symptoms. Therefore, screening for H. pylori is highly recommended for Saudi individuals with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Old age and H. pylori infection were identified as positive predictors of intestinal metaplasia, emphasizing the importance of early detection and management of H. pylori infection in the Saudi population.

Changing Trends in the Clinical Presentation and Incidence of Molar Pregnancy in Saudi Arabia: A 30-Year Retrospective Analysis.

Background Molar pregnancy (MP) incidence and clinical presentation vary significantly worldwide. Recent trends show changes in its clinical representation and incidence, particularly with the adoption of early diagnosis using first-trimester ultrasonography, which has reduced the prevalence of classical second-trimester presentations. This study aimed to analyze the changes in clinical presentation and incidence of MP among the Saudi population over the past 30 years. Methods In this retrospective study at King Fahad University Hospital, 121 complete mole (CM) pregnancy cases diagnosed and pathologically confirmed were reviewed. This included 87 cases from 2007 to 2022 (recent group) and 34 cases from 1992 to 2006 (older group). Cases of CM diagnosed before January 1992 and other diagnoses such as PM, invasive mole, or choriocarcinoma were excluded; thus, this study is focused on CM in particular. We compared patient age, gravidity, parity, abortion history, gestational age at diagnosis, hyperemesis gravidarum symptoms, anemia symptoms, and hemoglobin levels. Classical symptoms and signs related to CM were also reviewed. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2021 (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Washington, United States) and presented as mean, frequency, and percentage, with chi-squared tests for categorical variables; p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The incidence of CM declined from 2.1 per 1,000 deliveries to 0.9 per 1,000 deliveries. Vaginal bleeding was the most common presentation in both the older (91.9%) and recent (67.6%) groups. Hyperemesis gravidarum prevalence was similar in both groups. Theca-lutein cysts were more frequent in the older group (27.5%) than the recent group (8.8%). A significant difference was observed in the occurrence of a large-for-date uterus between the older (63.20%) and recent (23.5%) groups. Notably, 14.7% of patients in the recent group were asymptomatic at diagnosis. Anemia was present in 46 cases (52.8%) of the older group but absent in the recent group, and preeclampsia occurred in 10 cases (11.4%) of the older group but not in the recent group. Conclusions Advancements in ultrasound technology, including transvaginal probes with Doppler capabilities, have enabled earlier pregnancy diagnosis, as early as five to six weeks of gestation. Many MP are now diagnosed in the first trimester without the classic clinical symptoms or "snow-storm" ultrasound appearance. The availability of sensitive beta-human chorionic gonadotropin assays has led to the early termination of these pregnancies, marking a significant shift in the management of MP.

Quality of Sleep in the Saudi Population During the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Background The holy month of Ramadan carries a massive change in a Muslim's lifestyle. During these 30 days of all-day fasting, people in Saudi Arabia prefer staying up all night and sleeping in the daytime, thus highly impacting their regular sleeping schedule, with a sizable effect on the quality of sleep. This study aimed to measure the quality of sleep and sleep hygiene practices in the Saudi population. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted among the Saudi population during the holy month of Ramadan. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to the targeted population using social media platforms. Our questionnaire included demographic data, the Sleep Quality Scale (SQS) to measure sleep quality, and the Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI) to measure sleep hygiene practices. Results Of the 386 participants, 71.2% were females, and 64.5% were single. The total mean SQS score was 35.8 (SD = 10.9) out of 84 points, while the total mean SHI score was 19.8 (SD = 8.61) out of 52 points. Overall, 63.5% of the respondents had poor sleep hygiene practices. Significant factors for increased SHI included being unmarried, a student, not the main provider in the family, not a parent, and earning less than 5,000 SAR per month while having more than six individuals in the family was a significant factor for increased SQS. Conclusions During the month of Ramadan, poor sleep quality and inadequate sleep hygiene practices were common among the Saudi population. A significant risk factor for poor sleep quality was having more than six individuals at home while being unmarried, a student, not being the family's main provider, and earning less than 5,000 SAR per month were the significant risk factors for poor sleep hygiene practices. Further research is needed to establish the effect of poor sleep quality and inadequate sleep hygiene practices during Ramadan fasting in our region.

HLA-based banking of induced pluripotent stem cells in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundHuman iPSCs' derivation and use in clinical studies are transforming medicine. Yet, there is a high cost and long waiting time associated with autologous iPS-based cellular therapy, and the genetic engineering of hypo-immunogenic iPS cell lines is hampered with numerous hurdles. Therefore, it is increasingly interesting to create cell stocks based on HLA haplotype distribution in a given population. This study aimed to assess the potential of HLA-based iPS banking for the Saudi population.MethodsIn this study, we interrogated the HLA database of the Saudi Stem Cell Donor Registry (SSCDR), containing high-resolution HLA genotype data from 64,315 registered Saudi donors at the time of analysis. This database was considered to be a representative sample of the Saudi population. The most frequent HLA haplotypes in the Saudi population were determined, and an in-house developed iterative algorithm was used to identify their HLA matching percentages in the SSCDR database and cumulative coverage. Subsequently, to develop a clinically relevant protocol for iPSCs generation, and to illustrate the applicability of the concept of HLA-based banking for cell therapy purposes, the first HLA-based iPS cell line in Saudi Arabia was generated. Clinically relevant methods were employed to generate the two iPS clones from a homozygous donor for the most prevalent HLA haplotype in the Saudi population. The generated lines were then assessed for pluripotency markers, and their ability to differentiate into all three germ layers, beating cardiomyocytes, and neural progenitors was examined. Additionally, the genetic stability of the HLA-iPS cell lines was verified by comparing the mutational burden in the clones and the original blood sample, using whole-genome sequencing. The standards set by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) were used to determine the clinical significance of identified variants.ResultsThe analysis revealed that the establishment of only 13 iPSC lines would match 30% of the Saudi population, 39 lines would attain 50% coverage, and 596 lines would be necessary for over 90% coverage. The proof-of-concept HLA-iPSCs, which cover 6.1% of the Saudi population, successfully demonstrated pluripotency and the ability to differentiate into various cell types including beating cardiomyocytes and neuronal progenitors. The comprehensive genetic analysis corroborated that all identified variants in the derived iPSCs were inherently present in the original donor sample and were classified as benign according to the standards set by the ACMG.ConclusionsOur study sets a road map for introducing iPS-based cell therapy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It underscores the pragmatic approach of HLA-based iPSC banking which circumvents the limitations of autologous iPS-based cellular therapies. The successful generation and validation of iPSC lines based on the most prevalent HLA haplotype in the Saudi population signify a promising step toward broadening the accessibility and applicability of stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine in Saudi Arabia.

Understanding the Impact of Vitamin B Supplements on a Saudi Population.

Introduction B vitamins help generate energy within cells. A significant portion of populations in developed countries suffer a deficiency in one or more B vitamins. This study assesses the use of vitamin B supplements and their effects. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted using public participants in Saudi Arabia. Participants from all over Saudi Arabia were recruited through self-conducted surveys to study the effects of using vitamin B supplements on appetite, BMI, energy, and sleep, and to identify any side effects in participants. Inclusion criteria included age (18 years or older) and use of vitamin B supplements. Children, pregnant women, adults who had never used vitamin B, and those not willing to participate in the study were excluded. Results In total, 1,521 adults were recruited. Most of the participants were young Saudi Females.While taking vitamin B supplements, a minority of participants complained of mild gastrointestinal upset, but a significant proportion experienced no side effects. In this study, a significant proportion of participants experienced an increase in appetite, which was associated with a significant increase in BMI after taking vitamin B supplements. This study also explored increases in energy, which were significant and associated with significant increases in sleeping time. Male participants in the present study noticed a significant increase in erectile dysfunction (ED). Conclusions This study found significant effects of vitamin B supplements on BMI, appetite, energy, and sleep, as well as an increase in ED in male participants. More studies are needed to further explore these findings.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding the Use of Isotretinoin in Saudi Arabia.

Background Acne vulgaris is a widespread chronic inflammatory dermatological disease with a worldwide prevalence of 9.4%, affecting a large percentage of the young population in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to measure the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward the use of isotretinoin among the Saudi population. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population in Saudi Arabia between April 2023 and July 2023. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed across five regions of Saudi Arabia (central, eastern, western, southern, and northern) using Google Survey. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data, the pattern of isotretinoin used, and a 24-item questionnaire to assess the knowledge about isotretinoin. Results Of the 3,001 participants, 77.1% were females, and 55.4% were aged between 16 and 25 years. The prevalence of participants who previously used isotretinoin was 30.6%. The total mean knowledge score was 10.4 (SD = 5.99) out of 24 points, with more than half (52.9%) considered to have poor knowledge, 39.1% moderate knowledge, and only 7.9% good knowledge. Younger participants, female gender, Saudi nationality, never been married, and previous use of isotretinoin were associated with increased knowledge. Conclusions The knowledge of the general population regarding isotretinoin use was lacking. However, younger Saudi females who had previous isotretinoin usage tended to be more knowledgeable about isotretinoin compared to the rest of the participants. Increasing the general public's knowledge regarding isotretinoin and its safe use is necessary.

The correlation between soluble human leukocyte antigen (sHLA-G) levels and +3010 polymorphism.

Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is classified as non-classical HLA, located in the short arm of chromosome 6 and composed of seven introns and eight exons. The HLA-G gene has a lower frequency polymorphism in the coding area and higher variability at the regulatory 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions linked to HLA-G microRNA regulation. HLA-G molecule is known to have an immunomodulatory and tolerogenic features role. In 199 Saudi individuals, we examined the association between plasma soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) levels and eight polymorphic different sites, including 14bp ins/del/+3003T-C/+3010C-G/+3027C-A/+3035C-T/+3142C-G/+3187A-G/+3196C-G single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in exon 8 in the HLA-G gene. Our results revealed higher frequency for rs17179101C (97%), rs1707T (92%) and rs9380142A (73%) alleles. Greater frequencies for the tested genotypes were observed in 3027C/C (rs17179101) (93%), 14bp (rs1704) ins/del (92%), +3003T/T (rs1707) (85%) and +3035C/T (rs17179108) (79%) SNP genotypes. Moreover, we observed a significant association of sHLA-G with +3010G/C (rs1710) SNP. In conclusion, we showed a significant association between 3010G/C (rs1710) SNP and the sHLA-G level among our sample for Saudi populations. Our findings demonstrated that specific SNP within the HLA-G gene is linked to sHLA-G molecule secretion, suggesting sHLA-G levels may be regulated genetically.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Associated With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Among the Saudi Population.

Objectives In Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) was reported to be 29%. As a result, our goal was to examine the association between GAD and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) within the general Saudi Arabian population, as well as to access the risk factors for GAD in order to gain a better understanding. Method This cross-sectional study involved 4,224 participants who completed a questionnaire. Anxiety was assessed using the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale, and the GerdQ tool was used to evaluate GERD. Result The prevalence of anxiety among participants was 29% at cutoff 10, with 73% of anxiety-positive participants being female and only 26.9% being male. Furthermore, the associations between anxiety and GERD were significant as 31.4% of participants with anxiety had GERD, compared to 15.0% of those without anxiety. Conclusion In our finding, there was a significant association between anxiety and GERD among the general Saudi population. In terms of anxiety risk factors, female, younger age, social status, body mass index, eating fried food, caffeinated drinks, diabetes miletus, high blood cholesterol, NSAID use, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medication were found to have a significant association.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of the Saudi population toward people with epilepsy: narrow or wide?

BackgroundAlthough epilepsy has been acknowledged as an illness since ancient time, the public attitude toward epilepsy has not changed drastically due to the lack of appropriate information. This study aims to determine the public perceptions of epilepsy in five main regions of Saudi Arabia.MethodsIn this cross-sectional questionnaire-based study, Saudi citizens living in the major cities of the five main regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (the central, eastern, western, northern, and southern regions) completed the survey that included 27 questions about epilepsy awareness.ResultsA total of 7118 individuals from five regions participated in the survey: 6749 (94.8%) of respondents were Saudi, and 369 (5.2%) were non-Saudi. Of the 7118 respondents, 6897 respondents (96.9%) did not have epilepsy, and 3378 respondents (47.5%) stated that they had never witnessed an epileptic episode. In addition, 3749 (52.7%) respondents incorrectly attributed epilepsy to non-neurologic conditions, and 4865 (68.3%) respondents had an overall negative attitude toward people with epilepsy (PWE). They expressed objections to their child associating with PWE (2002; 28.1%) or their close relatives marrying PWE (3192; 44.8%), some believed that PWE are inferior (402; 5.6%), refused to hire a PWE (1126; 15.8%), and would feel discomfort around PWE (724; 10.3%). In addition, 2025 individuals (28.4%) believed that the health of PWE deteriorates over time; 1485 individuals (20.9%) believed that PWE get sick more often than others; 181 individuals (2.5%) believed that epilepsy could be transmitted; and 568 individuals (8.0%) believed that epilepsy could progress to malignant disease.ConclusionsIn Saudi Arabia, there is a substantial need for increasing the awareness and improving education on epilepsy in order to reduce stigma and increase the understanding of epilepsy. Such efforts could help improve the lives of people afflicted with the disease and ultimately contribute to better health outcomes for the entire community.

Awareness, Attitudes, and Willingness: A Cross-Sectional Study of Organ Donation in Saudi Arabia.

Organ transplantation is inherently dependent on the availability of organ donors. There is a noticeable paucity of literature addressing the rates of organ donation registration and the awareness of Islamic regulations (Fatwa) regarding organ donation within Saudi Arabia. Our study aimed to evaluate the level of organ donation registration, awareness of Islamic regulations, and knowledge of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT) within the Saudi society. We conducted a cross-sectional survey from 30 March to 9 April 2023. This survey aimed to assess the awareness of Islamic (Fatwa) guidance on organ donation, the role of SCOT, and the rate of organ donation registration facilitated through the Tawakkalna app, the official health passport application in Saudi Arabia. Out of 2329 respondents, 21% had registered as potential deceased organ donors, despite 87% acknowledging the importance of organ donation. Awareness of the Islamic Fatwa regarding organ donation was reported by 54.7% of respondents, and 37% recognized the Fatwa's acceptance of brain death criteria. The likelihood of registration as organ donors was higher among Saudi citizens under 45 years of age, females, healthcare workers (HCWs), individuals with higher education, relatives of patients awaiting organ donations, those informed about the Islamic Fatwas, and those willing to donate organs to friends. Conversely, being over the age of 25, Saudi nationality, employment as an HCW, awareness of SCOT, and prior organ donation registration were predictive of a heightened awareness of Islamic Fatwas. However, perceiving the importance of organ donation correlated with a lower awareness of the Fatwas. Significant positive correlations were found between awareness of SCOT, awareness of Fatwas, and registration for organ donation. While the Saudi population exhibits a high regard for the importance of organ donation, this recognition is not adequately translated into registration rates. The discrepancy may be attributable to limited awareness of SCOT and the relevant Islamic Fatwas. It is imperative to initiate organ donation awareness campaigns that focus on religious authorization to boost organ donation rates and rectify prevalent misconceptions.

Homozygous missense variant F12 (Gly506Asp) associated with severe factor XII deficiency: a case report

BackgroundFactor XII deficiency can be related to either homozygous or compound heterozygous pathogenic variants in the F12 gene. The disease is commonly known as Hageman trait and is inherited in both autosomal recessive or dominant patterns. Clinically, factor XII deficiency is not associated with bleeding but conversely has been linked to thrombotic events, recurrent pregnancy loss, and hereditary angioedema. Molecular data of F12 deficiency are scarce and have revealed varying results between cases. However, most of the reported variants are missense mutations, gross deletions, or small insertion. Factor XII deficiency has been reported in the Saudi population in several studies, either as isolated case reports or included within the studies of rare bleeding factors deficiency. However, molecular data are lacking as no case report of genetic studies related to factor XII deficiency has been published in our local population, to the best of our knowledge.Case reportHerein we describe a homozygous missense variant involving exon 12 within F12 gene (5:176,830,269 G>A; p.Gly506Asp) in a 36-year-old Saudi multiparous female referred from the surgical clinic with significantly high activated partial thromboplastin time during preoperative assessment for sleeve gastrectomy. The patient had no history of bleeding episodes during the previous deliveries nor any tooth extractions. She had single event of spontaneous abortion during the 15th week of gestation without any bleeding complication. There was no history of thrombosis or skin manifestations, and she was not taking any medicines. There was no family history of bleeding or thrombosis. Family history revealed consanguinity as the parents are first-degree cousins. Physical examination was unremarkable. Upon investigation, the prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time was fully corrected by a 1:1 mixing study with normal pool plasma while lupus anticoagulant tests were negative. Factor assays and von Willebrand factor tests are all within normal ranges except for factor XII, which was severely deficient. A homozygous missense variant involving exon 12 within F12 gene (5:176,830,269 G>A; p.Gly506Asp) was identified.ConclusionF12 (5:176,830,269 G>A; p.Gly506Asp) variant is likely to be a pathogenic variant among homozygous factor XII-deficient patients. Genetic counseling and management of the patients and families should be based on clinical evaluation.

The Variant Allele Frequency of CTLA-4 rs11571317 (-658 C/T) Polymorphism With Colorectal Cancer Susceptibility in the Saudi Population and Other Ethnic Groups.

The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) gene are directly associated with the progression and onset of various human cancers. These SNPs are important prognostic biomarkers for the prediction and early onset of cancer risk. The variant frequency of the CTLA-4 rs11571317 (-658 C/T) polymorphism may be affecting the various ethnic groups differently. In the present study, the allelic frequency distribution of -658 C/T polymorphism was assessed in the population of Saudi Arabia and compared with other world populations. The data from different cancers were extracted from case-control studies in the various ethnic groups by using PubMed (MEDLINE) and similar web databases. The frequency of CTLA-4 rs11571317 (-658 C/T) variant allele (T) was observed to be 25.5% and different frequencies were found significant for India (p = 0.001), USA (p = 0.03), and China (p = 0.04), when the prevalence of Saudi Arabian population was compared to that of other population groups. The current finding reveals that there is a distinct pattern of CTLA-4 rs11571317 (-658 C/T) polymorphism variant allele in the populations of Saudi Arabia, may be because of the differences in ethnicity. The observed findings can help in the assessment of the risk for the population harboring the risk allele of rs11571317 (-658 C/T) SNP and towardtheir subsequent susceptibility to cancer.

Understanding of Saudi Population on the Usage of Intravenous Contrast Media Injections in Radiology

Background: Intravenous contrast media (IVCM) in radiology are extremely important for accurate diagnosis and are used daily all over the globe. These contract media are very safe if administered correctly. However, adverse events have also been reported. This study was undertaken to determine the understanding of the patients towards the usage of IVCM in radiology. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on patients recommended for IVCM-mediated radiological examinations. The data were collected by face-to-face interactions using the self-administered questionnaire before IVCM administration. The questionnaire was all about patient’s information for IVCM usage, their associated benefits and risks. Results: Out of 225 patients who participated, a majority (72%) had insufficient knowledge of IVCM-associated risks and benefits. Both male and female patients showed a similar understanding of IVCM (p&gt;0.05). Educated patients showed better understanding than uneducated patients (p&lt;0.001). Similarly, employed patients demonstrated a higher level of understanding of IVCMs compared to unemployed patients (p&lt;0.05). Moreover, 63.5%, 45.3% and 62.2% of patients believed that IVCM caused cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and adverse allergic reactions, respectively. Moreover, 52.4%, 33.3% and 49.3% of patients believed that IVCM caused shortness in breath, loss of consciousness and increase of heart rate, respectively. In addition, 29.3%, 62.2% and 20.0% of patients also advised diarrhea, itching and convulsion, respectively. Conclusion: Overall, patients’ knowledge was unsatisfactory for understanding contrast media in radiology. This study recommends that the Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia, should arrange frequent awareness programs on contrast media in Qassim.

Awareness of Myocardial Infarction Symptoms and Risk Factors in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Cardiovascular disease is the leading global cause of mortality. Recognition of myocardial infarction (MI) symptoms is crucial as it influences clinical outcomes. Furthermore, awareness of MI risk factors assists in obtaining healthier lifestyles, alleviating its burden and mortality rates. This study aims to evaluate the awareness levels of the general population in Saudi Arabia regarding MI symptoms and risk factors and to identify its determinants. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the general Saudi population, with 1,247 participants, excluding those residing outside Saudi Arabia and healthcare-related individuals. An online self-administered questionnaire encompassed sociodemographic characteristics, awareness of MI symptoms and risk factors, and participants' perceptions concerning appropriate responses during an MI event. Results The majority of participants recognized chest pain and shortness of breath as MI symptoms, with a percentage of 87.1% and 86%, respectively. Risk factors awareness was substantial at 90.3% for smoking and 76.1% for obesity. The mean overall awareness score was 26.6±7.5, and around 36% were aware of both symptoms and risk factors. Higher education levels were positively associated with both risk factors and symptom awareness, while employment status showed negative associations with both. Higher-income correlated with greater risk factors awareness. Gender remained significant, with males exhibiting a lower awareness of risk factors and symptoms. Region and chronic disease status were positively associated with risk factors and symptom awareness. More than 90% of participants perceived going to the emergency room immediately if they recognized an MI attack. Conclusion This study highlights the necessity for inclusive awareness campaigns to enhance the identification of MI symptoms and risk factors in Saudi Arabia. It should focus on groups with limited awareness, such as males, employed and retired individuals, and specific pronounced regional disparities.

The Awareness of Child Abuse and Neglect Among the Saudi Population: A Narrative Review.

Child abuse and neglect (CAN) is a pressing global issue with profound implications for the well-being of children. The aim of thisreview is to examine the existing literature and synthesize evidence on the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes towardchild abuse and neglect within the Saudi population. Thisreview synthesizes the existing literature to illuminate the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes surrounding CAN within the Saudi population. Ten studies spanning the years 2019-2023 were meticulously analyzed, offering a comprehensive snapshot of CAN perceptions across various segments of society. The studies, encompassing diverse methodologies and populations, collectively underscore the commendable levels of awareness and knowledge demonstrated by healthcare professionals, including primary healthcare (PHC) physicians, nurses, and medical practitioners. Notably, several studies reveal that these professionals exhibit robust recognition of different forms of child abuse, a vital aspect in the identification and prevention of abuse cases. While positive attitudes towardCAN were prevalent among healthcare providers, barriers to reporting were highlighted. The fear of consequences and uncertainty emerged as key deterrents to reporting among medical and dental students and nurses, respectively. These findings emphasize the necessity for creating supportive environments that empower professionals to report suspected cases of abuse while addressing apprehensions. The parental perception of CAN also came into focus, revealing a disparity between the recognition of CAN as a common problem and the adequate knowledge of emotional abuse and neglect. These findings point towarda need for targeted public awareness campaigns that differentiate between disciplinary practices and abusive behaviors. In conclusion, thisreview offers a nuanced understanding of the Saudi population's awareness, knowledge, and attitudes towardchild abuse and neglect. The synthesis of findings across diverse studies informs future interventions, advocating for enhanced awareness, reporting, and prevention strategies. By empowering individuals and professionals alike, a safer environment for Saudi children can be nurtured, fostering a future free from the shadows of abuse and neglect.

Infratentorial Lesions as a Radiological Biomarker for Progression Independent of Relapse Activity (PIRA) in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Saudi Population

Infratentorial Lesions as a Radiological Biomarker for Progression Independent of Relapse Activity (PIRA) in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Saudi Population

Genetic association between vitamin D receptor gene and Saudi patients confirmed with Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common condition caused by inherited genetic abnormalities. Inadequate clearance of the circulating low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is the primary cause of the excessive concentrations of LDL seen in FH patients. The relation with vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene is well documented in the Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of molecular analysis studied between FH patients and fours polymorphisms associated with VDR gene in Saudi Population. In this case-control study, 120 patients were selected, and 50 patients were confirmed as FH and 70 subjects were confirmed as healthy controls. Genotyping was performed with polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using ApaI, BsmI, TaqI and FokI polymorphisms in the VDR gene. The current study results confirmed no association between clinical characteristics studied between FH cases and controls (p>0.05). Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium analysis was present in ApaI and FokI polymorphisms (p<0.05). Only ApaI (C vs A: OR-15.1 (95% CI:5.78-39.41); p<0.001; AC+CC vs AA: OR-6.59 (95% CI:2.42-17.95); p=0.0006) and BsmI (G vs A: OR-2.88 (95% CI:1.54-5.38); p=0.0006 and AG+GG vs AA: OR-3.79 (95% CI:1.72-8.35); p=0.0007) polymorphisms showed both allele and genotype association between FH patients and controls. ANOVA analysis confirmed that TG levels were associated (p=0.02) with combination of heterozygous and homozygous genotypes present in all four polymorphisms studied in this population. ApaI and BsmI polymorphisms in the VDR gene showed association with FH patients in the Saudi Population.