ABSTRACT
Background: Thyroid gland may have a group of a medical condition that affects its main function. The thyroid gland is located at the front of the neck and produces thyroid hormones. The released hormones go through the blood to many body organs for regulating their function, meaning that it is an endocrine organ. These hormones normally act in the body to regulate energy use, infant development, and childhood development. The study aimed to assess the epidemiology of thyroid disorders among cases in the south-western region, Saudi Arabia, and to assess the reporting quality for these cases data.Methods: A retrospective record based descriptive approach was used through reviewing medical records of all cases that were admitted and diagnosed as thyroid related disorders for different indications in the main hospital (king Khalid Hospital) during the period from January 2018 to January 2020. Data extracted throng pre-structured questionnaire including patient's bio-clinical data, preoperative radiological and laboratory investigations. Also, laryngoscope pre and post operatively was reviewed to record findings.Results: The study included 405 cases with thyroid disorders whose ages ranged from 15 to 71 years old with a mean age of 30.5±10.6 years. Females were 82.7% of the included cases, and 83.8% were Saudi. Thyroid related symptoms were recorded for 1-2 years among 58.1% of the cases and for more than 5 years among 15.8%. Thyroid enlargement was recorded for 73.1% of the cases. The multinodular enlargement was recorded for 53.5% of the cases followed with diffuse thyroid enlargement (27.3%). Regarding the type of surgery undergone, total thyroidectomy was the most recorded followed with lobectomy.Conclusions: The study revealed that the majority of the cases were females at middle age presented with benign lesions with Euthyroid status. The most important conclusion was the significant remarkable underreporting of the different clinical data for the cases with many missing items.
ABSTRACT
Background: The sleep disturbances are common at high altitudes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of obstructive sleep apnea at high altitudes
Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted from March 2018 to June 2018 to assess the predictors of obstructive sleep apnea based on Berlin, Stop-Bang and Epworth sleepiness scale questionnaire from adult population of Taif City at an altitude of 1879 m from sea level in Saudi Arabia
Results: Of 1002 participants, the majority [614 participants, 61.3%] were males and the mean +/- SD age of participants was 30.6 +/- 10.3 years [Range 11 - 67 years]. In this study 24.9% participants were found to be at a high risk of having sleep apnea. Male gender, older age and smoking were found to be significantly associated with higher risk of sleep apnea according to Berlin, Stop-Bang and Epworth sleepiness scale questionnaire. Diseases found to be associated with a high risk of developing sleep apnea included hypertension [p<0.001], hyperlipidemia [p<0.001], diabetes [p<0.001], psychological disorders [p<0.001] and asthma [p<0.001] .On the other hand, cardiac disorders were found to have an insignificant effect on sleep apnea [p=0.076] in this study. Almost one-third of the participants [34.9%; 95% CI= 32.0% to 37.9%] were found to have an abnormal level of daytime sleepiness according to Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS]. These results were comparable to the previous studies at low altitude
Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that the predictors of OSA at high altitudes are comparable to those at low altitudes
ABSTRACT
Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] is one of the most common health problems that cause a financial burden on healthcare systems worldwide. The prevalence of GERD in Saudi Arabia is steadily increasing. There is a paucity of data regarding GERD among University students
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted to assess the prevalence of GERD among male students of Taif University in the western region of Saudi Arabia in addition to determining the risk factors associated with the occurrence of GERD. Data were collected through a self-administration questionnaire. In addition, weight and height were measured to calculate the body mass index [BMI] of participating students
Results: Of 464 students who participated from different colleges of the University; More than half of the male students in Taif University [53.2%, 95% CI= 48.7% to 57.8%] suffer from GERD. There was higher prevalence among smokers, overweight and obese students, those who drink plenty of soft drinks. Students with hypertension, psychiatric diseases, diabetes mellitus, asthma or irritable bowel syndrome had higher prevalence of reflux. GERD was significantly present among students with history of psychological stress
Conclusion: Special consideration should be given to raising the awareness of about gastro esophageal reflux disease among the public and its controllable risk factors. The psychological stress among University students needs to be tackled to decrease reflux among them