ABSTRACT
Aim: To study the prevalence of scoliosis and its associated factors among male adolescents in Abha city intermediate and secondary schools, Aseer Region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia. Methods: Through a cross-sectional study, students were interviewed about personal and demographic data, method of back-bag carriage, and regular practice of any physical exercise. Body mass index (BMI) was measured and student’s bag weight/BMI ratio (%) was computed. Screening for scoliosis was performed using inspection of the vertebral column and Adam’s Forward Bending Test (FBT). Using scolimeter a reading equal or exceed 5 degrees was considered positive. Results: Out of 417 screened adolescents, 90 students were positive giving a prevalence rate of scoliosis of 19.1% (95% CI: 15.7- 23.0). Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, the probability of positive scoliosis was significantly higher in secondary school (aOR=2.304. 95% CI: 1.447-3.676) and obese and overweight (aOR=2.433. 95% CI: 1.565-3.787) adolescents. On the other hand, regular practicing of physical exercises was significantly negatively associated with scoliosis (aOR=0.469, 95% CI: -316-0.695). Conclusion: The present study identified scoliosis as a substantial problem among adolescents. School health authorities need to foster a screening program for scoliosis, particularly among secondary school adolescents. School health promotion programs should address overweight and promote physical exercise to deal with this problem.
ABSTRACT
Identifying risk factors for acute coronary syndrome [ACS] is important for both diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Abnormal platelet parameters, mainly platelet count [PC], mean platelet volume [MPV] and platelet distribution width [PDW] are thought to be among these risk factors. In this study, the associations between PC, MPV and PDW and ACS were investigated in patients admitted to the tertiary care hospital in the south west region of Saudi Arabia. A retrospective cohort of 212 patients with the diagnosis of ACS admitted to Aseer Central Hospital during the period extending from February 1, 2008 to October 31, 2008 were included. The control group consisted of 49 matched subjects who were admitted for chest pain investigation and subsequently found to be non-cardiac chest pain after performing relevant investigations. Blood samples were taken at the time of admission for platelet parameters. Statistical analysis was made using SPSS software and P-values were considered significant if <0.05. A total of 212 patients with acute coronary syndrome [80 patients with MI and 132 patients with UA] and 49 matched controls were studied. The PC was not statistically different among the three groups [283.3 +/- 94.8 x 10[9] L[-1] for MI cases, 262 +/- 60.8 x 10[9] L[-1] for UA cases and 275.8 +/- 58.9 x 10[9] L[-1] for controls]. The MPV was significantly larger in MI cases compared to controls [8.99 +/- 1.5 fl vs. 8.38 +/- 0.51 fl, respectively, P < 0.009], similarly, the MPV was significantly larger in UA cases compared to controls [9.23 +/- 1.19 fl vs. 8.38 +/- 0.51 fl, respectively, P < 0.001]. The PDW was significantly higher in MI cases compared to controls [15.88 +/- 1.5 fl vs. 11.96 +/- 1.8 fl, respectively, P < 0.001], similarly, the PDW as also significantly larger in UA cases compared to controls [18.1 +/- 18 fl vs. 11.96 +/- 1.8 fl, respectively, P < 0.019]. Platelet parameters mainly MPV and PDW are readily available and relatively simple and inexpensive laboratory tests which we detected to be significantly raised in patients who have suffered an acute coronary syndrome compared with controls