Association of obesity with pelvic floor disorders and its effect on the quality of life in women awaiting bariatric surgery

Objectives: To assess the association of obesity with frequency of pelvic floor disorders [PFDs] and their effects on quality of life [QoL] in obese women

Design: A case-matched study

Setting: University hospital in Saudi Arabia between October 2014 and October 2015

Subjects: Seventy-five obese [BMI >30 kg/m[2]] women awaiting bariatric surgery and 91 age and parity-matched, non-obese controls were selected

Intervention: Three validated disease-specific and QoL questionnaires about PFD [PFDI-20, PFIQ- 7 and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence [ICIQ-UI]] were administered to all participants

Main outcome measures: The frequency of PFD and the effect on QoL. Data were analyzed by chi-square and t-test

Results: Overall, PFDs were frequently present in 47 [62.7%] women in the obese group compared to 30 [32.9%] in the non-obese group [odds ratio = 3.41, 95% confidence interval: 1.79 - 6.48, p <0.001]. Obese women were found to experience symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse [POP] [p <0.001], stress urinary incontinence [p = 0.003] and fecal incontinence [p = 0.011] as compared to non-obese women. Regarding the different QoL questionnaires, total mean scores of PFDI and ICIQ were statistically higher in the obese group compared with non-obese women

Conclusion: The frequency of POP, urinary incontinence,

and fecal incontinence was increased in obese women awaiting bariatric surgery. Low self-esteem and limited religious activities were the most negative impacts of these symptoms on QoL

Readiness for self-directed learning among first year Saudi medical students: a descriptive study

The objectives of the present study was to explore the readiness for Self Directed Learning [SDL] among first year Saudi Medical students enrolled at King Saud University [KSU] and Princess NourahBintAbdulrahman University [PNU] in Saudi Arabia. First year medical students were invited to participate in a descriptive cross sectional study design. Data were collected using a Self -Directed Learner Readiness Scale [SDLRS] which is a self assessment tool aimed to assess three main components: self-management, desire for learning and self control. The students responded to each item of the SDLRS on a 5-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS, mean, median and total scores were calculated and were compared among student's groups. The mean score for the desire of learning was the highest [4.08 +/- 0.5] of all the three components of the SDLRS followed by self-control [3.9 +/- 0.9], while the least mean score was for self-management [3.7 +/- 0.5]. Overall, differences between student's groups were not statistically significant. The present study revealed that the overall SDL readiness of participants was good, students were highly motivated for self-learning and had the ability for self-control. However, they need assistance to improve their self-management skills

Perception of medical students regarding problem based learning

To assess medical students' perception about problem based learning [PBL] Study Descriptive cross-sectional survey College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University [PNU], Riyadh, KSA or more PBL sessions Intervention: a self-administered questionnaire comprising 15 close-ended questions with a 5-point Likert scale responses Student's perceptions and opinions Overall, students had a positive perception towards all the items; self-learning, critical thinking, integration of basic concepts into clinical science, identifying gaps in knowledge and improved problem solving skills. The mean value of all items was 19.77 +/- 2.61 out of 25. Students who perceived that PBL stimulates critical thinking and 90.4% agreed that PBL integrates basic science with clinical knowledge. Although 73.1% of students found that PBL motivates self-learning, majority disagreed about increasing the frequency of PBL. Also, most of students were against increasing marks allocated for the assessment of PBL. Almost three quarters of students realized the value of PBL in improving communication skills and interpersonal relations. Students who thought that PBL is a preferable teaching tool for clinical concepts amounted to 69.2%. Overall, students perceived PBL positively. While positive perception was maximum for integration of basic science into clinical knowledge and critical thinking, problem solving. Students also valued PBL in enhancing communication skills and promoting positive interpersonal relations. However, majority of students disagreed to have more frequent PBL sessions or to increase PBL exam marks

Reliability of Arabic ICIQ-UI short form in Saudi Arabia

The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form [ICIQ-UI SF] provides a brief measure of symptoms and impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life. It is suitable for use in clinical practice and research. An Arabic version of the ICIQ-UI SF was translated and validated in Egypt and Syria. The objective was to assess the reliability of the Arabic version of the ICIQ-UI SF in women from Saudi Arabia. A study at the Urogynecoiogy Clinic was conducted from November 2010 until August 2011. Thirty-seven consecutive Saudi women attending urogynecologic clinic were recruited. Questionnaires were distributed for self-completion and then redistributed to the same set of respondents two to four weeks later as part of a test-retest analysis for assessing questionnaire's stability. Agreement between two measurements was determined by weighted Kappa. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Participants had a mean [SD] age of 39 [9.9], median parity of 4, and mean BMI [SD] of 30.9 kg/m[2] [4.6]. There were no differences in the frequency and amount of urine leaks or the impact of UI on quality of life observed between the two visits. Assessment of internal consistency was excellent with the Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.97 [95% CI: 0.88-0.98]. Participants agreed that the questionnaire was clear, appropriate, and easy to understand. The Arabic ICIQ-UI SF is a stable and clear questionnaire that can be used for UI assessment in clinical practice and research among Saudi women

Recurrent urinary tract infections management in women: a review

Urinary tract infections [UTIs] are one of the most frequent clinical bacterial infections in women, accounting for nearly 25% of all infections. Around 50-60% of women will develop UTIs in their lifetimes. Escherichia coli is the organism that causes UTIs in most patients. Recurrent UTIs [RUTI] are mainly caused by reinfection by the same pathogen. Having frequent sexual intercourse is one of the greatest risk factors for RUTIs. In a subgroup of individuals with coexisting morbid conditions, complicated RUTIs can lead to upper tract infections or urosepsis. Although the initial treatment is antimicrobial therapy, use of different prophylactic regimens and alternative strategies are available to reduce exposure to antibiotics