ABSTRACT
Purpose: Diabetes retinopathy (DR) is one of the fatal causes of permanent and irreversible blindnessinfection that is prevalent making individuals suffer from diabetic conditions; however, annual medicalexamination is a critical interventional approach that not only limits the extent of infection but aids in timelyformulation of relevant mitigation strategies and control of DR. Common to other healthcare systems inadvance economies, the primary care physicians (PCP) are the immediate providers of primary care fordiabetes across the kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The aim of the present research paper is to assess thecurrent awareness, practices, and knowledge of PCP on DR. Method: The present research adopted a crosssectional design that covered three cities in Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire with threedifferent parts was submitted to physicians in the healthcare facilities across the three cities. In addition, theresearch adopted a convenience sampling method during which the designated regions were selected due toconvenience in proximity as well as accessibility. Results: The research paper considered a sample size of710 participants. An in-depth and compressive analysis of the results elucidated underlying defects as well asshortfalls on the physicians’ awareness, knowledge, and practices on DR. The results demonstrated defects inscreening methods as well as referral procedures among physicians. Conclusion: Overall, the extent ofknowledge, practices, and awareness among the PCP in the three cities were satisfactory. Hence, it is highlyrecommended that future awareness campaigns should focus on timely and detailed screening approaches inorder to manage diabetic conditions among patients.
ABSTRACT
Background: amphetamine-type stimulants [ATS] are the most commonly used illicit drugs in Saudi Arabia. Frequency and outcome of ATS-related cardiovascular [CV] complications in the Saudi community have not been previously studied
Aim: we aimed to determine the incidence and the clinical outcomes of CV complications among individuals with amphetamine-positive urine drug screening [APUDS] tests admitted to a tertiary care facility in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Methods: retrospective review of consecutive cases with APUDS and concurrently positive cardiac biomarkers admitted to King Abdul-Aziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between January 2006 and December 2013. The laboratory database was queried to identify patients with positive APUDS and abnormal cardiac biomarkers. Clinical data were extracted from the electronic medical records
Results: a total of 7450 urine drug screening tests were performed during the study period, out of which 720 [9.6%] were positive for ATS [APUDS group]. Forty-two cases in the APUDS group were documented to have CV complications. All cases were men with a median age of 39 years [range, 21-60 years]. Acute coronary syndrome/myocardial infarction was the most frequent clinical presentation [n = 31, 74%], predominantly in the form of ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Other less frequent complications included myopericarditis, cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmia. Coronary procedures were performed in 30 cases. Median hospital stay was 5 days [range, 1-28 days] and in-hospital mortality was 7.2%
Conclusion: APUDS is frequently encountered in young Saudi men presenting to the emergency department of our institution. Individuals withAPUDSare at increased risk ofCVcomplications and in-hospital mortality. The most frequent APUDS-related CV complication is acute coronary syndrome