Use of Aspirin and Statin as primary prevention for cardiovascular diseases

Objective: To ascertain whether recommendations for the use of Statins and Aspirin as primary prevention in diabetic patients are correctly implemented at our institution

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2014 and April 2014 at the General Practice Department of King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Three hundred twelve patients were included in the study. Data were collected from the electronic patient medical records for the characteristics of the patients, existing co-morbidities, and results of laboratory investigations. Descriptive statistics were performed for all variables

Results: Of 312 patients, aspirin was indicated for 17.0% but it was not prescribed. It was both indicated and prescribed in 36.2% of the cases. Statin treatment was indicated in 27.2% of the patients but it was not prescribed, while in 63.1% of cases it was indicated and prescribed

Conclusion: The proportion of patients who achieved treatment targets at our institution is greater than that reported by other studies, albeit treatment targets are not being met in a significant number of cases

Trends in ultrasound examination in family practice

Ultrasound examination is very frequently used for the evaluation of abnormalities in various organs of the body. Our aim was to determine whether the requests by family physicians [FPs] for ultrasound examinations were appropriate. Our secondary objective was to enumerate positive and negative ultrasound reports for various diagnostic indications. This cross-sectional study was conducted during the period of month between June and August 2010, at the Family Medicine Department of North West Armed Forces Prince Salman Hospital, Tabuk. We reviewed the ultrasound requests of all patients included in this study and the findings of the procedure. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences [SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL], version 16.0. The requests and reports of 815 patients for ultrasound were reviewed. Females comprised 58.7% of the referred cases. The mean age of the sample at referral was 30 +/- 18.5 for females and 34 +/- 20.7 for males. Only 46% of the request forms contained conclusive information and instructions. Abdominal/pelvic ultrasounds were the most frequently requested; Nearly 71.2% of the ultrasound scans were normal. Abdominal/pelvis ultrasound was more likely to be reported as normal than ultrasound scans of other regions [P = 0.007]. Patients aged 41-60 years were more likely to have an abnormal ultrasound [P = 0.02]. Our findings suggest that FPs have to be educated about imaging referral protocols in order to achieve better outcomes

Energy drinks: Getting wings but at what health cost?

Energy drink consumption represents a global public health problem, especially among adolescents and young adults. The consumption of energy drinks has seen a substantial increase during the past few decades, especially in the Western and Asian countries. Although manufacturers of energy drinks claim that these beverages are beneficial in that they can boost energy, physical performance, and improve cognitive performance, there is insufficient scientific evidence to support these claims. The known and unknown pharmacology of the constituents of energy drinks, supplemented with reports of toxicity, raise concern for the potentially severe adverse events linked with energy drink use. Limited numbers of reviews have been published on this important subject. The aim of this review was to identify the major ingredients in energy drinks and to delineate the adverse effects related to their consumption. Electronic databases of PubMed, Clinical Key, and Google and Cochrane library were extensively searched for energy drink articles. More than hundred articles were reviewed, scrutinized and critically appraised and the most relevant forty articles were used. Energy drinks and its ingredients are potentially dangerous to many aspects of health. Measures should be taken to improve awareness among adolescents and their parents regarding the potential hazards of energy drinks. Furthermore, the sale of energy drinks on college and university campuses and to adolescents below 16 years should be prohibited

Delayed puberty and short stature in an adolescent

Delayed puberty associated with short stature can be due to a number of causes. A focused medical history, a directed physical examination and appropriate diagnostic tests are needed to diagnose the underlying cause. A case of an adolescent with delayed puberty and short stature is presented to highlight the diagnostic approach. The most common cause of delayed maturation in adolescents is constitutional delay of puberty, however other causes should also be considered. Treatment for disorders of puberty is determined by the underlying cause

Perception of healthcare quality management in hospitals amongst medical professionals of al-Qassim region in Saudi Arabia

To assess awareness about quality affairs and observe trends in physicians to adopt quality measures. Physician's role in providing quality health care is emphasized by identifying it as a separate block for implementation process. Hospitals that successfully involve physicians in the continuous quality improvement program will experience more implementation success than hospitals that do not involve them. Physicians have been traditionally suspicious of organized efforts to improve clinical care and they find its demand inconsistent, time consuming, bureaucratic and irrelevant to the improvement of care. A questionnaire was developed which included general comments about quality in health care. It was distributed to physicians working in the hospitals of Al-Qassim region in Saudi Arabia. The data were analyzed by a computer statistical package. A total of 283 physicians responded from nine hospitals of Al-Qassim. Results showed deficient knowledge but positive attitude in adopting quality measures in day to day health practice

Pre-operative anxiety in patients admitted for elective surgery in King Saud hospital, Unaizah, Al-Qassim Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

To assess the Pre-Operative Anxiety and to further the planning of health education and counseling programme. Background; Hospitalized patients generally feel frightened and vulnerable at the thought of impending surgery which can produce fear and anxiety related to pain perception. Pain can grow out of proportion to its physical intensity due to unfamiliar environment, loss of privacy, separation from social structure or communication difficulties due to cultural and/or language barriers. Patients may perceive the day of surgery as the biggest and the most threatening day in their lives. Studies show, [depending upon the intensity of inquiry], that from 40% to 85% of patients are apprehensive before surgery. It is claimed that an informative and comforting pre-operative visit may replace many milligrams of anxiolytic medication. Methodology: A survey form was designed to record the patient's point of view. One hundred consecutive patients > 12 years of age belonging to both sexes admitted for elective surgery were enrolled for interview. Fifty five% of the total number of patients expressed the fear of operation. The younger age group [< 38 years] were more apprehensive compared to elderly. The differences in this degree of fear did not correlate with the gender or level of literacy