pattern of utilization and outcome of complementary and alternative medicine among primary health care attendees in Tabuk, KSA

Background: Despite all the marvelous advancements in modern medicine, traditional medicine [TM] has always been practiced

Aim of the work: We aimed to assess Patterns of utilization and outcome of complementary and alternative medicine among primary health care attendees in Tabuk, KSA

Subjects and Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted among 345 patients attending the primary health care centers [PHC] in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia during the period from January 2015 to January 2016. Participants were selected from 29 centers by a stratified selection method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data, going to a non-medical practitioner [TH] for advice about a health problem within the last year, the reason for that, type of TH provided prescription/advice, outcome, and personal satisfaction. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences [SPSS] was used for data analysis. The Chi-square and Fischer exact tests were used to examine the associations and differences between two categorical variables

Results: Participants [57.1% males], 62.9% had a history of visiting a Traditional Healer, Visiting a traditional healer was commoner among females [72.3% versus 55.8%, p=0.002] No significant statistical differences were found regarding other characteristics. Ineffective medical management was the reason in 55.3%, while the firm belief in TH that it was the reason behind 36.9%. Medical treatment was the most frequent [50.7%] followed by Zikr [25.8%], 87.6% said the visits were affordable, and 70% of visitors improved

Conclusion: Traditional medicine practice was prevalent in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia and was most prevalent among females. No significant differences were found between traditional medicine visitors and their counterparts regarding other characteristics

Dental erosion among 12-15-year-old school boys in southern Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of dental erosion in 12-15-year-old schoolchildren and to compare prevalence between public and private school boys. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 1000, 12-15-year-old school boys in Abha, Saudi Arabia. Dental erosion index proposed by O‘Sullivan was used for the four maxillary incisors. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, location, distribution, and extension of affected area and severity of dental erosion. The prevalence of dental erosion was 25.60% with no significant difference between private and public school students. Matt appearance of the enamel was the most prevalent type of dental erosion (63.63%). In most of the involved cases, more than half of their surfaces were diagnosed as affected by erosion (78.49%). Labial surfaces were the most affected (80.90%), while incisal surfaces were least affected (0.22%). Thus it can be concluded that dental erosion among Saudi school boys is becoming a significant problem, hence it is essential to provide adequate preventive care, and healthier dietary habits campaign for Saudi children.

Sedation in ICU: are we achieving goals?

The purpose of this study was to examine whether sedation goals, utilizing a validated sedation assessment scale, the Riker Sedation-Agitation Scale [SAS], and a standardized sedation protocol, were achieved in Intensive Care Unit [ICU] patients. This is a nested prospective cohort study. The study was conducted in a tertiary care medical-surgical ICU. All mechanically ventilated adult patients who were judged by their treating intensivists to require intravenous sedation for more than 24 hours, were included in the study. A goal-directed protocol using the SAS was initiated following an educational program to the medical and nursing staff. The following data was collected: patients' demographics, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE] II score, reason for admission, and outcome. For the first five ICU days, the bedside nurse documented ordered and average achieved SAS scores, every 4 hours. We compared the targeted versus achieved SAS scores using a paired Student's t-test. One hundred and five [105] patients were included in the study with mean age [ +/- SD] of 47 [ +/- 23] and APACHE II [ +/- SD] of 21 [ +/- 9]. Achieved sedation scores were consistently lower than the requested goals during daytime and nighttime shifts throughout the study period. This did not change even after 3 months of implementing the protocol. Achieved levels of SAS score were consistently lower than what was requested by physicians despite an educational program and the use of a standardized protocol. Differences between targeted and achieved SAS scores persisted throughout the whole study period even three months after protocol implementation. These data suggest the need for alternative, more sensitive and precise approaches, to titrate sedation to targeted levels

Causes of blindness in students attending schools for the blind in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To determine causes of visual loss in blind school students in Saudi Arabia. All students enrolled in 17 schools for the blind were interviewed and had complete ophthalmic examination between 8 February and 30 May 1998. Medical files were accessed to obtain previously documented findings. Enrollment numbered 913, 68% males and 32% females. Causes of visual loss: retinal dystrophies [40%], congenital glaucoma [15%], optic nerve disease [12%], congenital cataract, corneal diseases, and others [each 11%]. Congenital [63%] and hereditary [25%] causes were more common than acquired [12%], p = 0.05. Consanguinity was 43% in congenital and 55% in hereditary versus 34% in acquired cases [p<0.0005]. Blindness occurred in 65% of students' relatives. Conclusions: Visual loss was caused predominantly by congenital disorders and retinal dystrophies were the most frequently encountered. Consanguinity is an issue that should be addressed

Amiodarone ocular toxicity

Complications of amiodarone therapy have been reported in different structures of the eye such as the lids, adnexa, cornea and lens. In a few cases, the optic disc has been affected. These usually have a unilateral effect. We present a rare case of amiodarone therapy with bilateral disc edema, and flame-shaped hemorrhages with classic amiodarone keratopathy [cornea verticillata]. Only a few cases have been reported of Amiodarone toxicity to the optic disc