Risk factors of stroke among young adults in KSA

Background: Current literature suggests that hospitalization rates kept increasing with time because stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity have been increasing in the general population. Moreover, stroke is particularly devastating among young people because of its disabling effects, which can last a lifetime. Stroke in young adults is often missed by less experienced clinicians due to its unexpectedness, leading to lost opportunities for intervention

Aim of the study: was to assess the awareness of young adults in KSA of the risk factors, signs and symptoms of stroke

Methods: The present cross-sectional study enrolled 150 Saudi males and females who were randomly selected during the period from October2017 to December 2017. A self-report questionnaire was used to evaluate STROKE awareness among participants while Statistical Package for Social Sciences [SPSS] method was used for data analysis

Results: Our study revealed that the majority of participants were able to relate stroke to the correct underlying risk factors particularly obesity and smoking which score 85.3% and 84.0% respectively. Likewise, 75% agreed that fatty food is a contributing risk factor for stroke while only 61% thought that diabetic patients are at a higher chance for developing stroke. As for the signs of cerebral stroke, the majority of participants had basic knowledge on the signs and symptoms of stroke such as hypertension [83%], face drop, difficulty speech and arm Weakness[76%]. In the meantime, Overall, an average of 13% of participants declared no knowledge across all questions

Conclusions: Our study revealed improved yet still insufficient knowledge of brain stroke among the study group of young Saudi females and males adults regardless to the age group since the majority of participants were able to correlate stroke with the key predisposing risk factors as well as the signs of stroke. This indicates that proper intervention was in place to spread the awareness of this crucial medical emergency. However, this effort needs to continue to further improve knowledge about stroke, risk reduction, and appropriate stroke response and prevention. Nevertheless, further studies should be conducted on a larger scale to make a definite conclusion on the regression of stroke awareness in young adults population in Saudi Arabia

Awareness of risk factors of DKA among diabetic adults in KSA

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis [DKA] is a complication of Diabetes mellitus [DM] that lingers to have high rates of morbidity and mortality regardless of advances in the management of DM. DKA mainly results from insulin deficiency from new-onset diabetes, insulin noncompliance and increased insulin need because of infection. Most persons with DKA have type 1 diabetes however, a subgroup of type 2 diabetes patients might as well have ketosis-prone diabetes

Aim of the work: To assess the level of awareness of the risk factors of DKA as well as the adherence of DM patients with drugs

Methods: This is a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study enrolling a total of 100 randomly selected diabetic Saudi adults ensuring diversity in age range and educational stages. Descriptive analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences [SPSS] 23. Awareness levels for DKA were calculated as absolute frequencies and were reported as overall percentages

Results: A total of 100 randomly selected diabetic Saudi adults [81 females and 19 males], 56% were diagnosed with DM-1 while 44% had DM-2 and only 11% were active sport practitioners. Moreover, only 62% reported a robust adherence to DM medications. The majority of the respondent scored low knowledge on DKA [54%]. Regarding awareness of predisposing risk factors: 9% and 29% of the participants have related DKA to infection and febrile illness respectively. While, 50% of them suggested that there was an association between physical stress and DKA

Conclusion: Our results revealed a compelling need to bridge the disparity in awareness of DKA among Saudi adults with both types. The current knowledge gap doesn't only incur a significant cost burden on the patients and their sponsors because of the high cost treatment and rehabilitation but also and more severely the complications that can be life-threatening if not spotted and treated quickly