ABSTRACT
The Saudi Thoracic Society [STS] launched the Saudi Initiative for Chronic Airway Diseases [SICAD] to develop a guideline for the diagnosis and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]. This guideline is primarily aimed for internists and general practitioners. Though there is scanty epidemiological data related to COPD, the SICAD panel believes that COPD prevalence is increasing in Saudi Arabia due to increasing prevalence of tobacco smoking among men and women. To overcome the issue of underutilization of spirometry for diagnosing COPD, handheld spirometry is recommended to screen individuals at risk for COPD. A unique feature about this guideline is the simplified practical approach to classify COPD into three classes based on the symptoms as per COPD Assessment Test [CAT] and the risk of exacerbations and hospitalization. Those patients with low risk of exacerbation [<2 in the past year] can be classified as either Class I when they have less symptoms [CAT < 10] or Class II when they have more symptoms [CAT >/= 10]. High-risk COPD patients, as manifested with >/= 2 exacerbation or hospitalization in the past year irrespective of the baseline symptoms, are classified as Class III. Class I and II patients require bronchodilators for symptom relief, while Class III patients are recommended to use medications that reduce the risks of exacerbations. The guideline recommends screening for co-morbidities and suggests a comprehensive management approach including pulmonary rehabilitation for those with a CAT score >/= 10. The article also discusses the diagnosis and management of acute exacerbations in COPD.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/therapy , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Smoking , Risk Factors , Respiratory Function TestsABSTRACT
This an updated guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma, developed by the Saudi Initiative for Asthma [SINA] group, a subsidiary of the Saudi Thoracic Society. The main objective of SINA is to have updated guidelines, which are simple to understand and easy to use by non-asthma specialists, including primary care and general practice physicians. This new version includes updates of acute and chronic asthma management, with more emphasis on the use of Asthma Control Test in the management of asthma, and a new section on "difficult-to-treat asthma." Further, the section on asthma in children was re-written to cover different aspects in this age group. The SINA panel is a group of Saudi experts with well-respected academic backgrounds and experience in the field of asthma. The guidelines are formatted based on the available evidence, local literature, and the current situation in Saudi Arabia. There was an emphasis on patient-doctor partnership in the management that also includes a self-management plan. The approach adopted by the SINA group is mainly based on disease control as it is the ultimate goal of treatment
ABSTRACT
To assess Saudi patients' preferences regarding Saudi physicians' attire, and its influence on patients' level of trust and confidence in their physician. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May to June 2011 among patients waiting to be seen by their physicians from the outpatient medical clinics of King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Patients were asked multiple questions, which included their choice of preference regarding the attire of male and female physicians. Additionally, patients were asked questions related to their preferences regarding their physician's gender, and the influence of physician's appearance on patient confidence. A total of 399 patients were interviewed [231 males, 168 females]. The mean age was 37 years. Most of the patients [62%] preferred physicians' formal outfit, which was is defined as; tie, shirt, and trousers. Only 9.7% of the patients preferred national Saudi attire [thoab and shemagh]. Most patients [73%] preferred long skirts to be worn by female doctors. Up to 85% of patients preferred the white coat to be worn by physicians. Approximately 50% of the patients expressed no preference regarding the gender of their physicians. Confidence in the physician's competence and experience was not significantly associated with the physician's attire or gender [p=0.238]. Most patients prefer physicians to wear formal attire, however, the gender of the treating physician was not shown to be of particular importance. In addition, the level of trust in a physician is not related to his/her external appearance
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Physicians , Cross-Sectional StudiesABSTRACT
To identify the predictors that lead to cigarette smoking among high school students by utilizing the global youth tobacco survey in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. A cross-sectional study was conducted among high school students [grades 10-12] in Riyadh, KSA, between April 24, 2010, and June 16, 2010. The response rate of the students was 92.17%. The percentage of high school students who had previously smoked cigarettes, even just 1-2 puffs, was 43.3% overall. This behavior was more common among male students [56.4%] than females [31.3%]. The prevalence of students who reported that they are currently smoking at least one cigarette in the past 30 days was 19.5% [31.3% and 8.9% for males and females, respectively]. "Ever smoked" status was associated with male gender [OR = 2.88, confidence interval [CI]: 2.28-3.63], parent smoking [OR = 1.70, CI: 1.25-2.30] or other member of the household smoking [OR = 2.11, CI: 1.59-2.81] who smoked, closest friends who smoked [OR = 8.17, CI: 5.56-12.00], and lack of refusal to sell cigarettes [OR = 5.68, CI: 2.09-15.48]. Several predictors of cigarette smoking among high school students were identified
ABSTRACT
To study the prevalence and characteristics of cigarette smoking among secondary school students [16- to 18-year-old boys and girls] in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. We applied a standard two-stage, cross-sectional study design. Secondary schools for both boys and girls in Riyadh city were randomly selected using a cluster sampling method. We used the global youth tobacco survey [GYTS] tool to achieve our objectives. Among 1272 students [606 boys and 666 girls], the prevalence of those ever smoked cigarettes was 42.8% [55.6% of boys and 31.4% of girls]. The prevalence of current smoking was 19.5% [31.2% of boys and 8.9% of girls]. Despite the fact that the majority of students think smoking is harmful, most do not wish to stop smoking, and they had not tried to stop in the past year. Cigarette smoking is significantly associated with the male gender, having friends who smoke, and having parents who smoke, but is not significantly associated with the type of school attended. Smoking prevalence among secondary schools students in Saudi Arabia is high and alarming. There is a need to implement an education program about the risks of smoking and to include parents and friends as healthy models to prevent students from beginning to smoke