Does the use of radio frequency ultrasonic dissector in tonsillectomy have a beneficial effect over the use of laser?

To compare the intra- and post- operative morbidities on the use of radiofrequency ultrasonic dissector [US] with the use of laser during tonsillectomy in the same patients. A randomized comparative study was implemented where all patients underwent tonsillectomy at Al-Hada Armed Forces Hospital, Taif, and Aouhod Hospital, Al-Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the period January 2000 to December 2005 were recruited for the study. Radiofrequency US was used in one side, and laser was used in the other side of the same patient. Intra- and post- operative blood losses, and duration of the operation, in addition to postoperative pain score were recorded. Five hundred and twenty-eight patients were recruited for the study. The mean operation duration was significantly shorter in the US group as compared to the laser group [p < 0.01]. Intraoperative blood loss was significantly lesser in the US group [p < 0.001]. Post-operative pain score was significantly lower among US subjects [p < 0.001]. No significant difference in postoperative hemorrhage was detected between the compared groups. The use of US in tonsillectomy showed a beneficial effect on intraoperative blood loss, duration of the operation, as well as, postoperative pain over the use of laser

Community-based screening for pre-hypertension among military active duty personnel

To determine the prevalence of both pre-hypertension and hypertension, and risk factors associated with the newly diagnosed Saudi military active duty personnel. A community-based cross-sectional screening of 1238 Saudi military active duty service personnel was conducted during the period from September to December 2007 at the military units of Taif region, western Saudi Arabia. Screening tools included self-administrated questionnaire, general physical examination, anthropometric measurements, and assessment of blood pressure. All participants were Saudi males. Their age ranged from +/- 7.02. By applying the Joint National Committee on prevention, detection, evaluation, and treatment of high hypertension criteria, 214 [17.3%] were considered pre-hypertensive. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that obesity as measured by body mass index [odds ratio [OR]=2.71, confidence interval [CI]: 1.39-5.28], positive family history [OR=1.46, CI: 1.03-2.06], ever smoking [OR=1.45, CI: 1.05-2.02], and increased waist circumference [OR=1.04, CI: 1.02-1.06] were the significant predictors of hypertension among military active duty personnel. Pre-hypertension is a common hidden problem and it predicts the development of frank hypertension. Findings of the current study support the recommendation of lifestyle modification for pre-hypertension patients. However, further prospective studies are required to determine the role of pharmacotherapy in pre-hypertension

Exercise capacity of Saudi with symptoms suggestive of cardiovascular disease in a military hospital in Western Saudi Arabia

To analyze the results of exercise tolerance test ETT of Saudi women and assess their exercise capacity. A hospital based retrospective cohort analysis was carried out on all Saudi women referred to the Cardiology Department for ETT from February 2005 to June 2007. They underwent symptom limited treadmill test according to the standard Bruce protocol with exercise electrocardiogram monitoring. One hundred and seventy-six women were included in the study. Fifty-one 31.9% patients did not achieve target heart rate. The mean age +/- SD was 48.3 +/- 9.3 years. There was no association of age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, positive family history of ischemic heart disease IHD and hyperlipidemia to achieve target heart rate p>0.05. Exercise time was influenced by diabetes mellitus p = 0.054 and hyperlipidemia p = 0.044. The mean exercise time +/- SD was 5.15 +/- 2.63 minutes and the mean exercise capacity +/- SD was 6.29 +/- 2.52. metabolic equivalent. Sensitivity was 36.4% 95% CI 29.3-44.6, specificity 92.3% 95% CI 80.5-96.8, positive predictive value 26.7% 95% CI 21.3-31.4, negative predictive value 95.4% 95% CI 90.9-98.3, likelihood ratio for positive result was 4.7 95% CI 3.1-6.2 and likelihood ratio for negative result was 0.69 95% CI 0.48-0.81. Exercise capacity of Saudi women is less when compared to similar studies in women from other regions. Exercise tolerance test can be used to rule out presence of IHD in Saudi women, but value of a positive test is less likely to predict the presence of IHD

Prevalence, symptomatology, and risk factors for depression among high school students in Saudi Arabia

To assess the prevalence and pattern of depression in a secondary school sample of Saudi Arabia adolescents. Four hundred and ninety secondary school students, comprising 306 males [62.4%] and 184 females [37.6%], in the age group 16-20, were surveyed from January to May, 2005 in Taif, Saudi Arabia, using the Arabic Beck's Depression Inventory [BDI] by a team consisting of a psychiatrist and psychologist. The prevalence of depression according to the Beck Depression Inventory [CBDI] [cut-off point: 19] was 110 [22.4%] for moderate [19-29], 36 [7.3%] for severe [30-40], and 18 [3.7%] as very severe [>40] in this study group, with a clear predominance of prevalence of depression in girls than in boys [1.5 times]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the most significant risk factors involved were: gender, birth order, history of psychiatric illness, history of relative loss, and familial history of chronic diseases. Factor analysis revealed that self-criticalness, agitation, and loss of energy had the highest scores in the total sample. In the male subgroup, loss of energy, self-criticalness, punishment feeling, and agitation had the highest score while in the female subgroup, self-criticalness, agitation, and crying had the highest scores. Our findings provide gender differences in the prevalence and presentation of depressive symptoms. The experience of stressful life events increases the risk of depression. Assessment using screening is recommended. The increased risk for the onset of depression in adolescents reinforces the importance of early recognition and intervention

Anemia and nutritional status of schoolchildren living at Saudi high altitude area

To estimate the prevalence and possible risk factors for anemia and abnormal anthropometric measurements among schoolchildren in Al-Hada Area, Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We conducted the study between January and April, 2005 at Al-Hada area. A nested case-control study was conducted to estimate risk factors for anemia and abnormal anthropometric measurements. From 5 schools, 513 students were recruited. The mean hemoglobin concentration was 13.4 +/- 0.9 g/dL, while the prevalence of anemia was 11.6% and 15.5% based on hemoglobin and hematocrit values. At the same time, underweight affected 14.2% of the students, and stunting affected 12.2%. Moreover, 9.8% of the students were obese and 13.8% suffered from wasting. Most of the victims of anemia and erroneous anthropometric measurements were females, except for wasting which was more prevalent among males. Anemia is highly prevalent among these schoolchildren, which is seriously affecting the growth of 6-14 year-old children. Similarly, malnutrition seems to be a significant health problem among those children as estimated by anthropometric measurements, where all forms of abnormal body measurements affected at least 9.8% of the studied group. An in-depth investigation of the etiological factors of iron deficiency and malnutrition is urgently needed, and suitable nutrition-education and iron supplementation programs are recommended

Nosocomial urinary tract infection. Risk factors, rates and trends

This report aims at both estimation of the rates of overall nosocomial and urinary tract infection [UTI] and their linear trends as well as studying the potential risk factors of patients admitted to Al-Hada, Rehab and Prince Sultan military hospitals and developed nosocomial UTIs [NUTIs]. A case-control study on 206 discharged patients with confirmed UTI and 618 controls without UTI was caried out between August 2001 through to July 2003 to study risk factors for nosocomial UTI as well as hospital records during the period [1998-2002] were reviewed for calculation of the overall annual nosocomial infection and nosocomial UTI rates. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that duration of hospital stay, unit of admission, history of diabetes mellitus or debilitating diseases, and duration and number of urinary catheters were independently associated with increased risk of NUTIs. The mean incidence rate of overall nosocomial infection along the study period [1998-2002] was 2.82, while the mean incidence rate of UTI nosocomial infection was 0.85 per 100 discharged patients. Urinary tract infection represents approximately 31.7% of overall nosocomial infection throughout the study period. Urinary tract infections comprise approximately one third of nosocomial infections. The results, thus, indicated that to reduce the incidence of UTI nosocomial infection, it was important to take factors that can be managed into consideration. Therefore, the involved persons should pay more attention and set practical and effective guidelines for the hospital