Sleep quality among family medicine physicians before and during COVID-19 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Background: This study aimed to assess the sleep quality of family medicine physicians before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and to explore the associations between sleep quality and various demographic and health-related factors. Methods: A total of 109 family medicine physicians participated in this cross-sectional study. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was utilized to evaluate sleep quality, encompassing seven components: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction. Data were collected asking questions regarding both before and during the pandemic period. Descriptive statistics, paired-sample t-tests, and Chi-square tests were used for data analysis. Results: The study revealed significant changes in sleep quality components before and during the pandemic. While sleep latency and sleep duration improved, sleep disturbance, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction worsened during the pandemic. The overall global PSQI score indicated a decline in sleep quality during the pandemic. Females reported poorer sleep quality than males. Participants with general anxiety disorder, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension experienced worse sleep quality. Other demographic and health-related factors exhibited mixed associations with sleep quality. Conclusions: The study highlights the nuanced impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sleep quality of family medicine physicians. The observed changes in sleep quality components and their associations with various factors underscore the need for tailored interventions to address sleep disturbances among healthcare professionals. These findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of sleep quality dynamics in the context of a global crisis and emphasize the significance of promoting well-being among healthcare providers for enhanced patient care.

Emerging bacterial and fungal pathogens in healthcare and the threat of drug resistance

Managing the treatment of fungal infections, in healthcare facilities is extremely important as drug resistance continues to rise. It's crucial to have programs that oversee the use of antibiotics which can help reduce the emergence of resistance. Rapid diagnostic tools like polymerase chain reaction and next generation sequencing (PCR and NGS) are helpful in targeting treatment plans. Implementing rigorous infection control protocols can effectively reduce the transmission of infections, within healthcare facilities. Collaborative efforts between specialists ensure customized treatment plans that address resistance profiles. Combating evolving drug resistance involves approaches such as combination therapy and immunotherapies. Educating healthcare workers and patients about infection prevention and control is essential. Surveillance and epidemiology play a role in tracking resistance patterns, which in turn guide interventions. International cooperation is crucial due to travel patterns. Continuous research and innovation are essential for management providing insights into treatment effectiveness and mechanisms of resistance. The clinical implications of drug resistance such as increased severity, treatment failures and limited options underscore the need, for an approach. In conclusion, it is imperative to have clinical management strategies to tackle the challenges posed by emerging drug pathogens while safeguarding patient outcomes and public health.

A comparative review one-stage and two-stage dental implants

Dental implants have been used as an effective treatment for missing teeth. Dental implantology has a long history that reaches back to ancient times when attempts were made to replace missing teeth with various materials. Modern dental implants are designed to osseointegrate, where the implant fixture fuses with the jawbone. The surgical procedure involves placing the implant, followed by the adaptation of the surrounding tissue. There are two main surgical techniques: one-stage surgery and two-stage surgery. One-stage surgery involves placing the implant and allowing a healing abutment to protrude through the gums. This eliminates the need for a second surgery but carries the risk of overloading the implant during the healing phase. Two-stage surgery is the standard approach, where the implant is initially submerged, and a second surgery is performed to connect the abutment. The choice between one-stage and two-stage surgery depends on many factors, including bone quality, clinical parameters, and aesthetic considerations. One-stage surgery offers quick aesthetics but can pose a higher risk of implant failure due to early loading. Two-stage surgery provides a higher success rate but requires two surgical procedures.