Estimate a patient's 10 years cardiovascular risk using the Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease tool in a cross-sectional study in Al-Harja, Asser, Saudi Arabia, 2021.

Introduction: Recently, the cases of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) have been increasing in the rural areas of southwest Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study sought to consider the relevant contributing factors, such as traditional dietary habits and a diet rich in cholesterol and fat, few opportunities for disease screening, false beliefs about chronic disease management medications, delays in diagnosis, and the great distances required for travel to cardiac specialist centers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at 12 primary health care (PHC) centers, using the ASCVD tool. The total required sample was determined to be 440 participants after calculating based on the total population of Al-Harja. Systematic random sampling was performed using a list of PHC centers and fixed intervals. The study's outcome is ASCVD risk score divided into four categories: low risk <5%, borderline risk 5%-7.5%, intermediate risk >7.5%-20%, and high risk >20%. Data were collected through interview questionnaires, measurements, and laboratory sample investigations. Result: It was revealed that 16.59% of the participants were classified in the high-risk category for having ASCVD in the next 10 years. There was a significant association between the ASCVD risk score and obesity (P = 0.03). Prior diagnoses for either hypertension or diabetes mellitus (P = 0.00) were significantly associated with an increased ASCVD risk score. Conclusion: An alarmingly high prevalence of high-risk ASCVD scores was seen among male participants, with 54 (22.78%) in the high-risk category, while 19 female participants (9.36%) were in the same category. Therefore, we can conclude that male participants are two times as likely to have a high ASCVD risk than female participants.

Risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome in patients attending the primary care center of a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), the most common entrapment neuropathy in the upper extremity, is known to be a multi-factorial disease that raises medical and nonmedical risk factors. The aim of the current study was to determine the risk factors of CTS in patients attending the primary care center at a tertiary hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study was conducted by reviewing all medical records of patients above the age of 18 years old diagnosed with CTS from 2015 to 2021. The selected cases were evaluated by physical examination and confirmed by a nerve conduction study. Cases and controls were matched by age, gender, and nationality, with a case-to-control ratio of 1:2. Odds ratios were calculated for association between carpel tunnel syndrome and various factors and Chi-sqauare test determined statistical significance. Multiple logistic regression was performed to adjust for confounding. RESULTS: The study recruited 144 cases with a mean age of 53.38 ± 12.20 years and 288 controls with a mean age of 53.80 ± 12.27 years. The majority of subjects were female (84.7%) and of Saudi nationality (68.3%). There was a significant difference in body mass index, employment status, number of years of employment, occupation, mean systolic blood pressure, mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and mean blood urea level between cases and controls (P < 0.05). Laboratory tests that were found to be significantly associated with CTS in univariate analysis were thyroid-stimulating hormone (crude odds ratio [COR] = 0.828) and urea level (COR = 0.802). In fully adjusted analyses, obesity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =3.080), chronic kidney disease (AOR = 3.629), and the use of corticosteroid (AOR = 0.470) were also significantly associated with CTS. CONCLUSION: Similar to the findings of other studies, this study identified several potential risk factors for CTS. More large-scale longitudinal studies are required to establish a precise causal association.

Influence of sociocultural factors on the risk of eating disorders among King Abdulaziz University students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: In Saudi Arabia, there is not much research on the risk of eating disorders and the influence of sociocultural factors on increasing the risk among university students. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of the risk of eating disorder (EDs) in King Abdulaziz University students, the influence of sociocultural factors, and any differences between males and females. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 763 university students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The data were collected in 3 months from February 2021 to April 2021. A self-administered Eating Attitude Test-26 scale was used to assess the risk of eating disorder among the students. The sociocultural attitude toward appearance questionnaire was used to measure the internalization of thinness, masculinity, and family, peer, and media attitude toward appearance. To test for statistical significance, t-test was used for continuous variables, whereas Ch-square test was performed for categorical variables. Logistic regression analysis were performed to determine factors associated with ED risk; all tests were performed at 0.05 significance level. RESULTS: The prevalence of the risk of eating disorder among the students was observed as 34%. The sociocultural attitude toward appearance was significantly higher among at risk of eating disorder students. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that females are twice more likely to be at risk for eating disorder than males (2.25) with 95% confidence interval (1.50,3.39). Peer influence was significantly higher among males than females; however, females were significantly more influenced by the media than males. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of eating disorder risk in Saudi university students in Jeddah was observed as alarming and highly influenced by sociocultural factors; therefore, screening university students for eating disorder is very necessary. In addition, there should be media and health promotion campaigns on eating disorder and body image issues.

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its associated factors in three regions of Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To measure prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Saudi Arabia, unveil the life style, nutritional habits and status, as well as identify the potential risk factors. Method: A school-based survey targeting Saudi school students and employees was conducted during the  period from 2013 to 2014 using multistage cluster random sample in Central, Western and Eastern regions. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and difference between various population subgroups were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of potential risk factors. Results: Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 49.5% in students and 44% in employees. Life style was not adequate to protect against vitamin D depletion. Unhealthy nutritional habits were widespread, some manifested in childhood while others manifested later in life. Living in the Eastern region, females, 16-19 years of age, low economic class, obese and lack of omega 3 supplements were risk factors in students. Employees living in the Eastern region, females, middle-income class, carbonated soft drink consumers, and lack of multivitamin supplements were at higher risk. Conclusion: There is a need for a health awareness program using evidence-based recommendations. Screening for early detection and correction of the condition should be proposed to be part of the national health strategy. There is need for identifying the burden of vitamin D deficiency on other diseases to control and improve the prognosis of these conditions.

Prevalence of intimate partner violence and its associated risk factors among Saudi female patients attending the primary healthcare centers in Western Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) among female patients, age 18-60 years, attending primary health care centers (PHCCs) and to measure its determinants, and reporting behavior. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design using validated, translated, and self-administered questionnaire among 497 Saudi female patients attending PHCCs in Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) from January to February 2015 was employed. A 2-stage probability sampling was adopted for selection of PHCCs in the first stage, and then participants in the second stage. RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of IPV during the last year was 11.9%. Predictors of IPV related to abused women included divorced status and divorced parents; while those related to abusers (husbands) included widowed parents, exposure to violence in childhood, and alcohol or drugs addiction. Most of the abused wives (56%) talked regarding their IPV to their families, their husbands' families (15.2%), or their friends (11.8%); while only a minority (3.3%) complained to the police or to a judge, and no one reported this to a family physician, or to women protection agency. CONCLUSION: One out of 10 women is a victim of IPV in Taif, KSA. Intimate partner violence is significantly associated with a number of victims and abuser-related psychosocial factors, the detection of which might help screening for individuals at risk.

Prevalence and predictors of habitual snoring in a sample of Saudi middle-aged adults.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of habitual snoring among a sample of middle-aged Saudi adults, and its potential predictors.  METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2013 until June 2013 in randomly selected Saudi Schools in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The enrolled subjects were 2682 school employees (aged 30-60 years, 52.1% females) who were randomly selected and interviewed. The questionnaire used for the interview included: the Wisconsin Sleep Questionnaire to assess for snoring, medical history, and socio-demographic data. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure readings were recorded using standard methods.  RESULTS: Forty percent of the 2682 enrolled subjects were snorers: 23.5% were habitual snorers, 16.6% were moderate snorers, and 59.9%, were non-snorers. A multivariate analysis revealed that independent predictors of snoring were ageing, male gender, daytime sleepiness, hypertension, family history of both snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, water-pipe smoking, and consanguinity. CONCLUSION: This study shows that snoring is a common condition among the Saudi population. Previously reported risk factors were reemphasized but consanguinity was identified as a new independent predictive risk factor of snoring. Exploring snoring history should be part of the clinical evaluation.