Evaluating Public Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty is a surgical procedure used to address knee conditions, including osteoarthritis, that cause persistent pain and impaired joint function. While total knee arthroplasty is effective, misconceptions and knowledge gaps exist among the general public, particularly in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study, conducted in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, utilized an online survey to assess public perception of total knee arthroplasty. A questionnaire was developed, validated, and administered to participants aged 18 and above with a history of chronic knee pain. Data were analyzed for associations between knowledge and perception scores and sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: Out of 704 participants, the majority exhibited poor knowledge (74.1%) of total knee arthroplasty. Factors influencing knowledge included age, education, income, knowing someone who had total knee arthroplasty, hearing about total knee arthroplasty, receiving total knee arthroplasty information, and awareness of total knee arthroplasty indications. Sociodemographic characteristics such as gender, marital status, and perceptions about total knee arthroplasty prevalence did not significantly impact knowledge scores. CONCLUSION: This study reveals a significant knowledge and perception gap among the public in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, regarding total knee arthroplasty. Tailored education initiatives for patients with chronic knee pain are urgently needed to dispel misconceptions and provide accurate information about total knee arthroplasty. Collaborative efforts between policymakers, healthcare providers, and public health authorities are essential for improving public understanding, enhancing healthcare decision-making, and reducing the burden on healthcare systems.

An Unusual Cause of Recurrent Visible Hematuria; Posterior Urethral Hemangioma: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Urinary tract hemangiomas are uncommon entity to urologists, despite their benign nature and course; they can cause significant patient's hemodynamic instability or distress if not recognized and managed properly. Here, we present a case of urethral hemangioma with its treatment, follow-up course and review of literature of similar cases. Introduction: Bloody urine or urethral bleeding can be the initial presentation of a number of different medical and surgical conditions, some of which are benign and others are malignant, when encountered, they are alarming and must be evaluated thoroughly. As a cause, urethral hematomas are faced rarely, among all urinary tract sites; they are the second least common(1). Due to their paucity in clinical practice, there is no agreed approach on their management and each case has to be individualized. In the literature, different assessment and treatment methods were tried with satisfactory outcomes in each one. Here we report a case with detailed, concise explanation of such pathology and a comprehensive comparison in light of previous literature. Keywords: Urethral hemangioma, urethral bleeding, benign urinary tract tumors.

An evaluation of neuropsychiatric manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus patients in Saudi Arabia and their associated factors.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the prevalence of Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (NPSLE) symptoms in Saudi Arabia and the variables that are linked to it. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2021 among SLE patients in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Rheumatism Association exploited social media platforms to provide a self-administered online questionnaire to SLE patients. All data analyses were performed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. RESULTS: Two hundred and eight SLE patients participated in the study (females 91.3% vs. males 8.7%). In addition, 13.5% of patients had a family history of SLE, and 26% had SLE for one to 3 years. The most common symptoms of NPSLE were alteration or loss of sensation (53.4%), followed by fear (52.4%), and headache (48.1%). The prevalence of patients with NPSLE was 40%. In a multivariate regression model, fear, altered sensations, cerebrovascular illness, sleep disruption, and diminished interest in routine activities were identified as independent risk variables for NPSLE CONCLUSION: Nearly half of SLE patients demonstrated NP manifestations, with significant symptoms including fear, alteration of sensation, cerebrovascular disease, sleep disturbance, and reduced interest in normal activities. To detect the pathophysiology of NPSLE, it is necessary to understand the relationship between neuropsychiatric morbidity and other relevant rheumatic disorders in the SLE population.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Toward Diabetes Mellitus and Their Association With Socioeconomic Status Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES:  The objective is to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice toward diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its association with socioeconomic status among adult patients with T2DM. METHODS:  This cross-sectional study used the validated "Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT)" questionnaire obtained from the Michigan Diabetes Research Center. A translated copy into Arabic has been validated and used in another study. The questionnaire was created on Google Forms and distributed through digital platforms to collect data from patients with T2DM in Saudi Arabia. RESULTS:  In this study, the majority were female (63.4%), and Saudi Arabians (96.5%), among them 23.7% lived in Riyadh, and 42.8% were from the central region. As for marital status, 60.5% were married, 28.4% were single, and 11.1% were divorced or widowed. 58.9% had college/higher degrees, and 45.8% were unemployed. Furthermore, the majority (47.1%) reported having a salary of less than 5,000 Saudi Riyals per month. 55.1% of participants lived in villas, while 46.6% had 6-10 people living in their household. Generalized linear model (GLM) findings showed that age, marital status, level of education, monthly income, and accommodation are significantly correlated with the level of knowledge. CONCLUSION:  Findings indicated a high level of knowledge, positive behavior, and good adherence to practice among patients with T2DM. GLM findings showed that age, marital status, level of education, monthly income, and accommodation are significantly correlated with the level of knowledge. Researchers suggest that effective health education interventions are needed to improve diabetes knowledge, behavior, and practices, particularly regarding lifestyle modifications and dietary management.

Quality of Life of End-Stage Kidney Disease Patients Undergoing Dialysis: A Multi-Center Study from Saudi Arabia.

Background: Limited studies from Saudi Arabia have assessed the quality of life (QoL) of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients on hemodialysis and its associated factors. Objective: To determine the physical, psychological, familial, and social factors that impact the QoL of ESKD patients in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included adult patients with ESKD who underwent hemodialysis at King Salman Center for Kidney Disease and King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between June and July 2021, and had been on dialysis for ≥1 year were included. The Arabic version of the Quality of Life Index-Dialysis (QLI-D) version III was used, which has four sub-scales. Results: A total of 173 respondents completed the questionnaire. The overall mean (±SD) QoL score was 22.2 (±4.30), while the scores for the sub-scales ranged from 20.8 (±5.25) (Health and Functioning subscale) to 26.0 (Family subscale). Respondents aged >70 years had significantly lower average score (P < 0.05) and lower Health and Functioning subscale score (P < 0.05). Education and higher income had significant positive correlation with the Social and Economic subscale (r = 0.234, P < 0.01; and r = 0.162, P < 0.05, respectively). Diabetes was significantly associated with lower scores in the Health and Functioning subscale (P < 0.05). There was a positive linear trend in the association between the number of years on dialysis and the overall QLI-D score and the subscales of QLI-D (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Higher education level and income and longer duration of dialysis were factors associated with better QoL, while older age and having diabetes were associated with poorer QoL. Awareness among healthcare providers regarding these factors can help improve the QoL of these patients.

Overlap of Primary Membranous Nephropathy, IgA Nephropathy, and Diabetic Nephropathy: A Case Report.

The coexistence of primary membranous nephropathy (PMN), immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), and diabetic nephropathy (DN) in the same patient has been a subject of clinical and pathological investigation, yielding inconclusive results. The limited availability of cases and resource materials has hindered a comprehensive understanding of this phenomenon. We present the case of a 70-year-old Saudi Arabian man diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and nephrotic syndrome. A kidney biopsy revealed the coexistence of PMN, IgAN, and DN. The patient presented with an unusual and rare combination of PMN, IgAN, and DN. To address his condition, the patient consented to rituximab therapy and planned follow-up with the kidney transplant team. However, before the first dose of rituximab could be administered, the patient experienced severe septic shock secondary to pneumonia, which tragically led to his demise. The simultaneous occurrence of PMN, IgAN, and DN represents a rare and scarcely documented condition. The purpose of this article is to report this exceptional case, emphasizing the significance of further research to deepen the understanding of the underlying pathology behind these concurrent renal disorders. This report aims to shed light on the complexities of managing such complex cases and advancing therapeutic approaches in the future.