Awareness of Medical Students toward Circadian Rhythm and Sleep Disorder Based on Biomedical Diagnosis.

Background: Sleep disorders affect an individual's mental and physical health and vice versa. Sleep medicine is underrecognized as a specialty; therefore, many sleep disorders go undiagnosed. This study is aimed at assessing the knowledge of medical students toward circadian neuroscience and sleep disorder based on biomedical diagnosis. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in both male and female medical colleges from the third to the sixth year. A self-administered structured questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic data and the Assessment of Sleep Knowledge in Medical Education (ASKME) survey assessed the students' general knowledge and attitude towards sleep disorder and sleep medicine. Chi-square/Fisher exact tests were used to analyse the participants' knowledge level toward specific sociodemographic data. Also, for two-level continuous variables, the Wilcoxon two-sample test was used. Results: The total number of participants was 296, with 154 female and 142 male participants. The prevalence of inadequate knowledge was considerable with 96.62% of students, compared to adequate knowledge with only 3.38%. The students' attitude to sleep medicine was negative 14.53% and positive among 85.47%. We found that gender was significantly associated with attitude with a p value = 0.0057. The specific interest in sleep medicine had a significant association with knowledge and attitude, p value of 0.0522 and 0.0059, respectively. Conclusion: This study concluded that medical students possess inadequate knowledge regarding sleep medicine, yet they have a positive attitude towards it.

Prevalence and Correlation of Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Bipolar Disorder in NGHA, Riyadh.

Background: Metabolic syndrome is considered dangerous, especially to patients that are diagnosed with a mental condition such as bipolar disorder, since these types of patients can be difficult to deal with. Metabolic syndrome can lead to multiple cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and diabetes. A careful approach is important when it comes to facing a complex condition such as this. This research will contribute to giving more information about the prevalence and statistics of metabolic syndrome in bipolar disorder patients at NGHA, Riyadh. No published study in literature has investigated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with bipolar disorder in NGHA, Riyadh. Methods: The study was conducted among 191 adult male (66) and female (125) patients at NGHA, Riyadh. The medical records were used for the assessment of metabolic syndrome and referrals by using a chart review for individuals. The main variables are metabolic syndrome and bipolar disorder. It was conducted on both males and females. Data was collected on data collection form and further analysis on relations was made by using SAS (Version 9.4). Chi-squared test and the Wilcoxon Two-sample test for two-level continuous variables. P ≤ 0.05 was determined to be the significance level. Results: Out of 191 patients, 130 were obese, 85 had diabetes, and 89 were hypertensive. Additionally, 50 (40%) females and 29 (43.9%) males had metabolic syndrome, a total of 79 (41.4%) out of 191. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that there is an elevated prevalence of metabolic syndrome in bipolar disorder patients in NGHA, Riyadh. Highlighting the potential danger that people may not be aware of.

Introducing free response short answer questions in anatomy spot tests: experiment study.

PURPOSE: A spot test is commonly used to assess practical knowledge through a series of specific questions related to the marked anatomical structures on cadavers. However, the continuous reviewing and developing of the medical curricula demands the need to improve the assessment method of the practical examination of anatomical knowledge. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of a free response short-answer questions (FRSAQs) test and traditional questions on medical students' performance. METHODS: This is an experimental study using a Randomized Posttest-Only Control Group Design to compare the mean of students' performance in addition to their perceptions about the two versions of the spot tests. Two hundred and ninety preclinical-year medical students were invited to participate in this study. RESULTS: Only 109 (38%) students participated in this study. The data analysis showed a significant improvement in students' performance in the FRSAQs test (5.3 ± 2.7) than the traditional spot test (4.7 ± 2.6), (P = 0.04). The majority of the students (70%) preferred the FRSAQs spot test, citing that it is good test to assess practical knowledge. The psychometric analysis revealed that the FRSAQs produced more ideal stations (60%) when compared to the traditional spot test (10%). CONCLUSION: The current study found that the FRSAQs spot test had a significant impact on students' performance, and it was considered an ideal, flexible, and stress-free assessment method when compared to the traditional spot test. Implementation of the strategy in teaching and in assessment is recommended.