Anthropometry, bone mineral density and risk of breast cancer in premenopausal and postmenopausal Saudi women.

Introduction: Anthropometry and bone mineral density are linked to hormonal imbalance, which plays a possible role in breast carcinogenesis. The current study was designed to explore the relationship between selected anthropometric and bone mineral density parameters and the risk of breast cancer in premenopausal and postmenopausal Saudi women. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among premenopausal (n = 308) and postmenopausal (n = 148) women at two Medical Cities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from May 2015 to June 2016. Selected anthropometric measurements were obtained from 456 women; 213 of them had breast cancer. Bone mineral density was also measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: Greater waist circumference was significantly correlated with a higher breast cancer risk in premenopausal women (OR = 1.02, p = 0.03) but not in postmenopausal women. Greater triceps skinfold thickness had been found to be significantly correlated with a higher risk of breast cancer in premenopausal (OR = 1.06, p = 0.001) and postmenopausal (OR = 1.06, p = 0.001) women. However, bone mineral density was not significantly associated with breast cancer risk in either group of participants. Conclusions: Breast cancer risk was significantly associated with waist circumference and triceps skinfold thickness in premenopausal women and with only triceps skinfold thickness in postmenopausal women.

Landscape of somatic mutations in breast cancer: new opportunities for targeted therapies in Saudi Arabian patients.

Breast cancer (BCa) ranks first in incidence rate among cancers in Arab females. The association between genetic polymorphisms in tumor suppressor genes and the risk of BCa has been studied in many ethnic populations with conflicting conclusions while Arab females and Saudi Arabian studies are still lacking. We screened a cohort of Saudi BCa patients by NGS using a bespoke gene panel to clarify the genetic landscape of this population, correlating and assessing genetic findings with clinical outcomes. We identified a total of 263 mutations spanning 51 genes, including several frequently mutated. Among the genes analyzed, the highest mutation rates were found in PIK3CA (12.9%), BRCA2 (11.7%), BRCA1 (10.2%), TP53 (6.0%), MSH2 (3.8%), PMS2 (3.8%), BARD1 (3.8%), MLH1 (3.4%), CDH1 (3.0%), RAD50 (3.0%), MSH6 (3.0%), NF1 (2.6%), in addition to others. We identified multiple common recurrent variants and previously reported mutations. We also identified 46 novel variants in 22 genes that were predicted to have a pathogenic effect. Survival analysis according to the four most common mutations (BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, and PIK3CA) showed reduced survival in BRCA1 and BRCA2-mutant patients compared to total patients. Moreover, BRCA2 was demonstrated as an independent predictor of reduced survival using independent Cox proportional hazard models. We reveal the landscape of the mutations associated with BCa in Saudi women, highlighting the importance of routine genetic sequencing in implementation of precision therapies in KSA.

Prevalence of Anemia and Associated Risk Factors Among Non-Pregnant Women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency is known to be the most common nutritional disorder. About 30% of the world's population is iron deficient (ID). Women are more likely to be exposed to anemia than men, which is an epidemic public health problem. OBJECTIVE: A cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of anemia and associated risk factors among non-pregnant women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Non-pregnant women (n = 250) aged 20-65 years were involved in this study. Sociodemographic, nutritional status, menstrual history, anthropometric and haematological properties were calculated. Anaemia proxies including haemoglobin (HB), serum ferritin (IDA), Haematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were determined as well as BMI. RESULTS: The respondents were varied according to demographic factors and according to anemia proxies, the majority of them suffered from anemia. The Student's t-test analysis showed that the average daily food intake was lower than that of the dietary requirement intake (DRI). Correlation and logistic regression analysis between sociodemographic factors and anemia proxies revealed that most of such factors significantly and negatively affected anemia proxies. Moreover, the correlation of daily food intake and anemia proxies showed that the nutrients responsible for the improvement of anemia proxies were not taken in sufficient amount as indicated by a significant and positive correlation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, various factors including demographic factors, daily food intake appeared to be associated with anemia proxies, which are the most important risk factor for anemia among non-pregnant women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Associated Risk Factors in Women from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Vitamin D deficiency is an epidemic public health problem worldwide. It is common in the Middle East and is more severe in women. This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess vitamin D deficiency and associated risk factors in women living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured in 166 women aged 30-65 years. Socio-demographic, lifestyle and health status characteristics, as well as intake of selected dietary supplements, were collected. Weight and height were measured. Vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL) was reported in 60.2% of participants. Mean of serum 25(OH)D was 20.7 ng/mL. Older age and taking the supplements of vitamin D, multi-vitamins or calcium were identified as factors that associated with a lower risk of hypovitaminosis D. A national strategy is needed to control a hypovitaminosis D crisis in Saudi Arabia. This could be accomplished by raising public awareness regarding vitamin D, regulating and enhancing vitamin D fortification and supplementation and screening vitamin D status among women at high risk.

A descriptive study of vitamin D and other nutritional factors in breast cancer patients in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of serum vitamin D and other nutritional factors in women with breast cancer in Saudi. METHODS: A total of 500 women (250 patients with breast cancer and 250 controls) aged 30-60 years were recruited from King Saud Medical City and King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,  between May 2015 and June 2016. In this cross-sectional study, blood pressure, plasma concentrations of vitamin D, and calcium levels were evaluated. A 3-day dietary record was used to assess dietary intake. RESULTS: The mean body mass index was  31.2±7.0  kg/m2   for the breast cancer group and 30.7±7.6 kg/m2 for the control group. More than 80% of the participants had insufficient vitamin D levels (less than 75.0 nmol/L). The mean cholesterol intake was significantly (p=0.001) lower in the control group (233.1±75.1 mg) than in the breast cancer group (257.2±84.8 mg). Breast density was found to be significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency-symptoms. Severe paresthesia was also significantly associated with breast cancer. The incidence of other vitamin D deficiency-symptoms was significantly higher in the control group. CONCLUSION: Due to prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Saudi Arabia, it is difficult to determine the relationship to breast cancer. The incidence of it is associated with old age and high cholesterol intake, and paresthesia may be a symptom of breast cancer.