Public Awareness of Obesity as a Risk Factor for Cancer in Central Saudi Arabia: Feasibility of ChatGPT as an Educational Intervention.

BACKGROUND: While the link between obesity and chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders is well-documented, there is a growing body of evidence connecting obesity with an increased risk of cancer. However, public awareness of this connection remains limited. STUDY PURPOSE: To analyze public awareness of overweight/obesity as a risk factor for cancer and analyze public perceptions on the feasibility of ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence-based conversational agent, as an educational intervention tool. METHODS: A mixed-methods approach including deductive quantitative cross-sectional approach to draw precise conclusions based on empirical evidence on public awareness of the link between obesity and cancer; and inductive qualitative approach to interpret public perceptions on using ChatGPT for creating awareness of obesity, cancer and its risk factors was used in this study. Participants included adult residents in Saudi Arabia. A total of 486 individuals and 21 individuals were included in the survey and semi-structured interviews respectively. RESULTS: About 65% of the participants are not completely aware of cancer and its risk factors. Significant differences in awareness were observed concerning age groups (p < .0001), socio-economic status (p = .041), and regional distribution (p = .0351). A total of 10 themes were analyzed from the interview data, which included four positive factors (accessibility, personalization, cost-effectiveness, anonymity and privacy, multi-language support) and five negative factors (information inaccuracy, lack of emotional intelligence, dependency and overreliance, data privacy and security, and inability to provide physical support or diagnosis). CONCLUSION: This study has underscored the potential of leveraging ChatGPT as a valuable public awareness tool for cancer in Saudi Arabia.

Atypical presentation of adenosine deaminase 2 deficiency with bi-allelic ADA2 mutation.

Herein, we report a case of VAIHS with atypical clinical presentation of perianal abscess, fistula fever, and bi-cytopenia including pathogenic ADA2 mutation suggesting that ADA2 deficiency be considered as a differential diagnosis of enlarging cutaneous abscess with no evidence of wound healing in the setting of leukopenia and neutropenia.

The visual status of adolescents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a population study.

PURPOSE: The visual status of adolescents in Saudi Arabia (SA) has not been well reported. To date, the prevalence and types of refractive errors (REs), amblyopia, strabismus, and correctable visual impairments have not been quantified. The aim of the study was to investigate the visual status in adolescents in Riyadh, SA. METHODS: This study was based on a population cross-sectional and random cluster design. After design and the sample calculations, 1,007 participants, 12-20 years of age, were screened during the study. Nine participants were excluded due to ocular disorders. The participants were assessed for REs, distance visual acuity logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, contrast sensitivity, stereoacuity, pinhole test findings, and cover-uncover test findings. RESULTS: The results showed that 55.5% of the participants had some form of REs, while correctable visual impairment was found in one-fifth of the screened participants. Myopia was the dominant type (53.3%, ranged from -0.50 DS to -14.00 DS), whereas hyperopia was found in 2.2% (+2.00 DS to +5.50 DS) and astigmatism was present in 15% (-0.75 DC to -5.25 DC). Only 43% of the participants had corrected REs; however, the noncompliance for spectacle use was 20.25%. CONCLUSION: This study was the first attempt to investigate the visual status in adolescents in SA. It provided estimations of the REs, amblyopia, and strabismus. The high prevalence of REs emphasizes the need to identify the best proactive strategies to detect and manage REs to reduce the incidence of visual impairment in SA. Increasing awareness about eye health and employing efficient screening programs could help to address the need for REs corrections.

Pyoderma gangrenosum with splenic involvement.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a non-infectious disease characterized by necrotizing, ulcerative, and painful skin. The incidence of PG is approximately 3-10 cases per million people per year. Pyoderma gangrenosum is rarely observed in children, which accounts for less than 4%, but it primarily affects adults between the ages of 25 and 54 years old without gender preference. Here, we present a case report of a 16-month-old toddler diagnosed with pyoderma gangrenous with splenic involvement. The young age of the patient and extracutaneous manifestation are of high interest.

Isolated cortisol deficiency: a rare cause of neonatal cholestasis.

For decades, congenital panhypopituitarism has been recognized to cause infantile cholestasis. However, the identity of the hormone whose deficiency causes such derangement of the liver is not clear. Here, we report four cases of isolated severe cortisol deficiency presenting with neonatal cholestasis and hypoglycemia, of whom two had familial primary glucocorticoid deficiency and the other two had isolated adrenocorticotropin deficiency. The resolution of cholestasis by hydrocortisone replacement therapy suggests a causal relationship between cortisol deficiency and the development of neonatal cholestasis. In conclusion, the presentation of a young infant with cholestasis and hypoglycemia should alert pediatricians to the possibility of cortisol deficiency and prompt investigation of adrenal function should be undertaken.