ABSTRACT
Background and objective Kidney stones, also referred to as nephrolithiasis or renal calculi, is a condition where crystal depositions are formed within the kidney and ideally excreted from the body via the urethra with no pain; however, larger calculi may cause significant pain and require further medical assistance. The vast majority of patients who develop renal calculi form calcium stones, which are either a composition of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate. Other types include uric acid, struvite, and cysteine. While kidney stones are one of the most significant diseases among the Saudi population, which require an acute emergency intervention to prevent serious long-term complications, there are limited studies published regarding this condition in Saudi communities. In light of this, we performed this study to assess the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors of kidney stones among the population of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between August and October 2023, aiming to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of nephrolithiasis among residents of the Riyadh province. Data were collected through an electronic questionnaire in both Arabic and English and distributed via social media in addition to barcode handouts in various selected venues in Riyadh. The questionnaire involved 12 questions categorized into three sections. The first section obtained demographical information while the second section collected data about the past medical history of the participants. Lastly, the third section aimed to assess the prevalence of nephrolithiasis among participants or any history of the condition among their families. Results A total of 1,043 participants were surveyed, of whom 533 were males (51.1%). The prevalence of kidney stones was reported in 98 individuals (9.4%) overall. Individuals in the age groups of 36-50, 51-60, and >60 years showed significantly more renal stone prevalence than those in younger age groups (p<0.001). The prevalence was found to be higher in participants who were smokers, diabetic, hypertensive, and those who suffered from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gout, chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperthyroidism, and hyperparathyroidism. Participants who took calcium supplements or had a positive family history of renal stones were found to have a higher prevalence of renal stones as well. However, only hypertension, gout, and family history showed any statistical significance (p<0.05). Conclusions A direct correlation was observed between hypertension, gout, positive family history, and aging and an increased prevalence of kidney stones among the inhabitants of the Riyadh province. Therefore, we encourage the local authorities to raise awareness of kidney stones and their related risk factors among the general public. Moreover, further local studies need to be conducted to gain deeper insights into kidney stone prevalence, especially pertaining to associated comorbidities and the pattern of the disease itself.
ABSTRACT
Background Vitiligo, the most common pigment disorder, impacts 0.5-2% of the global population, often causing psychological distress due to appearance changes and potential discrimination. Existing data on depressive symptoms and quality of life (QoL) effects in Saudi Arabian vitiligo patients are limited and inconsistent. Hence, this multi-center investigation was conducted in Saudi Arabia to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and quality of life (QoL) impairment in patients with vitiligo and to identify factors linked to increased psychological distress in this population. Methods We conducted a multi-center cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia, employing two validated Arabic questionnaires, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 items (PHQ-9), along with demographic information. Appropriate statistical analyses were performed. Results In total, 204 patients completed the survey. The median DLQI was 4 (range: 25), while the median PHQ-9 was 5 (range: 27). Factors associated with worse QoL included an early age of onset (under 18 years) and a disease duration exceeding five years. Conversely, only disease duration correlated with worse PHQ-9 scores. Vitiligo lesions on the lower extremities, feet, and genitalia were linked to poorer DLQI scores, while only genitalia were associated with worse PHQ-9 scores. We recommend further social awareness campaigns emphasizing the role of supportive families to improve the well-being of vitiligo patients.
