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BACKGROUND: Women have a higher likelihood of experiencing depression during pregnancy due to the significant physiological and mental changes that occur during this critical period. The frequency of antenatal depression varies globally according to socioeconomic, healthcare, and cultural influences. The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of depression among pregnant women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women who were pregnant and who had undergone screening for depression were included in this cohort study that was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC). Using a non-probability convenience sample technique, data was obtained from the hospital record system. Statistical significance was determined using Fisher's exact test and student's t-test, which analyzed demographic, clinical, demographic, and obstetric information. Significance was determined by a P-value that was lower than 0.05. RESULTS: Among 367 people surveyed, the prevalence of depression was 2.5%. This is much lower than rates seen both globally and in Saudi Arabia. The majority were married and non-smokers with a high post-delivery BMI. A significant association was observed between depression and previous psychiatric diagnoses, while no significant relationships were found with gestational age, complications, chronic illnesses, or referral sources. CONCLUSION: The research shows that the rate of perinatal depression among women in Riyadh is much lower than the average, highlighting the critical role of cultural factors and the need for validated, culturally sensitive screening tools. Recommendations for future research include longitudinal studies and the development of culturally tailored interventions to enhance the detection and management of depression during pregnancy, integrating mental health care into routine antenatal services.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Despite recent advancements in techniques, peri- and post-procedural complications still pose a significant challenge in the high-risk transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patient population. This study aims to investigate and assess the prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI) following TAVR, and to identify the risk factors associated with its occurrence. METHODS: We conducted the study at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from January 2016 to December 2022. We extracted data from electronic medical records. We categorized and compared patients based on their diagnosis of AKI+ following TAVR, or their absence of AKI- after the procedure. RESULTS: The study included a total of 344 patients who underwent TAVR. The mean age of the patients was 77.8 ± 8.9 years, 61.8% were male, and the average body mass index was 30.5±7.0. In terms of comorbidities, 70.8% of the patients had diabetes mellitus, 80.5% had hypertension, 8.7% had hypothyroidism, 2.0% had hematological disorders, 23.6% had congestive heart disease, 20.4% had cerebrovascular disease, 4.1% had peripheral vascular disease, 7.3% had cancer, and 34.4% had other comorbidities. The prevalence of AKI was 60 (17.50%) following the procedure. Cerebrovascular diseases showed a significant association with AKI (OR= 3.381, 95% CI, 1.65-6.91, p = 0.001). Chronic kidney disease has a significant effect on AKI (OR = 2.56, 95%CI, 1.02-6.39, p = 0.044). The creatinine level on Day 0 has a significant association with AKI (OR = 1.01, 95%CI, 1.006-1.017, p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of assessing and managing these risk factors (cerebrovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, and creatinine level on Day 0) in TAVR patients to mitigate the occurrence and severity of AKI. By understanding and addressing these factors, healthcare providers can potentially improve patient outcomes and reduce the incidence of AKI-associated TAVR procedures.
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Background The use of oral corticosteroids has been linked to a variety of mental health problems, including mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis. In a recent study, researchers investigated the prevalence of steroid-induced neuropsychiatric side effects in a population of patients receiving steroid treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the association between steroids and mental disorders among patients in King Abdulaziz Medical City. Methods A retrospective descriptive study was conducted in King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from January 2016 to November 2022. Data were acquired from all the registered inpatients and outpatients who were using oral corticosteroids for more than 28 days. Data were entered into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY) for analysis after data collection. The numerical data were presented as mean and standard deviation and a test of significance was applied (p<0.05). For categorical data, frequency and percentages were computed. The chi-square test of significance was applied across groups and the test of significance was computed (p<0.05). Results The study included 3138 patients who were using oral corticosteroids for more than 28 days, and electronic medical records were screened for the presence of a concurrent mental disorder. Moreover, 142 out of 3138 developed a mental disorder after the prolonged use of oral corticosteroids. The most commonly reported mental disorder was anxiety followed by psychological sexual dysfunction and depressive disorders. Gender, age, and type of steroid prescribed had a significant association (p<0.001) with the development of psychiatric adverse events. Conclusion These findings highlight the importance of monitoring patients who are receiving oral corticosteroid treatment for signs of mental health problems and adjusting treatment as needed. Healthcare providers should also educate patients about the potential risks associated with corticosteroids and encourage them to seek medical attention if they experience any mental health symptoms.
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Background Severe uncontrolled asthma in the pediatric population is a complicated disease and is considered a major challenge for pediatricians. Severe bronchial asthma in the pediatric population is related to significant morbidity and mortality. Children with complicated asthma are at a higher risk for unfavorable outcomes, including medication-associated adverse effects, severe life-threatening exacerbations, and poor quality of life. Methodology A cohort study was conducted at National Guard Health Affairs Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using the chart review method utilizing a data collection sheet. A total of 363 charts of children aged one month to 14 years who visited the emergency room (ER) due to asthma exacerbation at NGHA were reviewed, from January 2016 to May 2022, to extract the variables. Variables included demographic data, comorbidities, and asthma-related variables which included the number of asthma exacerbations, hospital admission, ER visit, medication use (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids), and the presence of allergic rhinitis and eczema. Results A total of 363 patients were analyzed, with 229 (63.1%) males and 134 (36.9%) females. The mean age was 4.9 years (SD = 3.5 years). Overall, 8.5% of patients had congenital heart disease, 4.1% had gastroesophageal reflux disease, 2.2% had diabetes mellitus, 1.9% had obstructive sleep apnea, and 0.6% had hypertension. Most patients presented with a cough at 88.2% (n = 320), followed by shortness of breath at 59% (n = 214) and fever at 46% (n = 167). Male asthmatics visited ER more than females. Forty-four patients were admitted to the hospital. Inhaled steroids were associated with fewer emergency department visits and night symptoms. Most asthmatic patients presented in the winter and fall seasons. Conclusions Asthma is a common pediatric respiratory disease that could be a burden if not controlled well. Unfortunately, the frequency of hospital admissions and pediatric ER visits due to asthma exacerbation is increasing. Comorbidities such as obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease play a significant role in asthma control.
