ABSTRACT
Background Plantar fasciitis is characterized by heel pain and is often associated with extended periods of walking or standing, improper footwear, and biomechanical imbalances. This condition primarily affects the bottom of the foot, particularly the area where the heel meets the arch. Despite its prevalence, the potential systemic effects, especially the relationship with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, require further illumination. This study explores the association between chronic plantar fasciitis and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional study of 400 patients with foot or ankle pain was initially assessed clinically and with ultrasound or MRI scans. After excluding those with confounding factors for elevated CRP, 295 patients with concurrent diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia were analyzed. We investigated the correlation between plantar fasciitis and elevated CRP levels, defined as >1 mg/L, in the context of cardiovascular risk assessment. Results The study indicated that nearly half of the patients suffering from foot or ankle pain were diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, accounting for 47.8% of cases. A statistically significant association was observed between plantar fasciitis and elevated CRP levels (p=0.035). Furthermore, a substantial correlation was found between high BMI and plantar fasciitis, but no gender-specific disparity was noted. Elevated CRP levels were significantly associated with diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Discussion A definitive cause-and-effect relationship between plantar fasciitis and systemic inflammation has not been established; our study suggests that chronic plantar fasciitis may be more than a localized condition and could be indicative of systemic inflammation, which is known to be a factor in atherosclerosis and CVD. The observed correlation between increased CRP levels and plantar fasciitis suggests that plantar fasciitis might be a clinical indicator of systemic inflammation and could improve the assessment of CVD risk. Conclusions Elevated levels of CRP, associated with chronic plantar fasciitis, suggest a link to systemic inflammation, which could elevate the risk of CVD. Identifying plantar fasciitis as a marker for systemic inflammation in patients with CVD risk factors, including diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, underscores the importance of thorough cardiovascular evaluations in individuals with persistent heel pain. Further longitudinal and interventional research is essential to substantiate these preliminary findings and understand their impact on CVD risk management and treatment.
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Background Lipid profile components play a role in predicting the development of cardiovascular disease and hence mortality, but recent studies have shown mixed results in the older population. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between levels of lipid profile components with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes among older adults in a primary care setting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed among 485 individuals aged 60 years and older who visited the family medicine clinics linked to a tertiary care hospital during the first six months of 2010. The electronic charts of the participants were reviewed up to April 2022 to gather relevant data. Each lipid profile component, including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TGs), was categorized into four quartiles. LDL was calculated using the Friedewald formula. Cardiovascular outcomes included ischemic heart disease (IHD), heart failure (HF), and stroke. Results The mean follow-up period was 12 years. The elderly participants with the lowest HDL-C quartile (<1.1 mmol/L) were at higher risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio of 2.023 (95% CI 1.21-3.38)) and IHD (adjusted hazard ratio 3.2 (95% CI 1.6-6.2)). High TC (≥5.7 mmol/L) was associated with an increased risk of HF (adjusted hazard ratio 2.1 (95% CI 1.1-4.0)). Conclusion In patients aged 60 years and older, low HDL-C (<1.1 mmol/L) was associated with a higher risk for all-cause mortality and IHD, and high TC was associated with an increased risk of having HF. No significant association was found for LDL-C, TC, and TGs with all-cause mortality.
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BACKGROUND: Obesity is a significant risk factor for multiple diseases such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Many healthcare organizations worldwide have identified a high prevalence of obesity among their employees. In this study, we are looking at the prevalence of obesity among the employees of our healthcare organization and its impact on the employees' productivity and if its current prevalence is costly to the employer. METHODS: This is a non-interventional cross-sectional study conducted at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data on the current employees were obtained from medical records. We investigated a random sample of employees who worked in the hospital for at least one year between January 1, 2021 and January 1, 2022. We explored the prevalence of obesity among hospital employees at the beginning of their employment and its current prevalence. In addition, we aimed to investigate the effect of having employees suffering from obesity on their productivity and their utilization of healthcare during their employment period. RESULTS: We identified that our hospital has relatively younger healthcare workers and more employees who are suffering from obesity than in different other countries. The percentage of obese male and female employees was comparable. We had a relatively high increase in the prevalence of obesity among our employees during the last few years. We found a higher number of obesity-related medical problems, more office visits, more sick leaves, and more medications prescribed for overweight and employees who are suffering from obesity compared to those with normal weight. CONCLUSION: Healthcare workers suffering from obesity had lower productivity and they had higher utilization of healthcare. Therefore, employers should investigate the prevalence of obesity in their organization and implement diverse strategies to prevent and manage this issue to help their employees have better health and, at the same time, be more productive and lower their utilization of healthcare.
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BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring (CACS) by CT, the American Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) Score, and the British Cardiovascular Risk (QRISK2) score are the most frequently used cardiovascular risk stratification scores to predict cardiac outcomes and aid in the decision of implementing preventative and/or interventional measures. The aim of this study is to assess CACS, ASCVD score, QRISK2 score, and their capacity to predict cardiovascular events among family medicine patients in King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY: All medical records of patients (18 years and above) who had a CACS done in Family Medicine Clinics at KFSH&RC from January 2010 to March 2018 were reviewed, retrospectively. The study variables included demographics, comorbidities, CACS, ASCVD Score, QRISK2 score, and cardiovascular events. RESULTS: We included 218 patients. Our study population included: 77% men, a mean age of 51 years (SD±8), and a mean BMI of 29 kg/m2 (SD±5). CACS was significantly associated with coronary events (p-value < .05). There was significant association between high CACS (>400) and family history of cardiac disease (p-value = .006), prior cardiovascular events (p-value = .01) and advancing age (p-value < .001). High concordance was found between QRISK2 score and CACS (90.6%), and moderate concordance between ASCVD score and CACS (69.4%). Moderate concordance was found between ASCVD score and QRISK2 score (74.3%). The majority of the subjects (88%) fell into the low-risk group (CACS <100) with (63%) having a CACS of zero. CONCLUSION: QRISK2 cardiac assessment tool provides better risk assessment and higher concordance with CACS. To improve cost-effectiveness and minimize unnecessary radiation exposure, QRISK2 scoring should be implemented for initial cardiovascular risk stratification prior to ordering the CACS imaging modality.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The age of the population in Saudi Arabia is shifting toward elderly, which can lead to an increased risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment (MCI and dementia) among elderly patients in a community-based setting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we included patients aged 60 years and above who were seen in the Family Medicine Clinics affiliated with King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre. Patients with delirium, active depression, and patients with a history of severe head trauma in the past 3 months were excluded. Patients were interviewed during their regular visit by a trained physician to collect demographic data and to administer the validated Arabic version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-one Saudi patients were recruited based on a calculated sample size for the aim of this study. The mean age of included sample was 67 ± 6 years. The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 45%. The prevalence of MCI was 38.6% and the prevalence of dementia was 6.4%. Age, low level of education, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease were risk factors for cognitive impairment. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of MCI and dementia in Saudi Arabia using MoCA were in the upper range compared to developed and developing countries. The high rate of risk factors for cognitive impairment in Saudi Arabia is contributing to this finding.
