Antimicrobial resistance among pregnant women with urinary tract infections is on rise: Findings from meta-analysis of observational studies.

Pregnant women have a higher risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) compared to non-pregnant women, making antibiotics necessary for treatment. However, prescribing antibiotics without culture and sensitivity tests may contribute to antimicrobial resistance. A meta-analysis using R was conducted to determine the prevalence of antibiotic resistance patterns in UTIs among pregnant women. We identified observational studies published in the last 10 years and used a random effects model to calculate the pooled prevalence. The prevalence of Gram-negative organisms causing UTIs in pregnant women was 67 %, while Gram-positive organisms were 22 %. The burden of Gram-positive organisms exhibiting antimicrobial resistance was very high at 95 %, primarily to ampicillin. The most common Gram-negative organisms exhibiting antimicrobial resistance were E. coli, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while the most common Gram-positive organisms resistant to antibiotics were Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Sensitivity and culture testing are recommended for effective treatment in pregnant women with UTIs.

Risk Stratification of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer at King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital Endocrinology Clinic in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), a well-differentiated form of cancer, accounts for the majority of thyroid malignancies, and the incidence of PTC is on the rise. While the rate of PTC recurrence is considered to be low, there are broad spectrums of clinical and biological behavior that can lead to disease recurrence. The American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk stratification system for differentiated thyroid cancer is used as a prognostic tool to guide decision-making and management strategies most likely to achieve a favorable outcome. Aim This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of PTC recurrence in each category of the ATA risk stratification system and determine the appropriate iodine dose to be administered at the King Abdulaziz Medical City Endocrinology Clinic in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional retrospective chart review was conducted on adult patients with PTC who underwent thyroidectomy procedures at the King Abdullah Specialized Children's Hospital (KASCH) Endocrinology Clinic in Riyadh between 2015 and 2023. IBM SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used for data analysis. Results Of the 697 patients included in the study, 82.4% were females. About 5% had suffered from PTC recurrence, and 54.4% had low-risk stratification. In addition, more than half (52.1%) had received radioactive iodine (RAI). The recurrence of PTC was significantly associated with age (P = 0.019), ATA risk stratification (P = 0.0001), RAI therapy (P = 0.001), and iodine dosage (P = 0.013). Conclusion Both low PTC recurrence rates and low-risk stratification were observed among the PTC patients. The risk factors relating to PTC recurrence included high-risk stratification, advanced age, RAI therapy, and the dosage of RAI administered.

The Transcultural Diabetes Nutrition Algorithm: A Middle Eastern Version.

Diabetes prevalence is on the rise in the Middle East. In countries of the Gulf region-Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates-prevalence rates are among the highest in the world. Further, Egypt now ranks as one of the top 10 countries in the world for high number of people with diabetes. Medical nutrition therapy is key to optimal management of diabetes. Patient adherence to nutritional guidance depends on advice that is tailored to regional foods and cultural practices. In 2012, international experts created a transcultural Diabetes Nutrition Algorithm (tDNA) for broad applicability. The objective of this current project was to adapt the algorithm and supportive materials to the Middle East region. A Task Force of regional and global experts in the fields of diabetes, obesity, and metabolic disorders met to achieve consensus on Middle East-specific adaptations to the tDNA. Recommendations, position statements, figures, and tables are presented here, representing conclusions of the tDNA-Middle Eastern (tDNA-ME) Task Force. Educational materials can be used to help healthcare professionals optimize nutritional care for patients with type 2 diabetes. The tDNA-ME version provides evidence-based guidance on how to meet patients' nutritional needs while following customs of people living in the Middle Eastern region.

Insights From the Current Practice of Pneumococcal Disease Prevention for Diabetic Patients in Saudi Arabia.

Pneumonia is the most frequent cause of hospitalization, resulting in a high risk of mortality. Diabetic patients are at high risk of aquatinting pneumococcal infections with their consequent complications. Despite the fact that glycemic control of the patients reduces the risk of diabetic complications and enhances their immunity, pneumococcal vaccination should still be given irrespective of the patients' glycemic control. The purpose of this review is to address the present situation of pneumococcal disease prevention in diabetic patients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and to gather professional recommendations to overcome the vaccination-related barriers. Onsite insights of scientific leaders in family medicine, endocrinology, and internal medicine in Riyadh and Jeddah were gathered and linked with the available literature to tackle the current practice of pneumococcal disease prevention in diabetic patients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Pneumococcal vaccination importance is still not well recognized among endocrinologists across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, despite the availability of established local recommendations and the National Immunization Program. The prevention of serious and fatal pneumococcal diseases should be one of the treatment pillars for diabetic patients, and it is not less important than controlling other risk factors.