Prevalence of Depression Among People With Dry Eye Disease: Empirical Analysis From the Southern Region of Saudi Arabia.

Background The number of people suffering from depression has increased in recent times. In the Aseer region alone, 3.8% of the population suffers from depression, and one of the causes is believed to be dry eye disease (DED). Objectives This research aims to investigate the relationship between depression and dry eye disease among people living in Saudi Arabia's Aseer region. Methodology The study is cross-sectional, and data was collected from 401 participants living in Aseer, Saudi Arabia. Data was collected with the help of a well-structured questionnaire, and results are extracted by analyzing the model using SPSS. Findings The study discovered a positive and significant relationship between dry eye disease and depression. A total of 36.7% of the participants had dry eye symptoms and 23.7% were diagnosed with depression, stress, or anxiety. Conclusion Our study concludes that patients suffering from dry eye disease are more likely to get depressed because, according to our analysis, there is a correlation between dry eye disease and depression. Dry eye disease is a condition that is not only affecting the elderly but the young alike. Saudi Arabia's healthcare authority should create awareness about this health issue with the help of seminars, print, and social media.

Applicant Selection for Anesthesiology Residency Programs in Saudi Arabia.

Background Anesthesiology is a medical specialty that involves pre, intra, and postoperative surgical and medical procedures; it is a profession shaped by the clinician's medical knowledge and manual dexterity. To date, very few studies have addressed the selection criteria and factors associated with the applicant selection process for anesthesia residency programs in Saudi Arabia. Objectives We aimed to define the criteria, factors, and guidelines for candidate selection in anesthesia residency programs in Saudi Arabia. Methodology This was a cross-sectional study conducted using electronic questionnaires that were distributed to anesthesiology program directors in Saudi Arabia via email. The questionnaire was divided into six sections, and each section included various parameters such as demographic data, cognitive/academic activities, non-cognitive/non-academic activities, individual qualities, and red flags or negative factors of the individual. The participants rated each parameter, and the collected data were analyzed for statistical significance (p≤0.05). Results A total of 28 programs were included in this survey. All 14 parameters associated with individual qualities were found to be significantly important for applicant selection (p≤0.05). Except for delayed entry into residency after graduation, all 12 parameters associated with red flags or negative characteristics of individuals were significant for candidate selection (p≤0.05). Conclusion The results showed that academic/cognitive factors and non-academic/non-cognitive factors, along with the individual characteristics of the applicant, were given priority when selecting candidates for anesthesiology residency programs in Saudi Arabia.

Characteristics of Maxillary Sinus Septa: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Evaluation.

Objective: Our study aimed to determine the prevalence, location, and morphological differences of the septa using CBCT images. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on CBCT examinations. The sample included both mixed and permanent dentition and edentulous patients. The images were viewed in 3 planes (sagittal, coronal, and axial) and the left and right maxillary sinuses were evaluated for the septa's prevalence, location, and morphological differences. Results: The measurements were statistically analyzed using SPSS software. Out of 200, 122 patients showed one or more bony septa in the maxillary sinus. The septal location and angulation were not limited to a specific area or a specific range. Significant differences between genders were found. Conclusions: The increased surface area of the septa using plane 2-dimensional radiographs is impossible. CBCT has improved the planning of any sinus procedure and offers adequate information compared to conventional radiographs.

Cervical Cancer and Human Papillomavirus Awareness among Women in Saudi Arabia.

Background and Objectives: Cervical cancer (CC) is the eighth most common cancer among Saudi women of all ages. With limited national data, we aimed to evaluate the public awareness of cervical cancer, CC risk factors, HPV infection, and HPV vaccines in different regions of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This was a survey-based cross-sectional study that encompassed 564 Saudi women over a period of a month. A self-administrated questionnaire was distributed through different social media platforms. Results: The collected data included sociodemographic variables and questions assessing awareness of CC, and the attitudes toward CC screening and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Most respondents were aware of CC (84.0%), although their primary source of information was the internet. However, only 45 females (8.0%) had a history of cervical screening. Furthermore, most females did not know that HPV was transmitted sexually (78.9%), or that it caused genital warts (81.7%) and CC (81.9%). Regarding the HPV vaccine, 100 females (17.7%) had heard about it, but only 11 (2.0%) took the vaccine, although more than half of the respondents (54.1%) were willing to take the vaccine after being informed about it. Conclusions: We noticed a remarkable lack of awareness among the respondents regarding HPV's clinical implications; and the HPV vaccine, and its importance and availability. The main source of information for most of the Saudi women in this study was the internet, which may be an unreliable source, or provide misleading information that may delay screening or discourage vaccination. Thus, organized campaigns by the Ministry of Health or other health-advocating agencies, in addition to screening and vaccination programs, are strongly encouraged.

Effects of age, sex and education on verbal fluency tasks in a normal Saudi sample.

INTRODUCTION: This study's purpose is to describe the performance of healthy community dwelling Saudi Arabians on fluency tasks and explore the effects of age, sex and education. METHODS: Arabic-speaking Saudi Arabians > 18 were chosen through convenience sampling. Included were healthy community members whose first language is Arabic. Excluded were anyone with a past history of psychiatric or central neurological diseases, or who was taking medications that affect the central nervous system. Information regarding the variables sex, age, and education was collected. Participants were required to name as many words as they could that started with the letters Ain (ع), Sheen (Ø´), and Qaf (ق) (letter task), and words that belonged to the categories "countries," "boy names," "girl names," and "four-legged animals" (categorical task). Mean scores were derived for the three letters (ASQ) and four categories (TC). Descriptive statistics, percentile curves, and quantile regressions (0.05, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 0.95) were conducted to determine performance range. RESULTS: The study included 301 participants, comprising 162 (53.47%) females. The M(SD) for age was 46.74 (16) and for years of education 14 (4.78). The M(SD) for ASQ was 26.26 (10.01), and for TC, 81.56 (20.77). Percentile curves demonstrated an initial increase, followed by a decrease, in performance with increasing age on letter and categorical fluency tasks. Performance scores showed an increase of 1 to 1.5 and 2 to 3.5 words in the letter and categorical tasks, respectively, for each additional year of education across the quantiles (both with p < 0.0001). Males scored higher in the 0.05 and 0.95 quantiles of the letter fluency task only. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated a range of normative performance from a Saudi Arabian community, with varying age and education levels. The assessment demonstrated the importance of education as a major variable linearly associated with performance, influencing both tasks.