Public Perception in Saudi Arabia Toward Herpes Zoster and Its Vaccination: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Herpes zoster (HZ) or shingles, arises from the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV), mainly affecting older and immunocompromised individuals. Despite the efficacy of vaccines, vaccination rates in Saudi Arabia are low. Thus, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the Saudi Arabian population toward HZ and its vaccination. Methods An observational cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the public perception in Saudi Arabia toward HZ and its vaccination, during the period from January to March 2024. Participants were selected using a non-probability, convenience sampling method, with recruitment facilitated through WhatsApp, a messaging app. Data has been analyzed using the statistical software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). A p-value of <0.05 has been used to report the statistical significance. Results The study's demographic profile included 1237 participants, predominantly younger than 30 years (65.5%), with a female majority (65.7%). Public knowledge about HZ was limited, only 29.6% of participants recognized the risk of HZ post-chickenpox. More than half of the participants were not aware that the vaccine is provided by the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) for certain groups. However, over 75% are willing to receive the HZ vaccine upon physician recommendation. Conclusion This study shows a general lack of awareness about HZ and its vaccination in Saudi Arabia, including misconceptions about vaccination availability, recommendations, and the disease's complications. Gender differences in attitude and interest highlight the potential for tailored educational campaigns. Addressing these issues is essential for improving vaccination rates and mitigating HZ's impact.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic quarantine on physical, nutritional, psychosocial life and work aspects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Background: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a global public health disaster imposing a nationwide lockdown. This study was undertaken to determine the impact of COVID-19 quarantine on physical, nutritional, psychosocial life, and work aspects on the population of Saudi Arabia. Methods: Data collection was based on the fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and was analyzed by the Likert-type scale. A total of 2828 individuals participated during their COVID-19 quarantine. The data were collected during June 10-17, 2020 using the psychosocial FCV-19S. Results: COVID-19 quarantine was negatively correlated with the physical, nutritional, psychosocial life and work aspects of the Saudi Arabia's population (P < 0.05). As a result of the correlation analysis, gender, sociodemographic status and having a family member dying of COVID-19, marital status (single), monthly income (<3000) and occupation (student), and lost a job or businesses were significantly associated with fear of COVID-19 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the participants reported a reduction in their physical activity by 59%, whereas 26.5% of participants showed an increase of body weight. Moreover, 23% of participants lost their jobs during the pandemic. Conclusions: The lockdown period was associated with an increase in the COVID-19 fear score. The degree FCV-19S was varied in different categories in several aspects. Low levels of physical activity and weight gained were observed during the lockdown period.

Curcumin and ustekinumab cotherapy alleviates induced psoriasis in rats through their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effects.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a chronic multifactorial inflammatory disease that affects 3% of people worldwide. Ustekinumab is a selective anti-IL-12/23 biologic that alleviates psoriasis, and curcumin is a natural, effective dietary turmeric extract applied to treat numerous diseases through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. OBJECTIVE: The current study evaluated the therapeutic effects of curcumin and ustekinumab cotherapy (CUC) on imiquimod (IQ)-induced psoriasis in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty rats were divided into four groups, G1 (control group), G2 (IQ-treated group), G3 (IQ + ustekinumab), and G4 (IQ + CUC). Clinical, histopathological (HP), immunohistochemical (IHC), antioxidant, and biochemical investigations evaluated the efficacy of these drugs for treating IQ induced-psoriasis. RESULTS: Rats of G2 exhibited clinical signs of psoriatic skin lesions (erythema, scaling, and skin thickening) with epidermal changes (acanthosis and parakeratosis). Additionally, the biochemical analysis revealed significant (p < 0.05) reductions in the levels of antioxidant biomarkers (SOD, GPx, and CAT) with significant (p < 0.05) elevations in psoriasis-related cytokines (TNF-α, IL-17A, IL-12P40, and IL-23). In contrast, CUC alleviated the psoriatic changes in G4 better than ustekinumab monotherapy in G3. CONCLUSIONS: Ustekinumab inhibits the inflammatory cytokines IL-12P40 and IL-23, while curcumin has antioxidant effects (increasing SOD, GPx, and CAT levels) with anti-inflammatory effects (decreasing the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α and IL-17). Therefore, CUC could be an excellent cost-effective regimen that can improve the treatment of psoriasis by the synergistic effects of CUC.HighlightsIQ-induces psoriasis by elevating TNF-α, IL-17A, IL-12, and IL-23 and decreasing GPx, SOD, and CATUstekinumab exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting IL-12 and IL-23Curcumin inhibits TNF-α and IL-17A, and increases GPx, SOD, and CAT levelsCUC mitigates psoriasis by synergistic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effectsCUC inhibits TNF-α, IL-17A, IL-12, and IL-23 and increases GPx, SOD, and CAT levels.

Factors associated with patients bypassing primary healthcare centres in Qassim Region, KSA.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the reasons for bypassing local primary healthcare centres (PHCs) by patients with minor illnesses in Qassim Region, KSA. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 266 patients that visited emergency departments in public hospitals in Qassim Region. The patients were randomly selected and categorised as level five patients (LFPs) using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) for patient characterisation. RESULTS: Of the 266 patients, 85.7% had previous experience of visiting PHC facilities. The majority of these patients were not satisfied with their treatment in PHCs. Approximately 52.9% of the patients reported that the working hours at PHCs were not sufficient, 38.1% mentioned a lack of experienced staff, and 31.7% believed that PHCs were insufficient for diagnostic tests. Another 13.8% of the patients reported the unavailability of prescribed medicines. Interestingly, 17.7% of the patients reported that they never bypassed PHCs. In general, the data demonstrate that patients' gender, employment, and marital status have no significant role in their decision to skip PHCs in favor of emergency departments of public hospitals (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients bypassing PHCs without a referral form is a serious concern that have a deleterious effect on the healthcare system, particularly emergency departments. If bypassing continues, it will increase the burden on emergency departments, particularly on healthcare services for the general population.

COVID-19: Post-recovery long-term symptoms among patients in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: After recovery from acute infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), many patients experience long-term symptoms in different body systems. The aim of the present study was to identify these symptoms, their severity, and their duration as a first step in building a system to classify post-recovery long-term symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: An online-based cross-sectional survey was administered between September and October 2020. Data regarding the severity of post-recovery symptoms and their duration were collected using an Arabic questionnaire divided into six categories encompassing the 20 most prevalent symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 979 patients recovered from COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia in the study period, of whom 53% were male and 47% were female. The most common symptoms included general fatigue and weakness (73% each), with moderate severity of neurological symptoms including mood changes (41%) and insomnia (39%). Among the special senses, loss of smell and taste of marked severity were reported by 64% and 55% among respiratory symptoms, cough of mild severity (47%), and dyspnea of moderate severity (43%). Loss of appetite of moderate severity was reported in 42%, and diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea of mild severity were reported by 53%, 50%, and 44% of respondents, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term symptoms after recovery from COVID-19 warrant patient follow-up. The authors propose a classification system as a starting point to guide the identification and follow-up of long-term symptoms post-recovery, and recommend larger-scale studies to broaden the definition of recovery from COVID-19, which appears to have two phases, acute and chronic.

Quality of life in vitiligo patients in central Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the quality of life (QoL) in patients with vitiligo in central Saudi Arabia using the dermatology life quality index (DLQI). METHODS: A cross-sectional study spanning over 6 months was conducted on 253 adult patients with vitiligo at the outpatient dermatology clinics of the National Center of Vitiligo (Light Clinics) and King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The patients were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire using an Arabic version of the DLQI to measure the impact of vitiligo on their QoL. The association between the demographic and diseases characteristic to the median DLQI scores was investigated using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The median DLQI score was 4, the range 25, min 0 - max 25 and percentiles 2-8. The unadjusted odds ratio (95%CI) showed the median DLQI score was significantly higher in married subjects 2.29 (1.33-3.94) (p<0.01), non-segmental vitiligo 2.10 (1.16-3.79) (p<0.01), and the progressive vitiligo 1.87 (1.09-3.18) (p<0.02) than their counterparts. However, after adjustment only married status predicted the high DLQI score 2.08 (1.11-3.61) (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The QoL in vitiligo patients in Saudi Arabia is adverse than those with lighter skin, in other countries. Therefore, in Saudi Arabia, better management modalities to improve patients' QoL and prevent subsequent mental distress are needed.

Clinical Approach to Linear Hyperpigmentation: A Review Article.

Linear hyperpigmentation is an unusual anatomical configuration in clinical dermatology. Owing to its rarity, consensus on the most effective method of classification is lacking. While linear hyperpigmentation generally follows Blaschko's lines, this is not universal. Clinical findings such as adherence to Blaschko's lines, associated morphological findings (including other cutaneous lesions), and systemic manifestations can be used to further characterize and diagnose variants of the disorder. Early detection of any underlying disease is vital, especially in cases with effective management, because the disorder may make it difficult to manage hyperpigmentation. Herein, we introduce a logical clinical diagnostic approach that represents a useful tool for dermatologists to efficiently evaluate patients presenting with linear hyperpigmentation. A simplified systematic and evidence-based approach is useful for this clinical condition owing to the heterogeneous causes and lack of specific diagnostic tools.

Digitalization plan in medical education during COVID-19 lockdown.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has enhanced the adoption of virtual learning after the urgent suspension of traditional teaching. Different online learning strategies were established to face this learning crisis. The present descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to reveal the different digital procedures implemented by the College of Medicine at Qassim University for better student performance and achievement. METHODS: The switch into distance-based learning was managed by the digitalization committee. Multiple online workshops were conducted to the staff and students about the value and procedures of such a shift. New procedures for online problem-based learning (PBL) sessions were designed. Students' satisfaction was recorded regarding the efficiency of live streaming educational activities and online assessment. RESULTS: The students were satisfied with the overall shift into this collaborative e-learning environment and the new successful procedures of virtual PBL sessions. The digital learning tools facilitated the performance of the students and their peer sharing of knowledge. The role of informatics computer technologies was evident in promoting the students, research skills, and technical competencies. CONCLUSIONS: The present work elaborated on the procedures and privileges of the transformation into digitalized learning, particularly the PBL sessions, which were appreciated by the students and staff. It recommended the adoption of future online theoretical courses as well as the development of informatics computer technologies.