Views of healthcare professionals on complementary and alternative medicine use by patients with diabetes: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Recent estimates indicate that a significant proportion of diabetic patients globally, up to 51%, are utilizing complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). To improve patient-provider communication and optimize prescribed treatments, healthcare professionals (HCPs) must understand the factors associated with CAM use among diabetic patients. There is a dearth of literature on HCPs perspectives on CAM use by diabetic patients. This study explored HCPs knowledge, perspective, and views on their diabetic patients' use of CAM. METHODS: Qualitative study using one-to-one semi-structured interviews conducted with 22 HCPs involved in the care of diabetic patients (6 endocrinologists, 4 general practitioners, 4 nurses and 8 pharmacists). Participants were recruited through general practices, community pharmacies and a diabetic centre in Saudi Arabia. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Five key themes resulted from the analysis. HCPs generally demonstrated negative perceptions toward CAM, particularly regarding their evidence-based effectiveness and safety. Participants described having limited interactions with diabetic patients regarding CAM use due to HCPs' lack of knowledge about CAM, limited consultation time and strict consultation protocols. Participants perceived convenience as the reason why patients use CAM. They believed many users lacked patience with prescribed medications to deliver favourable clinical outcomes and resorted to CAM use. CONCLUSIONS: HCPs have noted inadequate engagement with diabetic patients regarding CAM due to a lack of knowledge and resources. To ensure the safe use of CAM in diabetes and optimize prescribed treatment outcomes, one must address the communication gap by implementing a flexible consultation protocol and duration. Additionally, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based information should be available to HCPs and diabetic patients.

Antibiotic resistance patterns of pediatric community-acquired urinary tract infections in a tertiary care center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in children. UTIs can lead to serious and permanent damage to the urinary tract if treatment is delayed or insufficient, particularly in repeated infections. Knowledge of antibiotic resistance trends aids in the selection of appropriate empiric antibiotics. There is limited data regarding this in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to investigate uropathogens and their antibiotic resistance patterns in the pediatric community in a tertiary care center. METHODOLOGY: The study population included children aged 0 to 14 years old who had culture-proven UTIs evaluated in the Department of Pediatrics, King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from February 2019 to September 2021. RESULTS: Out of 510 UTI episodes, Escherichia coli (54.5%) was the predominant causative pathogen. Of the total episodes, 137 (26.8%) were caused by extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers. In general, the highest resistance was observed against ampicillin (73.2%), cefazolin (54.6%), co-trimoxazole (46%), and cefuroxime (40.6%), whereas amikacin (0.4%), imipenem (0.8%), and meropenem (0.8%) showed the lowest rates of resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic resistance is a major concern worldwide due to misuse of antibiotics and subsequent rise of multidrug resistant organisms. Our findings highlight the rise in antibiotic resistance, particularly in E. coli strains. Furthermore, ESBL-producing bacteria were responsible for approximately one-third of UTIs. Our study emphasizes the importance of local antibiograms for pediatric community-acquired infections, as it guides clinicians in every center in the choice of appropriate empiric antibiotic treatment.

Pediatric community acquired urinary tract infections due to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase versus non-extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing bacteria.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the demographics, clinical characteristics, risk factors, and antibiotic resistance of pediatric community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing and non-ESBL-producing uropathogens. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia, among children aged between 0 and 14 years, with a culture-proven diagnosis of community-acquired UTI between February 2019 and September 2021. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether or not their UTI was caused by ESBL-producing bacteria. RESULTS: A total of 383 patients with community-acquired UTI were evaluated. Escherichia coli was detected in 72.6% of cultures. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing organisms were responsible for 35.7% of UTI episodes. Of these 69% and 31% were caused by E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to clinical presentation or urine analysis. The resistance rates in the ESBL-producing group were 39.4% for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, 65.7% for ciprofloxacin, 72.3% for co-trimoxazole, 32.8% for nitrofurantoin, 21.2% for gentamicin, and 0.7% for amikacin and carbapenems. In the non-ESBL-producing group, it was 22.4% for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, 22.4% for ciprofloxacin, 38.2% for co-trimoxazole, 23.6% for nitrofurantoin, 6.1% for gentamicin, and zero for amikacin and carbapenems. The presence of renal abnormalities (p = 0.014) and male gender (p = 0.026) were determined to be independent risk factors for ESBL UTIs. CONCLUSIONS: Recognizing risk factors and antibiotic resistance for ESBL-producing bacteria may aid in tailoring an antibiotic regimen for pediatric patients at high risk of ESBL-UTIs.

Clinico-Pathological Outcomes of Patients With Crescentic Glomerulonephritis: A Single-Center Study.

Background Crescentic glomerulonephritis (CrGN) is a pathological description of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN). It is characterized by renal failure and is associated with a grave prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of patients diagnosed with crescentic glomerulonephritis at the King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Method This retrospective study included patients with CrGN who underwent treatment at the nephrology department at KAUH from June 2021 to August 2022. We collected and analyzed data from 56 patients diagnosed with CrGN on the basis of renal biopsies between 2002 and 2015. Result The study included 17 cases of CrGN. The mean age of patients at the time of diagnosis was 18.06 ± 13.49 years. The distribution of histological findings showed that cellular crescents (94.1%) and interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA) (76.5%) were the most commonly observed histological findings. The most common underlying etiology was lupus nephritis (41.2%). Regarding the lab results, the mean serum creatinine level at admission was 378.88 ± 273.27 µmol/L, proteinuria was 1.53 ± 1.23 and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) level was 36.94 ± 45.08 mL/min. The factors associated with poor renal outcome were IFTA (P=0.01), phosphate level before discharge, serum creatinine level before and after discharge (P=0.032), and GFR level after discharge (P=0.001). Conclusion Crescentic glomerulonephritis is an important cause of acute kidney injury due to its potential to result in severe glomerular injury. In our study, 12 out of 17 patients experienced poor renal outcomes, which were associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, early detection and treatment of CrGN is crucial in order to manage the disease.

Global prevalence and types of complementary and alternative medicines use amongst adults with diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: This study aimed to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of global prevalence and types of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use amongst adults with diabetes. METHODS: Nine databases, including MEDLINE and EMBASE, were searched for studies published between 2009 and 2019 which included extractable data for CAM use in adult patients with diabetes. Study characteristics, types of CAM, and overall and subgroup prevalence data in relation to CAM use were extracted. Meta-analysis of aggregate level data on prevalence and prevalence ratios (PRs) was performed using a random effects model. RESULTS: From the 38 studies included in the review, a total of 37 types of CAM and 223 types of herbs were identified. Pooled prevalence of CAM use was 51%. A wide variation in prevalence rates (predictive interval 8-93%) was observed. In the context of high heterogeneity, we found no evidence that CAM use was associated with gender, chronicity or type of diabetes. Approximately one third of patients did not disclose their use of CAM to healthcare professionals (95% PrI 25%, 97%). Herbal medicines, acupuncture, homoeopathy and spiritual healing were the common CAM types reported. CONCLUSIONS: A wide variation in prevalence of CAM use by patients with diabetes was identified. Healthcare professionals should be aware of their patients' use of CAM to ensure treatment optimization, avoid herb-drug interactions and promote medication adherence in diabetes. Diabetic reviews and clinical guidelines should incorporate exploration of patient use of CAM as many patients do not proactively disclose the use of CAM to their healthcare professionals. REGISTRATION: The protocol for this study was registered with the Centre for Review and Dissemination (CRD). Protocol registration number CRD42019125036.

Application of the Kano model to determine quality attributes of patient's care at the primary healthcare centers of the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia, 2019.

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction is the ultimate goal in any healthcare system. Together with other traditional quality indicators, patient satisfaction must be addressed to improve the quality of health care. The strategic objectives of the Ministry of Health (MOH) formulated by the Saudi National Transformation Program are to improve the quality of healthcare services, expand privatization of governmental services, and create an attractive environment for both local and international investors. The objective of this study was to apply Kano model to determine quality attributes of patient care at primary healthcare centers in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at primary healthcare centers (PHCs) under the MOH in Saudi Arabia between October 2018 and February 2019. Study included all Saudi adult patients aged 18 years or older attending the selected PHCs of MOH. Patients who had difficulty in comprehending were excluded. Data was collected by using a structured questionnaire based on the Kano model for the assessment of patients' expectations of the quality of care and provided services. Data was entered and analysed using SPSS. Chi-square test and t-test were used to test for statistical significance. RESULTS: The study included a total of 243 patients from 10 PHCs, 51% from consulting PHCs and 49% from nonconsulting PHCs. Response rate was 97.2%, and 44.9% respondents were males. Of the 18 attributes chosen for our study, 14 were one-dimensional, three belonged to the attractive type, and one was indifferent type. The top three one-dimensional attributes were "friendliness and respectfulness of the clinic receptionist," "friendliness and respectfulness of the nurses and laboratory staff," and "care and attention of the doctor". CONCLUSION: The investors and policymakers need to turn their attention to assisting in the privatization of governmental services by creating a good climate for both local and international investors.