Determining patterns and types of violence against the elderly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Reports indicate an increase in the incidence of violence against the elderly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). This study aimed to determine the types and risk factors of elder abuse in KSA. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted of abuse among the elderly (65 years and older; n = 128) reported in the National Family Safety Registry (NFSR) between April 2017 and December 2021. Most cases involved women (65.6%) and married individuals (54.7%). Physical abuse was the most common type (44.5%), followed by neglect (34.4%). Men, married individuals, people without family support, and people with physical disabilities were more likely to experience physical abuse. Elderly people, single individuals, women, and those lacking family support showed an increased likelihood of neglect. Preventive strategies should be implemented through awareness raising, capacity building, resource allocation, and the exchange of multidisciplinary good practices across sectors.

Association of affected lower limb flexor muscle strength with swing phase duration and gait speed in elderly post-stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: Although several studies have shown an association of muscle weakness with gait speed (GS), no study has explored the relationship of muscle strength with swing phase duration and GS after stroke among the elderly in Saudi Arabia. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of affected ankle dorsiflexor and hip flexor muscle strength with swing phase duration and GS in the elderly with different stroke chronicity. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we included a total of 60 post-stroke patients aged ≥55 years who were admitted in neurorehabilitation units between May 2017 and August 2018. Linear regression was employed to examine the association of muscle strength (measured using a handheld dynamometer) with swing phase duration and GS (both measured using the computerized Zebris-Mat). RESULTS: The chronicity of the stroke was negatively associated (p < 0.05) with swing phase duration. The ankle dorsiflexor muscle strength was significantly associated with GS (ß= 0.656, p = 0.041). In contrast, hip flexor muscle strength was significantly associated with GS (ß= 0.574, p < 0.0001) even after adjusting for stroke chronicity (ß= 0.561, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Stroke chronicity was the predictor that reduced swing phase duration. The ankle dorsiflexor muscle strength was associated with GS. However, the hip flexor muscle strength was associated with GS even after adjusting for stroke chronicity.

The impact of a combined intervention program: an educational and clinical pharmacist's intervention to improve prescribing pattern in hospitalized geriatric patients at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: There is a difference between evidence-based guidelines for geriatric patients and clinical practice of physicians. Prescribing potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) can be attributed to the fact that many physicians are not aware of PIMs usage. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a combined intervention program comprising an educational and clinical pharmacist intervention to reduce the incidence of PIMs among hospitalized geriatric patients. METHODS: This was a prospective pre-test versus post-test design study. The screening tool of older persons' prescriptions, 2nd version, and 2015 American Geriatric Society Beers' criteria were used to assess the appropriateness of medications prescribed for geriatric inpatients. The study was carried out in the medical wards of the Department of Medicine at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: Four hundred geriatric patients were enrolled in the study: 200 in a pre-intervention group (control) and 200 in the intervention group. After the combined intervention, the incidence rate of PIMs decreased significantly from 61% to 29.5% (p<0.001). Out of 317 recommendations given by the clinical pharmacist, the physicians accepted a total of 196 (61.83%) recommendations. The most common PIMs to avoid regardless of diagnosis of geriatric patients before interventions were first-generation antihistamines (46%), sliding scale insulin (18.5%), antipsychotics (6.5%), benzodiazepines (9.5%), and antiarrhythmic drugs (15%). CONCLUSION: Using a combined intervention program that comprises an educational intervention of updated evidence-based guidelines and clinical pharmacist intervention would add a significant value to improve prescribing patterns in hospitalized geriatric patients.