RESUMO
Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a rapidly increasing serious health problem that affects the population all over the world. The increasing prevalence of DM in Saudi Arabia is reflected in our hospital admissions as well. This study aimed to assess the proportion of DM (including type 1 and type 2 diabetes) among hospitalized patients and the reasons for admissions to the medical unit at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital (KAUH) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods We conducted a hospital record-based cross-sectional study at KAUH from January to April 2021. The study included all adult patients admitted to the internal medicine wards and isolation unit but excluded patients in the coronary care unit and those with gestational diabetes. We reviewed the medical records to collect demographic data, causes of admission, laboratory results, and outcomes. Results Among the hospitalized patients, 49.9% had DM. The most common associated risk factors and causes of admission among patients with DM were hypertension (HTN; 73.2%) and dyslipidemia (43.1%). Other less common reasons for admission were heart failure (20.6%), coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19; 17.8%), chronic kidney disease (CKD; 14.5%), pneumonia (12.3%), and stroke (10%). Dyslipidemia, HTN, CKD, diabetic ketoacidosis, heart failure, and need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission were significantly higher in diabetic patients as compared to patients without diabetes. HTN, dyslipidemia, CKD, heart failure, stroke, acute abdomen, and malignancy were significantly higher in patients with type 2 diabetes. Among diabetic patients, those with non-Saudi nationality, low hemoglobin level, dyslipidemia, pneumonia, sepsis, and requiring ICU admission had a greater risk of death. Conclusions The high burden of DM on the secondary healthcare level in Saudi Arabia highlights the need for effective diabetes prevention and treatment strategies in primary care and hospital outpatient settings. Such measures would help reduce the hospitalization rate and ease the healthcare system's burden.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To share our experience with immediate whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) imaging for trauma patients and to determine its association with surgical intervention and hospital admission. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included 208 trauma patients who presented to the emergency department and underwent WBCT at the King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between January 2014 and November 2018. We excluded pregnant patients and those who went into traumatic cardiac arrest or died before imaging. RESULTS: Of all included patients, 48.6% were adults and 72.1% had positive findings; of these, 36.7% of patients were admitted for observation and 27.3% underwent operative interventions. CONCLUSION: Whole-body computed tomography is a useful tool to detect significant traumatic injuries in patients presenting to the emergency department. Moreover, it may assist physicians in determining the disposition of these patients. A clear set of criteria should be established to determine which trauma patients require WBCT imaging during initial resuscitation.
