Depression and anxiety among patients with epilepsy: A cross-sectional study from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: It is well established that epileptic disorders are associated with a wide range of psychosocial issues that overburden the affected individuals and limit their lifestyle. This study aimed to determine the commonalities between depression and anxiety symptoms among patients with epilepsy (PWE). In addition, we assessed whether depression and anxiety rates varied depending on factors related to the disease. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2021 and March 2022 among all PWE at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Hospital, and 147 patients who responded to the questionnaires were included for analysis (65.6% response rate). Depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-9), while anxiety levels were measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7). Demographic variables such as sex, age, marital status, and factors related to epilepsy were also recorded. Results: The results showed that 39.5% and 27.9% of participants had major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), respectively. The presence of factors that increased susceptibility to seizures was associated with a greater expression of depression (P = 0.035) and anxiety (P = 0.002) symptoms. The presence of symptoms/signs that precede seizures was associated with a higher risk of moderate and severe depression (P = 0.001) and moderate and severe anxiety (P < 0.001). Irregular use of medications was associated with a higher risk of moderate and severe depression (P = 0.037); however, lamotrigine was associated with lower rates of depression among the participants (P = 0.023). Conclusion: This study found that PWE had a higher prevalence of MDD and GAD than the general population. However, this accepted paradigm has yet to reflect a meaningful change in constructing condition-specific recommendations for PWE. Our study revealed that the presence of subjectively recognized signs of an impending ictal episode was significantly associated with a higher risk of moderate and severe depression and anxiety. Furthermore, factors that increase the susceptibility to seizures were associated with a higher risk of depression and anxiety. Irregular medication use was associated with a higher risk of moderate and severe depression. However, lamotrigine was associated with lower rates of depression among participants.

The Relevance of Food Constituents to the Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Rome IV-Based Prevalence Study Among Medical Students.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Irritable bowel syndrome is prevalent in the general population. This study investigates the association between dietary intake and irritable bowel syndrome in medical college students at King Saud University besides its prevalence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an analytical cross-sectional study of 426 students (271 males and 155 females, age 21.21 ± 1.58 years) from 5 academic levels of King Saud University Medical College. A self-reported questionnaire for Rome IV criteria was completed by each participant. They also filled out a food frequency questionnaire to assess their nutritional intake. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome was 17.8% without correlation to age and academic year in Medical School. However, the prevalence was higher in females than in males (40/115 vs. 36/235, P = .001). The irritable bowel syndrome group consumed significantly more energy, carbohydrates, and saturated fatty acids, while the non-irritable bowel syndrome group consumed significantly more fibers and niacin (P < .001 and P = .005, respectively). CONCLUSION: About 17.8% of medical students had irritable bowel syndrome with a greater prevalence in females. The irritable bowel syndrome group consumed significantly more energy, carbohydrates, and saturated fatty acids, while the non-irritable bowel syndrome group consumed significantly more fibers and niacin. Our results did not show any significant association between irritable bowel syndrome and fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide, and polyol intake. Overall, both groups were not adhering to the Saudi dietary recommended intake.

Stress, Burnout, and Associated Risk Factors in Medical Students.

Objectives To determine the prevalence of and the risk factors associated with burnout and stress for medical students in Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional, survey-based study was distributed between January and February 2018 among all 500 medical students from the first to fifth years in a medical college; 356 of the students responded (71.2% response rate). Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) while the stress level was measured using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Socio-demographics, professional characteristics, and participation in extracurricular activities were also included as possible predictors of burnout and stress. Results The study revealed that the stress level was (51.7%, n= 184) and the rate of high burnout was (38.2%, n= 136), expressing high exhaustion (77.8%, n=277), high cynicism (65.7%, n=234), and low academic efficiency (45.5%, n=162). Half of the students (50%, n=178) participated in extracurricular activities and were involved in one or more activities such as organizing activities and medical volunteering (n = 52, 14.6%), research (n = 59, 16.6%), and physical exercise (n = 71, 10.4%). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between overall burnout and a lower grade point average (GPA) (OR = 0.581, p 0.004, 95% CI = 0.400 to 0.843). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between stress and students with a lower GPA (OR = 0.737, P = 0.0.23, 95% CI = 0.566 to 0.959); stress was also higher in students who were not involved in any extracurricular activities (OR 1.893, P = 0.004, 95% CI = 1.22 to 2.918). Conclusion Our study shows high burnout rates among medical students. Low GPA students in this study showed a higher overall burnout. Stress was high in our study participants and was higher in students with a low GPA and in students who were not involved in any extracurricular activities.