Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Nalbuphine as a Potential Alternative to Morphine in Sickle Cell Disease Patients with Vaso-occlusive Crisis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.","authors":"Mohannad Alghamdi, Mohamed Almulhim, Qasem Almulihi, Yousef A Alhamaid, Mohammad Assiri, Abdullah Alzahid, Basmah Al Ghanim, Lama Albaish, Lama Alkhunaizi, Shahad Alali, Layan Alshehri","doi":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_601_24","DOIUrl":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_601_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The use of morphine in managing vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) can result in significant side effects. Nalbuphine, a mixed agonist-antagonist opioid, may offer an alternative with fewer complications.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To compare the efficacy and safety of nalbuphine and morphine in pain management among adult SCD patients presenting with VOC.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective study included adult patients with SCD treated at King Fahad Hospital, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia, between 2019 and 2023. Patients were classified into two groups (receiving morphine and nalbuphine). Pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at baseline, 1-h, 6-h, and 24-h post-administration. Additional outcomes included the need for rescue medication and discharge rates from the emergency department.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 234 patients were included (morphine: 120; nalbuphine: 114). The mean age of the cohort was 30.5 ± 8.7 years, and 63.8% were female. Baseline laboratory data indicated mean hemoglobin of 8.5 g/dL and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (576.9 U/L). At 6 h, 10% and 20% of patients on morphine and nalbuphine, respectively, reported no pain (<i>P</i> = 0.013). At 24 h, 30% and 40% of patients on nalbuphine and 15% and 25% on morphine experienced no pain and mild pain, respectively (<i>P</i> = 0.00002). Nalbuphine patients required less rescue medication (41% vs. 59%, <i>P</i> = 0.009) and had higher discharge rates from the emergency department (70% vs. 46%, <i>P</i> = 0.0003). No significant difference was found in the incidence of acute chest syndrome or ICU admissions between the two groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Nalbuphine can be a potential alternative for vaso-occlusive crisis pain management in sickle cell disease patients, as it demonstrated superior efficacy compared with morphine, especially at later time points, with reduced need for rescue medication and earlier discharge.</p>","PeriodicalId":21442,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences","volume":"13 3","pages":"181-188"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12366906/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144966978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Survival and Outcome of Patients with Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma According to the Central Nervous System-International Prognostic Index.","authors":"Musa Fares Alzahrani, Thamer Basahih, Ghazi Alotaibi, Sarah Sewaralthahab, Fatimah Alshalati, Ibrahim Alrumaih, Kazi Nur Asfina, Ahmed Gamal, Farjah Algahtani, Aamer Aleem","doi":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_654_24","DOIUrl":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_654_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Several prognostic scores exist in DLBCL, including the International Prognostic Index (IPI). More recently, a modification of the IPI that estimates the risk of progression to the central nervous system (CNS-IPI) was published. Whether the CNS-IPI index is sufficient to prognosticate DLBCL survival is yet untested.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>We aim to describe the outcomes of DLBCL patients based on CNS-IPI risk groups.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We retrospectively reviewed all DLBCL cases diagnosed from January 2015 until April 2022 at an academic tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. CNS-IPI was calculated at the time of diagnosis. The outcomes were compared between two CNS-IPI risk categories: low and intermediate/high-risk groups. Logrank method was used to calculate <i>P</i> value, and Kaplan-Meier method to estimate survival.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 136 patients were included (median age: 56.5 years), of which 38 (28%) died: 5 in the low-risk group and 33 in the intermediate/high-risk group. Low-risk and intermediate/high-risk CNS-IPI were found in 41 (30%) and 95 (70%) patients, respectively. The median survival in the low-risk and intermediate/high-risk CNS-IPI groups was 66 months [95% CI: 60-not-reached (NR)] and NR (95% CI: 24-NR) (<i>P</i> = 0.007), respectively. Only seven (5%) patients developed progression to the CNS, of which 6 (86%) were in the intermediate/high-risk group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The risk of progression to the central nervous system was moderate in our diffuse large B-cell lymphoma population. Patients with intermediate/high-risk CNS-IPI had worse survival compared with low-risk patients. The CNS-IPI was found to a good model to not only estimate the risk of disease progression to the central nervous system but also overall survival.</p>","PeriodicalId":21442,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences","volume":"13 3","pages":"205-209"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12366903/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144966962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of Biological Therapy on Fatigue, Functional Status, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Results from Real-Life Practice.","authors":"Samar Tharwat, Fatma Hamdy, Enas S Zahran, Abderahman Mohamed Elsayed, Mohammed Kamal Nassar","doi":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_747_24","DOIUrl":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_747_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that adversely affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by causing joint damage, pain, functional impairment, and fatigue.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The aim of this study was to assess the impact of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) on fatigue, functional disability, and HRQoL in an Egyptian cohort with RA.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This observational analytical prospective cohort study included RA patients who needed to start bDMARDs immediately after the enrolment visit at two Rheumatology and Immunology Units. Clinical, therapeutic, and laboratory data were assessed at baseline and 4 months after administration of bDMARDs, along with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue 13 items, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), and Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12) questionnaires.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 85 patients with RA were included (mean age: 41.7 years). Most of the participants were female (87.1%). The most commonly administered bDMARDs were adalimumab (<i>n</i> = 26), golimumab (24), and etanercept (15). After bDMARD administration, there was significant improvement in the severity of fatigue (<i>P</i> <0.001, 95% CI: 14.59, 20.29) and median HAQ-DI scores (from 1.68 to 0.68; <i>P</i> <0.001, 95% CI: -1.06, -0.92). The number of patients with severe to very severe disability decreased significantly from 29 at baseline to 4 after 4 months after administration of bDMARDs (<i>P</i> <0.001). Additionally, the SF-12 domains showed significantly better scores after 4 months compared with baseline.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Administration of bDMARDs is associated with significant improvement in fatigue, functional disability, and health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.</p>","PeriodicalId":21442,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences","volume":"13 3","pages":"189-196"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12366905/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144966916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and Predictors of Common Sleep Disorders among the Elderly in a Major Family Practice Center in Saudi Arabia.","authors":"Ali I AlHaqwi, Hamdan H Al-Jahdali, Mouath A Alturaymi, Fahad K Alrzouq, Khalid M Alduraibi, Fahad S Alhamad, Yazeed S Almohaimeed, Mohammed Saeed Aljaizani, Mostafa A Abolfotouh","doi":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_16_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_16_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sleep disorders in the geriatric age group in Saudi Arabia are not adequately studied.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To estimate the prevalence of insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among adults aged ≥60 years and to identify the predictors of these sleep disorders.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted on 171 participants aged ≥60 years in a major family practice center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, using a self-administered questionnaire composed of previously validated Arabic versions of the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Berlin Questionnaire (BQ). Data on demographic characteristics, lifestyles, and comorbidities were collected.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of insomnia was 29.2% (95% CI: 22.6%-36.7%). The majority had severe EDS (77.8%, 95% CI: 70.8%-83.8%), and 22.2% (95% CI: 16.2%-29.2%) were considered at high risk for OSA. Gastroesophageal reflux disease was a significant risk factor for insomnia (OR = 5.72, 95% CI: 2.06-15.87, <i>P</i> = 0.001), while being married was significantly associated with a lower prevalence (OR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.06-0.54, <i>P</i> = 0.002). Diabetes mellitus was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of EDS (OR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.01-0.65, <i>P</i> = 0.018). Significant predictors of OSA were obesity (OR = 3.71, 95% CI: 1.34-10.29, <i>P</i> = 0.012) and hypertension (OR = 24.6, 95% CI: 4.35-139.27, <i>P</i> <0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study showed alarming levels of sleep disorders among the elderly in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Diabetes mellitus was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness, while obesity and hypertension were significant predictors of obstructive sleep disorder.</p>","PeriodicalId":21442,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences","volume":"13 3","pages":"210-217"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12366909/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144966986","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis Misdiagnosed as Non-resolving Pneumonia: A Case Report.","authors":"Reem Alsowayan","doi":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_28_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_28_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a hypersensitivity reaction triggered by <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i> colonization of the airways that primarily affects immunocompetent individuals, particularly those with asthma. ABPA can often be misdiagnosed as severe asthma or non-resolving pneumonia, leading to delays in appropriate management. Early recognition of ABPA is crucial to prevent disease progression and unnecessary antibiotic use. We report a case of a 28-year-old female with a long-standing history of poorly controlled asthma who presented with fever, productive cough, and radiographic findings initially suggestive of non-resolving pneumonia. Despite receiving multiple courses of antibiotics, her symptoms persisted. Further investigations, including elevated total serum IgE levels, Aspergillus-specific IgE, eosinophilia, and negative mycobacterial cultures, confirmed a diagnosis of ABPA. The patient was successfully treated with systemic corticosteroids (prednisone) and itraconazole, leading to significant clinical and radiological improvement over 2 months. Her IgE levels markedly decreased, supporting resolution of the hypersensitivity reaction. This case underscores the importance of recognizing ABPA in patients with recurrent asthma exacerbations and unexplained pulmonary symptoms. Given the potential for misdiagnosis as pneumonia, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for ABPA, particularly in cases of non-resolving pneumonia where antibiotic therapy fails to achieve improvement.</p>","PeriodicalId":21442,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences","volume":"13 3","pages":"231-233"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12366901/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144966855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correlation between Neurotransmitter Transporter Gene Variants and Childhood Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case-control Study.","authors":"Chen Shen, Limeng Shen, Fei Qu, Chenye He, Hong Yu, Zengyu Zhang, Jun Liu","doi":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_106_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_106_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This case-control study aimed to determine the correlation between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the neurotransmitter transporter genes <i>SLC6A3</i> and <i>SLC6A4</i> and childhood autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as the severity of the disease.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>Children with ASD and age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited from a hospital and schools, respectively. Seven SNPs in the <i>SLC6A3</i> gene and three SNPs in the <i>SLC6A4</i> gene were analyzed in blood cell DNA using the TaqMan probe approach. The severity of the disease was evaluated using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 249 children with ASD and 343 controls were included. The genotype frequencies of the examined SNPs were not correlated with childhood ASD. Only the T allele of the SNP rs140700 displayed a non-significant association with a reduced risk of childhood ASD (OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-1.0, <i>P</i> = 0.0517). Interestingly, the C allele of rs140701 was significantly correlated with lower disease severity (OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9, <i>P</i> = 0.0093). Additionally, the genotype of rs27072 was significantly associated with the score of the body use domain of CARS; however, no examined SNPs showed a significant association with the overall score.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Certain SNPs on neurotransmitter transporter <i>SLC6A3</i> and <i>SLC6A4</i> genes are correlated with the severity of childhood autism spectrum disorder but not with the risk of developing the disease. Further studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and potential clinical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":21442,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences","volume":"13 3","pages":"173-180"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12366910/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144966897","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Arabic Medical Outcomes Study-Social Support Survey-6 among Saudi Adults.","authors":"Mohsen M Alyami, Abdulsalam A Alasmari","doi":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_767_24","DOIUrl":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_767_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Perceived social support represents a key factor influencing both mental and physical health, yet brief Arabic measures are scarce.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To assess the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the abbreviated 6-item Medical Outcomes Study-Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS-6) among Saudi adults.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An online questionnaire was distributed via social media platforms to assess perceived social support, psychological distress, quality of life (QoL), and coping. Cronbach's alpha (α), McDonald's omega (ω), and corrected item-total correlations were used to evaluate the scale's reliability. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted on 50% of the sample, using maximum likelihood with varimax rotation to identify factor structure. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) validated the model in the other 50%, with fit assessed through RMSEA, SRMR, CFI, TLI, and other indices. Concurrent validity was evaluated through Pearson's correlations with relevant psychological measures.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1028 Saudi adults completed the questionnaire. Suitability of the data for EFA was supported by a strong KMO value (0.83) and significant Bartlett's test of sphericity (<i>P</i> < 0.001). Parallel analysis indicated that a three-factor solution was optimal, explaining 80% of the variance. CFA confirmed this model with excellent fit indices (CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.07, SRMR = 0.02, GFI = 0.99, AGFI = 0.95). Negative relationships with depression (<i>r</i> = -0.24, <i>P</i> < 0.01) and anxiety (<i>r</i> = -0.17, <i>P</i> < 0.01), and a positive correlation with QoL (<i>r</i> = 0.37, <i>P</i> < 0.01) and adaptive coping strategies provided evidence for concurrent validity. The Arabic MOS-SSS-6 exhibited high internal consistency (α = 0.90, ω = 0.90).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The Arabic MOS-SSS-6 is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring perceived social support among Saudi adults, demonstrating significant correlations with psychological variables relevant for psychological assessments and interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":21442,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences","volume":"13 3","pages":"197-204"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12366908/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144966924","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiology of Calcaneal Fractures in a Level One Trauma Center in the United Arab Emirates: A Retrospective Study.","authors":"Abdulla Abdelwahab, Abdallah Elgouhary, Mohamed Abdelmagid, Baher M Samy, Habib Al-Ismaily","doi":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_803_24","DOIUrl":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_803_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Calcaneal fractures are one of the most common fractures affecting the tarsal bone; however, their epidemiology and management in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is not well studied.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the epidemiology, injury patterns, and treatment approaches for calcaneal fractures in the UAE.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective study included adult patients (≥18 years) who were diagnosed with calcaneal fractures at Rashid Hospital, Dubai, UAE, over a 6-year period. Demographics, injury characteristics, fracture type, treatment, and associated injuries were all assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1082 patients with calcaneal fracture cases were included, with males comprising 87.3% (male-to-female ratio: 6.9:1). Most patients were aged 20-39 years (69.5%). The most common cause of the fracture was falls (68.6%), mostly from ≤3 meters (48.9%). Surgery was performed in 28.4% of cases, most often for closed displaced fractures (45.7%). Lower limb (48%) and spine (8.5%) were the most common associated injuries.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Calcaneal fractures in the UAE are predominantly seen in young males, usually resulting from falls, most commonly leading to closed displaced fractures, and commonly associated with significant comorbid injuries. The results support the necessity of providing the target populations with preventive measures and identifying the efficient management approaches to reduce the morbidity level.</p>","PeriodicalId":21442,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences","volume":"13 3","pages":"218-221"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12366912/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144966939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mental Health Issues among Physicians in Saudi Arabia: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Dushad Ram, Hathim Yousef Alharbi","doi":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_128_25","DOIUrl":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_128_25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Physicians in Saudi Arabia encounter significant occupational stressors that elevate their risk of mental health challenges.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This review maps research on the mental health of physicians in Saudi Arabia, identifies key themes and gaps, and contributes to understanding physician well-being. It aims to inform future research and targeted interventions to improve both physician well-being and healthcare quality.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This scoping review mapped literature (2000-2024) on the mental health of physicians in Saudi Arabia. Inclusion criteria were primary research studies (quantitative or mixed methods) on the mental health of physician (interns to consultants) in Saudi Arabia. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched. Thematic synthesis was performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eighty-eight cross-sectional studies (sample size range: 55-1205; <i>N</i> ~11,000) revealed significant mental health challenges. Workplace bullying (70%, 95% CI: 65.2%-74.6%) and harassment (83.6%, 95% CI: 79.7%-87.0%) were prevalent. Psychiatric issues included high stress (>50%, 95% CI: varied according to study), depression (up to 75.8%, 95% CI: 70.2%-80.8% in residents), anxiety (up to 50%, 95% CI: 43.0%-57.0%), and sleep disturbances (up to 87%, 95% CI: 82.0%-91.1% in residents). Substance use (smoking 16%-47.7%) and self-prescription of psychotropics were observed. Adaptive coping (e.g., religion and planning) was common, while maladaptive coping (e.g., self-blame) was associated with higher stress, particularly in females. Job satisfaction varied, with lower satisfaction in intensive care and plastic surgery.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This review highlights significant, interconnected mental health challenges among physicians in Saudi Arabia, particularly in high-stress specialties and among female physicians. Targeted interventions and future research are needed to address work-related stress, improve coping, enhance institutional support, and promote physician well-being and healthcare quality.</p>","PeriodicalId":21442,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences","volume":"13 3","pages":"157-172"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12366854/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144967024","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Saudi Healthcare Providers' Perspectives and Clinical Practice of Anti-Obesity Medications: A National Survey.","authors":"Haifa F AlOtaibi, Sahar Alnasrallah, Assim A Alfadda, Samar A Alquassayer, Amr A Arafat, Shadan AlMuhaidib, Rawabi M Alsayer, Saleh A Alqahtani, Waleed Alhazzani","doi":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_672_24","DOIUrl":"10.4103/sjmms.sjmms_672_24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The rising prevalence of obesity is associated with significant health risks, underscoring the need for effective prevention and treatment. The use of anti-obesity medications (AOMs) remains limited due to several barriers.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To physicians' perspectives and clinical practices regarding AOMs in Saudi Arabia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a national cross-sectional survey between May and August 2024 targeting family physicians, endocrinologists, and bariatric surgeons in Saudi Arabia. We distributed the survey using convenience sampling through department heads at hospitals across five regions and relevant professional societies. We collected data on clinician demographics, clinical practices, and perceptions related to AOMs. We compared responses across specialties and identified predictors of prescribing AOMs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 92 clinicians completed the survey: 71 family physicians, 20 endocrinologists, and 1 bariatric surgeon. Overall, 15.3% of the respondents had received formal obesity-focused training. While 92.4% reported counseling patients on obesity-related complications, 57.6% routinely referred patients to dietitians. Endocrinologists preferred international guidelines and prescribed AOMs more frequently than family physicians (90.0% vs. 60.5%; <i>P</i> < 0.001). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists were the most commonly prescribed first-line agents. Key predictors of prescribing AOMs included medical specialty, guidelines preference, and prior obesity training.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Physician specialty, clinical experience, and adherence to guidelines influence the prescription of anti-obesity medications in Saudi Arabia. Limited training and a more conservative approach among family physicians highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to improve obesity management. Initiatives should focus on harmonizing clinical guidelines and expanding access to evidence-based treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":21442,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences","volume":"13 3","pages":"222-230"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12366907/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144967035","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}