{"title":"WHO launches first-ever guidelines on meningitis diagnosis, treatment and care.","authors":"","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 5","pages":"582-583"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12074044/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143982026","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Giving voice to the youngest patients: Rethinking pediatric communication in pharmacy practice.","authors":"Haifa F Alotaibi","doi":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.5.20250338","DOIUrl":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.5.20250338","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 5","pages":"576-577"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12074060/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144042111","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amal Y Zaman, Lama S Alrefai, Dorar F Alharbi, Rahaf A Khurmi, Leen M Abuanq, Ajyal A Aljohani, Ibrahim M Dighriri, Nada Elnugomi
{"title":"Breast cancer incidence after hormonal treatment for infertility: A meta-analysis of population-based studies.","authors":"Amal Y Zaman, Lama S Alrefai, Dorar F Alharbi, Rahaf A Khurmi, Leen M Abuanq, Ajyal A Aljohani, Ibrahim M Dighriri, Nada Elnugomi","doi":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.5.20240544","DOIUrl":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.5.20240544","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To comprehensively understand the relationship between infertility medications and the risk of breast cancer (BC) in females.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Relevant literature search using different databases (PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Sciences) following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines was carried out from 2003-2023. Population-based studies comparing the incidence of BC after hormonal fertility treatment and a control group were included. In addition, random and fixed effect models were used to carry out meta-analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 15 studies involving 92,555 women were included in this review. The pooled analysis using risk ratios (RRs) showed no evidence of increased BC risk associated with hormonal fertility medications (RR=1.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.97-1.02], <i>p</i>=0.83). The level of heterogeneity, as indicated by the I² statistic, was low (32%), and the Q test was not statistically significant. Sensitivity analysis using a random-effects model yielded consistent findings, suggesting no increased BC development risk with infertility medications. Among the 4 studies reporting hazard ratios (HRs), a significant protective effect on BC risk was observed (HR=0.91, 95% CI: [0.88-0.94], <i>p</i><0.001). The heterogeneity was substantially high (I²=96%), and the Q test demonstrated statistical significance. Sensitivity analysis using a random-effects model showed that heterogeneity remained constant, suggesting that the heterogeneity was attributable to the methods utilized in the included studies rather than being a result of statistical heterogeneity. The overall effect, as determined by the HR, was 1.01 and was not statistically significant (<i>p</i>=0.94).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This meta-analysis found no evidence of increased risk of BC following hormonal infertility treatment. However, the results should be illustrated cautiously, given the heterogeneity between studies.<b>PROSPERO No. ID: CRD42024569158</b>.</p>","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 5","pages":"441-449"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12074055/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144044166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Haifa F AlOtaibi, Hanan N Al Taib, Shadan AlMuhaidib, Saud Alshagrawi, Abdulmalik Almufarrih, Ola Alalmai, Sahar Alnaserallah, Najla Alodah, Saleh A Alqahtani, Waleed Alhazzani
{"title":"Clinical studies on anti-obesity medications in Arab countries.","authors":"Haifa F AlOtaibi, Hanan N Al Taib, Shadan AlMuhaidib, Saud Alshagrawi, Abdulmalik Almufarrih, Ola Alalmai, Sahar Alnaserallah, Najla Alodah, Saleh A Alqahtani, Waleed Alhazzani","doi":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.5.20250126","DOIUrl":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.5.20250126","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To identify and summarize studies carried out in Arab countries on anti-obesity medications (AOMs), with a focus on the types of medications investigated, study designs, and the efficacy/effectiveness and safety metrics reported.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We carried out a comprehensive scoping review of primary studies examining the use of AOMs in adult Arab populations. Five databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Index Medicus for the Eastern Mediterranean Region, and e-Marefa) were searched for English-language publications up to October 2024. Data extraction was carried out on study characteristics, participant demographics, interventions, and outcomes related to weight reduction, metabolic parameters, and side effects. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for non-randomized studies and a modified RoB tool for randomized controlled trials.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 59 clinical studies published between 2014-2024 were included. The majority (89.8%) were observational in design. Most studies were carried out in Saudi Arabia (40.7%) and the United Arab Emirates (20.3%). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists were investigated in 72.9% of the studies, with liraglutide being the most frequently studied agent (54.2%). The most commonly reported efficacy outcomes included changes in total body weight (45.8%), body mass index (39.0%), and the proportion of weight loss (28.8%). Gastrointestinal side effects were reported in 32.2% of patients across studies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite the growing body of research on AOMs in Arab countries, most studies remain observational and focus primarily on earlier-generation agents. There is a need for randomized controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of newer AOMs, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, within Arab populations to inform culturally and genetically tailored obesity management strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 5","pages":"459-477"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12074045/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144014907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Muhammad Omair Sultan Meo, Muhammad Zain Sultan Meo
{"title":"Rising ranking of Saudi universities in global science.","authors":"Muhammad Omair Sultan Meo, Muhammad Zain Sultan Meo","doi":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.4.20240730","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2025.46.4.20240730","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 4","pages":"429-430"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12010491/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144014906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Huda K Ahmedhussain, Lina H Raffa, Amal M Alosaimif, Sarah K Alessa, Suzan Y Alharbi, Hashem Almarzouki, Mansour A AlQurashi
{"title":"Validation of DIGIROP- Birth and DIGIROP- Screen for the discovery of retinopathy of prematurity requiring treatment in preterm births in Saudi Arabia.","authors":"Huda K Ahmedhussain, Lina H Raffa, Amal M Alosaimif, Sarah K Alessa, Suzan Y Alharbi, Hashem Almarzouki, Mansour A AlQurashi","doi":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.4.20240773","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2025.46.4.20240773","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To validate 2 DIGIROP prediction models for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) type 1 and compare them to other weight-based algorithms in a premature Saudi Arabian infant cohort.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Preterm infants of 24-30 weeks' gestational age (GA) or body weight (BW) of ≤1500g who were admitted to the neonatal units of 2 Jeddah tertiary centers between January 2015 and September 2021 were included (N=363). The DIGIROP-Birth employed the birth GA, gender, birth weight, and age at ROP onset as predictors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) with 95% confidence interval, specificity, and sensitivity were projected. The DIGIROP-Screen risk of risk were identified at 6-14 weeks postnatal age (PNA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean GA was 27.94±1.6 weeks and the mean BW was 1068.2±269.2 g. The DIGIROP-Birth had a sensitivity of 93.8%; specificity of 48.9%; AUC of 0.70; and accuracy of 52.9%. For DIGIROP-Screen, the AUC for models spanning PNA 6-14 weeks varied from 0.68-0.83, and sensitivity varied from 73.3-96.8%. The DIGIROP-Birth and DIGIROP-Screen showed the highest accuracy and AUC value in comparison to other ROP prediction models.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The 2 models demonstrated high predictive capacity for type 1 ROP risk assessment in this cohort. The potential of these tools for identifying high-risk infants and avoiding standard ROP screening in low-risk infants needs to be verified through large-scale studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 4","pages":"345-351"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12010494/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144023103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"An exploration of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels after unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures in community-dwelling elderly.","authors":"Hakan Zora, Gökhan Bayrak","doi":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.4.20241121","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2025.46.4.20241121","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Inadequate vitamin D is related to increased fall risk, which leads to hip fractures among the elderly. Therefore, this study aimed to explore vitamin D levels and the variables potentially influencing the total hospitalization time of community-dwelling elderly patients with unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between 2020-2024, 75 elderly patients treated with total hip replacement (THR) were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the deficient (<20 ng/mL, n=46), insufficient (20 to 29.99 ng/mL, n=16), and normal (≥30 ng/mL, n=13) serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) groups. Presence of delirium status, postoperative intensive care entrance, number of chronic diseases, preoperative waiting, and total hospitalization time after THR were recorded.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The cohorts' mean serum 25(OH)D level was 20.11ng/mL. The deficient, insufficient, and normal serum 25(OH)D level groups displayed no significant difference in the postoperative intensive care entrance (<i>p</i>=0.547) and the presence of delirium (<i>p</i>=0.947). The multiple linear regression model indicated that elderly patients' total hospitalization increases with the coefficients as the preoperative waiting time (β=0.466, <i>p</i>=0.001) and the number of chronic diseases (β=0.263, <i>p</i>=0.011) increase. Serum 25(OH)D level did not impact patients' total hospitalization time (β=-0.072, <i>p</i>=0.474).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study indicated that community-dwelling elderly patients with unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures had significantly decreased serum 25(OH)D levels. Reducing preoperative waiting time and monitoring and addressing chronic diseases may decrease total hospitalization. Efforts should focus on achieving and maintaining adequate vitamin D levels through supplementation post-hospitalization.</p>","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 4","pages":"372-377"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12010498/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144015499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bidhan Goswami, Sumit S Das, Partha S Pal, Partha Saha, Shauli Sengupta, Manti Debnath
{"title":"Serum and cord blood neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin levels in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus and its association with tumor necrosis factor-alpha: A cross-sectional study from Tripura, India.","authors":"Bidhan Goswami, Sumit S Das, Partha S Pal, Partha Saha, Shauli Sengupta, Manti Debnath","doi":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.4.20240964","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2025.46.4.20240964","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To examine the significance of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their correlation with insulin resistance and metabolic markers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Blood samples from maternal and cord sources were obtained from 289 pregnant women, divided into GDM, prediabetic, and normal pregnancy groups. Serum levels of NGAL, TNF-α, insulin, fasting blood sugar (FBS), homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides, cholesterol, and so on were measured. Statistical analyses, including the Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test, were used to compare NGAL levels across patient groups and ethnicities.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Women with GDM showed significantly higher serum NGAL and TNF-α levels compared to prediabetic and normal pregnancy groups. The NGAL levels positively correlated with key metabolic markers such as FBS, insulin, HOMA-IR, triglycerides, and cholesterol, suggesting a link between elevated NGAL and insulin resistance. In the GDM group, there was also a positive association (r=0.366) between NGAL and TNF-α values. No significant variation in NGAL levels was observed between non-tribal and tribal women.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Elevated levels of NGAL and TNF-α in women with GDM are linked to increased insulin resistance, excessive gestational weight gain, and higher neonatal morbidity risk. These findings underscore the possible involvement of these inflammatory markers in the development of GDM, emphasizing the need for targeted management of both gestational weight gain and inflammation in GDM patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 4","pages":"352-357"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12010489/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144028310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amala Sunder, Yusuf Khaled Hadi, Noor Ammar Alkhuzaei, Nayla Jamal Bushaqer, Haya Isa Al Khalifa, Basma Darwish, Nawal Dayoub
{"title":"Comparative study of pregnancy risks in different maternal age groups.","authors":"Amala Sunder, Yusuf Khaled Hadi, Noor Ammar Alkhuzaei, Nayla Jamal Bushaqer, Haya Isa Al Khalifa, Basma Darwish, Nawal Dayoub","doi":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.4.20240555","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2025.46.4.20240555","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To evaluate and compare pregnancy complications associated with varying maternal age groups.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective analysis of singleton pregnancy outcomes at Bahrain Defense Force Hospital from January to December 2022. The study population was divided into 4 age groups: <25 years, 25-29 years, 30-34 years, and ≥35 years. Data on demographics, maternal and fetal characteristics were collected, and statistical significance was set at <i>p</i><0.05. Univariate logistic regression was performed to analyze maternal and neonatal outcomes, adjusting for maternal factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study included 2,972 women aged 17-55. Significant associations were found between maternal age and outcomes. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly linked to age (<i>p</i><0.01), with younger women having lower BMI. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was more common in women ≥35 years (11.5%) vs. those <25 years (6.6%, <i>p</i>=0.027). Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) was more prevalent in the <25 years age group (<i>p</i>=0.041).Logistic regression showed women 30-34 years had a lower risk of GDM compared to 25-29 years (odds ratio [OR]: 0.544, CI: 0.365-0.811), and women <25 years had a higher risk of preterm delivery (OR: 1.365, CI: 1.015-1.837).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Maternal age is an independent risk factor for various adverse outcomes. Younger women (<25) are at higher risk for preterm delivery and IUGR, while older women (≥35) have higher rates of GDM.</p>","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 4","pages":"378-387"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12010492/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144021942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}