{"title":"GLP-1 analog therapy and hemoglobin levels: Insights from a retrospective study.","authors":"Sarah A Almuammar, Hani K Alzahrani","doi":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.8.20240100","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2025.46.8.20240100","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To investigate the hematological impact of Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs, specifically changes in hemoglobin and ferritin levels. Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogs, pivotal in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity, exhibit diverse physiological effects. While their impact on glycemic control is well-established, understanding their influence on hematological parameters remains an active area of investigation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cohort of 700 patients prescribed GLP-1 analogs between March 2021 and October 2022 was analyzed. Demographic data, baseline hemoglobin, ferritin levels, and subsequent measurements were collected. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, subgroup analyses, and multivariable logistic regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Following GLP-1 analog initiation, a statistically significant decrease in hemoglobin levels was observed (median decrease: 0.2 g/dL), with 59 patients (8.4%) developing anemia. Ferritin levels showed no significant change. Subgroup analyses by gender and medication type revealed no significant differences in hemoglobin changes. Baseline hemoglobin demonstrated a significant inverse association with anemia development (OR=0.31, 95% CI: 0.21-0.44, <i>p</i><0.01).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study contributes valuable insights into the complex interplay between GLP-1 analogs and hematological parameters. Clinicians should be aware of potential hematological effects, with baseline hemoglobin levels serving as a valuable predictor of anemia risk. Future prospective studies are warranted to deepen understanding and refine clinical strategies in the use of GLP-1 analogs.</p>","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 8","pages":"907-912"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12376157/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144967118","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}
Hüseyin F Martlı, Arzu H Aydın, Eda Şahingöz, Sadettin Er, Özgür Akgül, Nesrin Turhan, Mesut Tez
{"title":"Eosinophilic infiltration in gallbladder pathologies: A clinical dilemma.","authors":"Hüseyin F Martlı, Arzu H Aydın, Eda Şahingöz, Sadettin Er, Özgür Akgül, Nesrin Turhan, Mesut Tez","doi":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.8.20250223","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2025.46.8.20250223","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To determine the clinicopathological features and prevalence of Eosinophilic cholecystitis (EC) with a single-center experience. Eosinophilic cholecystitis is an exceedingly uncommon pathologic issue caused by examining cholecystectomy specimens.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective analysis was performed on 8,342 cholecystectomy specimens. Of these, 33 pathology results confirmed EC and were re-examined by pathologists. This study obtained demographic data, medical histories, comorbidities, clinical laboratory results, radiological findings, and pathological information from an electronic record system.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The average age of the patients was 47 years, with a range of 24 to 82 years. Acute cholecystitis was reported in 5 (15.6%), chronic cholecystitis in 25 (75.8%), and cholelithiasis in 3 (9.1%) gallbladder specimens. Five of the 33 patients had liver hydatid cysts. There was no statistically significant difference in parameters such as blood eosinophil count, eosinophil ratio, eosinophil count in the gallbladder wall, and gallbladder wall thickness between patients with and without liver hydatid cysts who had eosinophilic cholecystitis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Eosinophilic infiltration is a component of inflammatory processes, including acute and chronic inflammation. Importantly, hydatid cysts can be observed in the liver, which relates to EC. In our study, no distinct clinical, laboratory, or radiological findings of EC were identified, and the diagnosis of EC was made pathologically.</p>","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 8","pages":"948-953"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12376163/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144967083","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}
Şadiye A Tuzcu, Ilbey E Çetin, Erdal Çetinkaya, Fatih Güzel, Dilek Geneş, İbrahim İbiloğlu
{"title":"Comparison of incidentally detected focal FDG uptake in the thyroid gland on PET/CT with fine needle aspiration biopsy results.","authors":"Şadiye A Tuzcu, Ilbey E Çetin, Erdal Çetinkaya, Fatih Güzel, Dilek Geneş, İbrahim İbiloğlu","doi":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.8.20241077","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2025.46.8.20241077","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To compare the SUV<sub>max</sub>-SUV<sub>mean</sub> values of the thyroid gland nodules and the SUV<sub>max</sub>-SUV<sub>mean</sub> ratios of the nodules to normal thyroid gland with the fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) results, to determine the importance of nodule SUV<sub>max</sub> value in the detection of malignancy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study included 788 patients without a diagnosis of thyroid cancer who exhibited focal uptake in the thyroid gland on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT. Of these, 131 patients underwent FNAB. SUV<sub>max</sub>-SUV<sub>mean</sub> values of the nodules and normal thyroid tissue were measured on PET/CT imaging, along with the pathology reports of the patients who underwent FNAB.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Patients with malignant tumors, nodules exhibited higher SUV<sub>max</sub> and SUV<sub>mean</sub> values for both nodules and nodules/normal thyroid tissue ratio compared to those with benign group. The thyroid SUV<sub>max</sub> and SUV<sub>mean</sub> values were higher in the benign group. The area under the curve for the nodule SUV<sub>max</sub> was 84.6%, and the cut-off value was determined to be 5.5, with a discrimination ability of 80%-90%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The area under the curve for the nodule SUV<sub>max</sub> showed the statistical significance of the diagnostic discrimination ability of the test. The findings suggest that nodule SUV<sub>max</sub> provides good discrimination ability for malignancy detection, indicating its potential utility as a diagnostic marker.</p>","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 8","pages":"913-918"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12376159/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144967122","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}
Abdulsalam Alhaidary, Kishore Tanniru, Kevin J Munro, Ahmed Bin Afif, Ibrahim Almufarrij
{"title":"A scoping review of arabic self-reported measures of hearing, tinnitus and hyperacusis: Limited quality and quantity.","authors":"Abdulsalam Alhaidary, Kishore Tanniru, Kevin J Munro, Ahmed Bin Afif, Ibrahim Almufarrij","doi":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.8.20250172","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2025.46.8.20250172","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To identify Arabic-language self-report measures related to hearing, tinnitus and hyperacusis and evaluate whether they had been validated and cross-culturally adapted following translation from other languages.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR guidelines) and searched 5` information sources (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Google Scholar) from their inception to September 2023, identifying all originally developed or translated Arabic self- or parent-report measures related to hearing, tinnitus and hyperacusis. A total of 1,458 records were screened, with only 28 deemed eligible for inclusion.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This review identified 23 measures related to hearing and 5 related to tinnitus and hyperacusis. All but three measures were translated and cross-culturally adapted from other languages. No statistical analysis was performed.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The absence of detailed descriptions of the translation process was a common concern in the identified publications. Despite millions speaking Arabic as their native language, there is a notable lack of high-quality, comprehensive Arabic-language self-report measures for hearing, tinnitus and hyperacusis. Further efforts are needed to develop and cross-culturally adapt validated Arabic measures in accordance with recommended guidelines for research and clinical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 8","pages":"878-890"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12392410/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144966957","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":"A 12-year analysis of seasonal patterns and disease dynamics of <i>cutaneous leishmaniasis</i> in Saudi Arabia.","authors":"Basmah F Alharbi, Mawahib A Ahmed","doi":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.8.20241124","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2025.46.8.20241124","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To investigate seasonal patterns of <i>cutaneous leishmaniasis</i> in Saudi Arabia, examining how incidence rates vary throughout the year. By exploring these dynamics, we aim to gain insights that could improve understanding and prevention strategies for this disease. <i>Cutaneous leishmaniasis</i>, a global parasitic disease affecting millions, presents a significant health challenge.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study analyzed epidemiological data from Saudi Arabia from January 2012 to December 2023, using records from the Ministry of Health to document incidence. Statistical methods, including Chi-squared tests and ANOVA, were employed, along with correlation and regression analyses to forecast future cases.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings revealed an annual average of 1,221 cases, ranging from 528 to 2,190. Winter months had a higher incidence rate, averaging 481 cases, while summer months showed lower rates with an average of 198 cases, indicating a significant difference (<i>p</i><0.005). Among Saudi nationals, there were 628 cases on average, compared to 593 for non-Saudis. The data also showed 967 cases in males and 255 in females, with higher incidence rates among those aged 15 to 45.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study contributes to the understanding of <i>cutaneous leishmaniasis</i> during different seasons in Saudi Arabia and provides insights for disease management and the need to develop preventive strategies during the winter months..</p>","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 8","pages":"941-947"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12376164/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144967028","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":"How does body mass index affect breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women with and without cardiovascular disease?","authors":"","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 8","pages":"955-956"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12376174/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144967130","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}
Ghassan Al-Murshedi, Yasmin Md Radzi, Noor Naslinda Noor Rizan, Azhar Abdul Rahman
{"title":"Effectiveness of EPID-based in-vivo dosimetry with EPIgray<sup>®</sup> Software for head and neck VMAT treatments.","authors":"Ghassan Al-Murshedi, Yasmin Md Radzi, Noor Naslinda Noor Rizan, Azhar Abdul Rahman","doi":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.8.20240844","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2025.46.8.20240844","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To evaluate the effectiveness of in-vivo dosimetry (IVD) utilizing an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) in conjunction with EPIgray<sup>®</sup> software (DOSIsoft, Cachan, France) for assessing the accuracy of dose delivery for the patient when undertaking head and neck (H&N) treatments.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using cross-sectional analysis, data were collected from the linear accelerator of twenty patients undergoing (H&N) radiotherapy treatments using the Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) modality from June 2019 to October 2023 at Gleneagles Hospital Penang, Penang, Malaysia. EPIgray<sup>®</sup> software reconstructed the delivered dose based on EPID images. These reconstructed doses were compared with the planned doses to evaluate dose accuracy, specifically looking at how many patient doses fell within the set tolerance range. In addition, RTsafe PseudoPatient™ phantom was involved in this study, and the reconstructed dose with EPIgray<sup>®</sup> was compared with the delivered dose and was established as a benchmark for accuracy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The percentage difference between the reconstructed doses and planned doses (ΔD%) for patients ranged from (1.96) to (-11.1), and the results showed that 60% of the patients' doses were within the tolerance range (±5%). The phantom study resulted in a percentage dose difference (ΔD%) of -1.73%, and this was established as a benchmark for accuracy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study proves that using EPID-based in-vivo dosimetry with EPIgray<sup>®</sup> software is a precise way to check that the right amount of radiation is being delivered for patients during radiotherapy to head and neck (H&N) treatments. Integrating EPIgray<sup>®</sup> into clinical practice enhances dose accuracy and patient safety.</p>","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 8","pages":"926-932"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12392402/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144967066","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}
Jawharah S Alhazmi, Ameera S Al-Khaldi, Naoufel M Kaabia, Nabiha A Bouafia, Yasser K Mohammed, Mohammad A Al Garni, Abdulrahman N Odayani
{"title":"Epidemiology and risk factors of Methicillin-Resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA) infections in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia: An 8-year retrospective analysis.","authors":"Jawharah S Alhazmi, Ameera S Al-Khaldi, Naoufel M Kaabia, Nabiha A Bouafia, Yasser K Mohammed, Mohammad A Al Garni, Abdulrahman N Odayani","doi":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.8.20241078","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2025.46.8.20241078","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To control the spread of methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA) in healthcare institutions, understanding its local epidemiology is essential. We aimed to investigate the epidemiological, clinical, and bacteriological features of MRSA cases and compare their origin (hospital-acquired versus [vs.] community-acquired) and patient age (pediatric vs. adult).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective survey was conducted using the electronic database of all MRSA cases reported to the Infection Prevention and Control Center at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia from 2012 to 2020. We collected epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological data and performed comparative analyses between groups using appropriate statistical tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 1,145 patients (mean age: 41.2 ± 30.1 years; 67.4% male), 627 (54.8%) were colonization cases and 518 (45.2%) were infections. A significant proportion (68%) of MRSA infections were hospital-acquired. The mean incidence rate of MRSA infection was 0.22 per 1,000 patient-days, with a decreasing trend over time. Hospital-acquired MRSA infections were significantly associated with older age, intensive care unit stay, immunosuppressive therapy, and invasive devices.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite a declining trend, MRSA remains a significant healthcare challenge, particularly among elderly, immunocompromised, and critically ill patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 8","pages":"891-897"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12376151/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144967047","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":"Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI): Current understanding, challenges, and future directions.","authors":"Fahd A Kuriri","doi":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.8.20250233","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2025.46.8.20250233","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) remains one of the most serious yet often overlooked complications of blood transfusion, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. It manifests as acute respiratory distress and non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema within 6 hours of transfusion, requiring immediate recognition and intervention. However, diagnosing TRALI is complex, as its clinical presentation overlaps with other causes of acute lung injury, and its underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This review examines the global burden of TRALI, shedding light on underreporting issues, particularly in resource-limited settings where surveillance systems are inadequate. It explores both antibody-dependent and antibody-independent pathways, focusing on neutrophil activation, inflammatory mediators, and donor-specific factors that drive TRALI pathogenesis. While leukoreduction and improved donor selection have contributed to risk reduction, challenges persist, including the absence of standardized diagnostic criteria, gaps in data from low-income regions, and a lack of reliable biomarkers for early detection. Despite advances in understanding TRALI, more research is needed to refine diagnostic tools, enhance blood product safety, and develop targeted preventive strategies. By addressing these gaps, we can improve transfusion safety and patient outcomes on a global scale, ensuring that life-saving transfusions do not come with life-threatening risks.</p>","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 8","pages":"865-877"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12392415/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144967067","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}
Mawada A Abdelgadir, Amani Khardali, Santhosh J Menachery, Renju Ravi, Hilal A Thaibah, Moaddey Alfarhan, Saeed A Al-Qahtani, Abdulkarim M Meraya
{"title":"Assessing prevalence, knowledge, attitude, and practices associated with influenza vaccination among the people residing in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia.","authors":"Mawada A Abdelgadir, Amani Khardali, Santhosh J Menachery, Renju Ravi, Hilal A Thaibah, Moaddey Alfarhan, Saeed A Al-Qahtani, Abdulkarim M Meraya","doi":"10.15537/smj.2025.46.8.20250214","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2025.46.8.20250214","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To understand the attitude and knowledge regarding influenza vaccine is crucial for developing effective vaccination strategies to improve public health outcomes. Seasonal influenza is a widespread, preventable infection caused by influenza viruses, particularly affecting vulnerable populations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence, knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding influenza vaccination in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 402 participants were surveyed, with the majority being female (80.3%) and Saudi nationals (97.3%). Our results revealed that 69.4% of the participants had been vaccinated, yet significant gaps remained in knowledge, especially regarding high-risk groups and vaccine side effects. Although 97% had heard of the influenza vaccine, only half of the participants were aware of its side effects. Moreover, 58.8% of the unvaccinated believed that their immune systems could naturally fight off the infection. Attitudes towards vaccination were generally positive, with 76.2% adhering to preventive measures. However, misconceptions persisted, particularly regarding vaccine safety and the perceived severity of influenza. Marital status being widowed was a significant predictor (estimate; 95% confidence interval; <i>p</i>-value) for low knowledge score (-1.46; -2.54, -0.38; <i>p</i>=0.008) whereas, having already taken the influenza vaccine was a significant predictor for higher score (1.15; 0.73, 1.56; <i>p</i><0.001). For every unit increase in the knowledge score, the influenza vaccination hesitancy odds increased by 1.83 times, which was statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study demonstrates that while awareness of influenza and its vaccine is relatively high, significant misconceptions remain, highlighting the need for targeted health education initiatives to address these gaps and increase regional vaccination coverage.</p>","PeriodicalId":21453,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Medical Journal","volume":"46 8","pages":"933-940"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12376150/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144967070","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}