Saudi Journal for Health Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Impact of pregnancy outcomes on postpartum depression among women attending primary health-care centers in Al-Madina Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia","authors":"Y. Aljehani, M. Alanzi, Suzan Aljehani, Alrehaily Saleem, Salman Alraddadi, Rema Alblowi, H. Aly, S. E. El Sayed","doi":"10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_247_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_247_20","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) afflicts women and their families negatively. Unfortunately, PPD often goes undetected and untreated. We previously reported that PPD prevalence was 19.4% in Al-Madina region, Saudi Arabia. Objectives: The objective of the study was to identify significant risk factors of PPD among women in Al-Madina, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A multistage random sampling technique recruited women visiting primary health-care centers in Al-Madina to immunize their babies. A cross-sectional descriptive study was done using Arabic translation of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for PPD screening using a cutoff score of ≥12. Our study also investigated demographic and other possible PPD risk factors. Results: This study enrolled 216 women out of 224 (response rate is 96.4%). PPD was not significantly associated with pregnancy planning, infant's gender, or infant's age. Primiparous women (n = 92, 42.7%) had a significant PPD risk (P < 0.05). More than half of mothers enrolled in our study (n = 124, 57.4%) were multiparous. Nearly 30.6% of participants (n = 66) used breastfeeding, while formula feeding was present in 40.7% (n = 88). PDD was reported more among women who breastfed their babies (27.3%) compared to those who artificially fed their babies (15.9%) and those using mixed feeding (16.1%). PPD was more significant among women who delivered by vaginal delivery (P < 0.05) compared to those delivered by cesarean section. Congenital abnormality of babies was reported by almost one-sixth of women (n = 36, 16.7%) but were not significantly associated with PPD. Conclusion: More than half of women having PPD (n = 124, 57.4%) were multiparous. PPD may negatively impair women's future pregnancy plans due to depression. PPD is significantly associated with primiparity and vaginal delivery and increases with breastfeeding. To the authors, PPD is a serious medical condition that should be taken into account with all deliveries. Primiparity is a risk factor, and PPD should be anticipated in primiparous women. Psychiatric evaluation and psychotherapy may be needed to help women and alleviate their fears in future pregnancies. Gynecologists should be aware of PPD and should receive a clinical experience in that. Psychiatric consultation is highly recommended whenever necessary.","PeriodicalId":32639,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal for Health Sciences","volume":"20 1","pages":"103 - 109"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78525680","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The theory of evidence-based practice among clinical teaching assistants at a college of nursing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia","authors":"H. Rawas","doi":"10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_35_21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_35_21","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an integration of the research evidence with clinical expertise and the values of patients to assist the health profession in clinical decision-making. Recent studies indicate that education on EBP is considered a core component in the learning curricula for all health-care professions. In addition, it has been recommended to use a variety of teaching strategies to enhance EBP knowledge and skills. Aims: The aim of this study is to develop an explanatory theory to guide the process of EBP among clinical teaching assistants (CTAs) within the Saudi context that is characterized by a multicultural environment. Setting and Design This study used grounded theory approach by Strauss and Corbin (1990), and was conducted in a college of nursing, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: The study participants included 22 CTAs. Initially, three participants were conveniently sampled. As data collection and data analysis continued, sampling changed from conveniently to theoretical until data saturation was reached. The data collection was through in-depth interviews and was recorded with the permission of the participants. Analysis: The data were analyzed by following the coding in grounded theory, namely open, axial, and selective coding. Results: Twenty two CTAs participated in this study. The average age of participants was 46 years with average years of experience of 7.5 years. The theory that emerged from this study was the “theory of EBP among CTAs.” There were one core concept emerged from the study (confident to care) and four subconcepts (teamwork, forcing inquiry, EBP champions, and formal education). Conclusion: This study provided insight into the process of EBP among CTAs and provided a middle range theory for CTAs toward becoming confident in caring through adopting EBP approach to care.","PeriodicalId":32639,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal for Health Sciences","volume":"36 1","pages":"125 - 131"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89727249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Knowledge and adherence to coronavirus disease 2019 preventive measures: A bi-national web-based survey","authors":"Olabode E. Omotoso, Precious-Paul Awoyemi, V. Wahab, M. Ragab, J. Teibo, O. Akinfe, Amira Matareek","doi":"10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_272_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_272_20","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Within few months of its outbreak, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has ravaged over 200 countries, resulting in over a million deaths. As the disease curve flattens in most countries, the instituted guidelines were receded to mitigate the effect on citizens and the national economy. Aims: To assess the knowledge and level of adherence of Nigerians and Egyptians to the COVID-19 preventive measures. Settings and Design: A validated web-based cross-sectional questionnaire was utilized to obtain 915 respondents via a convenient sampling technique. Materials and Methods: Data were obtained from Egyptians and Nigerians who gave consent for participation and are above 18 years of age. Statistical Analysis Used: Data obtained were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, v. 20. Chi-square test, correlation and one-way analysis of variance were performed to test for relationships between variables. Statistically significant results (P < 0.05) were subjected to further test. Results: Most Egyptians (87%) had satisfactory COVID-19 knowledge compared to Nigerians (40%). Age (18–30 years), tertiary education and educational background were factors that influenced respondents' knowledge. Although majority (73%) believe that the prevention measures are required to curtail the menace of COVID-19, the adherence of most respondents (59.1%) to the measures was unsatisfactory. The pandemic and the regulatory policies negatively affected respondents' education, school or job (90.3%), finance (87.9%) and social interaction (87.5%). Conclusion: Both countries showed a good knowledge of the disease but poor adherence to the preventive measures. The pandemic negatively affected people's finance, education, job, and social interaction.","PeriodicalId":32639,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal for Health Sciences","volume":"96 1","pages":"80 - 87"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77520779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Interrelation between nurse-to-patient ratio, nurse engagement, and missed nursing care in King Saud Medical City: Basis for development of nurse–patient quality of care","authors":"M. Tenório, W. Aletreby, Batla Al Shammari, Basel Almuabbadi, Huda Mwawish, James Montegrico","doi":"10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_74_21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_74_21","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Healthcare is a substantial industry globally, where nurses comprise the largest percentage of the healthcare system. There is a global nursing shortage and nursing staff retention has become a major human resource challenge. One of the critical indicators of quality of care is nurse-to-patient ratio (n:p ratio), but due to the extreme shortage of nurses, the quality of nursing care may have been affected leading to low nurse engagement results and substantial missed on aspects of nursing care. Identifying these key areas among nurses in King Saud Medical City (KSMC) will contribute to the improvement of staffing conditions at any levels. Aim: The primary objectives were (1) to investigate the impact of patient-to-nurse ratio (p:n ratio) on satisfaction and (2) to explore the impact of p:n ratio on missed care. The secondary objectives were (1) to compare the nurses' satisfaction categories, missed care categories across different hospitals included in our medical city, different age categories, and different education levels and (2) n:p ratio will be compared across hospitals. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study. Setting: This was conducted at KSMC, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, specifically in areas of main general hospital, medical tower, pediatric and maternity hospital. Outcome Measures: (n:p ratio), nurse engagement/satisfaction, and missed nursing care. Results: Of the total of 384 responses (96% response rate), the majority of respondents were satisfied (n=155, 40.4%), followed by Neutral (n=124, 32.3%), very unsatisfied category included only 17 responses (4.4%) and very satisfied were 35 nurses (9.1%). While responses to the missed care section revealed that overall the majority of missed care opportunities were in the category of never missed (278, 72.4%). As for the p: n ratio, the average was 4.2 (patients) ± 1 (nurse). Furthermore, the ratio of patients-to-nurse was not found to significantly impact overall satisfaction, neither in the univariable model nor in the multivariable model adjusted for age, education, and experience. Interestingly, age category was a significant predictor of nurse satisfaction (higher odds of satisfaction category with higher age category) yielding an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.8; P = 0.04) although this was a post hoc finding. As for the impact of n:p ratio on missed care, it was significantly associated with missed care in the univariable model, with OR of 1.3 (95% CI: 1.01–1.6; P = 0.037) and an OR of 1.3 (95% CI: 1.02–1.6; P = 0.032) in the multivariable model. When the categories of satisfaction were compared across different hospitals of KSMC, different age groups, and education, there were no differences in any of the Chi-square tests performed. Similarly, there were no statistically significant differences when the missed care was compared across the same subgroups; moreover, it was distinguished that p: n ratio was significantly high","PeriodicalId":32639,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal for Health Sciences","volume":"30 1","pages":"116 - 124"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87243608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Significance of human leukocyte antigen-B27 expression in cases of reactive arthritis: A study in rural central India","authors":"J. Shougrakpam, A. Deshmukh, Anupama Gupta, N. Gangane","doi":"10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_79_21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_79_21","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Reactive arthritis (RA), apart from presenting as an immune reaction to certain microorganisms, had also shown to have a genetic predisposition. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA-B27) is an allele of the HLA Class I molecules and its positivity in a person is shown to be a strong predictor of RA. The present study was aimed to study the significance of HLA-B27 positivity in clinical presentation and progress of RA in rural central India. Materials and Methods: One hundred rheumatoid arthritis factor seronegative patients of symptomatic RA were enrolled in the study. HLA-B27 was detected by flow cytometry method and patients were divided into two groups, each of 50 depending on HLA-B27 positivity and negativity as case and control groups. The patients were contacted on their follow-up visits and the clinical information and progress of the disease was assessed and correlated with HLA-B27 status. Results: About 74% in study group and 62% in control groups were males in RA (P = 0.001 and 0.0007, respectively). Study cases with HLA-B27 positivity showed many significant differences in their clinical presentation and disease severity and progression over the control cases (HLA-B27 negative). The mean duration of symptoms in the study group was 22.7 ± 31.26 and 12.98 ± 6.94 in control group. Severity of arthritic pain was more in study group as compared to control group (P = 0.0007). Study cases showed more axial skeletal involvement (P = 0.0002), enthesitis (P = 0.0001), and sacroiliac joint involvement (P = 0.0005). Clinical evaluation of back pain with different clinical tests in study cases showed more morning spinal stiffness (P = 0.0001), low Schober index (P = 0.001), higher lateral flexion (P = 0.0001), and lower chest expansion (P = 0.0001). The severity of disease in follow-up period increased significantly in 92% of patients in the study group despite initiation of clinical management of arthritis, while decreased in 60% of patients in the control group (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: HLA-B27-associated RA presents with significantly more severe primary disease and a rapid course of disease. Thus, HLA-B27 association should be done in all patients of RS and positive patients must be followed more rigorously to prevent many possible complications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in central India to report the importance of HLA-B27 in patients of RA with regard to its management and prognosis.","PeriodicalId":32639,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal for Health Sciences","volume":"14 1","pages":"110 - 115"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90763518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Immunology of coronavirus disease 2019 raises more questions than answers","authors":"A. Nasr","doi":"10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_168_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_168_20","url":null,"abstract":"Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is by far one of the biggest global health crises of this century. Unfortunately, up till now, there is no preventative vaccine and treatment strategies are disadvantaged by the ever-emerging viral mutations and the significantly high morbidity and fatality rate. Theoretically, the main hope to change this situation would be to develop novel, effective treatment and vaccine against COVID-19 based on the activation of T- and B-cells. An important part of this process understands the mechanisms of innate and acquired immunity to COVID-19. In this review article, a literature search was conducted using PubMed search engine looking at what has been published up to the 20th of July 2020 about the immunology of COVID-19. The aim is to collate all the evidence and highlight key features of what we know thus far about the immunity of COVID-19. This should hopefully deepen our understanding of the activated immune responses which will take us a step forward in the search for an effective COVID-19 vaccine.","PeriodicalId":32639,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal for Health Sciences","volume":"86 1","pages":"1 - 6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77006723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Radiographic evaluation of third molar impaction: A digital panoramic stud","authors":"S. Khan, A. Khabeer, N. Alyousef, M. Benrashed, Y. AlMaimouni, Ahmad M. Al-Thobity, M. Gad, Sarfaraz Akhtar","doi":"10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_221_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_221_20","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The impaction of third molar can compromise adjacent teeth by increasing the risk of developing dentoalveolar lesions. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of impacted third molar in association to patients' demographics and its angulation among patients who visited dental clinics at the College of Dentistry, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. Settings and Design: Retrospective radiographic study of patients visiting Dental Hospital. Subjects and Methods: Data were obtained from the dental records and digital orthopantomogram (OPG) of included study sample. Statistical Analysis: The Chi-square test was used to determine the association of impacted third molars with sex and nationality, whereas another two methods, analysis of variance, and Tukey post hoc test were applied, respectively, to establish the association of impacted third molars with the age of the patients. Results: A total of 1286 OPGs were collected and analyzed for the suitability of the study. Of these 1068 patients fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in the study, among them, 206 (19.3%) had at least one impacted third molar. Female population had a significantly high prevalence of third molars compared to male (P = 0.02). Similarly, the age of the patients was found to be significantly associated with impacted teeth (P < 0.001); also, the vertical and mesioangular impactions were found in 46.5% and 32.2% of the patients, respectively. Conclusion: The study found a low female predilection for the prevalence of third molar impaction with highest inclination at the young age that decreases with the growing age. Vertical impaction had the highest prevalence followed by mesioangular angulation.","PeriodicalId":32639,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal for Health Sciences","volume":"33 1","pages":"34 - 37"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87451633","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ocular manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease in the Taif region of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic, patient prospective","authors":"Abdulhamid Alghamdi, Nada Alrubaie, J. Sarriyah, B. Alqahtani, Bushra Alshehri, Shadi Alghamdi, A. Alahmari, M. Attar, Omar Dammas","doi":"10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_267_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_267_20","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Ocular manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) considered being the most common extraintestinal complication. Eventually, early detection and management improve the patient's quality of life as well as prevent potentially visually threatening complications. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and pattern of ocular manifestations among patients with inflammatory bowel disease during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study was performed using anonymous online surveys were administered which included the participant's demographics, prevalence and pattern of IBD intestinal and ocular manifestations, precipitating factors, and quality of life. Data were analyzed using (SPSS) version 20 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). Chi-squared test Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests were applied. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Informed consent and ethical approval were obtained. Results: A total of 216 participants responded to the survey with 50.50% of females and 49.50% were male. About 90.3% of the participants had their GIT symptoms start before their eye symptoms. Almost two-thirds of the participants, (68.5%) suffered from frequent severe bowel symptoms that prevented them from carrying out work and/or perform the normal daily activity. Furthermore, one-third of the participants (31.6%) are unemployed and described a positive family history (32.8%). More than 75% of participants described eye symptoms associated with the intestinal disease activity which range from mild self-limiting to more severe ones that required hospital visits (50%). Although, majority of participants (90.00%) did not routinely receive official referral to ophthalmologist. The non-significant difference was found between the presence of eye symptoms and participant's gender, marital status, educational level, stress, and smoking habits. Conclusion: Most of the IBD patients suffered from significant ocular manifestations with frequent hospital visits. Misdiagnosis and/or inadequate management negatively affect the quality of life of IBD patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Risk-based Ophthalmic screening strategy may reduce the impact of IBD.","PeriodicalId":32639,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal for Health Sciences","volume":"77 1","pages":"27 - 33"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90199406","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Severe obesity associated with hyperglycemia and abdominal fats in metabolic syndrome patients","authors":"K. Musa, M. Ibrahim, Mai Al Masri, A. Ismail","doi":"10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_18_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_18_20","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Obesity is a major public problem in developed and developing countries associated with a high mortality rate. Herein, we determined the relationships between severe obesity, lipid profile, blood glucose in metabolic syndrome (MS) patients. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional 215 MS patients, ages ranged from 37 to 84 were randomly selected. Body mass index and waist circumference (WC) were estimated. Fasting serum lipid profile and plasma blood glucose were measured. Results: In total, 132 (61.4%) were female, 151 (70.2%) were obese, 64 (29.8%) were sever obese, and 143 (66.5%) had WC ≥ 110. Chi-square analyses show that severe obesity was significantly associated with increased WC and hyperglycemia with (odds ratio [OR] = 2.230 and 2.400) and (P = 0.019 and 0.005), respectively. The severe obesity in females was two-fold increased than males (OR = 1.93, P = 0.028). Conclusion: Severe obesity associated with central obesity and hyperglycemia in MS patients. Moreover, females at higher risk to have severe obesity.","PeriodicalId":32639,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal for Health Sciences","volume":"25 1","pages":"61 - 64"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78144658","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical, serological, and radiological characteristics of COVID-19 patients in Makkah, Saudi Arabia","authors":"Imran Nazir, Mohammed Al Shareef, S. Rahman, Iffat Imran, H. Abdullah, H. Shaaban, K. Khalil, A. Al Hazmi, Waleed Mohammed Ahmed, Amna Al Kalkami","doi":"10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_231_20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_231_20","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading across the globe at an alarming rate. The number of COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia is increasing daily. Saudi Arabia is a hot zone for outbreaks of infectious diseases like COVID-19, especially the Makkah area. Hence, determining the clinical characteristics along with serological, hematological, and radiological abnormalities in COVID-19 patients is important for epidemiological decision-making, such as control and surveillance strategies. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study done in a single health-care hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, for 4-month period. We include admitted COVID-19 patients (confirmed with qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction test) of any gender with age >14 years. The complete data of COVID-19 patients were extracted from electronic medical records. Data were analyzed by the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23. Categorical variables were presented as counts and percentages, where means and standard deviations (SDs) were extracted for continuous variables. Fisher's exact test was applied to assess association with mortality. Results: Total enrolled cases were 226. The mean age of the patients was 58 years with SD (±0.4458) and 95% confidence interval (2.688–2.810). The common clinical presentations were fever (77.4%), cough (77%), shortness of breath (53.5%), and myalgia (37.2%). Lymphopenia was observed in 54.4%, anemia in 8.4%, leukopenia in 16.4%, and thrombocytopenia in 9.3% of the patients. The fatality rate was 8.4% (n = 19) over this 4-month period. Conclusion: Advanced age and comorbidity plays a pivotal role in disease mortality. Elderly people's constant evaluation and management is of fundamental importance to decrease mortality.","PeriodicalId":32639,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal for Health Sciences","volume":"16 1","pages":"14 - 20"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80043449","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}