The Utility of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review

Point-of-Care Ultrasonography (POCUS) has increasingly become a pivotal tool in emergency medicine, offering significant improvements in diagnostic accuracy and patient care. This systematic review aims to evaluate the utility of POCUS in emergency settings, focusing on its impact on diagnostic accuracy, patient management, and the implications of POCUS training for emergency medicine residents. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search across major databases, primarily PubMed, was conducted in November 2023. The review included clinical trials, observational studies, and controlled clinical trials, focusing on the utility of POCUS in emergency departments. Out of 305 articles identified, 8 studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The review encompassed diverse studies with a total of 1203 participants, demonstrating the effectiveness of POCUS in various emergency scenarios. Key findings include the improvement of diagnostic accuracy for conditions like acute dyspnea and Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF), the utility of POCUS in pediatric emergency care, and its role in ocular emergencies. POCUS was also found to influence patient care decisions significantly, changing diagnostic impressions and management plans. Additionally, POCUS training for emergency medicine residents led to increased ultrasound usage and improved patient management efficiency. POCUS has emerged as a transformative tool in emergency medicine, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, guiding clinical decision-making, and improving patient care outcomes. Its applications range from general emergency scenarios to specialized pediatric and ocular emergencies. The integration of POCUS training in emergency medicine residency programs is crucial for harnessing its full potential. As technology advances, POCUS is poised to continue revolutionizing patient care in emergency settings, affirming its indispensable role in modern medical practice

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN CHILDREN IN SAUDI ARABIA, A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background: The results of the few epidemiological studies that have been carried out in Saudi Arabia to determine the prevalence of childhood asthma are highly inconsistent. As a result, we did a systematic literature review to assess the frequency of childhood asthma in Saudi Arabia since knowing the prevalence of common bronchial asthma in children will help doctors better grasp the scope of this health problem and inform resource planning. Objectives: This study aims to summarize current estimations of the prevalence and risk factors of bronchial asthma among children in Saudi Arabia. Methods: The PubMed database and EBSCO Information Services were utilised to choose the articles. In our review, all pertinent articles related to both our topic and other articles were used.  Other articles that were unrelated to this field were not considered. The data was extracted in a specific format, which the group members reviewed. Conclusion: Bronchial asthma prevalence rates in Saudi Arabia are increasing annually. The highest prevalence rate was found in Al Hafouf region while the lowest was reported in Abha. Risk factors were significantly associated with bronchial asthma as phycological status, smoking family member, socioeconomic status, dust, air pollution, allergens as well as other factors