Epidemiology and patterns of the hand and distal forearm fractures at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Riyadh, KSA

AbstractObjectivesThe hand is the most commonly fractured site in the body, as it represents 17–25% of all body fractures. The metacarpal bone of the small finger is the most commonly fractured hand bone. This study aimed to determine the epidemiology and frequency of various fractures of the hand and the distal forearm in adults with a view to identifying patients who required surgical treatment.MethodsThis retrospective review examined the medical records of all hand and distal forearm X-rays performed on adult patients who presented to the emergency room of King Abdul-Aziz Medical City from January 2010 to December 2011.ResultsIn this study, we reviewed 2993 X-rays of the hand and the distal forearm. One-third of these X-rays confirmed fractures (n = 948), and more than two-thirds of these fractures were recorded in male patients (n = 702). There was no major difference in the distribution of fractures between the left and right hand. Half of these fractures (n = 472) were found in the young age group (18–30 years). The study showed that the phalanges had the highest proportion of fractures (n = 362, 40%). Distal forearm fractures represented one-third of all registered fractures (n = 287). Almost half of the metacarpal fractures were found in the 5th metacarpal (n = 104), confirming that the 5th metacarpal bone is the most commonly fractured bone in the hand. One-fifth of all fractures were surgically managed (n = 190, 20%).ConclusionOne-third of the reviewed X-rays identified hand and distal forearm fractures. Both hands were affected equally. Patients in the young age group are more prone to have fractures, and phalanges had the highest proportion of fractures followed by the distal forearm

Public knowledge awareness and attitudes toward epilepsy in Al-Kharj Governorate Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Epilepsy is one of the most stigmatizing disorders. Stigmas and negative attitudes associating epilepsy are due to poor public awareness and knowledge. This study evaluated Saudi public Knowledge, awareness, and attitude towards epilepsy. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted during the period from September 16, 2014 to January 1st 2015. A 20-item questionnaire adapted from the literature was validated and distributed to 422 adults living in Al-Kharj governorate, and 22 participants were excluded as they have never heard or read about epilepsy. Results: About 94.79% of participants have heard or read about epilepsy, 63% of them knew someone with epilepsy, and 49.75% have witnessed a seizure attack. Seventy per cent of subjects thought that epilepsy is a neurological disease and 59% believed it is a brain disease. Almost 46.5% selected possession by demons or evil spirits and 51.25% cited envy or evil eye. More than half of subjects selected the medical treatment and follow-up as the most effective treatment of epilepsy. Rather, 41% believed in the faith healing. Most of respondents (81.5%) believed that epileptic children could be successful in normal classes. The vast majority agreed with that epileptic woman can get married and have children. Moreover, 65.25% would allow their offspring to play with epileptic persons and surprisingly, 59% would let their offspring marrying a person with epilepsy. As much as 82.75% agreed to work with epileptic persons and 85.5% would easily become a close friend of them. The equal job opportunity for epileptic and normal persons should be practiced to about 53.75% of subjects. The predictors of good knowledge, limited misconception, and positive attitudes were female gender, being a relative of an epileptic person, and having high educational level. Conclusion: The public knowledge, awareness of and attitudes toward epilepsy were acceptable with regard to this study. However, the negative attitudes and misconceptions still exist