Utilization of adjusted body weight for dosing unfractionated heparin in obese patients with venous thromboembolism: A retrospective matched cohort study

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of adjusted body weight (AjBW)-based dosing of unfractionated heparin (UFH) in obese patients vis a vis actual body weight (ABW)-based dosing in non-obese patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE).Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for obese and non-obese patients initiated on UFH for treating VTE from September 2013 to December 2014. Patients were excluded from the study if they were under 18 years old, developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia during treatment, received thrombolytic therapy prior to UFH, or received UFH at a dose that did not follow the institution’s protocol. The primary objective was to assess the efficacy of dosing UFH based on AjBW in achieving a therapeutic activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) within the first 24 h in obese patients, in comparison to the standard ABW-dosing for non-obese.Results: Of the 57 patients included in the study, 27 patients (47.4 %) were obese, and 30 patients (52.6 %) were non-obese; 16 (59.25 %) of the obese patients achieved a therapeutic aPTT within the first 24 h of AjBW-based dosed UFH, while 18 (60 %) of the non-obese patients achieved a therapeutic aPTT within the first 24 h of ABW-based dosed UFH (p = 0.45).Conclusion: AjBW-based dosing of UFH in obese patients demonstrates comparable efficacy to ABWbased dosing in non-obese patients. Keywords: Obesity, Unfractionated heparin, Venous thromboembolism, Adjusted body weight, Ideal body weigh

Safe correction of severe hyponatremia in patient with severe renal failure using continuous venovenous hemofiltration with modified sodium content in the replacement fluid

Optimal treatment of severe hyponatremia in patients requiring dialysis is not known. Rapid correction with the use of different dialysis modalities can lead to osmotic demyelination syndrome. We described a safe correction of severe hyponatremia in a 42-year-old male patient requiring dialysis, who was treated with continuous venovenous hemofiltration using hypotonic replacement fluid which was prepared and adjusted on a daily basis

Evaluation of Health Care Professionals’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice to Prevent the Pandemic Spread of COVID-19: A Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Study from Abha, Saudi Arabia

Background: Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals (HCPs) are at risk of transmitting the lethal COVID-19 virus globally and increasing its prevalence. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among HCPs in the Asir region for the first time. Methodology: A cross-sectional analysis with 491 healthcare professionals was tested using a pre-tested questionnaire in a tertiary care facility. The association between research variables and questions was determined using Chi-square tests and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Results: Pharmacists and other HCPs exhibited good knowledge, a positive attitude, and a negative practice pattern regarding COVID-19. There was a strong association between knowledge and attitude (correlation coefficient: 0.17; p < 0.001). However, healthcare practitioners had a suboptimal practice score of 2.09 ± 0.62 regarding COVID-19. Conclusion: This study discovered that despite relatively insufficient practices for adherence to recommended techniques regarding COVID-19 prevention during the outbreak, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals have a high level of awareness and a positive attitude towards COVID-19 as a medical condition. There is a need for more involved HCPs, improved COVID-19 management training, and approaches to make healthcare providers feel less anxious

Evaluation of Health Care Professionals&rsquo; Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice to Prevent the Pandemic Spread of COVID-19: A Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Study from Abha, Saudi Arabia

Background: Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals (HCPs) are at risk of transmitting the lethal COVID-19 virus globally and increasing its prevalence. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among HCPs in the Asir region for the first time. Methodology: A cross-sectional analysis with 491 healthcare professionals was tested using a pre-tested questionnaire in a tertiary care facility. The association between research variables and questions was determined using Chi-square tests and Kruskal&ndash;Wallis tests. Results: Pharmacists and other HCPs exhibited good knowledge, a positive attitude, and a negative practice pattern regarding COVID-19. There was a strong association between knowledge and attitude (correlation coefficient: 0.17; p &lt; 0.001). However, healthcare practitioners had a suboptimal practice score of 2.09 &plusmn; 0.62 regarding COVID-19. Conclusion: This study discovered that despite relatively insufficient practices for adherence to recommended techniques regarding COVID-19 prevention during the outbreak, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals have a high level of awareness and a positive attitude towards COVID-19 as a medical condition. There is a need for more involved HCPs, improved COVID-19 management training, and approaches to make healthcare providers feel less anxious

Experience with ceftazidime–avibactam treatment in a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Carbapenem-resistant organisms have become major healthcare-associated pathogens and are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cases and managements: This case-series describes our experience with ceftazidime–avibactam in the treatment of six cases with carbapenem-resistant organisms in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After trying various combinations of antibiotic therapies without improvement, cases were treated with ceftazidime–avibactam. Outcomes: Five of the six achieved complete cure, both clinically and microbiologically. Keywords: MDR-infections, Ceftazidime–avibactam, Saudi Arabi

Practices, awareness and attitudes toward self-medication of analgesics among health sciences students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: Self-medication is a common practice among health sciences students in Saudi Arabia. It is known that inappropriate selfmedication may harm individuals due to increasing the risk of drug misuse or delaying a hospital visit by masking some symptoms. Thus, the aim of our study is to investigate and assess practices, awareness and attitudes toward analgesics self-medication among health science students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in a form of electronic survey that was conducted among health sciences students from different universities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2016. Two hundred and seventy-two students responded to the questionnaire. The electronic questionnaire survey covered demographics, self-medication practice and the analgesics consumption, attitude and awareness about the safety of self-medication practice of analgesics. Results: Factors associated with high prevalence of self-medication were not significant except for age (P = 0.04). Health sciences students had adequate knowledge about the safety of analgesics consumption itself and simultaneous use of analgesics with other drugs, significantly different by college; 80% for Pharmacy, 71% for Medicine, 61% for Nursing and Dentistry, and 25% for Applied Medical Sciences and pre-professional students (p = 0.037). Conclusion: The occurrence of self-medication practices is distressingly high among health sciences students. It is necessary to educate the students about the side effects and drawbacks of irresponsible selfmedication. Keywords: Self-medication, Analgesics, Students, Saudi Arabi

Influencing factors of vision-threatening disease among patients with diabetes in the central region of Saudi Arabia: A case-control study

Aims: Diabetic retinopathy is called as vision threatening disease. It affects retina very severely. DR is a common public health problem in Worldwide. Our main objective was to identify significant risk factors for diabetic retinopathy among diabetes mellitus patients. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective Case-Control study was conducted with 404 DM patients' records were collected from King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Statistical analysis used: Data were presented as descriptive statistics, multivariate logistic regression, association between variables was using odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Results: Among 404 diabetes patients, 192 (47.5%) were Cases and 212 (52.5%) Controls. In multivariate regression analysis showed that male gender also had a higher likelihood in the development of DR, OR: 1.68 [95% CI: (1.04 – 2.71); p<0.05]. Patients with poor glycaemic control, OR: 4.86 [95% CI: (2.21-10.66); p<0.001]. Similarly, HbA1C, Low LDL was prominent risk factor in the progression of DR except age, hypocholesterolaemia, nephropathy wasn't significant. Conclusions: From our study findings, male gender, tobacco habit, poor glycaemic control, and Low HDL were appeared independently associated with the development of vision-threatening disease. By regular check-up, reducing risk factors or retain their stages in the same stage or to prolong the DR incidents among DM patients

Knowledge regarding Zika Virus Infection among Healthcare Providers in an Academic Tertiary Care Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study

BACKGROUND: Zika virus (ZIKV) has become a major concern across the world. It is highly necessary for healthcare providers (HCPs) to have sufficient knowledge about such a disease. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge regarding ZIKV among HCPs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted at a tertiary care center in Riyadh, KSA, during a two-month period from September 19, 2016 to November 19, 2016. Descriptive statistics were performed on data collected. For continuous variables, data were expressed as means ± standard deviations (SDs), medians, and ranges. Proportions were used to describe categorical variables. Knowledge scores were evaluated and compared by demographic characteristics including age, designation, years of practice, and gender, using the t-test/Mann–Whitney U test or the Kruskal–Wallis test, as appropriate. RESULTS: A total of 336 HCPs from different specialties (physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and nutritionists) completed the questionnaire. Significant differences in knowledge about ZIKV were observed by participant’s age. Significantly higher knowledge levels were observed among older participants (45 years or more; p = 0.011). A substantial difference in the knowledge level was observed by department, with pairwise comparisons showing significant differences in knowledge scores between all departments except for Pharmacy vs. Nutrition and Nursing vs. Internal Medicine. Knowledge scores were not significantly different by years of practice. CONCLUSION: Our study showed inadequate knowledge of HCPs from different specialties about ZIKV infection which needs to be improved in terms of infection prevention and control. Awareness about ZIKV infection should be ensured and maintained among HCPs to face any possible emergence in the region

Pregnant women’s use and attitude toward herbal, vitamin, and mineral supplements in an academic tertiary care center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: Herbal medicine has been widely utilized by pregnant women despite the limited available evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of that practice. The current available studies, from different countries, estimated that the use of herbal medicine during pregnancy range from 7% up to 96%. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence, attitude, source of information, and reasoning behind the use of herbal medicine among pregnant women in Saudia Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted using a convenience sample including pregnant women who visited the obstetric clinics at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A survey was administered in order to evaluate the prevalence and perception toward herbal medicine use among pregnant women in Saudi Arabia. Results: A total of 297 pregnant women completed the survey. The results showed that 56% of the respondents have used some type of herbal medicine during their pregnancy. Olive oil was utilized in 26% of the respondents followed by cumin 20% and garlic 15%. In addition, 37% of the respondents used herbal medicine by their own initiative, while 33% and 12% used herbal medicine based on recommendations from their families and friends, respectively. Furthermore, 19% of the respondents reported a positive attitude toward herbal medicine use during pregnancy. In addition, the percentage of women with positive attitude was marginally higher among respondents with lower educational level. Conclusion: The prevalence of using herbal medicine is considerably high among pregnant women in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, the majority of the users relied on informal sources to use herbal medicine during pregnancy. Keywords: Herbal medicine, Supplements, Pregnancy, Prevalence, Attitudes, Saudi Arabi