Comparative Analysis of Intralesional Immunotherapy and Conventional Treatments for Non-Genital Warts: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Warts, benign skin growths caused by various human papillomavirus strains, are categorized as genital and non-genital. Non-genital warts often lack noticeable symptoms but can lead to psychological distress due to factors like embarrassment. Traditional treatments, including physical and chemical methods, show limitations, prompting the exploration of novel approaches like intralesional immunotherapy. The clinical challenge lies in selecting the most effective modality. Objective: In our study, we used the network meta-analysis (NMA) as a statistical tool to explore the most effective intralesional immunotherapy interventions. Methods: Comprehensive searches of Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus databases were conducted until December 2023. Eligible studies were analyzed for outcomes presented as risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Treatments were ranked using the P-score in an NMA performed with R software. Results: We included 68 RCTs in our study. For complete response, needling showed a significant difference compared to Candida albicans antigen (RR= 0.13, 95% CI [0.02; 0.99]) and Mw (RR= 0.12, 95% CI [0.02; 0.94]). In overall response, both bleomycin and furosemide with digoxin were significant compared to autoimplantation (RR= 0.46, 95% CI [0.24; 0.88]) and (RR= 0.40, 95% CI [0.18; 0.91]) respectively. Similarly, both were significant compared to cryotherapy (RR= 0.45, 95% CI [0.27; 0.76]) and (RR= 0.40, 95% CI [0.19; 0.82]) respectively. Conclusion: This NMA indicates needling, furosemide with digoxin, and PBP antigen stimulants as effective for non-genital warts, surpassing traditional treatments in complete and overall response. Direct comparisons in future research are warranted to confirm their superiority

Effect of Patients\u27 Awareness of CVD Risk Factors on Health-Related Behaviors

OBJECTIVES: In 2010, the American Heart Association unveiled a strategic plan to reduce cardiovascular deaths by targeting seven components of ideal cardiovascular health. Although education is a sensible first step, it is not known whether awareness correlates with healthy behavior. The objective of the study was to examine the association between awareness of risk factors and ideal cardiovascular health behavior. METHODS: We surveyed patients 40 years and older at five ambulatory clinics. The survey measured demographics, health management behaviors, comorbidities, and awareness of five modifiable cardiac risk factors (smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes mellitus) and one protective factor (exercise). Healthy behavior was defined as follows: diabetes, hemoglobin A1c RESULTS: For five modifiable risk factors, awareness was positively associated with healthy behavior in multivariable models: obesity, hypertension, exercise, cholesterol, and diabetes. Awareness was inversely associated with smoking abstention. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness that a specific factor increases the risk for cardiovascular disease was positively associated with healthy behavior regarding most risk factors; however, the association was modest, suggesting that awareness alone does not motivate behavior

Body Mass Index and <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> among Obese and Non-Obese Patients in Najran, Saudi Arabia: A Case-Control Study

Objective: We examine obese and non-obese patients with respect to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) positive-infection (HPPI) and associated factors, specifically body mass index (BMI). Methods: This study took place in the Department of Endoscopy of a central hospital in the Najran region of Saudi Arabia (SA). A total of 340 obese Saudi patients (BMI &#8805; 30 kg/m2) who had undergone diagnostic upper endoscopy before sleeve gastrectomy, were compared with 340 age and gender-matched control patients (BMI &lt; 30 kg/m2) who had undergone diagnostic upper endoscopy for other reasons. Data collected included diagnosis of HPPI. Descriptive and multivariable binary logistic regression was conducted. Results: Mean patient age was 31.22 &#177; 8.10 years, and 65% were males. The total prevalence of HPPI was 58% (95% CI = 54&#8315;61%) with obese patients presenting significantly more HPPI than non-obese patients (66% vs. 50%, OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.45&#8315;2.70, p &lt; 0.0005). Age and gender did not associate significantly with HPPI (p = 0.659, 0.200, respectively) and increases in BMI associated significantly with increases in HPPI (p &lt; 0.0005). BMI remained a significant factor in HPPI when modelled with both age and gender (OR = 1.022, 95% CI = 1.01&#8315;1.03, p &lt; 0.0005). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, the significance of HPPI in obese Saudi patients residing in the Najran region in SA was demonstrated alongside the significance role of BMI in HPPI

Epigenetics of human diseases and scope in future therapeutics

علم التخَلُّق هو دراسة التعديلات النوكليوتيدية المورَّثة التي تعمل كآلية تنظيمية دون تغيير التسلسل النيوكليوتيدي للجينوم. تؤثر إشارات خارجية مثل البيئة، ونمط الحياة، والتغذية، والإجهاد والعوامل النفسية على آليات التخَلُّق. وتتوافق هذه الآلية مع المعلومات الجينية التي تلعب دورا مهما في حياة الفرد قبل الولادة وبعدها. لقد كشفت الدراسات الأخيرة في علم التخَلُّق إمكانات علم التخَلُّق في توضيح آليات أمراض مختلفة لم يتم فهمها سابقا بشكل كامل. ناقشنا في هذا الاستعراض آليات التخَلُّق الأساسية ودورها في الصحة والمرض. إضافة إلى ذلك فقد تم وصف الانحرافات في التنظيم التخلُّقي التي تم تسجيلها لبعض الأمراض البشرية الشائعة. وأخيرا، تتناول الورقة بعض الأساليب في علم التخَلُّق، التي تكمن بها القدرة على العلاج الموجَّه للأمراض

Effect of medication adherence on quality of life, activation measures, and health imagine in the elderly people: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Usually, old age brings a poor quality of life due to illness and frailty. To prolong their lives and ensure their survival, all elderly patients with chronic diseases must adhere to their medications. In our study, we investigate medication adherence for elderly patients and its impact on the general health of the patient. Methods We implemented a cross-sectional survey‐based study with four sections in April 2022 in Saudi Arabia. Data about the participants’ demographic characteristics, the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, Patient Activation Measure (PAM) 13, and EQ-5D-5 L. Results A total of 421 patients participated in this study, their mean age was 60.4 years, and most of them were males. Most of our population is living independently 87.9%. The vast majority of people have a low adherence record in the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (8-MMAS) classes (score = < 6). Moreover, the average PAM13 score is 51.93 (Level2) indicating a low level of confidence and sufficient knowledge to take action. Our analysis showed a significant correlation between socioeconomic status and medication adherence. Also, there was an association between housing status and medication adherence. On the other hand, we found no correlation between medication adherence and quality of life (QOL) by EQ-5D-5 L. Conclusion Medication adherence is directly affected by living arrangements, as patients who live with a caretaker who can remind them to take their medications at the appropriate times have better medication adherence than those who live alone. Medication adherence was also significantly influenced by socioeconomic status, perhaps as a result of psychological effects and the belief of the lower-salaried population that they would be unable to afford the additional money required to cure any comorbidities that arose as a result of the disease. On the other hand, we did not find any correlation between medication adherence and quality of life. Finally, awareness of the necessity of adherence to medication for the elderly is essential

Oral semaglutide effectiveness and safety in real world practice; The REVOLUTION study

Aims: This study seeks to provide insights into the practical application and effects of oral semaglutide in Saudi T2DM patients under routine medical supervision. Methods: The primary outcome measure was the laboratory HbA1c. Secondary measures included fasting blood glucose (FBG), weight, and hypoglycemia. All variables were checked after six months and 12 months of initiation. Results: The analysis of this study included 245 uncontrolled (HbA1c > 7 %) T2DM patients. The mean baseline HbA1c was 10.1 % (1.2). HbA1c was reduced by an average of 3.1 % (0.8) and 3.2 % (0.8) at 6 and 12 months, respectively. The frequency of hypoglycemia events in the last three months before semaglutide was initiated was 4.4 (1.1). The frequency of hypoglycemia events in the last three months was 2.2 (0.8) and 0.7 (0.4) at 6-month and 12-month follow-up visits, respectively. The percent reduction in body mass index (BMI) was an average of 13.0 % (1.4) and 19.7 % (3.4) at six months and 12 months, respectively. Lipid profile and blood pressure were improved at six months and 12 months. Conclusions: Oral semaglutide provided substantial glycemic and weight-loss benefits in adult individuals with T2DM

Validity and reliability of the Arabic sedentary behavior questionnaire among university students aged between 18–30 years old

Abstract Purpose The study aimed to test the validity and reliability of the Arabic version of the sedentary behavior questionnaire (SBQ). Methods A total of 624 university students (273 males; 351 females, mean age = 20.8 years) were recruited from Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia. For criterion and constructive validity (n = 352), the Arabic SBQ was compared with total sitting time from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form (IPAQ-SF) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-long form (IPAQ-LF). For concurrent validity, the English and Arabic SBQ versions were given concurrently to bilingual university students (n = 122) once. For test–retest reliability, the Arabic SBQ was given twice to participants (n = 150) at a one-week interval. Results Sitting time of IPAQ-SF (7th question: sitting time on weekdays) and IPAQ-LF (21st question: sitting time on weekdays and 22nd question: sitting time on weekends) correlated significantly with total sitting time/week of the Arabic SBQ (r = 0.29, p = 0.003; r = 0.14, p = 0.02, respectively). Motorized transportation measured with the IPAQ-LF correlated significantly with time spent driving in a car, bus, or train from the Arabic SBQ on weekdays and weekends (r = 0.53, p < 0.001; r = 0.44 p < 0.001, respectively). The total sitting time of the Arabic SBQ was inversely correlated with BMI (r = -0.18, p = 0.001). The correlations between the Arabic and the English SBQ versions ranged from 0.25–0.96; p < 0.001 on weekdays and 0.50–0.90; p < 0.001 on weekends. Moderate to good reliability was also found between test and retest for all SBQ items and total score during weekdays (0.72 to 0.8), and weekends (0.64 to 0.87), with exception of the 7th item "play musical instrument", ICC = 0.46). Mean difference of test–retest of the Arabic SBQ was not significantly different from zero for the total sitting time of the Arabic SBQ (t = -0.715, P = 0.476). Conclusion The Arabic SBQ had satisfactory levels of reliability, with total sitting time of the Arabic SBQ correlating significantly with sitting times derived from IPAQ-SF, IPAQ-LF, and the English SBQ versions. Hence, the Arabic SBQ can be used as a tool to measure sedentary behavior among adult Arabs aged between 18 to 30 years old in future epidemiologic and clinical practice

The prevalence of sedentary behavior among university students in Saudi Arabia

Abstract Background A considerable body of research has demonstrated that reducing sitting time benefits health. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the prevalence of sedentary behavior (SB) and its patterns. Methods A total of 6975 university students (49.1% female) were chosen randomly to participate in a face-to-face interview. The original English version of the sedentary behavior questionnaire (SBQ) was previously translated into Arabic. Then, the validated Arabic version of the SBQ was used to assess SB. The Arabic SBQ included 9 types of SB (watching television, playing computer/video games, sitting while listening to music, sitting and talking on the phone, doing paperwork or office work, sitting and reading, playing a musical instrument, doing arts and crafts, and sitting and driving/riding in a car, bus or train) on weekdays and weekends. Results SBQ indicated that the total time of SB was considerably high (478.75 ± 256.60 and 535.86 ± 316.53 (min/day) during weekdays and weekends, respectively). On average, participants spent the most time during the day doing office/paperwork (item number 4) during weekdays (112.47 ± 111.11 min/day) and weekends (122.05 ± 113.49 min/day), followed by sitting time in transportation (item number 9) during weekdays (78.95 ± 83.25 min/day) and weekends (92.84 ± 100.19 min/day). The average total sitting time of the SBQ was 495.09 ± 247.38 (min/day) and 58.4% of the participants reported a high amount of sitting time (≥ 7 hours/day). Independent t-test showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) between males and females in all types of SB except with doing office/paperwork (item number 4). The results also showed that male students have a longer daily sitting time (521.73 ± 236.53 min/day) than females (467.38 ± 255.28 min/day). Finally, 64.1% of the males reported a high amount of sitting time (≥ 7 hours/day) compared to females (52.3%). Conclusion In conclusion, the total mean length of SB in minutes per day for male and female university students was considerably high. About 58% of the population appeared to spend ≥7 h/day sedentary. Male university students are likelier to sit longer than female students. Our findings also indicated that SB and physical activity interventions are needed to raise awareness of the importance of adopting an active lifestyle and reducing sitting time