The consumption pattern and perception of using artificial sweeteners among the public in Tabuk region, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Obesity and weight gain have become major problems worldwide. Thus, several forms of alternative intense sweeteners are extensively used, offering a non-caloric sweet taste. To the best of our knowledge, no research has studied either the consumption pattern or the perception of using artificial sweeteners in Saudi Arabia.

The Impact of Multidrug-Resistant Infection in Critically Ill Patients with or without COVID-19 Infection.

This is a single-center, retrospective, cohort study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of multi-drug resistance in infections (MDR-AB) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with or without a COVID-19 infection and risk factors for blood stream infection. A total of 170 patients with MDR-AB were enrolled in the study. Of these, 118 (70%) patients were admitted to the ICU due to a COVID-19 infection.

Global epidemiology and clinical outcomes of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and associated carbapenemases (POP): a prospective cohort study.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) is a global threat, but the distribution and clinical significance of carbapenemases are unclear. The aim of this study was to define characteristics and outcomes of CRPA infections and the global frequency and clinical impact of carbapenemases harboured by CRPA.

Methods: We conducted an observational, prospective cohort study of CRPA isolated from bloodstream, respiratory, urine, or wound cultures of patients at 44 hospitals (10 countries) between Dec 1, 2018, and Nov 30, 2019.

Ethnicity affects the risk factors of acute myocardial infarction and should be considered in educational programs.

Unlabelled: Acute Myocardial infarction is a non-communicable disease representing the leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia. Studying the ethnicity in its risk factors has been poorly investigated.

Objectives: To compare risk factors among Saudi nationals and expatriates.

Rate of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device-Related Infection at a Tertiary Hospital in Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are long-term cardiac treatments that address a variety of cardiac diseases. In the recent years, a steady growth has been noticed in CIEDs, mainly due to expanding indications for their usage. Possible device-related infection, whether pocket or systemic, which leads to high morbidity and mortality, is one of the most worrying complications.

Comparison of Cardiac Risk Scores among the East Mediterranean and South Asian Population.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a global burden particularly in developing countries necessitates the periodical monitoring for these vulnerable population. This study aimed to compare four tools to measure the CVD risk between the East Mediterranean and South Asian population.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included 139 patients from East Mediterranean (n=90) and South Asians (n=49) ethnicity who were admitted during the one-year period in a multi-specialty tertiary care hospital located in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

A Vanishing Cardiac Mass.

The prevalence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is very common in the Middle East; however, myocardial involvement is among the most infrequent manifestations of extrapulmonary TB. We present a young adult who was incidentally found to have a large right atrial tuberculoma, diagnosed by non-invasive cardiac imaging and effectively treated with standard first-line anti-TB treatment, steroids, and anticoagulation. This case is a classical presentation of nodular myocardial involvement of TB, highlighting advantages of advanced imaging, e.

Hepatotoxicity Induced by Fluvastatin: A Reversible Acute Cholestatic Liver Injury.

BACKGROUND Fluvastatin, a commonly prescribed statin, is indicated for treatment of hypercholesterolemia in persons at high risk for coronary, cerebrovascular, and peripheral artery disease. However, there have been rare reports of liver injury or renal failure associated with use of fluvastatin. CASE REPORT We describe the case of a 69-year-old Saudi man with a medical history of diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia for 2 years, on metformin, gliclazide modified release, daily aspirin, and simvastatin.

Public Perception Toward Ministry of Health Regulations for Antibiotic Dispensing and Its Impact on Pharmacy and Family Physician Visits.

Introduction Antibiotic dispensing regulations have been implemented in most countries worldwide. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health (MOH) recently implemented a policy for dispensing antibiotics, in which pharmacies in Saudi Arabia are strictly prohibited from dispensing antibiotics without a medical prescription. Failure to adhere to the regulations will result in a fine and may lead to the revoking of the pharmacy's license.

Natural History and Clinical Course of Symptomatic and Asymptomatic COVID-19 Patients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To analyze symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia in terms of initial presentation, risk factors, laboratory findings, clinical outcomes and healthcare utilization.

Methods: All laboratory-confirmed reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction positive COVID-19 patients who had been tested at three governmental hospitals in Saudi Arabia (two in Riyadh and one in Makkah) between March 8 and May 18, 2020 were included. Demographics, COVID-19 variables, clinical characteristics and healthcare utilization variables were extracted and combined, and a descriptive analysis was conducted.

Portable RT-PCR System: a Rapid and Scalable Diagnostic Tool for COVID-19 Testing.

Combating the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic demands accurate, rapid, and point-of-care testing with fast results to triage cases for isolation and treatment. The current testing relies on reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR), which is routinely performed in well-equipped laboratories by trained professionals at specific locations. However, during busy periods, high numbers of samples queued for testing can delay the test results, impacting efforts to reduce the infection risk.

The Public's Awareness and Willingness to Undergo Plastic Surgery Procedures during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: In March 2020, the Saudi Ministry of Health implemented mitigation measures to control the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including media campaigns, a nationwide lockdown, and closures of plastic surgery clinics. The aim of this study was to explore the public's knowledge of COVID-19, their willingness to undergo cosmetic surgery during the pandemic, and the factors influencing their decisions.

Methods: An internet-based cross-sectional survey was conducted.

Association Between Minimum Inhibitory Concentration, Beta-lactamase Genes and Mortality for Patients Treated With Piperacillin/Tazobactam or Meropenem From the MERINO Study.

Introduction: This study aims to assess the association of piperacillin/tazobactam and meropenem minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and beta-lactam resistance genes with mortality in the MERINO trial.

Methods: Blood culture isolates from enrolled patients were tested by broth microdilution and whole genome sequencing at a central laboratory. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to account for confounders.

Enhancing azithromycin antibacterial activity by encapsulation in liposomes/liposomal-N-acetylcysteine formulations against resistant clinical strains of .

is an that could develop resistance to various antibiotics and become a multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterium. Options for treating MDR are limited and the pipeline is somewhat dry when it comes to antibiotics for MDR bacteria, so we aimed to explore more options to help in treating MDR . The purpose of this study is to examine the synergistic effect of a liposomal formulations of co-encapsulated azithromycin and N-acetylcysteine against Liposomal azithromycin (LA) and liposomal azithromycin/N-acetylcysteine (LAN) were compared to free azithromycin.

Prevalence and predictors of anxiety among healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: During pandemics, healthcare workers (HCWs) may be prone to higher levels of anxiety than those of the general population. This study aimed to explore the anxiety levels among HCWs in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic and the predictors of increased anxiety levels.

Method: HCW participants in this cross-section study were solicited by email from the database of registered practitioners of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties between 15 May and 18 May 2020.

Principles of Care for Patients with Liver Disease During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic: Position Statement of the Saudi Association for the Study of Liver Disease and Transplantation.

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus was identified in patients in Wuhan, China. The virus, subsequently named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, spread worldwide and the disease (coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. Older adults and individuals with comorbidities have been reported as being more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Early switch/early discharge opportunities for hospitalized patients with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus complicated skin and soft tissue infections: Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

Objectives: To describe opportunities for early switch (ES) from intravenous (IV) to oral (PO) antibiotics and early discharge (ED) of patients hospitalized in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs).

Methods: This retrospective medical chart review study enrolled physicians from 16 KSA and UAE sites to collect data for 107 MRSA cSSTI patients.

Results: Actual length of MRSA-active treatment was 13.

Managing Oncology Services During a Major Coronavirus Outbreak: Lessons From the Saudi Arabia Experience.

Outbreaks of infectious etiology, particularly those caused by a novel virus that has no known treatment or vaccine, may result in the interruption of medical care provided to patients with cancer and put them at risk for undertreatment in addition to the risk of being exposed to infection, a life-threatening event among patients with cancer. This article describes the approach used to manage patients with cancer during a large-scale Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus hospital outbreak in Saudi Arabia to ensure continuity of care and minimize harm from treatment interruption or acquiring infection. The approach taken toward managing this high-risk situation (COVID-19) could be easily adopted by health care organizations and would be helpful to ensure readiness for the occurrence of future outbreaks of different infectious etiologies like those recent episodes of new coronavirus.

Outcome of Oncology Patients Infected With Coronavirus.

Purpose: This study investigated the features of oncology patients with confirmed Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) at the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs-Riyadh during the outbreak of June 2015 to determine the clinical course and outcome of affected patients.

Methods: The patients' demographic information, cancer history, treatment pattern, information about MERS-coronavirus (CoV) infection, history of travel, clinical symptoms, test results, and outcome were collected and analyzed as part of a quality improvement project to improve the care and safety of our patients. Only patients with confirmed infection were included.

causing a granulomatous cardiomediastinal mass.

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial species are uncommon human pathogens. They are divided into slow and rapid growing mycobacteria (RGM) with group as an uncommon pathogen among the RGM. A 19 years old male presented with a 1 month history of dyspnea, orthopnea, unintentional weight loss, palpitation, flu-like symptoms and dry cough.

Effect of Piperacillin-Tazobactam vs Meropenem on 30-Day Mortality for Patients With E coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae Bloodstream Infection and Ceftriaxone Resistance: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Extended-spectrum β-lactamases mediate resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (eg, ceftriaxone) in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Significant infections caused by these strains are usually treated with carbapenems, potentially selecting for carbapenem resistance. Piperacillin-tazobactam may be an effective "carbapenem-sparing" option to treat extended-spectrum β-lactamase producers.