Psychological Impact of Distance Learning on Children and Adolescents in Saudi Arabia: A Multi-City Analysis of Behavioral and Mental Health Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a global transition to distance learning, which significantly impacted children's mental health. In Saudi Arabia, remote education began on 8 March 2020, lasting between 1.5 to 2.

Long-term treatment for Laron syndrome with IGF-1 injection over 22 years in Saudi: A cohort study.

Introduction: Laron syndrome (LS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the growth hormone (GH) receptor gene, resulting in GH resistance and reduced levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Patients with LS exhibit severe growth retardation, low IGF-1 levels, elevated basal GH, and poor response to GH stimulation. Recombinant IGF-1 is the only approved treatment and has been shown to improve linear growth.

Multicenter External Validation of the Accuracy of Computed Tomography Criteria for Detecting Thoracolumbar Posterior Ligamentous Complex Injury.

Background And Objective: Recent studies have proposed computed tomography (CT) criteria for posterior ligamentous complex (PLC) injury: disrupted if ≥2 CT findings, indeterminate if single finding, and intact if 0 CT findings. The study aims to validate the CT criteria for PLC injury externally.

Methods: Three level 1 trauma centers enrolled 614 consecutive patients with acute thoracolumbar fractures (T1-L5) who received CT and MRI.

The impact of nodule size on malignancy risk in indeterminate thyroid nodules.

Background: The association between malignancy risk and nodule size in indeterminate thyroid nodules (ITNs) remains controversial. Thus, we aimed to explore the impact of nodule size as a predictor of cancer in patients with ITNs.

Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed 113 patients who underwent surgical intervention for ITNs, comparing two groups based on nodule size (≥4 or <4 cm).

Enhancing research support services in health organizations by implementing a "Research Concierge Desk", a case study.

Health organizations with teaching and research responsibilities face the need to establish a comprehensive system that addresses the processes and challenges associated with research activities; a system that assists local institutes in becoming research-active by identifying gaps and providing actionable recommendations. The involvement of epidemiologists, biostatisticians, and data scientists is paramount in offering technical and scientific support to health researchers. In our organization, research support services, such as technical, statistical, logistical, and scientific assistance, have been provided to researchers for the past 20 years under the name of "Data Clinic Service".

Effect of perceived stigma on work and social roles among individuals with mental health disorders in Saudi Arabia: findings from a national survey.

Background: It is known worldwide that stigma towards mental illness exists. Studies on stigma perceived by patients with mental illness have shown decreased quality of life and a negative impact on work, school and social life. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of perceived stigma among respondents who had been diagnosed with a mental illness during the past 12 months, its association with socio-demographic variables and its effect on work and social roles limitations among Saudis.

Weighty Matters: The Obesity-Thyroid Nodule Connection Unveiling the Impact of Obesity on Thyroid Cancer Risk.

The effect of obesity on the development/progression of thyroid nodules with uncertain cytology is unknown. Therefore, our objective was to assess the role of body mass index (BMI) in predicting malignancy in patients with atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) nodules. We retrospectively analyzed 113 patients with available BMI data and final histopathology of benign or differentiated thyroid cancer.

Institutional review boards in Saudi Arabia: the first survey-based report on their functions and operations.

Background: Institutional review boards (IRBs) are formally designated to review, approve, and monitor biomedical research. They are responsible for ensuring that researchers comply with the ethical guidelines concerning human research participants. Given that IRBs might face different obstacles that cause delays in their processes or conflicts with investigators, this study aims to report the functions, roles, resources, and review process of IRBs in Saudi Arabia.

Longevity of Immunoglobulin-G Antibody Response Against Nucleocapsid Protein Against SARS-CoV-2 Among Healthcare Workers.

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the latest pandemic and the most significant challenge in public health worldwide. Studying the longevity of naturally developed antibodies is highly important clinically and epidemiologically. This paper assesses the longevity of antibodies developed against nucleocapsid protein amongst our health-care workers.

Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury after thyroidectomy: A national study from Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To determine the incidence and possible risk factors of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, to provide a relevant literature review of studies from other centers in Saudi Arabia, and to present basic statistical data for future studies in our local community.

Methods: A retrospective study enrolled patients who were surgically treated for thyroid disease between January 2015 and December 2021. For concerns during the procedure, direct laryngoscopy was carried out before extubation to assess the vocal cords.

Ten public health strategies to control the Covid-19 pandemic: the Saudi Experience.

Saudi Arabia plays an important strategic role within the Middle East and afar because of its geographical location, and being the host of one of the largest annual religious mass gatherings in the world "The Hajj". During the recent coronavirus pandemic, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) developed a multisectoral plan that adopted multiple measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 transmission both domestically and internationally. In this article, we review all public health related policy decisions from the Saudi Ministry of Health, other government departments, and the private sector that contributed to limiting the severe consequences from Covid-19.

First report on the prevalence of bacteria in cystic fibrosis patients (CF) in a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Bacterial infections in CF patients are common and start early in life. The prognosis of the disease is substantially dependent on chronic respiratory infection and inflammation. (PA) infection or chronic colonization have been established to cause a chronic decline in pulmonary function (PFT), and/or increase CF mortality.

Hematologic reference intervals for healthy adult Saudis in Riyadh.

Background: Laboratory hematological tests are widely used in clinical practice to assess health and disease conditions. Reference ranges provided by laboratory reports are considered the most authoritative medical tools to assist in the decision-making phase. International standards institutes recommend that reference ranges be established for each region.

Urgent need to standardize labelling of acetaminophen-paediatric liquid drug products in Saudi Arabia.

In this study, dosing instructions in package inserts of all 12 paediatric liquid acetaminophen products registered in pharmacies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were analysed to determine the potential for administering a supratherapeutic dose of acetaminophen. Doses in millilitres were calculated as mg/kg for four age groups: three months old, one year old, six years old, and twelve years old, and based on the 3rd, 50th, and 75th weight percentiles of each age group. Acetaminophen concentrations in the products varied, and only two products included Arabic language instructions.

How Often Would MRI Change the Thoracolumbar Fracture Classification or Decision-Making Compared to CT Alone?

Study Design: retrospective study of consecutive patients.

Objective: to analyze the frequency of change in Thoracolumbar fractures (TLFs) classification or decision-making after MRI compared by CT alone.

Methods: A retrospective review of 244 consecutive patients with acute TLFs (T1-L5) presented to a single level 1 trauma center between 2014 and 2021.

Psychometric and accuracy comparison of three commonly used questionnaires for the diagnosis of neuropathic pain.

Objectives: Diagnosis of neuropathic pain is challenging. Recently, scientists developed multiple questionnaires to expedite this diagnosis including the Self-completed Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (S-LANSS), Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire (DN4), and Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire-Short Form (NPQ-SF).

Materials And Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study to compare the psychometric characteristics and accuracy of the three questionnaires.

Comparative performance of two protective barriers during tracheal intubation of COVID-19 patients: A simulation cross-over study.

COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the WHO in 2020. In light of the global shortage of PPE and concerns regarding the safety of healthcare providers, clinicians have resorted to the use of novel protective barriers, such as aerosol boxes and plastic sheets, during aerosol generating procedures, especially tracheal intubation. We compared the effect of these barriers on the tracheal intubation of simulated patients with severe COVID-19 in a crossover study.

Can Vertical Laminar Fracture Further Discriminate Fracture Severity Between Thoracolumbar AO Type A3 and A4 Fractures?

Objective: To determine whether vertical laminar fracture (VLF) can distinguish between AO type A3 and A4 fractures.

Methods: In a retrospective review of 111 consecutive acute thoracolumbar burst fractures, 5 reviewers independently analyzed computed tomography scans to classify fractures into A3 or A4 and to identify VLF. The following computed tomography parameters were measured: spinal canal stenosis >50%, anterior vertebral height ratio <50%, load sharing score >6, and local kyphosis >20°.

Diagnostic Value of Various Morphological Features of Horizontal and Vertical Laminar Fractures for Posterior Ligamentous Complex Injury of the Thoracolumbar Spine as Defined by Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Objective: To determine diagnostic value of morphological features of horizontal laminar fracture (HLF) and vertical laminar fracture (VLF) for diagnosis of posterior ligamentous complex (PLC) injury.

Methods: This retrospective review comprised 271 consecutive patients with acute thoracolumbar fractures presenting to a Level 1 trauma center between January 2014 and January 2021. Two reviewers evaluated computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Analysis of the Combined Computed Tomography Findings Improves the Accuracy of Computed Tomography for Detecting Posterior Ligamentous Complex Injury of the Thoracolumbar Spine as Defined by Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of combined computed tomography (CT) findings for detecting posterior ligamentous complex (PLC) injury in thoracolumbar fractures using magnetic resonance imaging as a reference.

Methods: A retrospective review of 263 consecutive patients with thoracolumbar fractures who underwent CT and magnetic resonance imaging within 10 days of injury. Two reviewers evaluated CT for the following findings: facet joint malalignment, facet joint widening, horizontal laminar fracture, spinous process fracture, and interspinous widening.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Saudi orthopedic surgeons: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Studies have addressed the issue of increasing prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal (MSK) pain among different occupations. However, contributing factors to MSK pain have not been fully investigated among orthopaedic surgeons. Thus, this study aimed to approximate the prevalence and predictors of MSK pain among Saudi orthopaedic surgeons working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

National Survey about awareness of Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders among Primary Care Physicians in Saudi Arabia: Protocol and Challenges.

Introduction: Primary Health Care Centers (PHCC) are the first contact health facility to which patients in Saudi Arabia can go to seek help. Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders (PIDD) are of various types and severities, and they are associated with a delay in diagnosis. Early diagnosis of PIDD helps to improve the quality of life of affected children and prevent permanent consequences such as organ damage and disability.

Early T precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma shows differential immunophenotypic characteristics including frequent CD33 expression and in vitro response to targeted CD33 therapy.

The differential immunophenotypic characteristics of early T precursor (ETP) acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma (ALL) remain incompletely characterized. The study group (n = 142) included 106 (74·7%) men and 36 (25·3%) women with a median age of 34·9 years (range, 2-79) at diagnosis. Patients were subtyped by flow cytometry immunophenotyping as follows: 33 (23·2%) ETP; 32 (22·5%) early non-ETP; 60 (42·2%) thymic; and 17 (12·1%) mature.

The effect of parental socioeconomic class on children's body mass indices.

Objective: To assess the effect of education and economic status of parents on obesity in children.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2006 among school children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A representative sample of 1243 (542 male and 701 female) children aged 6-16 years were contacted using multistage cluster sampling strategy.