Observational study on the prescription practices of family and pulmonary physicians for airway clearance devices in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management.

Background: Productive cough with sputum is a prominent sign generally associated with respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Airway clearance devices are an option for COPD management, but physicians' preferences for and clinical practice with them are not known.

Objective: This study aims to explore preferences for and clinical practice with airway clearance devices among physicians in Saudi Arabia.

Hospitalisation patterns for respiratory diseases in Australia: an ecological study.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to examine the hospitalisation profile for respiratory diseases in Australia between 1998 and 2019.

Design: An ecological study.

Setting: A population study that involved all private and public hospitalisations for respiratory diseases in Australia from 1998 to 2019.

Multicomponent Approaches to Reduce Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in Critical Care: Determining the Ideal Strategy.

Although there is ample proof of the advantages of infection prevention and Control (IPC) in acute-care hospitals, there is still some questions about the efficacy of IPC interventions for multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), and there is a need for the development of evidence-based practices. No healthcare facility has found a single effective technique to reduce MDRO. However, a multicomponent intervention that included improved barrier protection, chlorhexidine bathing, microbiological monitoring, and staff involvement significantly decreased the likelihood of infection in the patient surroundings with multidrug-resistant organisms.

Prevalence and predictors of polypharmacy and comorbidities among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional retrospective study in a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of polypharmacy, comorbidities and to investigate factors associated with polypharmacy among adult patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Methods: This was a retrospective single-centre cross-sectional study. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD according to the GOLD guidelines between 28 February 2020 and 1 March 2023 were included in this study.

Prevalence and burden of loneliness in COPD: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Loneliness poses significant public health concerns on a global scale. Being alone and lacking social connections have been proven to impact prognosis and response to treatment in different diseases, including COPD. Yet, the prevalence and burden of loneliness on COPD outcomes remain unclear.

The effect of cumulative night shift duties on insomnia, fatigue, and mental health in intensive care unit.

Background: Night shift duties are crucial in the ICU to ensure care continuity, where critically ill patients require round-the-clock care. However, cumulative night shift duties may disturb circadian rhythm, insomnia, fatigue, and depression, and require further elucidation.

Objectives: This study aims to examine the negative consequences of various night shift patterns on insomnia, fatigue, and mental health of ICU Workers.

Prevalence, factors associated and management of needle phobia among the general population in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence of needle phobia among Saudi and Egyptian adult populations. In addition, underlying causes and strategies that can be utilized to address needle fear were investigated.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey study was conducted in Saudi Arabia and Egypt between 1 May and 30 June 2023.

Asthma medication adherence, control, and psychological symptoms: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Nonadherence to therapies and psychological disorders are associated with poor asthma control. This study aims to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms, asthma control, and adherence to inhalers and to investigate whether there is an association of anxiety and depressive symptoms with adherence to inhalers and asthma control.

Methods: We measured anxiety and depressive symptoms using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in patients with asthma.

Clinical Practice of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy in ARDS Patients: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Respiratory Therapists.

Background: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is an essential non-invasive oxygen therapy in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients. Despite its wide use, research assessing the knowledge, practice, and barriers to using HFNC among respiratory therapists (RT) is lacking.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire was conducted among RTs in Saudi Arabia between December 19, 2022, and July 15, 2023.

The prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of tobacco and nicotine use among students in healthcare disciplines in Saudi Arabian universities: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Tobacco smoking is one of the most significant health-related problems worldwide. However, the prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of tobacco and nicotine use among students on healthcare courses in Saudi Arabia are limited.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used a questionnaire that was distributed via SurveyMonkey between November 2022 and June 2023 to all student universities offering healthcare courses.

A population-based study of 15,000 people on Knowledge and awareness of lung cancer symptoms and risk factors in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Lung cancer is currently the most fatal form of cancer worldwide, ranking as the fourth most prevalent type in Saudi Arabia, particularly among males. This trend is expected to increase with growing population, lifestyle changes, and aging population. Understanding the awareness of the Saudi population regarding the risk factors and symptoms of lung cancer is necessary to attenuate the predicted increase in cases.

Spirometry profiles of overweight and obese individuals with unexplained dyspnea in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Obesity is a common cause of dyspnea. However, the impacts of obesity on spirometry parameters, particularly among individuals with unexplained dyspnea, have not been well investigated.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the prevalence of overweight and different classes of obesity and their effect on spirometry parameters among subjects with unexplained dyspnea in Saudi Arabia.

Awareness and practice of airway pressure release ventilation mode in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients among nurses in Saudi Arabia.

Background: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and current practice of using the airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) mode with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients and identify barriers to not using this mode of ventilation among nurses who work in critical areas in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Between December 2022 and April 2023, a cross-sectional online survey was disseminated to nurses working in critical care areas in Saudi Arabia. The characteristics of the respondents were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Obesity Prevalence and Association with Spirometry Profiles, ICU Admission, and Comorbidities Among Patients with COPD: Retrospective Study in Two Tertiary Centres in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Obesity is common among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and is associated with an increase in acute exacerbation episodes. However, data on obesity's impact on and association with clinical outcomes among patients with COPD are limited. This study aimed to determine overweight and obesity prevalence and associations with spirometry profiles, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and comorbidities in patients with COPD.

Knowledge and practice of using airway pressure release ventilation mode in ARDS patients: A survey of physicians.

Background: Limited data is available on awareness and clinical management of the airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) mode of ventilation for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients among physicians who work at in adult critical areas. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and current practice of using APRV mode with ARDS patients and identify barriers to not using this mode of ventilation among physicians who work in adult critical areas in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Between November 2022 and April 2023, a cross-sectional online survey was disseminated to physicians who work in adult critical areas in Saudi Arabia.

The utility of the necessity-concerns framework (NCF) in explaining adherence and parental beliefs about controller medication in Saudi Arabian children with asthma.

Objective: This study aims to assess beliefs about asthma controller medications among parents of Saudi Arabian children with asthma and the association between these beliefs and medication adherence using the Necessity-Concerns Framework.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was provided to parents of children with asthma when they brought their children to routine appointments at local public clinics between May 16 and July 10, 2018. Participants electronically filled out validated Arabic versions of the Medication Adherence Reported Scale (MARS) and Beliefs About Medications Questionnaire (BMQ).

The rate of ward to intensive care transfer and its predictors among hospitalized COPD patients, a retrospective study in a local tertiary center in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and its predictors among hospitalized chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

Methods: An observational retrospective study was conducted. All patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD according to the GOLD guidelines between 28 and 2020 and 1 March 2023 at Al-Noor Specialist Hospital were included in this study.

The impact of non-pharmacologic interventions on respiratory syncytial virus hospitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective study from Saudi Arabia.

Background: Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are frequently observed in infants and young children. The dynamics and transmission of ARTIs have been significantly impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the change in admission rates of Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV) in a hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Role of prostanoids, nitric oxide and endothelin pathways in pulmonary hypertension due to COPD.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is classified as Group 3 PH, with no current proven targeted therapies. Studies suggest that cigarette smoke, the most risk factor for COPD can cause vascular remodelling and eventually PH as a result of dysfunction and proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs). In addition, hypoxia is a known driver of pulmonary vascular remodelling in COPD, and it is also thought that the presence of hypoxia in patients with COPD may further exaggerate cigarette smoke-induced vascular remodelling; however, the underlying cause is not fully understood.

Case-Finding tool for COPD in LMIC (COLA) - translation and cross-cultural adaptation into Brazilian Portuguese language.

Objective: To translate and cross-culturally adapt the COPD in Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) Assessment (COLA) questionnaire into Brazilian Portuguese, a case-finding instrument for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation were completed in six steps: the original version was translated into Brazilian Portuguese by two native speakers of the target language; the translated versions were synthesized; back-translation was performed by two native speakers of the original language; the back-translation and the Brazilian Portuguese version of the COLA were reviewed and harmonized by an expert committee of specialists; and, then, the pre-final version was tested by 30 health professionals who were asked if the items were clear to understand. The acceptability, clarity, and understandability of the translated version were evaluated.

Electrocardiographic interpretation by emergency medical services professionals in Saudi Arabia: A cross sectional study.

Background: Management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and cardiac arrhythmias in prehospital settings is largely determined by providers of emergency medical services (EMS) who can proficiently interpret the electrocardiography (ECG). The aim of this study was to assess the ECG competency of EMS providers in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Between Aug and Sep 2022, we invited all EMS providers working for the Saudi Red Crescent Authority in Makkah, Riyadh, and Sharqiyah regions to complete a cross-sectional survey.