Pattern and associated factors of COVID-19 knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) among COVID-19-comorbid patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The COVID-19 comorbid population is at higher risk of developing severe health issues like acute respiratory distress syndrome, coagulation syndrome, metabolic acidosis, and septic shock, potentially leading to patient death. Patients' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) significantly influence their response to the pandemic and aid in enhancing health policy implementation.

Objective: To identify and evaluate the pattern and associated factors to COVID-19 knowledge, attitude, and practice among individuals with comorbidities.

Evaluating the Efficiency and Staff Satisfaction of the Point-of-Care IV Activated System Versus Traditional Piggyback in Administering IV Antibiotics at a Saudi Tertiary Hospital.

Background: This study aims to compare resource utilization and staff satisfaction between the point-of-care (POC) activated system and the traditional intravenous piggyback (PB) system in hospital pharmacy settings.

Methods: Employing a pre-post quasi-experimental design from November 2019 to April 2020, the study assessed resource requirements for both the POC activated system and the traditional PB system. Additionally, a staff satisfaction survey was conducted, focusing on staff experiences related to the pharmacy preparation process and the subsequent activation of the system by nurses.

Pharmaceutical Advertising and Public Perceptions in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: As the pharmaceutical advertising landscape evolves with digital advancements, this study examines public awareness and perceptions of medication advertisements in Saudi Arabia. It focuses on the effects of regulatory frameworks and evaluates how they influence public understanding and attitudes toward these advertisements.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an electronic survey in Saudi Arabia in December 2023.

Insights into Drug Donation Practices and Public Perceptions in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Effective medication management, disposal, and donation are vital for public health and environmental sustainability. Improper handling of medications can lead to drug misuse, accidental poisoning, and environmental damage. This study examines current practices and challenges in Saudi Arabia, identifying opportunities for improvement.

Insights into Pharmacists' Participation in Professional Certification Programs in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Professional certification programs play a crucial role in helping pharmacists develop specialized skills and establish their expertise in the field. This study explores how pharmacists in Saudi Arabia engage with these programs by examining their levels of awareness, attitudes, and participation. It also identifies the key barriers and motivators that influence their decision to pursue certification.

Spectrum of Nondiabetic Kidney Diseases in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Who Underwent Kidney Biopsy in Egypt.

Introduction: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) affects 30-40% of patients with diabetes. The prevalence of nondiabetic kidney disease (NDKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) in Egypt is unknown. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of NDKD in patients with T2D in Egypt.

Assessment of burnout, resilience, and thriving among academic health professionals: findings from an international study.

Introduction: Burnout, resilience, and thriving significantly impact academics, particularly in health professions, where responsibilities are extensive. This study aimed to explore these constructs among academic health professionals, examining sociodemographic and work-related factors influencing these outcomes.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among academic health professionals via web-based professional networks from August 2022 to February 2023.

Assessment of Academic Resilience and Its Associated Factors Among Pharmacy Students in Twelve Countries.

Objective: Academic resilience, a critical determinant of academic achievement, is affected by various factors. There is a paucity of large-scale international assessments of academic resilience among pharmacy students. Therefore, this study aimed to assess academic resilience among pharmacy students in 12 countries and to evaluate factors associated with their academic resilience levels.

Comprehensive review of melatonin as a promising nutritional and nutraceutical supplement.

Background: Melatonin is an indoleamine hormone secreted by the pineal gland at night and has an essential role in regulating human circadian rhythms (the internal 24-h clock) and sleep-wake patterns. However, it has recently gained considerable attention for its demonstrated ability in disease management. This review discusses the major biological activities of melatonin, its metabolites as nutritional supplements, and its bioavailability in food sources.

Evaluating Adherence to Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Guidelines for Gentamicin in Neonatal Care: A Retrospective Study at the Maternity and Children's Hospital in Makkah.

In this study, we assess healthcare providers' adherence to therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) guidelines for gentamicin in neonates. Conducted at the Maternity and Children's Hospital in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, from July 2020 to July 2022, it retrospectively analyzed the compliance of healthcare workers in managing neonates treated with gentamicin. Covering 410 neonates, primarily diagnosed with respiratory distress (56%) and sepsis (32%), the study revealed that while a majority of trough and peak levels conformed to guidelines, substantial deviations were noted in cases of respiratory distress.

Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance among Pilgrims with Infectious Diseases during Hajj: Lessons Learnt from COVID-19 Pandemic.

Hajj pilgrimage is a large mass gathering global event that may facilitate the spread and emergence of various infectious diseases as well as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in a local and global scenario. Planning and preparing for these public health issues is a challenging and complex process for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) health authorities. Despite multiple efforts for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases through longtime funding in education and medical care, the prevalence of infectious disease is still high among Hajj pilgrims.

Ongoing Strategies to Improve Antimicrobial Utilization in Hospitals across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): Findings and Implications.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasing global concern, increasing costs, morbidity, and mortality. National action plans (NAPs) to minimize AMR are one of several global and national initiatives to slow down rising AMR rates. NAPs are also helping key stakeholders understand current antimicrobial utilization patterns and resistance rates.

Effects of early adjunctive pharmacotherapy on serum levels of brain injury biomarkers in patients with traumatic brain injury: a systematic review of randomized controlled studies.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the top causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The review aimed to discuss and summarize the current evidence on the effectiveness of adjuvant neuroprotective treatments in terms of their effect on brain injury biomarkers in TBI patients. To identify relevant studies, four scholarly databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were systematically searched using predefined search terms.

Safety of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with different glomerular diseases treated with immunosuppressive therapies.

Background: Despite the known effects of sodium-glucose-cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in halting chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression and decreasing mortality from renal and cardiovascular causes, their use in patients with primary and secondary glomerular diseases maintained on immunosuppressive therapies (IST) has not yet been established.

Methods: In this open-label, uncontrolled study, SGLT2 inhibitors were prescribed to patients with glomerular diseases maintained on IST to assess the safety of their use.

Results: Nine out of 17 patients had no diabetes.

Dose optimization of vancomycin in obese patients: A systematic review.

Dose optimization of vancomycin plays a substantial role in drug pharmacokinetics because of the increased incidence of obesity worldwide. This systematic review was aimed to highlight the current dosing strategy of vancomycin among obese patients. This systematic review was in concordance with Preferred Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: What Are Pharmacists' Roles and Associated Outcomes?

Globally, the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is increasing. The treatment for ADHD is multifaceted and requires long-term care and support. Pharmacists are capable of assisting patients and their caretakers in achieving desired outcomes.

Evaluation of grit and its associated factors among undergraduate pharmacy students from 14 Asian and Middle Eastern countries amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Grit is proposed as an essential trait for academic achievement. Thus, evaluating its current status and the associated factors could aid academic support planning.

Objective: The present study aimed to assess grit level and its related factors among undergraduate pharmacy students from 14 countries amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The socio-cultural factors behind the Saudi attitude toward COVID-19 vaccination: A survey-based study.

Introduction: Vaccine distrust and rejection are thought to contribute to disease outbreaks and increased mortality. The present study aimed to analyze the socio-cultural characteristics and attitudes of the Saudi population toward vaccines, using a cross-sectional survey-based approach.

Methods: An online questionnaire was used, following the snowball method.

Risk Factors, Clinical Consequences, Prevention, and Treatment of Childhood Obesity.

Obesity might adversely affect the health and well-being of children and their families. Childhood obesity has crucial implications for health, both during childhood and as they age. It is highly associated with many acute problems and is commonly present during childhood, making visits and hospital admissions polarized in this group of children.

Treatments and Predictors of Mortality for Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacilli Infections in Malaysia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

This study evaluated the treatments, mortality rate and patient-related factors associated with mortality. This is a retrospective study involving hospitalised patients with infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (CR-GNB) in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia from January 2018 to June 2020. A clinical pharmacist reviewed patients' electronic records and collected the data according to a pre-designed form.

Coping With Diabetes During the COVID-19 Lockdown in Saudi Arabia: Lessons Learned in the Post-pandemic Era.

Background: Uncontrolled diabetes has appeared as one of the major risk factors for morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Alterations in dietary habits, physical inactivity, and inability to take advice from the physician are some of the contributing factors. This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in Saudi Arabia on medication accessibility, medication adherence, lifestyle, and quality of life of diabetes patients.

Assessment of mental wellbeing of undergraduate pharmacy students from 14 countries: The role of gender, lifestyle, health-related, and academic-related factors.

Background: Pharmacy students will assume future roles as frontline healthcare providers. Therefore, evaluating their current state of mental wellbeing and its associated factors is essential for better planning students' support initiatives. This study aimed to assess mental wellbeing and its associated factors among undergraduate pharmacy students from 14 countries during the pandemic.

Disparities in Prevalence and Barriers to Hypertension Control: A Systematic Review.

Controlling hypertension (HTN) remains a challenge, as it is affected by various factors in different settings. This study aimed to describe the disparities in the prevalence and barriers to hypertension control across countries of various income categories. Three scholarly databases-ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Google Scholar-were systematically examined using predefined search terms to identify potentially relevant studies.

Evaluation of preoperative duloxetine use for postoperative analgesia following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized controlled trial.

The pain pattern after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is complex and distinct from postoperative pain after other laparoscopic procedures, suggesting that procedure-specific optimal analgesic management plans should be proposed. Duloxetine, a non-opioid neuromodulator, has been widely used to manage pain with dual central and peripheral analgesic properties. To assess the effect of preoperative administration of duloxetine compared to placebo on postoperative pain control in patients undergoing LC.