Assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices of Saudi adults about calorie labeling in central Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of adults regarding the implementation of calorie labeling in restaurants in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 1443 adults invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 4 parts that assess demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mandatory menu labeling. The survey was conducted in all 5 regions of Riyadh.

Physicians and nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards advance directives for cancer patients in Saudi Arabia.

This study aimed to investigate physicians' and nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward advance directives (ADs) for cancer patients, which empower patients to take decisions on end-of-life needs if they lose their capacity to make medical decisions. A cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling. The outcomes were responses to the knowledge and attitude questions, and the main outcome variables were the total scores for knowledge and attitudes toward ADs.

Knowledge, attitudes, practices and perceptions of clinicians towards conducting clinical trials in an Academic Tertiary Care Center.

To investigate the knowledge, attitudes practices and perceptions of clinicians concerning the conducting of clinical trials (CTs).  Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on clinicians at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire which divided into 5 sections: Section 1 covered respondents' demographics.

Prevalence and predictors of physical exercise among nurses. A cross-sectional study.

To identify the prevalence and predictors of physical exercise among nurses. Methods: This study was conducted at 2 hospitals selected randomly from tertiary hospitals in King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Makassed General Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon in 2014. The study included nurses with at least one year of nursing experience.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Saudis towards Participating in Clinical Trials.

Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of Saudis towards participating in clinical trials (CTs).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 232 Saudi adult patients and their companions visiting adult outpatient clinics at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire based on information obtained from the literature.

Asthma care practicing among general practitioners in Lebanon: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to characterize the current practice of asthma among general practitioners (GPs) in Lebanon.

Methods: Out of 2450 Lebanese registered GPs, a representative sample of 330 were stratified by region to fill out the questionnaire constructed on the basis of surveys developed mainly by the Chicago Asthma Surveillance Initiative Report Team in newly moderate persistent asthma patients aged 5 years and above. The questionnaire included information about ascertaining diagnostic techniques, pharmacotherapeutic approaches, formal patient education program; asthma related continuing medical education and asthma practice guidelines.

Factors impacting job satisfaction among nurses from a tertiary care centre.

Aims And Objectives: To investigate the level of job satisfaction and the impact of personal characteristics and work environment on job satisfaction among nurses.

Background: Job satisfaction among nurses is of paramount importance to providers of health care because satisfied nurses appear to be endowed with the physical and emotional dexterity and the effort needed to perform their tasks that will enhance the quality of care provided to the patient.

Design: A cross-sectional survey.

Ineffectiveness of topiramate and levetiracetam in infantile spasms non-responsive to steroids. Open labeled randomized prospective study.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of 2 novel antiepileptic drugs, topiramate and levetiracetam, as a second line treatment for infantile spasm when oral steroids fail.

Methods: Forty infants under 2 years with clinically- and EEG-proven infantile spasms that did not respond to prednisone (2mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses) were recruited and randomized into 2 groups. They were randomly assigned to either topiramate (group 1; 1mg/kg/day for 3 days then increased by 1mg/kg/day every third day up to 6mg/kg/day) or levetiracetam (group 2; 10mg/kg/day for 5 days and then increased by 10mg/kg/day every 5 days up to 60mg/kg/day).

The role of statins in prevention and treatment of community acquired pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Emerging epidemiological evidence suggests that statins may reduce the risk of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and its complications.

Purpose: Performed a systematic review to address the role of statins in the prevention or treatment of CAP.

Data Source: Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus from inception through December 2011 were searched for randomized clinical trials, cohort and case-control studies.

The efficacy of zinc supplementation in young children with acute lower respiratory infections: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.

Background & Aim: Acute lower respiratory infections are the most frequent illnesses globally in children less than 5 years old. The aim of this randomized double blind controlled trial is to assess the effectiveness of zinc gluconate supplementation for 2 months period compared to placebo in reducing respiratory morbidity in acute lower respiratory infected children up to 5 years of age living in zinc poor population.

Methods: Children were randomly assigned to receive either 10 mg zinc gluconate or placebo for 60 days.

Transient osteoporosis of the hip/bone marrow edema syndrome with soft tissue involvement: a case report.

Transient osteoporosis of the hip (TOH) is a rare condition mainly affecting pregnant women in their third trimester and middle aged men. We report a case of TOH/Bone marrow edema syndrome in pregnancy with involvement of the surrounding soft tissues on magnetic resonance image, which has not been previously reported. The presence of such edema in the soft tissues may help to differentiate this condition from early avascular necrosis of the hip, and may also provide an insight into the pathogenesis of the condition.

Parental perceptions and beliefs about childhood asthma: a cross-sectional study.

Aim: To assess parental perceptions and beliefs about asthma in children.

Methods: We invited 6000 children aged 3 to 15 years from different schools in Lebanon to participate in the study from September 2007 to May 2008. In the first phase, in order to determine the prevalence of asthma in children, parents of all participating children filled out a small questionnaire.

Factors associated with cesarean deliveries at Women Specialized Hospital Riyadh, King Fahd Medical City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Background: The risks and safety of cesarean section (CS) differ from place to place in the world. According to the World Health Organization, the best outcomes for mothers and babies appear to occur with CS rates of 5-15%. Increasing maternal age and high parity are among the chief determinants of cesarean deliveries.

Non prescribed sale of antibiotics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross sectional study.

Background: Antibiotics sales without medical prescriptions are increasingly recognized as sources of antimicrobial misuse that can exacerbate the global burden of antibiotic resistance. We aimed to determine the percentage of pharmacies who sell antibiotics without medical prescriptions, examining the potential associated risks of such practice in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by simulation of different clinical scenarios.

Methods: A cross sectional study of a quasi-random sample of pharmacies stratified by the five regions of Riyadh.

Bilateral guided cervical block for Zenker diverticulum excision in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis.

Patients with severe ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have difficulties in tracheal intubation. An 87-year-old man with severe AS was scheduled for Zenker diverticulum (ZD) excision. It was decided to proceed with combined bilateral cervical plexus blockade using a nerve stimulator.

Nerve stimulator-guided repetitive paravertebral block for thoracic myofascial pain syndrome.

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) may persist for many years and is often refractory to traditional therapeutic approaches including pharmacotherapy, focal tenderness infiltration by local anesthetic and corticosteroids, physical therapy and behavioral modification. This report describes three cases of MPS following coronary artery bypass graft, inadequate positioning during abdominal hysterectomy, and excessive physical effort refractory to conventional therapeutic approaches. Three patients were successfully treated with repeated nerve stimulator-guided paravertebral block using a mixture of bupivacaine and clonidine.

Occipital nerve blockade for cervicogenic headache: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

Cervicogenic headache is a chronic hemicranial pain, usually occurring daily. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of nerve stimulator-guided occipital nerve blockade in the treatment of cervicogenic headache. The reduction in analgesic consumption was the primary outcome measure.

Repetitive occipital nerve blockade for cervicogenic headache: expanded case report of 47 adults.

Purpose: To evaluate the repetitive occipital nerve blocks using a nerve stimulator in the treatment of cervicogenic headache.

Methods: This prospective noncomparative clinical interventional case-series study included 47 patients suffering from cervicogenic headache using a repetitive guided occipital nerve blockade.

Results: Forty-one patients (87%) required more than one injection to achieve six-month pain-relief period.

Thoracic paravertebral block: influence of the number of injections.

Background And Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the radiographic and clinical distribution of 1 to 4 paravertebral injections by use of the same total volume of local anesthetic mixture.

Methods: Sixty-nine patients scheduled for surgical interventions suitable for bilateral PVB were included in the study and were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups. Group 1 received 4 paravertebral injections on one side versus 1 injection on the contralateral side (23 patients), group 2 received 4 injections versus 2 injections (23 patients), and group 3 received 4 injections versus 3 injections (23 patients).

Addition of clonidine and fentanyl: comparison between three different regional anesthetic techniques in circumcision.

Background: Several techniques have been used for alleviating post-circumcision pain with regional anesthetics being more effective than systemic opioids. Our aim was to compare the effectiveness of dorsal penile block, ring block (RB) and dorsal penile block associated with RB in reducing post-circumcision pain in children.

Methods: We conducted a prospective randomized double-blind clinical trial on 100 boys aged between 1 month and 5 years undergoing elective circumcision.