Evaluation of 34 Cytokines and Vitamin D Status Reveal A Sexually-Dimorphic Active Immune Response to SARS-CoV-2.

Background: Several observational studies have inconsistently demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) infection and severity. Discrepancies in results may partially be explained by the individuals’ immune profiles, which are modulated, in varying degrees, by vitamin D status and sex hormones. Methods: In this study we evaluated the differences and associations of serum levels of 25(OH)D with 34 cytokines in 220 adults (82 controls (41 males; 41 females) and 138 SARS-CoV-2 patients (79 males and 59 females)) with and without COVID-19.

COVID-19 Lockdown and Lifestyle Changes in Saudi Adults With Types 1 and 2 Diabetes.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate and compare the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on lifestyle changes and other common related effects of the lockdown in Saudi adults with diabetes mellitus (DM), both type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: 265 T1D and 285 T2D individuals were included in this cross-sectional survey during lockdown using an online questionnaire and compared with 297 participants without DM. Variables included demographics, treatment changes, use of supplements, change in sleeping habits and physical activity, dietary changes, social and mental health, and education and awareness during COVID-19 lockdown.

Cardiometabolic Effects of a 12-Month, COVID-19 Lockdown-Interrupted Lifestyle Education Program for Arab Adolescents.

Background: Childhood obesity and pediatric metabolic syndrome (MetS) have steadily increased during the last decade in Saudi Arabia. Intervention programs to prevent cardiometabolic disorders in Arab youth are needed.

Objective: In this multi-school intervention study which was disrupted by COVID-19-imposed lockdowns (September 2019-April 2021), a 12-month lifestyle education program focused on improving the cardiometabolic status of Arab adolescents was investigated.

Effects of a 12-Month Hybrid (In-Person + Virtual) Education Program in the Glycemic Status of Arab Youth.

This 12-month school-based intervention study investigated the effects of hybrid educational lifestyle modifications on glycemic control among Saudi youth with different glycemic statuses. A total of 2600 Arab adolescents aged 12−18 years were recruited from 60 randomly selected schools. Anthropometrics, blood glucose, and HbA1c were measured pre- and post-intervention.

PTHR1 Genetic Polymorphisms Are Associated with Osteoporosis among Postmenopausal Arab Women.

The parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTHR1) plays a crucial role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. However, its genetic role in regulating bone turnover markers (BTMs) in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) remains unclear. Herein, we explored parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTHR gene variant susceptibility to osteoporosis and their association with various circulating BTM and inflammatory markers in postmenopausal women of Arab ethnicity.

Increasing Prevalence of Pediatric Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components among Arab Youth: A Time-Series Study from 2010-2019.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiometabolic disorders, mostly studied in adults with certain ethnic groups, such as Arabs with higher predisposition and heritability. In this time-series study, we tried to determine the prevalence of MetS in the Arabic pediatric population from 2010-2019 to gauge the need to intervene in the younger population.

Methods: A total of 7985 Saudi school children aged 12-18 coming from different sets of cohorts in different timepoints were included in this time-series studies (Year 2010, = 2081, 877 boys and 1204 girls; Year 2015, = 3360, 1625 boys and 1735 girls, Year 2019, = 2544, 956 boys and 1588 girls).

The application of FRAX in Saudi Arabia.

Unlabelled: Assessment and treatment pathways based on age-specific intervention thresholds in Saudi Arabi can be used to identify patients at high risk of fracture and avoid unnecessary treatment in those at low fracture risk.

Purpose: Intervention thresholds for the treatment of osteoporosis have historically been based on the measurement of bone mineral density. The aim of the present study was to explore treatment paths and characteristics of women eligible for treatment in Saudi Arabia based on fracture probabilities derived from FRAX®.

Vitamin D Receptor Gene Variants Susceptible to Osteoporosis in Arab Post-Menopausal Women.

Post-menopausal osteoporosis (PMO) is a multifactorial bone disorder in elderly women. Various vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene variants have been studied and associated with osteoporosis in other populations, but not in a homogenous Arab ethnic group. Herein, the current study explores the association between VDR polymorphisms and susceptibility to osteoporosis in Saudi postmenopausal women.

Effects of a 2-Week 5000 IU versus 1000 IU Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Recovery of Symptoms in Patients with Mild to Moderate Covid-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 severity. This multi-center randomized clinical trial aims to determine the effects of 5000 IU versus 1000 IU daily oral vitamin D3 supplementation in the recovery of symptoms and other clinical parameters among mild to moderate COVID-19 patients with sub-optimal vitamin D status.

Study Design And Setting: A total of 69 reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) SARS-CoV-2 positive adults who were hospitalized for mild to moderate COVID-19 disease were allocated to receive once daily for 2 weeks either 5000 IU oral vitamin D3 ( = 36, 21 males; 15 females) or 1000 IU oral vitamin D3 (standard control) ( = 33, 13 males; 20 females).

Vitamin D status of Arab Gulf residents screened for SARS-CoV-2 and its association with COVID-19 infection: a multi-centre case-control study.

Objectives: Vitamin D status in patients with COVID-19 is an on-going controversial issue. This study aims to determine differences in the serum 25(OH)D concentrations of Arab Gulf adult residents screened for SARS-CoV-2 and its association with risk of COVID-19 infection together with other comorbidities.

Methods: In this multi-center, case-control study, a total of 220 male and female adults presenting with none to mild symptoms were screened for COVID-19 (n = 138 RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive and 82 negative controls).

Effects of home quarantine during COVID-19 lockdown on physical activity and dietary habits of adults in Saudi Arabia.

Public health endorsements during the present COVID-19 pandemic has led the governments of largely affected countries to imply policies that restrict social mobility to slow COVID-19 spread. The study aimed to explore the effects of COVID-19 home quarantine on lifestyle and health behavior of Saudi residents. An online survey in Saudi Arabia was launched from May 11 to June 6, 2020.

Ramadan fasting in people with type 1 diabetes during COVID-19 pandemic: The DaR Global survey.

Objectives: The DaR Global survey was conducted to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the intentions to fast and the outcomes of fasting in <18 years versus ≥18 years age groups with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Methods: Muslim people with T1DM were surveyed in 13 countries between June and August 2020, shortly after the end of Ramadan (23rd April-23rd May 2020) using a simple questionnaire.

Results: 71.

Vitamin D Correction Down-Regulates Serum Amyloid P Component Levels in Vitamin D Deficient Arab Adults: A Single-Arm Trial.

Vitamin D (VD) has been observed to have anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effects of VD supplementation on the serum amyloid P component (SAP) has not been established. This study aimed to investigate the effect of VD supplementation on serum SAP levels in Arab adults.

An assessment of the ocular tear film in patients with thyroid disorders.

To investigate the ocular tear film in patients with thyroid disorders using various tests. The study involved the assessment of the ocular tear film in 20 patients with thyroid disorders (6 men and 14 women) aged 18-43 years (mean±standard deviation=34.3±3.

Metabolic Syndrome in Arab Adults with Low Bone Mineral Density.

There are discrepancies in the reports on the association of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components with bone mineral density (BMD) and hence more population-based studies on this subject are needed. In this context, this observational study was aimed to investigate the association between T-scores of BMD at lumbar L1-L4 and full MetS and its individual components. A total of 1587 participants (84.

Lower vitamin D levels in Saudi pregnant women are associated with higher risk of developing GDM.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has serious consequences such as increased risks of preeclampsia, macrosomia and cesarean delivery. Even though the mechanistic basis of GDM has not been completely understood, several risk factors have been identified and one of these is vitamin D. However, the link between vitamin D deficiency and development of GDM is yet to be proven with certainty.

Effects of Different Dietary and Lifestyle Modification Therapies on Metabolic Syndrome in Prediabetic Arab Patients: A 12-Month Longitudinal Study.

This three-arm, randomized, controlled study aimed to determine the differences in the effects of general advice (GA) on lifestyle change, intensive lifestyle modification programme (ILMP) and GA + metformin (GA + Met) in reducing the prevalence of full metabolic syndrome (MetS) in subjects with prediabetes; 294 Saudis with prediabetes (fasting glucose 5.6-6.9 mmol/L) were initially randomized, 263 completed 6 months and 237 completed 12 months.

Efficacy of different modes of vitamin D supplementation strategies in Saudi adolescents.

Unlabelled: Vitamin D deficiency is rampant in the Middle East, even in children and adolescents. This study was designed to investigate the effects of different vitamin D repletion strategies commonly used on serum vitamin D levels of Saudi adolescents.

Study Design: A 6-month multi-center, controlled, clinical study, involving 34 schools in the central region of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Sex-specific expression of apolipoprotein levels following replenishment of vitamin D.

Numerous studies have been done to establish the relationship between vitamin D and lipids, yet a definitive causal link is not found. This interventional study aims to evaluate and compare levels of apolipoproteins among vitamin D deficient subjects at baseline and after they achieved full vitamin D status correction.120 Saudi adults with vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D < 50nmol/l] were recruited and given 50,000IU cholecalciferol weekly for first 2 months, then twice a month for next 2 months, followed by daily 1000IU until month 6.

Inflammation as a contributing factor among postmenopausal Saudi women with osteoporosis.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is an important metabolic bone disease characterized by rapid bone loss occurring in the postmenopausal period. Recently, the most prevalent form of clinically significant osteopenia and osteoporosis involves various inflammatory conditions. The aim of the study is to evaluate the association between proinflammatory markers (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) with bone turnover markers (BTMs) in postmenopausal Saudi women with and without osteoporosis.

Tall Cell Variant Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in Saudi Patients: A clinicopathological and Outcomes Analysis.

To evaluate the clinicopathological features and treatment outcomes of papillary thyroid carcinoma tall cell variant (PTC-TCV) in Saudi population. Methods: This retrospective study were medical records of 776 treated PTC patients between December 2007 and 2015, at King Fahad Medical City and King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was probed for PTC-TCV. Total 42 (5.