Awareness, knowledge, and attitude toward nonmelanoma skin cancer and actinic keratosis among the general population of western Saudi Arabia.

Background: This study evaluated the levels of awareness, knowledge, and attitude, including sun-protection habits, toward basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis among the Saudi population.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia using a 12-item survey concerning the knowledge and awareness of basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis, as well as associated preventive measures. A Chi-square test was used to determine associations among variables.

Interpleural catheter analgesia for chronic pain treatment--a case report.

In summary, we present a case in which long-lasting relief of upper abdominal cancer pain was achieved by injections of local anesthetic through the interpleural approach. This technique may be a good alternative to coeliac plexus block in selected cases. Furthermore, if pain relief in such a case proves to be only transient, injections of dilute phenol might provide permanent relief.

Assessment of severity in acute pancreatitis: Use of prognostic factors.

This prospective study evaluates the value of Ranson's prognostic factors in predicting severity of acute pancreatitis. One hundred-fourteen patients with 124 attacks of acute pancreatitis were studied duringa 4-year period at Riyadh Central Hospital. The majority of patients were Saudi males, their mean age being 46.

The influence of Islamic views on public attitudes towards kidney transplant donation in a Saudi Arabian community.

Public attitudes towards organ donation during life and at death were examined in a randomised survey of 850 individuals, both male and female, in a representative Saudi Arabian community in Riyadh. Demographic categories accounted were age, sex, marital status, cultural and ethnic background, educational level and occupation. Of the sampled population 87% were native Saudi and the mean age was 30.