Tests employed in the psychometric validation of the Insulin Treatment Appraisal Scale (ITAS) in T2DM patients; a systematic review of the literature.

Background: Psychological Insulin Resistance (PIR) and negative perceptions regarding insulin treatment are noteworthy challenges in T2DM management, which hinder the timely initiation of insulin treatment. To get past these obstacles a reliable tool is required to evaluate patients' perspectives on insulin administration. Our study aims to conduct a comprehensive systematic review to evaluate the validity and reliability of different validation tests used in the psychometric validation of the ITAS in T2DM patients.

The direct cost of chronic kidney disease (CKD) reported in Asian countries; a systematic literature review.

Background: The direct and indirect costs of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are substantial and increase over time. Concerns regarding our capacity to manage the financial burden that CKD) places on patients, caregivers, and society are raised by its increasing prevalence and progression. Lack of awareness of CKD's economic effects is a major reason that lawmakers and administrators pay little attention to this chronic illness.

Cost-Savings Associated with Multi-Disciplinary Team Approach for Reducing Macrovascular and Microvascular Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Predictive Model.

Purpose: This study aims to predict the expected cost savings associated with implementing a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach to reduce macrovascular and microvascular complications among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: This economic evaluation study was conducted in Riyadh First Health Cluster, Saudi Arabia as a predictive model conceptualized by the authors based on models used in previous studies, particularly the CORE Diabetes Model. Our model was designed based on 1) the level of glycemic control among 24,755 T2DM patients served by MDTs; 2) the expected incidence of diabetes-related complications without intervention; 3) the predicted risk reduction of developing diabetes-related complications with MDTs.

Effectiveness of Case Manager Led Multi-Disciplinary Team Approach on Glycemic Control Amongst T2DM Patients in Primary Care in Riyadh: A Retrospective Follow-Up Study.

Objectives: Our study aims to assess the effectiveness of implementing a case manager-led Multidisciplinary Team approach in the primary healthcare setting on improving glycemic control and reducing cardiovascular risks for T2DM patients over a 6-month period.

Methods: This retrospective record-based follow-up study was carried out on 3060 uncontrolled T2DM patients in primary healthcare centers in Riyadh First Health Cluster over a period of 6 months. The patient records are investigated and analyzed, including demographic characteristics and measurements of Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol, and BP levels at enrollment and after 6 months of Multi-Disciplinary Team follow-up.

Factors influencing community pharmacists' knowledge about women's issues in epilepsy.

Background: Previous studies have highlighted instances where pharmacists lacked knowledge regarding women's health issues related to epilepsy.

Objectives: To assess UAE community pharmacists' knowledge, toward women's issues in epilepsy.

Methods: a cross-sectional research method was employed.

Acceptability and Willingness of UAE Residents to Use OTC Vending Machines to Deliver Self-Testing Kits for COVID-19 and the Implications.

Purpose: Self-testing kits for SARS-CoV-2 appear effective, practical, safe and reliable as well as helping patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms to be successfully managed at home without going to hospital. As a result, ease pressures on hospitals. OTC vending machines offer the potential for SARS-CoV-2 self-testing kits alongside making available OTC treatments to alleviate the symptoms of COVID-19.

Community-Based Interventions for the Treatment and Management of Conflict-Related Trauma in Low-Middle Income, Conflict-Affected Countries: a Realist Review.

Where low- and middle-income countries have limited economic resources to provide individualized mental health services to people exposed to conflict, community-based interventions may be more appropriate. We aimed to evaluate community level interventions for improving mental health outcomes in Low- and Middle-income countries (LMIC). A realist review of community-based interventions (CBIs) to improve mental health for people in LMIC following conflict.

Assessment of Primary Health Care Specialized Reference Clinics in Riyadh First Health Cluster: Outcome, Cost-Effectiveness and Patient Satisfaction.

Purpose: The objectives of the study are to assess the outcome and cost-effectiveness of specialized reference clinics (SRCs) in primary health care centers (PHCCs) of Riyadh First Health Cluster (RFHC), then to estimate the patient satisfaction among clients utilizing such SRCs.

Patients And Methods: This facility-based study was conducted in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia among six PHCCs in RFHC that contain SRCs. Records of all patients utilizing SRCs and their referral information were studied along two years.

Prevalence, Knowledge and Potential Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptability Among University Students in the United Arab Emirates: Findings and Implications.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence, knowledge, attitude and acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccines and related factors among university students in the United Arab Emirates.

Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study undertaken among a convenient sample of medical and non-medical colleges of Ajman University using a self-administrated questionnaire. The questionnaire included demographic data as well as assessing knowledge of COVID-19, attitudes and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines.

Online medication purchasing during the Covid-19 pandemic: potential risks to patient safety and the urgent need to develop more rigorous controls for purchasing online medications, a pilot study from the United Arab Emirates.

Background: Since the WHO announced that Covid-19 had become a global pandemic, online pharmacies have emerged as an extremely popular way to purchase medication due to the quarantine measures introduced by numerous countries to prevent the virus's spread.

Aim: The aim of this study was to collect information regarding the extent of online medication purchasing in the UAE and to assess the factors that motivating the purchase of medications from the internet.

Method: A convenience sampling of people living in the UAE was used to conduct an online descriptive cross-sectional study.

A Quantitative Evaluation of Evidence-Based Beliefs and Implementation Among Community Pharmacists: Findings and Impact from United Arab Emirates.

Background: The flux of pharmaceutical data can have a negative impact on the complexity of a pharmacist's decision-making process, which will demand an extensive evaluation from healthcare providers trying to choose the most suitable therapeutic plans for their patients.

Objective: The current study aimed to assess the beliefs and implementations of community pharmacists in the UAE regarding evidence-based practice (EBP) and to explore the significant factors governing their EBP.

Setting: Community pharmacies in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, UAE.

General practitioners' knowledge, attitude and prescribing of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections in Selangor, Malaysia: findings and implications.

Background: Antibiotics are widely prescribed especially for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Their irrational use can increase costs and resistance.

Aim: Assess knowledge, attitude and prescribing of antibiotics for URTIs in Selangor, Malaysia, using a cross-sectional survey among general practitioners (GPs) working in private clinics in 2011.

The effect of sand storms on acute asthma in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Objective: Major sand storms are frequent in the Middle East. This study aims to investigate the role of air particulate matter (PM) level in acute asthma in children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: An aerosol spectrometer was used to evaluate PM < 10μm in diameter (PM10) and PM < 2.

The experiences of implementing generic medicine policy in eight countries: A review and recommendations for a successful promotion of generic medicine use.

Generic medicines are clinically interchangeable with original brand medicines and have the same quality, efficacy and safety profiles. They are, nevertheless, much cheaper in price. Thus, while providing the same therapeutic outcomes, generic medicines lead to substantial savings for healthcare systems.

Effectiveness of granisetron in controlling pediatric gastroenteritis-related vomiting after discharge from the ED.

Objective: The objective of the study is to determine the efficacy of oral granisetron (a long-acting 5-HT3 receptor antagonist) in stopping vomiting subsequent to discharge from emergency department (ED), in 6-month-old to 8-year-old patients with gastroenteritis-related vomiting and dehydration, who had failed an initial trial of oral rehydration (ORT).

Methods: Eligible patients were offered ORT on a slowly advancing schedule. Patients who tolerated the initial ORT were discharged home.

Assessment of general public satisfaction with public healthcare services in Kedah, Malaysia.

Background: Patient satisfaction is considered an essential component of healthcare services evaluation and an additional indicator of the quality of healthcare. Moreover, patient satisfaction may also predict health-related behaviours of patients such as adherence to treatment and recommendations.

Aims: The study aimed to assess patients' level of satisfaction with public healthcare services and to explore the association between socio-demographic and other study variables and patient satisfaction level.

Budesonide nebulization added to systemic prednisolone in the treatment of acute asthma in children: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids, known to be effective as a maintenance medication in chronic asthma, have also been suggested as a therapy for acute asthma when given at high doses.

Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in children aged 2 to 12 years with moderate or severe acute asthma, as determined based on a clinical score of 5 to 15 points, where 15 is the most severe. We compared the addition of budesonide 1,500 μg vs placebo to standard acute asthma treatment, which included salbutamol, ipratropium bromide, and a single dose of prednisolone 2 mg/kg given at the beginning of therapy.

Is there a need for a formulary of clinically interchangeable medicines to guide generic substitution in Saudi Arabia?

The escalating healthcare expenditure is a major challenge to sustainability of the healthcare systems. To confront the escalating health expenditure in general and medicines expenditure in particular, many countries promoted the use of generic medicines. To promote generic medicines, many countries have adopted a generic substitution (GS) policy and generic prescribing.

Short-term late-generation antibiotics versus longer term penicillin for acute streptococcal pharyngitis in children.

Background: The standard duration of treatment for children with acute group A beta hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) pharyngitis with oral penicillin is 10 days. Shorter duration antibiotics may have comparable efficacy.

Objectives: To summarize the evidence regarding the efficacy of two to six days of newer oral antibiotics (short duration) compared to 10 days of oral penicillin (standard duration) in treating children with acute GABHS pharyngitis.

Impact of an emergency nurse-initiated asthma management protocol on door-to-first-salbutamol-nebulization-time in a pediatric emergency department.

Objective: To determine the effect of an ED nurse-initiated asthma management protocol on door to first salbutamol nebulization time.

Methods: This was a prospective before-after study. Asthmatics, aged 1 to 12 years presenting to the ED with an exacerbation during the pre and post nurse-initiated care phases (from 1/22/08 to 2/8/08 and from 2/12/08 to 3/4/08), were eligible.