Assessment of appropriate utilization of out-of-office diagnostic tools for the diagnosis of hypertension.

Background: Out-of-office blood pressure (BP) measurement devices, such as ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) and home BP monitoring (HBPM), enhance the accuracy and reliability of BP readings, detecting white-coat and masked hypertension. The American Heart Association (AHA) advises confirming hypertension diagnoses with ABPM to prevent overdiagnosis, emphasizing the importance of precise out-of-office diagnostic tools. This study aimed to 1) explore the prevalence of ABPM and HBPM use prior to hypertension diagnosis; 2) assess the adherence to AHA recommendations regarding ABPM utilization; and 3) investigate the association between patient characteristics and out-of-office BP monitoring practices.

Bell's palsy characteristics, clinical manifestations, complications, and prognosis in a primary care setting, a single center study: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Bell's palsy (BP) is a cranial nerve disorder in which unilateral or bilateral paralysis of the facial nerve occurs. The study aims to study BP's characteristics, including its clinical manifestations, prognosis, and complications among adult patients aged 18 years and above.

Methods: A retrospective study of adult patients diagnosed with BP in a primary care setting] [January 2015 to December 2022].

Parents' views on pediatric COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia.

Background: To end the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to reach herd immunity. A successful pediatric COVID-19 immunization program is the only way to achieve this goal. The objective of this study was to determine the views of parents in Saudi Arabia on the COVID-19 vaccine in children.

Inappropriate laboratory test utilization in outpatient tertiary care: Implications for value-based healthcare.

Objectives: To assess the rate of inappropriate repetition of laboratory testing and estimate the cost of such testing for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total cholesterol, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 tests.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out in the Family Medicine and Polyclinic Department at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Clinical and laboratory data were collected between 2018-2021 for the 4 laboratory tests.

Comparing Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring With Cardiac Risk Scores for Predicting Cardiovascular Events in Primary Care Patients in Saudi Arabia.

Background Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia, and cardiac risk-stratification scoring methods are critical in the primary healthcare setting to predict and potentially prevent the fatal outcomes of CVD. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the prognostic value of coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) and other cardiac risk-stratification scores: arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk estimator, cardiovascular risk score (QRISK2), and triglyceride glucose index (TyG) in primary healthcare facilities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Family Medicine Clinics, and data on patient's demographics, medical records, and chronic illnesses obtained from the Integrated Clinical Information System (ICIS) database that were recorded between 2010 and 2019 were analyzed.

Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease at a Tertiary Care Center in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients who received abdominal imaging and to assess the clinical and metabolic characteristics of NAFLD.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of 500 family medicine patients (aged 18 years and older) who completed abdominal imaging at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 2016 through June 2020.

Results: The patients enrolled had a mean age of 49.

Association between body mass index and hemoglobin A1c with serum prostate-specific antigen level: A retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To assess the association between body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) with serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 2016 to December 2021. Data were collected from the medical records of patients who visited the family medicine clinics, including demographics, smoking status, BMI value, index PSA level, testosterone level, digital rectal exam findings, prostate biopsy status, fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, diabetes duration, chronic comorbidities (namely, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or chronic kidney disease), and medication history.

The Impact of Continuity of Care on Health Indicators in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Family Medicine Clinics in Riyadh.

Background: Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (DM2) is highly prevalent in Saudi Arabia, with many experiencing complications due to the disease. Family medicine physicians are usually the primary care providers responsible for the medical management of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Microvascular and macrovascular complications can occur if type 2 diabetes mellitus is poorly managed.

COVID-19 pandemic impact on primary immunization uptake.

Purpose/background: Pediatricians across the world are seeing a steep drop in the number of children coming in for appointments due to COVID-19 pandemic. To prevent outbreaks of serious diseases that pose an even greater threat to children than COVID-19, it is important that children not skip their routine vaccines. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on primary immunization activities in Saudi Arabia.

Risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome in patients attending the primary care center of a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A case-control study.

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), the most common entrapment neuropathy in the upper extremity, is known to be a multi-factorial disease that raises medical and nonmedical risk factors. The aim of the current study was to determine the risk factors of CTS in patients attending the primary care center at a tertiary hospital.

Materials And Methods: A case-control study was conducted by reviewing all medical records of patients above the age of 18 years old diagnosed with CTS from 2015 to 2021.

Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Survival among Patients Diagnosed by a Structured Community Based Screening Program Compared to Opportunistic Diagnosis: A Case Control Study.

Introduction: Breast cancer is ranked as the most common type of cancer effecting women worldwide. Early detection is associated with improved morbidity and mortality, along with decreased recurrence rates, due to regular breast cancer screening recommendations advised for women over the age of 40. Women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) typically present with advanced symptoms at later stages due to lower-than-average rates of breast cancer awareness and screening.

Clinical and epidemiological aspects of herpes zoster disease in a primary care setting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A retrospective cohort study.

Context: Herpes zoster (HZ), or shingles, is one of the most common infectious diseases. HZ can be associated with other diseases, such as cancer and immunocompromised conditions. Thus, early recognition of the disease characteristics and clinical manifestations is critical to decrease the disease burden and to avoid further complications.

Assessment of the Effective Management of Patients With Severe Primary Hypercholesterolemia Under Care in Family Medicine Clinics at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the primary cause of death in Saudi Arabia. Hypercholesterolemia is a prevalent risk factor that can lead to ASCVD. The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines have provided recommendations for managing severe primary hypercholesterolemia, defined as medically well adults 21-75 years of age with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥190 mg/dL (≥4.

Attitude and hesitancy of human papillomavirus vaccine among Saudi parents.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is closely associated with cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is expected to protect against two-thirds of cervical cancer cases in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To determine the awareness and attitude regarding the HPV vaccine among Saudi parents attending family medicine clinics in Riyadh.

Association Between Vitamin D Levels and Glycemic Control Among Adult Diabetic Patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Unlabelled: Background Diabetes is one of the most common diseases worldwide. It can cause serious complications, such as cardiovascular events, end-stage renal disease, and blindness if not controlled. Vitamin D is believed to play an essential role in glucose metabolism and insulin resistance.