In this issue a number of papers dealt with diabetes mellitus issue and some papers discussed issues related to eye disease in addition to various topics of interest to primary health care.

Dr. Basheikh, did a population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents aged 14-19 years residing in the Western region of Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to estimate eye risk extent related to CL use among adolescents and understand the association between risk level and CL use patterns and adherence to hygiene and maintenance instructions. Of 350 participants, 248 (70.9%) used CLs. There was an overwhelming female predominance (93.1%) among users, with occasional, cosmetic, and combined cosmetic-medical uses without prescription or follow-up being the most frequent pattern. The author concluded that young Saudi adolescents are highly exposed to unregulated CL use with significant ophthalmological risks. This has several clinical, public health, and policy-making implications.

Almatrafi, et al., did a cross-sectional study to assess the level of knowledge regarding complications of diabetes mellitus among patients with type 2 diabetes in the Western Region of KSA. Overall, 571 patients with diabetes were enrolled in this study. We found that most over seventy-six percent of the participants were knowledgeable about diabetes complications, as conveyed by their treating physician. Although knowledge about hyperglycemia symptoms was quite good among our participants, their knowledge about hypoglycemia symptoms was less impressive. The authors concluded that knowledge about diabetes complications remain suboptimum among Saudi individuals. Makkah city needs to be targeted by effective educational interventions to help improve its residents' knowledge level about diabetes complications. Educational interventions should focus on systematic complications of diabetes, particularly highlighting how diabetes causes cerebrovascular accidents and neurological problems. Future research should be longitudinal and attempt to assess the link between better knowledge of diabetes complications and their preventability.

Al-Amri 1 et al., did a descriptive cross-sectional study was used to Assess the knowledge of diabetic children regarding the risk of ocular complications and prevalence of ocular complications among diabetic children. Data were collected from participants using an online pre-structured questionnaire. A total of 499 children fulfilling the inclusion criteria completed the study questionnaire. The authors concluded that diabetic eye complications among children were not frequent with poor diabetic control. Participants knowledge regarding diabetes eye related complications was on average especially for the significance of ophthalmologist visits and early detection of the disorders.

Dr Tayeb, performed a study looking at egg allergy in Jeddah. He reviewed 143 patients during 2021 in Jeddah city. Only positive RAST sIgEs results to egg white or yellow was included. RAST results was taken from patient files retrospectively. Additionally, the associated allergic diseases were taken. EH in adults in Jeddah is more common in males 85 (59.4%) than females 56 (39%), more common in white egg 54 (37.8%) than yellow egg 28 (19.5%). Additionally, EH in Jeddah city is commonest in age of thirties 40 (28%) and adulthood 31 (21.7%). The author concluded that EH in Jeddah city have several characters. It's more common in adults (specially males) in age period between 20-40 years, more common to white than yellow egg. Common allergic diseases associated with EH are allergic rhinosinusitis, atopic dermatitis, asthma and food allergy respectively. EH severity is mostly of mild class; however, this must be correlated with the clinical findings.

Alhejaili, et al., did observational, analytical, cross-sectional study included 297 COVID-19 patients evaluated between April and May 2020 in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. the study aimed to measure the anxiety levels and different coping strategies of COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia. The mean age was 35 ± 10.6 years (range, 17-63 years). The frequency of patients with moderate to severe anxiety (score > 10) was 55.9%, and the most frequently used coping strategy was religion 7.20 ± 1.35. The authors concluded that moderate to severe anxiety was experienced by 55.9% of COVID-19 patients, and anxiety was associated with self-blame, venting, denial, and active coping. Therefore, increasing awareness of the effects of COVID-19 on mental health, and patient education on healthy coping mechanisms for anxiety management are recommended for the Saudi Arabian population.

Alharbi et al., looked at how to address problems such as long length of stay and overriding in emergency departments. This was done through studying the literature and picking the appropriate solutions in the evidence- based practice. A review of the past literatures to identify the strategies that can be used to overcome crowding and LOS at pediatric emergency departments. Scopus, Web of Science, Medline, PubMed, Science Direct, and Wiley online library. According to the ideal patient journey model, as this model is used as mentioned in the literature section in order to improve the level of health care in pediatric emergency departments, in our results, those strategies will be commented on in terms of their disadvantages and advantages according to our point of view. The authors concluded that overcrowding in the emergency department is one of the current challenges, according to the studies mentioned, as in order to improve the care of children and patients, different strategies of high quality must be followed in order to reduce overcrowding and achieve effectiveness and efficiency.

Alshammari & Sulaiman Sait, report a case about Tinea Corporis that had unusual presentation in 18-year-old female without any underlying chronic skin disorders. The patient was treated antifungal medication oral and topical, was followed up for 6 months. They stressed that Tinea corporis is a common fungal infection that mimics many other annular lesions, and it is commonly misdiagnosed. Primary care Physicians must familiarize themselves with this condition and its treatment.

Dr. Haidarah,did a retrospective study to evaluation of outcome of distal humerus fracture fixation by two-locked plate. The study involved 72 patients with distal humeral fractures who were managed surgically fixation with two-locked parallel. The total study patients were 72 and they were (79.2%) males and (20.8%) with a ratio male to female 3.8:1. Partially articular fractures were in (86.1%) cases and complete articular fractures were in (13.9%) cases. Transpositions of ulnar nerve were found in (65.3%) cases. Ulnar nerve neuropraxia were found in (5.6%) cases and the Range of Motion (ROM) were limited (pron. - sup 30-45/flex - exten 30 - 130) in (29.2%) cases and no range of motion in (9.7%) cases. Non-union were found in (4.2%) cases while superficial infection was in (5.6%) cases. Stiffness were found in (9.7%) cases. The author concluded that this study revealed that managing the distal humeral fractures by internal fixation of two Parallel-Plate gives satisfactory results.

Helvaci et al., tried to understand whether or not there is a persistent inflammatory process in Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). They did a consecutive patients with the FMF and controls were studied. The study included 39 patients with the FMF (18 females) and 39 controls. Mean age of the FMF patients was 27.5 ± 11.9 (11-58) years. Although the body weight and body mass index (BMI) were retarded in the FMF patients (64.6 versus 71.7 kg and 24.1 versus 25.7 kg/m2, respectively), the differences were nonsignificant probably due to the small sample size of the study (p>0.05). The authors concluded that although the FMF is described as intermittent attacks of painful inflammation, probably there is a persistent vascular endothelial inflammation all over the body. The suppressed body weight, BMI, LDL, HDL, and systolic and diastolic BP and the increased TG levels probably play roles of positive and negative APR in the systemic inflammatory process.

Dr Faqeeh; did an analytical cross- sectional study to assess concerns, perceived impacts and preparedness of health care workers for epidemic and pandemic events in Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals, Jazan, 2021. The study included 307 healthcare workers. The age of 39.7% of them ranged between 31 and 40 years. Almost two-thirds (62.2%) were males. The total score of work-related concern of Covid-19 among the participants ranged between 7 and 28, out of a possible maximum of 35, with a median (IQR) of 18 (15-22). HCWs in the age group 31-40 years, master holders, doctors expressed the highest concerns score. The author concluded that some work-related and non-work-related concerns of HCWs in Jazan regarding Covid-19 pandemic have been identified. Also, perceived impact of the pandemic on HCWs` work and professional life has been documented. Their preparedness as well as that of the health care system to the Covid-19 pandemic was satisfactory in most aspects.

Dr. Alodainy, did a cross-sectional study at primary health care centers (PHCC) To determine prevalence of childhood obesity among attendants of primary health care centers, its associated risk factors, and to identify parental misperceptions regarding their children's actual weight. Prevalence of overweight among children was 5%, while 13.8% were obese. Fast foods, sweets and soft drinks were commonly consumed by children, while 36.3% did not practice any sports. Children's BMI grades did not differ significantly according to their or their parents' sociodemographic factors, or their dietary habits, but differed according to their parents' educational level (p=0.038), with highest prevalence of obesity among less educated parents. The authors concluded that the prevalence of obesity among primary school children in Yanbu Albahr City is high. Unhealthy dietary habits, and physical inactivity are common among Saudi children. Most parents misperceive their children's actual body weight. Children's BMI grades differ significantly according to their parents' educational level, with highest prevalence of obesity among less educated parents.

Dr Abdulrazak Abyad
Chief Editor
Mobile: 961-3-201901