Background: Ear infections are among the most common pediatric conditions worldwide and remain a significant public health concern. Parental knowledge plays an essential role in early recognition, management, and prevention of complications.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bisha, Saudi Arabia, between February and July 2025. A structured questionnaire was distributed to parents to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) regarding ear infections. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 26.0; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed.Results: A total of 370 participants were included in the study. Only 32.2% demonstrated adequate overall knowledge regarding pediatric ear infections. Awareness of treatment (98.9%) and prevention (93.8%) was high, whereas knowledge regarding causes (15.9%) and complications (26.2%) was limited. Positive attitudes and appropriate practices were reported by 89.7% and 79.7% of participants, respectively. A significant association was observed between knowledge and practice levels (p = 0.012), while... Continue Reading

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with persistent hyperglycemia and a significant physical, psychological, and social burden. University students with diabetes represent a unique and understudied population facing distinct challenges, including academic stress, lifestyle transitions, and the need for independent disease self-management. Assessing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in this group is essential to identify modifiable factors and guide targeted interventions.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2 July 2024 and 28 January 2025 among students with type 1 and type 2 diabetes at Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire based on a modified version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument, adapted to 30 items covering seven domains. Sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle characteristics were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS version 26.0, with significance set at p < 0.05.Results: A total of 375 students... Continue Reading

Background: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) remains a major cause of mortality among infants under 1 year of age. Despite advances in prevention, its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, and caregiver practices continue to play a critical role in risk reduction. Mothers, as primary caregivers, are central to implementing safe sleep recommendations and minimizing preventable risks.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Saudi mothers attending the pediatric emergency department of the maternity and children’s hospital in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia, between June and July 2025. Participants completed an online self-administered questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and knowledge and practices related to SIDS. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize responses, and associations between maternal factors and safe sleep practices were examined using chi-square tests. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (version 26.0; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY).Results: A total of 1,094 mothers participated. Of these, 39% were >35 years, and 45.5% held... Continue Reading

Background: Halophilic and halotolerant bacteria are potential sources of industrially important enzymes because of their ability to survive under hypersaline environmental conditions. Interest in extremophilic microorganisms for biotechnology has increased in recent years; however, limited information is available regarding the diversity and extracellular enzyme activity of halophilic bacteria along the Red Sea coastline, particularly in the Yanbu region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: Thirty-five bacterial isolates were recovered from coastal seawater samples collected from the Red Sea coast at Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. The isolates were screened for extracellular enzyme activity, including amylase, cellulase, gelatinase, and protease production, using agar plate assays at 22 °C and 37 °C. Enzyme activity was evaluated using a semi-quantitative scoring system based on hydrolysis zone formation. Ten selected enzyme-producing isolates were subjected to partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing for molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis. Results: Most isolates demonstrated at least one detectable enzyme activity, and several... Continue Reading

Background: The increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in scientific research has raised important questions about how researchers’ beliefs are shaped by cognitive and institutional factors. While previous studies have focused on technological capabilities and ethical concerns, limited attention has been given to how everyday awareness of AI and perceived organizational support influence acceptance of AI in research. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,379 researchers to assess their beliefs regarding AI’s contribution to scientific research, awareness of AI in daily and research contexts, and perceived institutional support. A decision tree classification model was developed to predict belief categories (“Yes,” “Probably,” or “No”) based on these variables. Results: The model achieved an overall accuracy of 80.07%, with the highest predictive performance in the “Yes” category. Daily AI awareness emerged as the most influential predictor, followed by perceived organizational support and awareness of AI in research settings. The decision-tree structure... Continue Reading

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet public awareness remains limited, particularly in developing regions. Assessing awareness and its determinants is essential for effective prevention strategies. This study aim to assess the level of awareness of COPD and its risk factors among adults in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia, and to identify factors associated with good knowledge. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 513 adults using a structured questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, smoking behaviors, environmental exposures, and COPD-related knowledge. An awareness score was developed and categorized into low, moderate, and high levels. Associations were analyzed using chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Only 31.4% had heard of COPD. While most identified smoking as a cause (468, 91.2%) and the lung as the affected organ (447, 87.1%), misconceptions were common: 266 (51.9%) believed COPD is rare, 187 (36.5%) thought it... Continue Reading

Background: Suicidal ideation and self-harm are significant and growing worldwide health concerns, Emergency department (ED) physicians are usually the first physicians who have contact with patients with those concerns, and their attitude toward these patients play a crucial role in their outcome. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the ED physicians’ perception, empathy, and willingness toward these patients. Methods: An anonymous survey was sent to ED physicians (Residents, fellows and consultants) to assess their attitude toward suicidal patients using Understanding of Suicidal Patients (USP) Scale, a scale was designed to assess healthcare professionals' understanding, willingness and empathy to provide care for suicide attempters, with 11 items rated on a four-point Likert scale in which a lower score indicates greater attitude. Results: Overall, physicians demonstrated a positive attitude toward patients with suicidal ideation with an USP mean score of 20.67 ± 3.76. Even though it is not statistically significant, male participants... Continue Reading

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting 4–20% of reproductive-age women globally. Despite its health consequences, data on PCOS awareness and practices remain limited in Saudi Arabia, particularly outside major urban centres. This study assessed PCOS knowledge and health-related practices among women in the Asir region and examined sociodemographic determinants of knowledge and its relationship with health behaviours. Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed 528 women aged ≥18 years in the Asir region using a validated online questionnaire (Cronbach's alpha: 0.904 for knowledge; 0.896 for practices; KR-20 = 0.909). Chi-square, Kruskal–Wallis, Spearman's correlation, and multiple linear regression assessed sociodemographic, knowledge, and practice associations (p < 0.05).  Results: Overall, 45.1% demonstrated poor PCOS knowledge (score ≤10), 38.1% moderate, and 16.9% good. While 83.9% had heard of PCOS and key symptoms including menstrual irregularity (83.5%) and hirsutism (67.8%) were recognised, cardiometabolic complication awareness was low (diabetes: 28.6%; cardiovascular disease:... Continue Reading

Background: Obesity is a major global health issue, with a prevalence of 33.7% in Saudi Arabia. Medical students must be adequately prepared to manage obesity, including both lifestyle changes and bariatric surgery. However, inconsistencies in medical education and limited exposure to obesity management may affect their competency. This study assessed medical students’ knowledge and attitudes towards obesity in Saudi Arabia, focusing on differences between junior- and senior-year students and their views on bariatric surgery.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 225 medical students from Riyadh, Jeddah, and Hail using a validated questionnaire. Data were analyzed in RStudio (version 4.3.1). Categorical variables were reported as frequencies and percentages. Group comparisons were made using Fisher’s exact test or Pearson’s chi-square test. The Wilcoxon rank-sum and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to assess factors affecting knowledge scores. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Among respondents, 77.8% were female, and 74.7% were sixth-year... Continue Reading

Background: Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide and is often diagnosed at an advanced stage due to its asymptomatic early course. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have created new opportunities for improving the diagnosis, prediction, and management of glaucoma. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of current AI applications in glaucoma care, as well as recent developments and ongoing challenges. Methods: A narrative review was conducted of studies published between 2019 and 2024, identified through a structured search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Studies focusing on AI applications in glaucoma diagnosis, disease progression prediction, and management were included. Results: AI models, particularly deep learning and convolutional neural networks, have demonstrated high accuracy in detecting glaucomatous changes using fundus imaging, optical coherence tomography, and visual field data. These models also show promise in predicting disease progression and supporting clinical... Continue Reading

Background: Child abuse is a major public health concern with long-term consequences on psychological well-being. Despite growing global evidence, limited research has explored its impact on psychological stability within the Saudi Arabian context. This study aimed to examine the relationship between childhood abuse and psychological stability among young adults in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 210 adults aged 18-29 years. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire comprising socio-demographic variables, a Childhood Abuse Exposure Scale, and a Psychological Stability Scale. Statistical analyses, including Pearson correlation, linear regression, and independent t-tests, were performed using SPSS version 26.0.Results: A significant negative relationship was observed between childhood abuse and psychological stability (r = −0.71, p < 0.001), indicating that higher exposure to childhood abuse was associated with lower levels of psychological stability. Regression analysis showed that childhood abuse was a significant predictor of psychological stability, explaining approximately 51% of... Continue Reading

Background: The nervous and immune systems are intricately connected and engage in continuous bidirectional communication that is essential for maintaining physiological homeostasis. Recent advances have highlighted the pivotal role of the vagus nerve in the modulation of immune responses via the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. This narrative review explores the mechanisms and clinical implications of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in regulating immune function, focusing on inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, pain modulation, and emerging applications in conditions such as COVID-19.Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus to identify relevant preclinical and clinical studies of VNS and immunomodulation. Studies were selected on the basis of their relevance to neuro-immune communication, inflammatory markers, and clinical outcomes.Results: Evidence from animal models and human trials demonstrates that VNS can reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α and IL-6), enhance anti-inflammatory mediators (e.g., IL-10), and improve disease outcomes in sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular... Continue Reading

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are primary treatments for essential hypertension. Direct comparisons of their efficacy in blood pressure control are limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess and compare the safety and efficacy of these drugs in adults with essential hypertension. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from 2015 to 2025 were systematically reviewed using PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus. Studies comparing ACEIs and ARBs in adults with essential hypertension, focusing on changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP), were included. Results: Five RCTs including 852 participants were analyzed. There was no significant difference between ACEIs and ARBs in reducing SBP or achieving target blood pressure. The reduction in DBP was slightly greater with ACEIs. Safety profiles were similar; however, ACEIs were associated with a higher incidence of cough. Conclusion: ACEIs and ARBs are equally effective in lowering SBP... Continue Reading

Background: The growing utilization of pediatric urgent care (UC) centers as alternatives to emergency departments (EDs) for low-acuity conditions has significant implications for healthcare costs, wait times, and clinical outcomes. However, concerns persist regarding diagnostic accuracy, appropriateness of care, and disparities in access.Methods: This systematic review, conducted following PRISMA guidelines, analyzed 13 studies comparing pediatric UC and ED settings. Databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane) were searched with date restriction to the last 10 years (2015-2025), without language restrictions. Outcomes assessed included cost efficiency, wait times, and clinical outcomes (admission rates, diagnostic accuracy, and patient safety). Risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.Result: In this systematic review, UC visits were significantly less expensive than ED visits (median cost: $76.90 vs. $186.20), with comparable admission rates (<1%). Wait times were shorter in UC (median 1.2 vs. 3.5 hours in EDs). However, 27% to 85% of UC-to-ED transfers... Continue Reading

Chronic inflammatory skin diseases, including psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), largely due to systemic inflammation. Biologic therapies that target key inflammatory cytokines have shown promise not only in improving skin outcomes but also in potentially modifying cardiovascular risk. This study aims to evaluate the impact of biologic treatments used in dermatology on CVD risk through a systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis. Databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Medline, Scopus, Wiley, EBSCO, and ScienceDirect were searched for studies reporting cardiovascular outcomes in patients receiving biologics for dermatologic conditions. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational cohorts, and case series. Cardiovascular outcomes assessed included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), myocardial infarction, stroke, and changes in cardiovascular risk factors. A total of 21 studies were included. The pooled proportion of patients experiencing cardiovascular outcomes after biologic therapy was 7.82% (95% CI:... Continue Reading

Background: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), particularly irritable bowel syndrome and Functional Dyspepsia (FD), represent a significant burden on the Saudi healthcare system. Emerging evidence implicates the Gut–Brain Axis and vagal tone dysregulation in their pathophysiology. This systematic review aims to synthesize existing evidence regarding the prevalence and magnitude of the association between FGIDs and psychological comorbidities (anxiety, depression) among adults in Saudi Arabia, framing these findings within the context of vagus nerve dysfunction.Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted, adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar (2017–2026). Inclusion criteria were observational studies involving Saudi adults with diagnosed FGIDs reporting psychological outcomes. Methodological quality was rigorously assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale.Results: Twenty observational studies (N = 12,186 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Synthesis of data revealed a high prevalence of comorbidity: anxiety and depression were reported in 56% of studies... Continue Reading

Background: Uveitis is a major cause of visual impairment and blindness and macular edema is the major risk factor. Uveitic macular edema (UME) mechanism is primarily through blood-retinal barrier breakdown driven by inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Corticosteroids are the main treatment but can cause significant side effects leading to the use of alternatives including topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and intravitreal anti-VEGF agents. Bromfenac is an FDA-approved NSAID for postoperative inflammation but its efficacy in UME is not clear. We report a case of UME secondary to non-infectious uveitis managed with topical bromfenac in combination with intravitreal aflibercept. Case Presentation: A 13-year-old female with a history of chronic intermittent bilateral posterior uveitis presented for follow-up 6 months after stopping biologic treatment and 2 years of stable disease activity. Uncorrected visual acuity was 6/12 in both eyes (OU) and recurrent macular edema was found... Continue Reading