Objectives This study examines the Saudi Arabian population's willingness to participate in clinical trials for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, comparing recovered cases' willingness with that of healthy volunteers. Methods A case–control study was conducted on the Saudi Arabian population during September 2020. The data were collected from recovered COVID-19 participants as the case group, and healthy volunteers as the control group. Results The data showed that 42.2% (n = 315) of recovered COVID-19 cases were more willing to participate in the COVID-19 vaccine trial than healthy volunteers (299; 38.1%) with a p < 0.001. The proportion of the participants who were willing to donate plasma was significantly higher among recovered participants, 84.2% (n = 112), than healthy volunteers, 76.3% (n = 87), with a p < 0.0001. The most significant factor responsible for a willingness to participate was the belief that vaccine discovery would help scientific developments (r = 0.525 and 0.465 for case and control, respectively). In comparison, significant reasons behind the unwillingness to participate were the risk of exposure to an unproven vaccine, r = 0.377 and 0.497 for case and control, respectively (p < 0.001), and a discomfort with being treated as an experimental subject (r = 0.275 and 0.374 for case and control, respectively). Conclusions The differences in readiness toward the COVID-19 vaccine trial in our study does not indicate any passive exposure of participants to an unproven clinical trial vaccine, nor does it shed light on well-informed risk-related decisions. However, certain factors can significantly influence decision-making while contributing toward clinical research. This study's results must not be used for the individuals' recruitment bias in a COVID-19 vaccine trial.
Background: Vitamin D is essential for bone physical condition, and vitamin D insufficiency may add to further autoimmune diseases, infections or even cancer. Enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs have been predominantly linked with osteoporosis hazard proved their impacts on vitamin D. The study aim was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency and the covariates associated with it among the adult epileptic patients attending King Fahd neurology outpatient clinics. Subjects and Methods: 297 adult epilepsy patients joined this cross-sectional study at King Fahd Hospital in 2017. Vitamin D level was considered as deficiency (<10ng/ml), insufficiency (<30ng/ml), or normal (≥30ng/ml). Antiepileptic drugs were sorted out according to their enzyme inducing criteria. Results: 87.88% adult epileptic patients were between 18 – 50 years of age, more than half were females, married, and with higher degree of education, less than half received monthly income of less than 5,000 SR, nearly two third were either smokers or ex-smokers. Multiple linear regression model for predictors of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency declared that; enzyme induced antiepileptic drugs, polytherapy, and smoking were significantly correlated with vitamin deficiency and insufficiency (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency is widespread among adult epileptic patients. Screening of vitamin D level should be taken into consideration as part of the regular follow up of epileptic patients.
Background: HFNC is a respiratory mask that covers the nose like an oxygen mask, with the addition of nasal prongs to deliver extra oxygen. At 12 hours, a ROX score above or equal to 4.88 predicts a decreased probability of progressing to mechanical ventilation. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate using a high-flow nasal cannula as a potential predictor of delaying intubation. In doing this, the study also sought to verify whether the ROX index accurately predicts HFNC failure for COVID-19 patients treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). Method: Using retrospective observational analysis of prospectively collected data and the study population of patients in the ICUs at KAMC, the study collects and analyzes data using SPSS. Results: P values that are < 0.05 show that the mean differences are statistically significant, and this is seen on days 1-1, day 1-2, day2-1, day 2-2, day 3-1, day 3-2, day 4-2, day 10-1, and day 10-2. This suggests that ROX index can be used in intubation prediction with COVID-19 patients who have respiratory failure type I that received HFNC therapy.
Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of rituximab for multiple sclerosis )MS( treatment in terms of reduction in clinical relapses, magnetic resonance imaging )MRI( activity, Expanded Original ArticleDisability Status Scale )EDSS( score and adverse events.Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at King Abdullah Medical City, from January 2017 to August 2021, involving patients with MS given rituximab, with 1-year follow-up. Clinical parameters were noted pre-and posttreatment to determine efficacy; adverse events were noted to analyze safety. A paired samples t-test was used to compare responses pre-and post-treatment. A p-value<0.05 was considered significant.Results: Among 31 patients, 6 )19.4%( had progressive MS, and 25 )80.6%( had relapsing-remitting MS )mean disease duration=8.12±5.65 years(. The annual relapse rate reduced from 1.67±0.97 to 0.06±0.25 )p<0.001(, the EDSS score from 3.16±2.14 to 2.80±2.28 )p=0.141( and the MRI activity score from 1.84±1.03 to 1.03±0.18 )p<0.001(. Only one patient had enhancing lesion activity post-treatment. The commonest side effect was urinary tract infection )25.8%(. Only 2 patients discontinued the drug. Conclusion:Rituximab is an efficient drug in reducing the annual relapse rate and MRI activity of patients with MS, with few tolerable side effects not leading to drug discontinuation or any lethal outcome.
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