Background Diabetic foot complications constitute a major public health problem worldwide, especially in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where the prevalence of diabetes is high. Our study was designed to determine the pattern and type of amputations performed on patients with diabetic foot admitted to a tertiary center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; we also aimed to determine the 7-year mortality rate of patients with diabetic foot at the same institution. Materials and methods This retrospective study was conducted between January 2013 and September 2020 at a tertiary center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It included all patients previously diagnosed with diabetes mellitus who presented to the hospital with either diabetic foot ulcers or foot gangrene (dry/wet/gas). The medical records of 358 patients were reviewed to acquire information regarding demographics, admission history regarding diabetes and its outcome, medical and surgical history, the level of amputation, and the presence of infection. Results Among the participants, 84.9% underwent amputation, 38.2% underwent minor amputations, 40.1% underwent major amputations, and 21.7% underwent both types of amputation. The most common cause of amputation was infection (50.3%). There were 75 deaths and a 7-year mortality rate of 20%. Low mean hemoglobin and high mean creatinine levels were significantly associated with mortality (p < 0.05). Conclusion Efforts to decrease the risk of amputation and mortality among patients with diabetic foot complications are required. Early detection of the risk factors and intervention in specialist centers with a multidisciplinary approach is essential.

Objectives: Previous studies have not addressed microalbuminuria in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria and to identify associated risk factors in children with SCD at King Abdulaziz University Hospital.Results: Overall, 42.5% of the patients enrolled were Saudi Arabian and 51% were male. The mean age was 12.4 years, and the highest percentage (40%) was in the age group of 15-18 years. The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 9.6%, and hematuria was present in 8% of cases. The percentage of patients with hematuria was significantly higher in the microalbuminuria group (22.6%) than in the nonmicroalbuminuria group (6.5%; P = 0.007). The percentage of patients with acute chest syndrome was also higher in the microalbuminuria group (26%) than in the nonmicroalbuminuria group (8%; P = 0.005). The percentage of patients with gallbladder stones was higher in the microalbuminuria group (13%) than in the nonmicroalbuminuria group (2.4%; P = 0.014). However, the mean number of blood transfusions was higher in the nonmicroalbuminuria group than in the microalbuminuria group (P = 0.002). Sickle cell nephropathy manifests as microalbuminuria, begins at an early age, occurs in all types of SCD, and is associated with disease severity.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has a heavy burden on the approach of diabetic foot care worldwide. We aim to determine the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on patients with diabetic foot (DF). Materials and methodsThis population-based cohort study included all patients diagnosed with the diabetic foot from 2019-2020 (pre-lockdown) and 2020-2021 (post-lockdown) in a tertiary center of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. ResultsAmong all the participants (n=358), a non-significant difference was found between amputation rate during and before the COVID-19 pandemic (P-value=0.0983). Also, it showed a significantly higher percentage of patients who had acute lower limb ischemia compared to those having it before the pandemic (P-value=0.029). Conclusions and relevanceIn conclusion, our study found that the COVID-19 pandemic was not associated with excess amputations along with mortality rate, as the management during the pandemic showed adequate diabetic foot care by improving the prevention methods through hospital protocol restrictions and facilitating access to virtual clinics.

Objectives Previous studies have not addressed microalbuminuria in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria and identify associated risk factors in children with SCD at King Abdulaziz University Hospital.Results Overall, 42.5% of the patients enrolled were Saudi Arabian and 51% were male. The patients’ mean age was 12.4 years, and the highest percentage (40%) was in the age group of 15–18 years. The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 9.6%, and hematuria was present in 8% of cases. The percentage of patients with hematuria was significantly higher in the microalbuminuria group (22.6%) than in the non-microalbuminuria group (6.5%; P=.007). The percentage of patients with acute chest syndrome was also higher in the microalbuminuria group (26%) than in the non-microalbuminuria group (8%; P=0.005). The percentage of patients with gallbladder stones was higher in the microalbuminuria group (13%) than in the non-microalbuminuria group (2.4%; P=.014). However, the mean number of blood transfusions was higher in the non-microalbuminuria group than in the microalbuminuria group (P=.002). Sickle cell nephropathy manifests as microalbuminuria, begins at an early age, occurs in all types of SCD, and is associated with disease severity.