ObjectivesMedical knowledge is constantly changing; this puts pressure on educators to adapt instructional strategies to their students' learning styles (LSs). Therefore, identifying the LSs of medical students could help teachers to develop teaching strategies to achieve better outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the LSs of health science university students, and to assess the relationship between LSs and student satisfaction with educational activities.MethodsThis cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the Colleges of Medicine and Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) Jeddah. We used Kolb's LS and a modified Student Satisfaction Survey from Mott Community College, Michigan. All participants received self-administered questionnaires; LS and demographic data were used as predictor variables. Students' satisfaction levels were considered the outcome variable.ResultsA total of 359 students were recruited (mean age 19.0 ± 1.4 years; 53.5% males). The most popular LS was Accommodator (29.2%), followed by Assimilator (27.9%) and Diverger (25.6%), while the Converger style (17.3%) was the least preferred LS. The satisfaction scores of the students showed that they were generally satisfied with a mean score of 64.4%. Males were found to have higher satisfaction across all variables than females (p = 0.002).ConclusionsThis study could not find a predominant LS or satisfaction difference across LSs among health science students. Thus, the current educational programmes in KSAU-HS meet students' LSs and satisfaction. Educators need to broaden their strategies for instruction, so as to build an effective learning environment.

Background/objective Burnout is a condition in which a person feels physically fatigued and mentally drained. It occurs after a long period of work-related stress and may lead to mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Therefore, healthcare providers especially require early intervention. Regular physical activity has been reported to benefit individuals with mental illness, suggesting that a relationship between physical activity and burnout might exist. Hence, this study’s objective was to analyze the relationship between physical activity and burnout among respiratory therapists and student interns in Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study with respiratory therapists and interns working in public and private hospitals was conducted from November 2, 2020, to November 27, 2020. Participants responded to an electronic survey consisting of the Maslach Burnout Inventory – Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel, which measures the burnout dimensions of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. They also completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Long Form and a demographic questionnaire. Results Among the 250 eligible respiratory therapists and interns, data from the 152 respondents who completed the electronic survey were analyzed. Although no association between physical activity and burnout was found, a significant effect of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on physical activity and significant associations of high burnout (emotional exhaustion) with nationality and smoking were found. Conclusion No association was found between burnout level and physical activity. Confounding factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic during the study’s data collection and analyses, likely contributed to the study’s findings.

We present the case of a 34-year-old Jordanian woman who was referred to mainstream mental health services because of irritability, agitation, loss of appetite, withdrawal from family activities and sleeping difficulties. She was initially diagnosed with major depressive disorder but subsequently showed very poor response to antidepressant therapy. Her presentation gradually and dramatically progressed into full blown dementia within couple of years. Brain MRI showed atrophic cortical changes and subcortical white matter alterations consistent with Alzheimer’s dementia. Brain PET scan revealed reduction in cerebral glucose metabolism in temporoparietal areas bilaterally most consistent with Alzheimer’s dementia. There was a strong family history of early-onset dementia. A final diagnosis of young onset dementia was made, and unfortunately, she passed away at the age of 44 years.

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BackgroundObesity and its complications are associated with several adverse effects that may cause a serious impact on health. Antipsychotics-induced weight gain (AIWG) is one of the major, yet often neglected side effects of first and second generations antipsychotics. Importantly, several researches have shown metformin to be effective in managing weight gain especially, with AIWG. This study investigated the effect of antipsychotics use on weight gain and the theory of metformin concomitant use on the prevention of AIWG.MethodsA retrospective cohort review of the medical records of patients from the psychiatry outpatient clinics in the King Abdulaziz Medical city, a tertiary hospital in Jeddah from May 2016 to August 2021. The population of patients in Psychiatry section was 4,141. The sampling technique was a non-random consecutive sampling technique. Moreover, the included patients’ records were divided to group 1 (patients on antipsychotics) and group 2 (patients using antipsychotics with Metformin).ResultsAccording to the study criteria, 395 patients’ records were included. A total of 309 (78%) patients were using antipsychotics without metformin, which in this study were depicted as group 1. In addition, a total of 86 (22%) were using antipsychotics with metformin, which in this study were assigned as group 2. Out of Group 1 patients (n= 309), only 67 patients experienced weight loss (21.68%), 43 remained with no weight change (13.92%), and 199 experienced weight gain (64.4%). Out of Group 2 patients (n= 86), 35 patients experienced weight loss (40.7%), 18 patients remained with no weight change (20.93%), and 33 experienced weight gain (38.37%). In addition, group 1 had a mean weight change of 2.5 kg, whereas group 2 had a mean weight change of −0.04 kg.ConclusionStatistical analysis revealed that patients on antipsychotics alone experienced weight gain, whereas the concomitant use of metformin showed reduction in the weight gain tendency. Thus, study outcomes indicate that concomitant use of metformin with antipsychotics might significantly reduce the AIWG.

BackgroundFood allergy is an increasing health concern. Studies have shown that food allergy knowledge is lacking among people, especially in areas related to distinction between food allergy and intolerance, symptoms recognition, and current means of management. This knowledge gap puts allergic patients at more risk of getting fatal anaphylactic reactions, which occur mostly in public areas. Locally, Public's knowledge and attitudes of food allergy was not sufficiently investigated. Therefore, we aim to assess food allergy knowledge and attitudes among Jeddah population in Saudi Arabia.MethodsWe adopted The Chicago Food Allergy Research Survey for the General Public (CFARS-GP) and used it as a data collection tool. We hosted the questionnaire on Google Forms and distributed the link through social media outlets targeting individuals of Jeddah population who are 18 years old and above.ResultsA total of 510 individuals completed the survey. The respondents answered 56% of the knowledge-based items correctly. Knowledge was strongest in symptoms/severity and definition/diagnosis, while it was weakest in susceptibility and prevalence, distinction between food allergy and intolerance, and food allergy management. Higher knowledge was significantly associated with prior training in food allergy, food-allergic acquaintance (i.e., having food allergy or knowing an allergic patient), and being a relative of a health care worker. For the attitudes, respondents thought that food allergy negatively affects patients' quality of life, and that schools should establish policies to protect allergic children; however, they downplayed stigma associated with food allergy.ConclusionIncreased food allergy knowledge among the general public is needed especially in areas related to susceptibility and prevalence, distinction between food allergy and intolerance, triggers and environmental risks, and the management of food allergy. Prior experience with food allergy through (1) training, (2) food-allergic acquaintance, or (3) being a relative of a health care worker increases food allergy knowledge significantly. Thus, targeted educational interventions might have a significant effect in improving food allergy knowledge among the general population.

Purpose: To assess the prevalence and predictors of seizures in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) at a Saudi tertiary hospital.Methods: A retrospective, matched case-control study was conducted using the electronic medical records of patients with AD who had an unprovoked seizure, from October 2015 to May 2018.Results: Nineteen cases and 195 controls were identified. Statistically significant risk factors for an unprovoked seizure in patients diagnosed with AD were hypertension (p = 0.001), autoimmune disease, stroke and TIA (p = 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis identified hypertension (OR = 2.89; p = 0.009) and autoimmune disease (OR = 19.6; p = 0.045) as predictors of unprovoked seizure in AD patients.Conclusion: The occurrence of unprovoked seizures is more likely in severe cases of AD. In addition, the risk of seizure in patients with AD increases with two co-morbid conditions, hypertension, and autoimmune disease. However, further studies are required to determine the underlying mechanism of the association between the two risk factors and AD.

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