Background: Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia. We designed this study with the objective to determine the prevalence of risk factors of this disease within patients diagnosed with CHD. Aim: our aim is to observe the current prevalence of risk factors of coronary heart disease (CHD), with respect to the lifestyle. We will attempt to identify the possible causes of such habits. Patients and Method: a cross-sectional study among 300 Saudi patients, with known coronary heart disease, was conducted with help of a questionnaire. The study was conducted at the cardiology department of King Abdul Aziz Hospital & Oncology Center in the city of Jeddah. Results: the prevalence of CHD was higher in the male gender by a ratio of 2:1. Also, the prevalence increases with age, the highest being found in age group over 75 years old which is 8 times higher than was observed in age group 35-44 years. 72.5% females and 52.6% males of these atherosclerotic patients was either overweight or obese. The same trend is seen in negative habits of 10 years duration, such as lack of exercise as high as 75.6 % in males and 81.3% in females. Intake of fatty/fast food was found to be 64.85% in both sexes. Intake of sweet/ sugary food was also high, and unfortunately consumption of fruits and vegetables was low. The current smoking trend is 45.9% in men and 21.95% in women. Conclusion: The risk factors assessed in the study were gender, age, obesity, smoking history, physical inactivity, and eating habits. Unfortunately, physical inactivity, bad eating habits, and smoking were found to be very common. The patients must be encouraged to practice healthy lifestyle modifications to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Background: chronic low back pain is one of the most common causes of chronic pain. Low back pain can have many causes but most cases have nonspecific etiology. There are many approaches in the management of chronic low back pain. Methodology: we carried out a systematic review on observational (nonrandomized) of 43 studies using PUBMED. Aim: to evaluate the use of analgesics, mainly Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and opiates, compare their efficacies for symptomatic treatment of low back pain, and study the side effects briefly for both category of drug. Conclusion: management of chronic low back pain aims mainly to improve function, and quality of life, and to decrease level of disability, and therefore, it remains as a big challenge for the general practitioner. More studies must be done to compare efficacies of various lines of management for both short and long term.
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