Abdulkareem Albekairy

Medication Adherence among Adult Patients on Hemodialysis

Medication adherence was assessed in 89 patients on hemodialysis (HD) at the King Abdul Aziz Medical City using an Arabic version of the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MASS-8). The results of the study revealed that 31.46% and 40.45% of the participants showed low and medium adherence, respectively, while 28.09% showed high medication adherence. Accordingly, 71.91% of the patients visiting the dialysis unit were considered medication non-adherent. While being of older age (P = 0.012), being married (P = 0.012) increased the level of adherence, being of medium level of education (P = 0.024) decreased adherence levels. On the other hand, gender, presence of a care-giver, number of members in the household and employment status seems to have no effect on the level of medication adherence. These results call upon the practitioners in HD units to develop intervention programs that can increase the level of medication adherence.

Topical versus subconjunctival anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy (Bevacizumab, Ranibizumab and Aflibercept) for treatment of corneal neovascularization

In order to evaluate the effect of topical and subconjunctival anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy, Ranibizumab, Bevacizumab and Aflibercept as a therapy for corneal neovascularization (NV) treatment, the aim of this study was to review all data related to some of anti-VEGF as a promising therapies for corneal NV treatment. Corneal NV is a dangerous condition leading to a marked reduction in vision due to angiogenesis of abnormal vessels that block light. During the recent years, we have recognized new drug proliferation for corneal NV treatment. Recently, anti-VEGF therapies are one of the most important drugs used for corneal NV treatment. Several growth factors are involved in angiogenesis. The most important growth factor in corneal angiogenesis is VEGF. VEGF can be considered as key mediators in corneal angiogenesis. It is upregulated during corneal NV. In fact, anti-VEGF therapies have shown efficacy in attenuation of corneal NV in both animal models and clinical trials. A promising therapeutic success has been achieved using antibodies directed against VEGF. Bevacizumab has demonstrated efficacy and efficiency in the treatment of different neo-vascular ocular diseases and it has partially reduced corneal NV through different routes of administrations: topical, subconjunctival, and intraocular application. A similar efficacy to bevacizumab profiles in the treatment of neo-vascular age-related macular degeneration was induced by ranibizumab. Moreover, at worse levels of initial visual acuity of diabetic macular edema, aflibercept was more effective at improving vision. Anti-VEGF agents (Bevacizumab, Ranibizumab and Aflibercept) seem to have a higher efficiency and efficacy for corneal NV treatment. Both subconjunctival therapy and topical therapy of bevacizumab prohibit corneal NV, while early treatment with subconjunctival administration of ranibizumab may successfully reduce corneal NV. Therefore, establishment of safe doses is highly important before these drugs can be involved in the clinical setting. Further investigations and studies are highly warranted to adjust the dose and route of administration for the antibodies directed against VEGF to be the key therapeutic agents in the corneal NV treatment.

Sickness presenteeism among health care providers in an academic tertiary care center in Riyadh

The term sickness presenteeism (SP) has been described as the act of going to work despite having a state of health that may be regarded as poor enough to justify sick leave. SP has been observed to be prevalent among three-quarters of health care providers (HCPs). Working while sick not only puts patients at risk but also decreases productivity and increases the probability of medical errors. Moreover, SP has been identified as a risk factor for many negative health outcomes among the HCPs themselves, such as depression, burnout, and serious cardiac events. The aim of this study was to identify the reasons for and prevalence of SP and perceptions of the impact of this practice on patient safety among HCPs. A cross-sectional study was conducted, including 279 purposively selected healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and other health care professionals) working at the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs-King Abdulaziz Medical City (MNGHA-KAMC). While nearly all of the participants (91%) believed that working while sick exposed patients to risk, the rate of SP during the past year was reported as 74%, and one fourth of respondents reported working while sick 3-4 times during the past year. More than half of the participants were not aware of the existence of a departmental policy regarding sick leave. The most common reasons reported for working while sick were not wanting to burden co-workers (71%), feelings of duty toward patients (67%), and avoiding an increased future workload caused by absence (59%). A lack of awareness regarding the existing rules and polices related to sick leave was reported by more than half of the participants. Several predisposing and enabling factors were reported as determinants influencing SP, e.g., observation of the practice of SP by peers and feelings of sympathy towards coworkers, including not wanting to overburden them, were reported to be determinants informing the decision of whether to work while sick.

Tracing the epidemic history of hepatitis C virus genotypes in Saudi Arabia

HCV genotype 4 is highly prevalent in many Middle Eastern countries, yet little is known about the genotypes epidemic history at the subtype-level in this region. To address the dearth of data from Saudi Arabia (SA) we genotyped 230 HCV isolates in the core/E- and NS5B-region and analyzed using Bayesian phylogenetic approaches. HCV genotype 4 (HCV/4) was positive in 61.7% (142/230) of isolates belonging to 7 different subtypes with the predominance of 4d (73/142; 51.4%) followed by 4a (51/142; 35.9%). Phylogenetic analysis also revealed a distinct epidemiological cluster of HCV/4d for Saudi Arabia. HCV/1 appeared as the second most prevalent genotype positive in 31.3% (72/230) of isolates with the predominance of 1b (53/72; 73.6%) followed by 1a (16/72; 22.2%), and 1g (3/72; 4.1%). A small proportion of isolates belonged to HCV/3a (12/230; 5.2%), and HCV/2a (4/230; 1.7%). We estimate that the genotype 4 common ancestor existed around 1935 (1850-1985). Genotype 4 originated plausibly in Central Africa and multiple subtypes disseminated across African borders since ~1970, including subtype 4d which dominates current HCV infections in Saudi Arabia. The Bayesian skyline plot (BSP) analysis showed that genotype 4d entered the Saudi population in 1900. The effective number of HCV infections grew gradually until the second half of the 1950s and more rapidly until the early-80s through the use of imported blood units and blood products. Subsequently, the rate of HCV infection in the Saudi Arabian population was stabilized through effective screening of blood and infection control measures.

Strategic initiatives to maintain pharmaceutical care and clinical pharmacists sufficiency in Saudi Arabia

Objectives: The shortage of clinical pharmacists in Saudi Arabia has limited the full implementation of pharmaceutical care in most of its hospitals. The National Guard Health Affairs hospitals. This work discussed the Department of Pharmaceutical Care, and the King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences College of Pharmacy four initiatives that were planned in 2009–2010 to develop and recruit clinical pharmacists, practitioners, or faculty. Methods: The combined initiatives were aimed at (1) instituting a 4-year clinical skills development career ladder, (2) expanding the National Guard Health Affairs postgraduate residency program, (3) offering scholarships to qualified pharmacy graduates to pursue the PharmD degree and a PGY-1 residency training in the United States, and (4) recruiting non-Saudi clinical pharmacists educated and trained in the United States to ameliorate the current shortage of practitioner. Results: The current number of clinical pharmacists practicing at the National Guard Health Affairs at central region is 24, most of whom are Board Certified by the American Pharmacists Association Board of Pharmacy Specialties. Conclusions: The four initiatives, based on current trends, suggest that 60–65 positions will be added by 2017–2018, barring attrition. Saudi Arabia and many developing countries will continue to experience a shortage in clinical pharmacists due to the high demand for clinical pharmacy services. A multifaceted approach is recommended to address the problem.

Assessment of patient-controlled analgesia versus intermittent opioid therapy to manage sickle-cell disease vaso-occlusive crisis in adult patients

Background: Vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) is one of the acute complications of sickle-cell disease (SCD). Treatment mainly relies on hydration and pain control by analgesics. The specific aim of this study was to assess potential health outcomes within the first 72 h of admission between intermittent and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) by opioids among VOC patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review study was conducted to determine SCD patients with VOC. Using the hospital electronic system, the following data were collected: patients age, gender, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and pain score on admission and daily for 3 days as well as the cumulative opioid analgesic dose for 72 h which is reported as morphine equivalent. Results: One hundred and seventeen patients were screened over a period of 5 years. Of those, 99 (84.6%) met the study inclusion criteria, and 18 patients (15.4%) were excluded from the study. During the first 72 h of admission, a significant reduction in pain score was observed in patients on intermittent intravenous (IV) administration compared to those in the PCA group (P < 0.0004) where the mean pain scores were 3 and 5, respectively. The total amount of morphine administered over 72 h of admission was significantly higher in PCA group (777 ± 175 mg) as compared to the intermittent IV administration group (149 ± 74 mg) (P < 0.000003). Clinically significant hypotension or respiratory depression was not observed in both groups over the 72 h of admission. Conclusion: During the first 72 h of admission, intermittent IV administration of morphine was more effective than PCA infusion in pain control.

Medication Adherence and Treatment Satisfaction Among Renal Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that patients who are more satisfied with their treatment show better adherence with the prescribed therapy. Although there is valuable data about medication adherence among renal transplant recipients (RTRs), there is a limited literature about their treatment satisfaction and its relation to adherence. The aim of the present study was to investigate factors that can predict medication adherence and to explore the relationship between treatment satisfaction and medication adherence in renal transplant recipients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Adult RTRs were included in the study using convenient sampling. The participants were asked to complete the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) and Treatment Satisfaction Scale TSQM 1.4 in addition to several socio-demographic and treatment-related data. The results were statistically analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression modelling in a stepwise procedure. RESULTS A total of 151 RTRs were included in the study, of which 52 were classified as adherent (34%). Univariate analysis showed that, in comparison with non-adherent RTRs, the adherent group demonstrated significantly higher satisfaction scores in the domains of convenience (96.6±8.7 vs. 85.3±19.3), side effects (95.9±14.1 vs. 82.6±24.1), and global satisfaction (93.4±9.8 vs. 86.7±16.7), while they had marginally higher satisfaction scores in the effectiveness domain (90.4±11.6 vs. 86.5±14.5). Results from multiple logistic regression showed that higher likelihood of adherence was significantly associated with increased satisfaction score in the convenience domain [AOR=1.76, 95% CI=(1.21, 2.55); p=0.003] and marginally related to increased satisfaction scores in the side effects domain [AOR=1.31, 95% CI=(0.99, 1.74); p=0.061]. Male RTRs were significantly more likely to be adherent than female RTRs [AOR=2.23, 95% CI=(1.02, 4.84); p=0.043]. CONCLUSIONS Although the adherence rate among RTRs is relatively low, males and RTRs who reported higher treatment satisfaction (convenience and side effects domains) showed better medication adherence. It is recommended that interventional programs for the improvement of dialysis patient adherence should be developed, in addition to designing strategies to improve treatment convenience and knowledge of medication side effects.

Assessment and comparison of CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and HAS-BLED scores in patients with atrial fibrillation in Saudi Arabia.

Aims: No previous reports on the utilization of CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and HAS-BLED scores in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients in Saudi Arabia have been identified in the literature. The main objectives of this study were to assess and compare the distribution of CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and HAS-BLED scores and to identify the most common risk factors for stroke and bleeding among AF patients attending clinical pharmacists managed anticoagulation clinic. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted over 2 months period at clinical pharmacists managed anticoagulation clinic. Methods: CHADS2, CHA2DS2-VASc, and HAS-BLED scores were calculated and compared for all eligible patients. Results: Two hundred and sixty-four patients with AF were included in the analysis. The number of patients at low risk for stroke was found to be 14 (5.3%) using CHADS2 and only 4 (1.5%) using CHA2DS2-VASc. On the other hand, 64 patients (24.2%) were found at moderate risk for stroke using CHADS2 compared with 17 patients (6.4%) using CHA2DS2-VASc. Most of the patients were found to be at high risk for stroke using either the CHADS2 (70.5%) and CHA2DS2-VASc (92%). The study also revealed that most of the patients were at moderate (63.3%) to high (27.7%) risk of bleeding. Conclusions: The results of this study show that the percentage of patients at high risk for stroke and bleeding is very high. The study revealed that this could be attributed to the high prevalence of modifiable risk factors for stroke and for bleeding in Saudi patients with AF.

Pregnant women’s use and attitude toward herbal, vitamin, and mineral supplements in an academic tertiary care center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background Herbal medicine has been widely utilized by pregnant women despite the limited available evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of that practice. The current available studies, from different countries, estimated that the use of herbal medicine during pregnancy range from 7% up to 96%. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence, attitude, source of information, and reasoning behind the use of herbal medicine among pregnant women in Saudia Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study conducted using a convenience sample including pregnant women who visited the obstetric clinics at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A survey was administered in order to evaluate the prevalence and perception toward herbal medicine use among pregnant women in Saudi Arabia. Results A total of 297 pregnant women completed the survey. The results showed that 56% of the respondents have used some type of herbal medicine during their pregnancy. Olive oil was utilized in 26% of the respondents followed by cumin 20% and garlic 15%. In addition, 37% of the respondents used herbal medicine by their own initiative, while 33% and 12% used herbal medicine based on recommendations from their families and friends, respectively. Furthermore, 19% of the respondents reported a positive attitude toward herbal medicine use during pregnancy. In addition, the percentage of women with positive attitude was marginally higher among respondents with lower educational level. Conclusion The prevalence of using herbal medicine is considerably high among pregnant women in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, the majority of the users relied on informal sources to use herbal medicine during pregnancy.

Comparison of the application of treatment Panel III and American College of Cardiology/American heart Association guidelines for blood cholesterol treatment in Saudi Arabia

Background One of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases is hyperlipidemia. The primary aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of individuals between 40–75 years old that would be eligible for statin therapy based on ACC/AHA guideline as compared to ATP-III guideline in a population of patients in Saudi Arabia. We also intended to extrapolate the results to the entire Saudi population, and estimate the cost implications of the ACC/AHA treatment guideline. Methods This study was a retrospective, observational study involving adult patients aged between 40-75 years old. The study was conducted at the primary health care clinics at King Abdul-Aziz Medical/Riyadh. The eligibility for statins use was assessed and compared for each patient based on both the recent 2013 ACC-AHA guideline and the 2002 ATP-III guideline. The cost implication of applying the ACC/AHA treatment guideline was estimated based on the average cost for 40 mg Atorvastatin in the Saudi Market. Results A total of 1005 patients were included in the study. Using the ATP-III guideline, there were 139 male (43.7%) and 279 female (40.6%) eligible to receive statin therapy. Based on the 2013 ACC/AHA guideline, treatment is recommended in 315 males (99.1%) and 564 females (82.1%). On the other hand, high-intensity statin was recommended in 302 male (95%) and 400 female (58.2%). Only 74 (10.5%) patients were prescribed high-intensity statin of the 702 eligible patients. Extrapolating the results to the entire Saudi population, 2.369 million additional patients would be eligible for statin therapy when applying the ACC/AHA guideline. Applying the new guideline would result in a cost increase of at least 4.318 billion SR per year. Conclusions The eligibility for statin therapy was much higher when applying the ACC/AHA guideline as compared to ATP-III guideline. Applying the recent ACC/AHA dyslipidemia guideline increased the number of patients eligible for statin therapy to approximately two folds. This would be associated with a substantial increase in cost and possibly side effects. The concerns surrounding the ACC/AHA guideline should be addressed at the national level.