Saudi journal of gastroenterology : official journal of the Saudi Gastroenterology Association
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Saudi J Gastroenterol · Jul 2021
Use of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with liver disease and post-liver transplantation: Position statement of the Saudi association for the study of liver diseases and transplantation.
Patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and liver transplant recipients are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although several studies demonstrated the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in the general population, data in CLD patients and liver transplant recipients are lacking. Two COVID-19 vaccines were approved by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and rolled out to several million recipients in Saudi Arabia. ⋯ In transplant recipients, the optimal timing of vaccination remains unknown; however, immunization is recommended after the initial immunosuppression phase. Patients with CLD and liver transplant candidates or recipients should be closely monitored after COVID-19 vaccination. These patient populations should be included in future clinical trials to provide further evidence on the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines.
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Saudi J Gastroenterol · May 2021
Perceptions, attitudes, and barriers toward obesity management in Saudi Arabia: Data from the ACTION-IO study.
The ACTION IO study (NCT03584191) aimed to identify perceptions, attitudes, behaviors, and potential barriers to effective obesity care across people with obesity (PwO) and healthcare professionals (HCPs). Results from Saudi Arabia are presented here. ⋯ Saudi Arabian results have revealed misperceptions among PwO and HCPs about obesity, highlighting opportunities for further education and training about obesity including the biologic basis and clinical management.
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Saudi J Gastroenterol · Sep 2020
Disability and quality of life before and during the COVID-19 outbreak: A cross-sectional study in inflammatory bowel disease patients.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disorder affecting patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) which adds to their disability. Little is known about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HRQoL of IBD patients. We aimed to evaluate HRQoL in IBD patient's pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic using the IBD-disk questionnaire and explore associations between socio demographic factors, disease types, severity and impaired HRQoL in patients with IBD. ⋯ The current study showed that disability and HRQoL appears to be unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic among our cohort, however further studies with longer follow up and larger sample size is needed.
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The novel coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide. While patients typically present with fever and symptoms of a respiratory illness, patients have also presented with gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. ⋯ In this article, we review gastrointestinal and liver aspects of COVID-19. In addition, we provide general gastroenterologists with guidance on the management of patients with gastrointestinal and liver disorders from COVID-19.
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Saudi J Gastroenterol · Sep 2020
Multicenter StudyThe psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physicians in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study.
COVID-19 pandemic exposed physicians to extraordinary stress and made them vulnerable to various types of psychological illnesses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the psychological well-being of physicians. ⋯ The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative psychological effect on physicians in Saudi Arabia. Gender, age, and previous exposure to similar traumatic events were predictive of psychological reactions to the pandemic in this population.