Pak J Med Sci
-
Ischemia modified albumin (IMA) may aid in the early detection and management of diabetic retinopathy (DR). In this study, we examined the relationship between IMA and DR, and the effect of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) on IMA levels in patients with DR. ⋯ Ischemia modified albumin may be used as an effective and novel screening biomarker for assessing oxidative stress associated with DR, and to quantify response to and prognosis after intravitreal bevacizumab injection for DR.
-
To evaluate the clinical curative effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy and its impact on immunological function and the expression of ER, PR, HER-2 and SATB1 in HER-2-positive breast cancer patients. ⋯ Neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy has significant effect on the treatment of HER-2-positive breast cancer patients. It can result in the significant enhancement of T lymphocyte function, obvious improvement in the negative converse rates of ER, HER-2 and SATB1, and no evident increase in the adverse drug reactions. The proposed therapeutic approach is safe, effective, and have certain clinical value.
-
This study aimed to provide information on the epidemiology, trend, associated traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) and non-spinal injuries, and risk factors affecting the in-hospital outcome of RTA-related traumatic spinal injury (TSI) over the past decade in Aseer province, Saudi Arabia. ⋯ The latest government initiatives to reduce RTA like speed limits and waring of seat belts have resulted in a concordant decline in TSI incidence with good consistency between police and health registration data.
-
The COVID-19 pandemic undermined the health service delivery and utilization of essential health care services globally. The current study therefore aimed to explore the health-seeking behaviors and challenges faced by patients for the management of gastrointestinal diseases. ⋯ Patients with gastrointestinal conditions were largely affected by lockdown largely due to fear of contacting COVID-19 disease and inaccessibility to the public transportation. Widely available telemedicine service might overcome these shortcomings and ensure continuity of quality care.
-
Tuberculosis (TB) is a public health challenge and is endemic in many countries including Saudi Arabia. The disease is a major health concern in the Kingdom because of its dynamic population as resident expatriates are mainly from high TB burdened countries and the mass influx of pilgrims every year in peak seasons for Umrah and Hajj. The objective of the current study was to evaluate pulmonary TB incidence rates and conclude the potential high-risk patients to highlight the burdened regions in Saudi Arabia for the health authorities, which could help to establish policies of infection control as necessary. ⋯ TB control seems to be facing some challenges in several regions of the Kingdom, particularly major cities. National TB Control Program (NTP) needs to continually evaluate official data to spot high risk groups and factors associated with increased incidence. This will help to improve TB control strategies to contain the disease and approaches its eradication.