Sulaiman A Alshammari

• MBBS,MSc,FRCGP,MFPH
• Professor at King Saud University

Background Presentation affects several surgical parameters and post-operative outcomes. This study compares emergency versus elective colon cancer outcomes and prognostic factors associated with postoperative complications. Methods All colon cancer patients who underwent curative resection between July 2015 and December 2019 were retrospectively...

Objectives We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of menstrual cycle changes following the COVID-19 pandemic and the COVID-19 vaccination among female students at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional retrospective study using an online questionnaire was conducted between October 2022 and December 2022. Data were coll...

Background The prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn’s (C), and ulcerative colitis (UC) has increased in Saudi Arabia during the past decade. Even though medical treatment is first-line therapy, most patients require surgery during the course of the disease. Stoma-creation complications in IBD are underreported in the literature of...

Background In this study, we aimed to identify the oncological outcomes in colon cancer patients who underwent elective versus emergency curative resection. Methods All patients who underwent curative resection for colon cancer between July 2015 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups bas...

Background Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) risk extends beyond patients to healthcare workers and medical students. However, many HAIs are preventable by adhering to standard infection control precautions (SICPs). This study assesses medical students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding SICPs at the College of Medicine, King Saud Un...

Introduction Incidental gallbladder carcinoma refers to a discovery of gallbladder cancer during or after cholecystectomy. Late port-site metastasis (PSM) following Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is rare with an incidence rate of 10.3%. Patient concerns We report a case of a 58-year-old man who presented with a painful abdominal wall mass for 6...

Introduction Cystic duct anatomical variations are encountered frequently during surgical procedures. In this report, a female patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis and developed symptoms of obstructive jaundice subsequently, which was diagnosed as low insertion of the cystic duct and an impacted stone that was caus...

Objectives We aimed to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression among high school teachers and assess the functionality of teachers with anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. High school teachers participated in the study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia...

Background Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common gastrointestinal disorders that can negatively affect quality of life and healthcare costs. The co-occurrence of these conditions can lead to more complex symptomatology and therapeutic challenges. Therefore, understanding the extent of overlap between G...

Background Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is an urgent presentation with increasing prevalence and remains a common cause of hospitalization. The clinical outcome can vary based on several factors, including the cause of bleeding, its severity, and the effectiveness of management strategies. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensi...

Biliary pancreatitis is a common complication of gallstones. Although most patients experience mild disease, around 20% may develop severe pancreatitis with an increased risk of serious complications during recurrent attacks. The objective of our study is to compare the surgical outcomes and length of stay for early versus delayed cholecystectomy,...

There is little research evaluating skeletal muscle strength, nutritional status, and quality of life in older Arab adults. This study examined the association of nutritional status with skeletal muscle strength and quality of life among older adults living in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among older adults (n = 166 older adu...

Background Vitiligo vulgaris is a disfiguring dermatological disease associated with psychosocial impact and decreased quality of life among its sufferers. Objective To provide an overview of quantitative data on the available literature to evaluate the psychosocial impact of depression among vitiligo vulgaris patients in Saudi Arabia and to asses...

Background Measuring quality of life (QoL) plays an essential role in enabling meaningful cross-cultural comparisons. The Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) is a valid tool for assessing both foot-specific and general health-related quality of life (HrQoL), making it suitable for evaluating Plantar Fasciitis (PF) patients. Methodology The aim...

Objectives: To assess the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Saudi Arabia. Methods: We searched electronic databases and the references lists of found publications between 1990 and 2022. Original cross-sectional studies in English were included using PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Saudi Digital Library. A meta-anal...

Background Measuring quality of life (QoL) plays an essential role in enabling meaningful cross-cultural comparisons. The Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) is a valid tool for assessing both foot-specific and general health-related quality of life (HrQoL), making it suitable for evaluating Plantar Fasciitis (PF) patients. Methodology The aim...

Objectives The objective is to assess the extent of foot-specific and generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL) impairment among individuals diagnosed with plantar fasciitis (PF) at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia, and to determine the influence of various sociodemographic and clinical factors. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we ad...

Degenerative disc disease and low back pain are common challenges that persist even after a discectomy. However, characterizations and quantifications of these illnesses from the patients' perspective are insufficient. We aimed to perform a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis to determine the frequency of chronic pain after spinal...

Knowledgeable people are more likely to follow their treatment plan and reduce hypertension morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to construct the validity and reliability of the Arabic version of the Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale (HK-LS) among Saudis. Methods This cross-sectional questionnaire research targets hypertensives and non-hypert...

Background: Previous studies on the COVID-19 lockdown reported contradictory evidence on controlling diabetes , hypertension (HT), and dyslipidemia (DLD). Thus, this study aimed to determine pre-and post-lockdown diabetes, HT, and DLD control with patient characteristics and predict positive or negative lockdown changes.

Background: The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is a critical screening and diagnostic tool that identifies cardiovascular abnormalities and fatal cardiac emergencies. This study aimed to identify whether there was a competency difference in interpreting ECG strips between medical students, interns, and family residents. Methods: A cross-sectional,...

Background: Breast cancer is having a major impact on women’s health worldwide. Early detection is the best defense against the associated morbidity and mortality of the disease. Objectives: To assess the level of mammography uptake among working Saudi women and identify the obstacles and barriers that negatively affect it. In addition, to identify...

The Saudi Vision 2030 endorsed health-care models emphasizing promotion, prevention, and effective treatment. The 2008 World Health Organization report, “Primary Health Care: Now More Than Ever,” also encouraged reform. The objective of this study was to highlight the evidence and benefits of scaling up PHC capacity to implement “a family physician...

Objective In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) and its related factors among adult patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methodology We conducted a cross-sectional study based on a pre-designed, validated questionnaire (the McMonnies questionnaire) at primary healthcare centers in Riyadh in January-May 2019. Part...

Background Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular illness and premature death and is becoming more prevalent worldwide. To promote better educational strategies regarding hypertension, it is crucial to identify the most significant knowledge gaps among the general public. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of hypertension amon...

Background Knowledgeable people are more likely to follow their treatment plan and reduce hypertension morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to construct the validity and reliability of the Arabic version of the Hypertension Knowledge-Level Scale (HK-LS) among Saudis. Methods This cross-sectional questionnaire research targets hypertensives and...

Background Obesity negatively impacts mental and physical health and is a leading cause of disease worldwide. Obesity affects 33% of Saudi adults, with 10% being morbidly obese (body mass index, BMI >40 kg/m²). This study explored the association between bariatric surgery (BS) and a predisposition or exacerbation of depressive and anxiety symptoms....

Objective In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) and its related factors among adult patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methodology We conducted a cross-sectional study based on a pre-designed, validated questionnaire (the McMonnies questionnaire) at primary healthcare centers in Riyadh in January-May 2019. Part...

Background and Objective Patient self-management education has been a major factor in the intervention and management of chronic diseases as it engages and empowers patients to control and/or prevent complications of chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a framework standard for diabetic patient's self-management...

Background: Mental disorders are highly prevalent among adolescents, and they correlate negatively with students’ achievement, performance, and leadless school engagement and participation. School Teachers can contribute significantly to the early detection and intervention strategies for mental disorders among adolescents. This study estimates hig...

Objective: To determine whether SMS reduces modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: From February to July 2018, the authors performed an RCT on primary care patients at King Khaled University Hospital (KKUH). The patients completed a questionnaire with personal data, and E-SEHI was used to evaluate their low-density lipoprotein (LDL), glyc...

Objectives: To evaluate patients' satisfaction with phone consultation in KKUH during COVID-19 and to identify the advantages and limitations of phone consultation. Methods: Researchers conducted this analytical cross-sectional study between March 2020 and March 2021. Stratified systematic sampling was employed to recruit the patients randomly who...

Background and Objectives The percentage of Saudi older adults (SOA) is increasing over time. With advanced age, the prevalence of chronic diseases and multiple disabilities are increasing. This leads to increase utilization of multiple medications. The objectives of this study were to describe medication utilization, determine the prevalence of po...

Background: Violence against healthcare workers has increased globally. Poor productivity and patient care could result from this aggression against healthcare professionals. Methods: In this retrospective study, the target population was all healthcare workers who activated the white code (n=242) with a sample size (of n=149). A self-administered...

Background: The evidence showed that prostate cancer (PC) is the second most common malignancy in men globally. Unfortunately, it rarely produces symptoms, and the diagnosis is delayed until the tumor is advanced. Objectives: To determine the participants' uptake of prostate cancer screening (PCS). Also, to assess their perceptions regarding PCS...

Background Knowledge about oral anticoagulant treatment can impact treatment outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, evidence is scarce regarding the knowledge of oral anticoagulants among Saudi patients with atrial fibrillation. Hence, this study aimed to assess the level of anticoagulation knowledge among patients with atrial fibr...

Objectives: To identify elderly inpatients' attitudes toward deprescribing at King Khalid University Hospital and determine the most commonly used polypharmacy drugs. Methods: A cross-sectional study on deprescribing in elderly patients was conducted at Riyadh's King Saud university medical city during January-February/2019. We used the validated A...

Background: The association between smartphone addiction and the increased prevalence of musculoskeletal pain is still a controversial issue. The present study aimed at investigating the association between smartphone addiction and musculoskeletal pain among medical residents in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This stud...

Background: While multiple studies have evaluated the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, data from Saudi Arabia are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the association between GI symptoms and BMI in a Saudi population. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between September...

Objectives We aimed to determine the role of the COVID 19 pandemic on dietary supplements' awareness, beliefs and consumption. Methods A cross-sectional online-based survey distributed through social media was done on 575 participants aged 18 and above and living in Saudi Arabia. The Questionnaire contains sociodemographic, prevalence, type, patte...

Study Objective: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore the differences in weight status, obesity and patterns of physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviors (SB) and dietary habits (DH) in relation to gender and age of adults living in city of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: A total of 128 males and 129 females (y...

Objectives: We aimed to assess the awareness, attitudes, and practice regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) and its vaccine among women attending primary care clinics in Riyadh. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 326 women aged 18–60 years who attended primary care clinics between June 2014 and June 2015. The participants completed a valid...

A pilot study was conducted on 114 patients to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in an academic primary care centre in Riyadh during May/June 1988. The patients were asked to fill the General Health Questionnaire GHQ-28 and were assessed by a general practitioner [GP] . One-third of the patients were interviewed and assessed by a psy...

A study was made of 1316 patients attending the emergency services in six primary health care centres in the Riyadh area. The purpose of the study was to find out what categories of patients are using such services and whether these services are appropriately utilized. Questionnaire / interview forms on patients’ characteristics at the time of the...

From ten primary health care centres which represented 17% of all health centres in urban Riyadh, 1222 Consultations [doctor-patient encounters] were selected randomly. Two health centres were selected randomly from each of the five sections of Riyadh [north, south, central, east, west]. Thirty-two doctors Participated in the study;nine of them wer...

Background and aim Hypertension possesses significant public health challenges for both developing and developed economies. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the awareness of hypertension and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with hypertension. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge of hypertension and HRQoL among hyperten...

Objectives: To assess the quality of life (QoL) in patients with vitiligo in central Saudi Arabia using the dermatology life quality index (DLQI). Methods: A cross-sectional study spanning over 6 months was conducted on 253 adult patients with vitiligo at the outpatient dermatology clinics of the National Center of Vitiligo (Light Clinics) and K...

Background and Aim Hypertension possesses significant public health challenges for both developing and developed economies. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the awareness of hypertension and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with hypertension. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge of hypertension and HRQoL among hyperten...

Background A recent outbreak of COVID-19 which was initially reported in Wuhan City, China, has become a worldwide pandemic. This global public health threat drew the attention of the medical and scientific community to make the necessary research efforts to combat the spread of the virus. Predictors of preventive behaviors could be of considerable...

BACKGROUND Medical ethics is a system of moral principles that govern the practice of medicine. Ethical challenges frequently arise within the field of family medicine and may lead to complications. We wanted to assess the existing knowledge, attitude, and practice of family medicine trainees currently engaged in Saudi programs in relation to medic...

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a global pandemic in March 2020. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a higher risk of infection with the virus than other individuals. Therefore, among the recommended protective methods is the wearing of a surgical mask. There is limited information regarding...

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and encountered obstacles of Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) lung screening among family medicine residents in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. Method: A cross-sectional survey was performed over a sample of 202 family medicine residents in Riyadh city. A structured ques...

Background: The rate of chronic diseases is increasing due to the global pandemic of inactivity and an unhealthy diet. Objective: We aimed to determine the dietary habits, physical activities of the participants, and challenges facing them to adapt to a healthy lifestyle. Methodology: The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study on chroni...

Objectives: To assess the cognitive status of older adults in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, multistage, stratified study of older individuals (≥60 years of age) attending primary healthcare centres in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between January 2015 and April 2017. We collected data using a structured questionnaire, which incorpora...

Objectives The objective of the study is to determine the impact of urinary incontinence (UI) on the quality of life (QoL) of the Saudi elderly population. Besides, we investigated individuals’ help-seeking behaviors and the religious and cultural aspects of UI among the Saudi elderly. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using a random sa...

Currently, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), adults aged ≥ 60 years make up approximately 6% of the total population, and this is predicted to reach around 23% by the year 2050 (1). The expected changes in the age distribution of the population will increase the incidence and prevalence of many chronic diseases (2,3),which are known to occur mo...

Background Breast cancer (BC) is known to be the second leading cause of cancer deaths after lung cancer in Saudi Arabia. Early detection using screening methods can improve disease outcomes. In Saudi Arabia, the rates of BC screening are very low although it is a country that provides free healthcare services. This discrepancy between the availabi...

Objectives: The current research aims to study the impact of raising tobacco tax and implementation of plain packaging on male smokers' quitting intentions in Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study adopts a quantitative approach where close-ended questionnaires are distributed among 1,015 male participants from different regions of Riyadh city, Saudi...

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is an integral part of patients' therapeutic experience worldwide. Among Saudi older adults, less is known about CAM utilization. Objectives: To determine the prevalence, patterns, and factors associated with CAM utilization among SOA. Methods: In the Saudi National Survey for Elderly He...

Background Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common gastrointestinal (GI) tract disease and has an adverse effect on the quality of life (QoL) of patients. Studies on the QoL of GERD patients would increase awareness among healthcare providers about the magnitude of the problem and how to manage it. Objectives This study aimed to determin...

Background and Aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cause of mortality worldwide. It is preventable, treatable when detected early. The aim of this study is to assess knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of the participants toward CRC and its early screening, and identify the sources of information on the subjects. Methods: We conducted a cr...

BACKGROUND: A good night sleep is essential for good health since it supports proper brain functions and its ability to make decisions and to learn and remember new information. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of sleep deprivation (SD) and its effects on the performance of family medicine residents in Riyadh. MATERIALS AN...

Background Acne vulgaris is a self-limiting condition that may affect the patients quality of life. The most efficacious treatment of choice for acne is isotretinoin. However, adverse effects and relapse of acne after completing an isotretinoin course pose major hurdles for treatment compliance and adherence. Method The authors conducted a cross-s...

Background: Breast cancer is having a major impact on women's health worldwide. Early detection is the best defense against the associated morbidity and mortality of the disease. Objectives: To assess the level of mammography uptake among working Saudi women and identify the obstacles and barriers that negatively affect it. In addition, to ident...

Aims: The aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), and a combined self-modified version of these scales and Dental Fear and Anxiety Scale (DFAS). We also aimed to assess the impact of dental fear and anxiety among Arabic-speaking 12-15-year...

The nature of experience during the medical study at university may play an essential role in choosing the specialty. Objectives: to determine the effect of goveremtnal universities in general and on medical interns' career choice , taking into consideration the gender difference. Furthermore, to find out when governmental universities educate the...

Background: Acute respiratory tract infections are the most common causes of both morbidity and mortality worldwid, and the management and prevention of acute respiratory infections is a global problem, especially in developing countries. This study sought to assess the community's compliance and practice of measures for the prevention of respirat...

Background and objective: Handgrip strength (HGS) plays a vital role as a predictor of adverse health outcomes. Several studies have established HGS norms by age, sex, hand, occupation, culture or disability in different countries and for children in Saudi Arabia. However, standardized values for Saudi older adults have not yet been reported. There...

Abstract Background Cervical cancer in Saudi Arabia is ranked as the third most frequent gynecological cancer among women. The Pap smear test is a screening test that can be used as a primary prevention tool for cervical cancer, and prophylactic vaccination against HPV is also considered to be a factor in decreasing the prevalence of the disease. T...

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of health-care employees (HCEs) in Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City (SBAHC) toward influenza vaccine. Methodology: We conducted this cross-sectional study between November and December 2018. The study population included all HCEs. We recruited eligible p...

Objective The goal of this study was to measure colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) utilization in Saudi Arabia ’s elderly population and to assess the factors associated with CRCS. Methods The Saudi National Survey for Elderly Health was used to examine CRCS utilization. It is a nationally representative population-based cross-sectional survey tha...

Purpose: First, to determine benzodiazepines prevalence (BDZs) among Saudi older adults (SOA); Second, to quantify the association between BDZs use and falls among SOA. Third, to determine falls effect on all-cause mortality among SOA. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that used the Saudi National Survey for Elderly Health; a nationally-r...

Purpose Older adults are the fastest growing population group worldwide. Regular physical activity (PA) is reported to reduce the risk of health conditions and improve personal well-being. Few validated instruments can be used to measure the PA levels among older adults in Saudi Arabia. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) is used wor...

BACKGROUND Falls among the elderly are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. They constitute the second leading cause of unintentional deaths after road-traffic accidents. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of falls among the elderly and to investigate the factors that contribute to this phenomenon. MATERIA...

There is high public health alert in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia concerning Zika virus infection. So far, there is no reported outbreak. So are we at risk of this disease? Reviewing the literature of recent outbreaks of other infectious diseases in Saudi Arabia may clarify the situation. It is evident that there is some similarity between Zika and...

Objectives To Describe the Saudi older adult (SOA) characteristics and Introduce the Saudi National Survey for Elderly Health (SNSEH). Methods The SNSEH, a population-based nationally-representative survey, was used. Subjects were included in 2006–2007, using random-cluster sampling utilizing probability proportional to size approach, and followed...

Knee complaints and their accompanying functional impairments are frequent problems encountered by healthcare practitioners worldwide. Plenty of functional scoring systems were developed and validated to give a relative estimation about the knee function. Despite the wide geographic distribution of Arabic language in the Middle East and North Afric...

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to discover the characteristics of informal caregivers of elderly patients; to determine the socioeconomic, psychological, and physical consequences facing informal caregivers; and to measure their burdens and needs. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was a cross-sectional survey of informal caregivers of e...

Background: Worldwide, studies have shown a high prevalence of hormones and nutritional supplement use by athletes and gym members. Many athletes consume unproven, potentially harmful or even banned supplements. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of the use of hormones and nutritional supplements by people who exercise in gyms in Riyadh, Saudi Ar...

Background: Hypertension is a public health concern in Saudi Arabia. A recent study done in Saudi Arabia showed that the prevalence of hypertension among adults reach up to 30%. Limited patients’ awareness about the effects of lifestyle on hypertension, lack of effective outreach to general people and lack of routine measurement of blood pressure o...

Objectives: To assess patients’ perceptions of the communication skills of family medicine residents. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Data were collected from patients, seeing 23 residents from 4 family medicine residency programs in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia namely, King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh Military Hospital, Securi...

Objectives: To evaluate the health care services provided for older adults by primary health care centers (PHCCs) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and the ease of use of these centers by older adults. Methods: Between October 2013 and January 2014, we conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of 15 randomly selected PHCCs in Riyadh...

objective: The objective of this paper was to show the challenges that are faced by the Family Medicine Training Programmes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as well as suggests appropriate and practical solutions. materials and methods: This study was conducted from 2010-2013 using a semi-structured questionnaire to achieve the objective. The questio...