Search Results (7)

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten ingestion in genetically predisposed individuals. Management typically involves a strict gluten-free diet (GFD). However, there are limited data concerning adherence to GFD among adult CD patients in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to pilot test the assessment of knowledge, adherence to GFD, and barriers to adherence to GFD among adult celiac patients in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from 36 adults with celiac disease at King Fahad Hospital, Madinah (2021–2022). After obtaining consent, participants completed an online questionnaire covering sociodemographic data, GFD knowledge, adherence, and related barriers. Results: Only 33% of participants were aware of the Ministry of Health’s GFD support program, with 30.6% utilizing gluten-free products and 27.8% receiving financial assistance. Higher adherence scores were significantly associated with awareness of the program, reading nutrition labels, understanding GFD requirements, receiving financial support, and using separate utensils for gluten-free food preparation. The majority (58.3%) had not consulted a dietitian, and no significant association was found between dietitian consultation and GFD adherence. Poor knowledge and difficulty interpreting nutrition labels were reported as primary barriers. Conclusions: Improving public and patient awareness of the GFD and available support programs is essential in enhancing adherence among CD patients in Saudi Arabia. Healthcare providers should play a more active role in patient education and ongoing support. Full article

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health concern. Microbial dysbiosis and associated metabolites have been associated with CRC occurrence and progression. This study aims to analyze the gut microbiota composition and the enriched metabolic pathways in patients with late-stage CRC. In this study, a cohort of 25 CRC patients diagnosed at late stage III and IV and 25 healthy participants were enrolled. The fecal bacterial composition was investigated using V3-V4 ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, followed by clustering and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) analyses. A cluster of ortholog genes’ (COG) functional annotations and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were employed to identify enrichment pathways between the two groups. The findings showed that the fecal microbiota between the two groups varied significantly in alpha and beta diversities. CRC patients’ fecal samples had significantly enriched populations of Streptococcus salivarius, S. parasanguins, S. anginosus, Lactobacillus mucosae, L. gasseri, Peptostreptococcus, Eubacterium, Aerococcus, Family XIII_AD3001 Group, Erysipelatoclostridium, Escherichia-Shigella, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Alistipes, Ralstonia, and Pseudomonas (Q < 0.05). The enriched pathways identified in the CRC group were amino acid transport, signaling and metabolism, membrane biogenesis, DNA replication and mismatch repair system, and protease activity (Q < 0.05). These results suggested that the imbalance between intestinal bacteria and the elevated level of the predicated functions and pathways may contribute to the development of advanced CRC tumors. Further research is warranted to elucidate the exact role of the gut microbiome in CRC and its potential implications for use in diagnostic, prevention, and treatment strategies. Full article

The prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) is growing, and early screening is important to prevent related health complications. The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) has been widely used as a diagnostic tool to identify cases of EDs; however, a validated Arabic version of the tool is needed to help in the screening process of EDs. The aim of this study was to validate the Arabic version of EDE-Q. A cross-sectional study included a sample of 549 adults, who were recruited mainly from the four major provinces in Saudi Arabia. A forward–backward translation method was conducted, and then the tool was validated using the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The dataset was split for further convergent analysis using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and CFA. The results of CFA from the main dataset did not support the four-factor original EDE-Q. The results of EFA from the first data-split suggested a three-factor EDE-Q-14 Arabic version. This was supported by the results of CFA of the second data-split. A total of five items were allocated in each shape and weight concern, and restraint component, with correlations ranging from 0.969 and 0.462 and from 0.847 to 0.437, respectively. A total of four items were allocated in eating concern, with correlations ranging from 0.748 to 0.556. The internal consistency of the global and the three subscales were high, with Cronbach’s α ranging from 0.762 to 0.900. Findings of the current study suggest that the Arabic version of the EDE-Q-14 is a valid and reliable tool to screen for EDs among adults in Saudi Arabia. Full article

High fast-food consumption is a common public-health concern among adolescents, due to its link to a number of non-communicable diseases. Frequent consumption of fast food may also affect diets of individuals; however, research addressing this issue is lacking in Saudi Arabia. We aimed to investigate the association between fast-food consumption, dietary quality, and dietary intake of adolescents in Saudi Arabia. This is a cross-sectional study of 617 healthy adolescents aged 11–18 years, who were recruited randomly from 16 middle- and high-schools located in Jeddah and Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Sociodemographic data were collected from parents. Dietary data, including the frequency of fast-food consumption, dietary quality (assessed using the short-form food frequency questionnaire), and dietary intake (assessed using multiple 24 h diet recalls from a subsample), were collected from the adolescents. Approximately one-third of adolescents (28.5%) reported frequent fast-food consumption (>two times a week). Results showed that a higher proportion of male adolescents frequently consumed fast-food, compared with female adolescents (32.8% vs. 24.8%, p = 0.039). Adolescents with the highest monthly family-income (≥SAR 21,000 ) reported a significantly higher frequency of fast-food consumption compared with families with a lower monthly income (p = 0.009). Frequency of fast-food consumption predicted lower dietary-quality in adolescents (Beta (B) = −0.27 [95% confidence interval (CI): −0.35 to –0.18]) and higher carbohydrate and free-sugar intake (B = 6.93 [95% CI: 0.78 to 13.1], and B = 3.93 [95% CI: 1.48 to 6.38], respectively). In conclusion, nutrition-intervention programs aiming to limit fast-food consumption and enhance the dietary quality of adolescents in Saudi Arabia, are warranted. Full article

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Information on the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in women and children in Madinah has been limited. The current study aimed to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity among women and children at Madinah Maternity and Children’s Hospital. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 579 participants were recruited between January and April 2021 from Madinah Maternity and Children’s Hospital, Saudi Arabia. Data concerning age, sex (for children), blood group, and height and weight (for women) were collected from the hospital database. SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike (anti-S) IgG antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Over 58% of children (n = 195), including 60% of children ≤ 1 year (n = 75), and 50.2% (n = 124) of women were SARS-CoV-2 anti-S IgG seropositive. Significantly higher anti-S IgG levels were observed in children than in women (0.78 ± 1.05 vs. 0.65 ± 0.98, p = 0.008). Compared with women, children had higher odds of high SARS-CoV-2 anti-S IgG levels (odds ratio: 1.41; 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.97; p = 0.041). No significant associations were observed for anti-S IgG levels with age in women or children or with body mass index among women. Conclusion: Non-reported COVID-19 infections were more prevalent among children than women, and non-reported COVID-19 infections children represent a viral transmission risk; therefore, increased screening, especially among school-aged children, may represent an important COVID-19 preventive control measure. Full article

Data regarding association between the use of plastics with hot food and levels of vitamins and minerals, and other biochemical parameters are lacking. Cross-sectional data for 740 healthy pregnant Saudi women were collected from 21 health care centres and 2 hospitals from Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Detailed data regarding the frequency of plastic use with hot food were collected, and laboratory analyses of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), homocysteine (HCY), glycated A1C (A1C), and selected vitamins and minerals were also done. Daily use of plastics with hot food was frequently reported among young mothers (p = 0.002). Plastic use with hot food on a daily basis was positively associated with TSH, HCY, and A1C, while it was negatively associated with concentrations of vitamin E, zinc, and selenium. Future research should address the complex hormonal and metabolic abnormalities that are linked to the release of certain components associated with the use of plastics with hot food. Interventions are urgently needed to eliminate the use of plastics with hot food to prevent health complications that may result from the long-term use of these materials. Full article

In Saudi Arabia, data regarding salt-related knowledge and practices are still lacking. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate salt-related knowledge and practices and associated factors in Saudi adults. Data on the following variables were collected from 467 participants living in Madinah or Jeddah via face-to-face interviews: demographics, anthropometrics (height and weight), blood pressure (assessed using a digital sphygmomanometer), salt-related knowledge, and practices related to salt intake. Salt-related knowledge and practices were limited among the study participants; however, they were not correlated (r_s = 0.10). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that salt-related practices were negatively associated with sodium intake and positively associated with body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively), whereas salt-related knowledge was not associated with sodium intake, blood pressure, or BMI. Salt-related knowledge is limited and not linked to practices related to salt intake in Saudi adults. Interventions are needed to increase the accessibility of low-sodium food options and improve practices limiting sodium intake to prevent the occurrence of salt-related diseases among adults in Saudi Arabia. Full article