Current Issue : July-September Volume : 2025 Issue Number : 3 Articles : 5 Articles
Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized by elevated pulmonary artery pressure, often leading to right heart failure and poor prognosis. Depression, a common comorbidity in PH, significantly affects the quality of life. However, mechanistic insights into the bidirectional relationship between PH and depression and specific treatment interactions remain scarce. Objective: The object was to examine the clinical and therapeutic implications of depression in PH, focusing on its impact on patient outcomes and cost efficiency. Methods: A systematic review of Medline and Google Scholar was conducted to identify studies on depression in PH, emphasizing evidence-based interventions, clinical outcomes, and cost efficiency. Special consideration was given to potential drug interactions between PH medications and depression treatments and to the role of emerging technologies in managing PH-related depression. Results: While depression reduces the quality of life and exacerbates disease severity in PH, depression treatment improves outcomes, particularly when tailored to PH-targeted therapies, considering potential drug–drug interactions. Emerging technologies, including telemedicine, offer innovative approaches to manage depression in PH, enhancing access to care and improving adherence to treatment regimens. Conclusions: Depression in PH must no longer be neglected and should be acknowledged as both a critical comorbidity and a significant driver of disease progression. Interdisciplinary treatment approaches are necessary, considering potential pharmacological interactions and incorporating emerging technologies like telemedicine to improve patient care. Further research is needed to assess the long-term outcomes of depression treatment in different groups of PH....
Background/Objectives: Poisoning represents a significant global public health challenge, particularly with its complex manifestations in adult populations. Understanding regional epidemiology through digital health systems is crucial for developing evidence-based prevention and management strategies. This nationwide study analyzes hospital-based toxicology teleconsultation data from the Toxicology Consultation Service- Saudi Medical Appointments and Referrals Center (TCS-SMARC) platform to characterize the epidemiological patterns, clinical features, and outcomes of adult poisoning cases across Saudi regions. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 6427 adult poisoning cases where hospitals sought teleconsultation from the Saudi Toxicology Consultation Service (TCS) from January to December 2023. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze poisoning rates by demographic characteristics, agents responsible for the poisoning, clinical presentations, and management decisions. Population-adjusted rates were calculated using the national census data. Associations between variables were analyzed using cross-tabulations and chi-square tests. Results: Young adults aged 18–35 years constituted most cases (58.67%), with the highest population-adjusted rates observed among those aged 18–24 (5.15 per 10,000). Medicine-related poisonings were the most common across all regions (50.04%), followed by bites and stings (15.31%). Regional analysis indicated relatively uniform poisoning rates across Business Units (BUs) (2.02–2.74 per 10,000). Most cases (87.44%) were asymptomatic, with 91.71% exhibiting normal Glasgow Coma Scale scores, although substance abuse cases had higher rate of severe manifestations (24.34%). Significant seasonal variations were observed (p < 0.001), with peak incidents occurring in the summer (29.25%). Management decisions primarily involved hospital observation (40.27%) and admission (30.34%), with agent-specific variations in care requirements (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This comprehensive analysis demonstrates the effectiveness of Saudi Arabia’s digital health infrastructure in capturing and managing nationwide poisoning data. The integrated digital platform enables real-time surveillance, standardized triage, enhanced access to specialized toxicology services, and coordinated management across diverse geographical contexts. Our findings inform evidence-based recommendations for targeted prevention strategies, particularly for young adults and medicine-related poisonings, while establishing a scalable model for digital health-enabled poisoning management....
Background/Objectives: Hip and knee arthroplasty relieves pain, restores mobility, and improves function in severe joint damage, though pain and strength loss may persist post-surgery. Better pre-surgery function and activity predict improved arthroplasty outcomes. Prehabilitation programs enhance functional abilities, reducing hospitalization duration, and lowering peri-surgery complication risks. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of four weeks of different modalities of tele-home-prehabilitation programs on perceived pain and functional capacity in patients who are eligible for hip or knee arthroplasty. Methods: Forty-four patients (aged 65–80 years) eligible for elective lower limb arthroplasty were enrolled in the present randomized controlled trial study. Participants were randomly assigned to the Electrostimulation Group (EG) or the Home-Based Exercise Group (HG). The EG performed underwent teleprehabilitation program using indirect neuromuscular electrostimulation therapy, while the HG performed home-based exercise supervised by a sports specialist. Functional capacity was assessed with the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), the 30 s Chair Stand test (30CST) and the Six-Minute Walking Test (6MWT). Quality of life was assessed with the Oxford Hip Score (OHS) or Oxford Knee Score (OKS), depending on the participants’ surgery. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) questionnaire was completed by the EG after the intervention. Results: No significant differences were found among groups in the 30CST and TUG tests. The analyses revealed significant differences for the Oxford Questionnaires and 6MWT. Conclusions: Our study highlights the potential of teleprehabilitation using indirect neuromuscular electrostimulation to improve walking autonomy and quality of life of individuals who are candidates for lower limb arthroplasty....
Background: Considering the challenges of Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), especially in rural areas with limited access to resources, it is essential to explore innovative strategies to address these barriers. Recent research highlights the use of mHealth to improve the accessibility and effectiveness of interventions. This study aims to evaluate the impact of mHealth interventions within the family-centered model on child development and familial quality of life, compared to the child-centered model. Methods: This study employs a quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-test measures across two control groups (control group 1: child-centered model and control group 2: family-centered model) and one experimental group (family-centered model with mHealth). The sample consisted of 55 children (11 girls and 44 boys) aged 0 to 6 years old with neurodevelopmental disorders that resided in rural areas from June to September 2023. For the assessment of the family unit, an ad hoc sociodemographic questionnaire, the Family Quality of Life Scale, the Family Confidence Scale, and the Family Outcomes Scale were used. Children were evaluated using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory and the Battelle Developmental Inventory Screening Test. Results: Results revealed significant differences between the experimental group (EG) and the control groups. The EG, which received mHealth-based interventions within the family-centered model, demonstrated the greatest improvements in variables related to family quality of life and the child’s social functioning. Conclusions: mHealth appears to be a promising solution for improving access to early childhood intervention in rural areas, enhancing childhood development and a family’s quality of life. Strong therapeutic relationships, supported by interdisciplinary and individualized approaches, are key to maximizing its impact....
Background and Objectives: On 11 March 2020, our hospital adapted to the COVID- 19 pandemic by becoming a temporary COVID-19 facility, leading to the suspension or delegation of non-COVID-19 services. Among the international IBD community, there were significant concerns regarding the neglect of immunocompromised IBD patients and their increased vulnerability to COVID-19. To address these challenges, the COVID-19 ECCO Taskforce recommended the implementation of telehealth. Following this recommendation, our hospital’s IT department integrated audiovisual hardware and software solutions to facilitate virtual consultations. This approach enabled patients and their local physicians to receive formal reports comparable to those issued during standard in-person care. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis who participated in telemedicine consultations. Average distances and time saved were calculated using Google Maps, while carbon emissions and carbon footprint reductions were determined. Results: Between 11 August 2021 and 15 June 2023, 107 telehealth consultations were completed. Patients benefited from reduced travel distances, with an average saving of 168.28 km per consultation and a total reduction of 18,006 km. Travel time savings averaged 2 h and 22 min per consultation, amounting to a total of 252 h saved. The reduction in carbon emissions was calculated at 3.26 tons, equivalent to the annual absorption capacity of 109 fully grown trees, considering that an individual tree absorbs approximately 21.77 kg of CO2 annually. These findings underscore telemedicine’s role in reducing environmental impact while enhancing patient convenience. Conclusions: The adoption of telehealth successfully optimized outpatient clinic operations, maintaining high-quality patient outcomes while contributing to environmental sustainability....
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