Asthma related quality of life in western Saudi subpopulation and its correlation to level of asthma control

Health-Related Quality of Life of Asthmatic Patients in Al-Baha City, Saudi Arabia

Introduction According to disability-adjusted life years (DALY), bronchial asthma (BA) is rated 28th among the top causes of disease burden globally and among the most significant reasons for years lived with disability. Internationally, 300 million people have asthma, and another 100 million individuals may develop it by 2025. In Al-Baha City, where environmental factors such as dust and pollen levels can exacerbate asthma symptoms, understanding and addressing the health-related quality of life of asthmatic patients is crucial. Understanding the health-related quality of life of asthmatic patients can inform public health policies and initiatives aimed at reducing environmental triggers and promoting better asthma management in the city. Objectives The study aims to assess the impact of asthma regarding physical, emotional, and social activities that affect health-related quality of life.  Subjects and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2023 to May 2023 at King Fahad Hospital in Al-Baha City, Saudi Arabia. The study used a Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire that measures physical, emotional, and social activities that affect health-related quality of life.  Results One hundred and fifty-one out of 185 participants responded, yielding a response rate of 81.6%. The average age of the participants was 52, with a standard deviation of 15.4 years. Participants' responses regarding symptoms related to the environment during the last two weeks indicated "all the time" experiencing feeling bothered by or having to avoid cigarette smoke (n=104, 69%) and dust (n=92, 61%) in the environment. Moreover, considering emotion-related symptoms, 54% reported they did not feel afraid of not having their asthma medication available. Similarly, 46% reported never feeling frustrated because of asthma, whereas 3.3% of the participants documented hardly ever feeling frustrated. Regarding social activity limitations, 44 individuals (29%) reported no limits in these activities, while 43 (28%) reported being completely limited. While there were limitations in work-related activities, 42 participants (28%) reported no restrictions, whereas 34 (23%) reported being completely limited.  Conclusion The study findings highlight a concern about suboptimal asthma control and the need to attain more satisfactory levels of asthma management.

Mental health research studies in Saudi Arabia for the years 2009-2019; a systematic scoping review

BACKGROUND

An updated systematic scoping review and narrative analysis of all possible mental health studies done during the concerned immediate years clarifies its present condition and status for all professionals, and concerned researchers.

AIMS

To synthesize published mental health research studies in and for Saudi Arabia for the years 2009-2019 with the confidence to evaluate current situation, identify research gaps and limitations (if any), and assist in conceptualizing the forthcoming directions of future mental health research activities.

METHODS

Scoping systematic review and modified narrative analysis were the methods utilized to achieve the aim and objective set for this formal academic endeavor.

RESULTS

Of the 1006 published studies identified from chosen databases, a total of 241 papers were included and had passed the stringent criteria set for the scoping review process. Basic characteristics of the reviewed studies were quantitative survey type with about 101-500 size range of respondents, utilizing non-patients and adults for participants which were common and randomly chosen from selected population, and most research activities were self-funded. Four major research themes were found including a list of research limitations.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic scoping review identified a wide range of results characterizing the different studies that qualified using pre-determined inclusion-exclusion criteria. Though of increasing publication volume in the past decade, most researches done were quantitative survey type whose themes seemed to show no drastic difference or change from the previous years of output. More variety in research themes would further improve the over-all quality of mental health publications.