Physical activity and health-related quality of life among adults living in Jeddah city Saudi Arabia

Background

Physical activity can improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults. However, the effect of physical activity on quality of life is unclear among the Saudi adult population. The study aimed to determine the association between physical activity and HRQoL in apparently healthy adults in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among visitors of shopping malls, walking tracks/fitness centres/gyms and governmental hospitals in Jeddah from March to September 2022. Physical activity was measured with the electronic template of the general practice physical activity questionnaire (GPPAQ), while the HRQoL was measured using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) questionnaire. A multiple linear regression model investigated the relationship between physical activity and HRQoL.

Results

A total of 693 individuals participated in this study, with a mean age of 36 (±11). Individuals who fall in the active category of the physical activity level were mostly younger men (37% vs 21%), were non-smokers (30% vs 10%) and had no comorbid condition (29% vs 15%). After adjusting for covariates, men (adjusted β 4.43, 95% CI [1.44-7.41]) with higher physical activity levels (active-adjusted β 10.11, 95% CI [5.44-14.77]) had better scores on the physical component summary (PCS). Similarly, mental component summary (MCS) scores for men (adjusted β 6.51, 95% CI [3.40-9.63]) and physical activity levels (active-adjusted β 9.77, 95% CI [4.90-14.64]) were high.

Conclusion

The article reinforces how physical activity contributes towards each dimension of HRQoL. Physical inactivity is a growing public health challenge in Saudi Arabia, affecting all age groups. Investing in innovative strategies and establishing targeted health education programs for academic institutions and communities are required to enhance healthy habits. Additionally, constructing more local sports facilities and concession packages, especially for the females at the gyms, can motivate individuals and promote physical activity.

The Long-Term Outcome and Quality of Life after Replacement of the Ascending Aorta

(1) Background: Despite optimal surgical therapy, replacement of the ascending aorta leads to a significant reduction in the quality of life (QoL). However, an optimal result includes maintaining and improving the QoL. The aim of our study was to evaluate the long-term outcome and the QoL in patients with aneurysms in the ascending aorta; (2) Methods: Between 2014 and 2020, 121 consecutive patients who underwent replacement of the ascending aorta were included in this study. Acute aortic pathologies were excluded. A standard short form (SF)-36 questionnaire was sent to the 112 survivors. According to the surgical procedure, patients were divided into two groups (A: supracoronary replacement of the aorta, n = 35 and B: Wheat-, David- or Bentall-procedures, n = 86). The QoL was compared within these groups and to the normal population, including myocardial infarction (MI), coronary artery disease (CAD) and cancer (CAN) patients; (3) Results: 83 patients were males (68.6%) with a mean age of 62.0 ± 12.5 years. Early postoperative outcomes showed comparable results between groups A and B, with a higher re-thoracotomy rate in B (A: 0.0% vs. B: 22.1%, p = 0.002). The 30-day mortality was zero. Overall, mortality during the follow-up was 7.4%. The SF-36 showed a significant decay in both the Physical (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) in comparison to the normal population (PCS: 41.1 vs. 48.4, p < 0.001; MCS: 42.1 vs. 50.9, p < 0.001) but without significant difference between both groups. Compared to the MI and CAD patients, significantly higher PCS but lower MCS scores were detected (p < 0.05); (4) Conclusions: Replacement of the ascending aorta shows low risk regarding the operative and postoperative outcomes with satisfying long-term results in the QoL. The extent of the surgical procedure does not influence the postoperative QoL.