No abstract

Background Psychological distress is one of the major determinants for the experience progression, and recovery of chronic pain. However, it is unclear whether physical pain in specific body sites could be predictive of psychological illness. In this study, we aim to investigate the link between chronic pain in specific anatomical sites and psychological distress represented in the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12 items). Methods A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Al Kharj region of Saudi Arabia. We included 1003 participants. Data were collected using the GHQ-12, and a subjective report on eight anatomical pain sites. Data analysis used statistical software SPSS version 26.0 for Windows statistical package. Results Chronic musculoskeletal pain in the neck and head regions was significantly associated with higher psychological distress. Other sites (back, lower limb, chest, abdominal and upper limb pain) were not associated with psychological distress. In multiple regression analysis, chronic ‘general’ pain was significantly associated with higher psychological distress (unstandardized Beta regression coefficient = 2.568; P < 0.0001). The patients with younger age were more likely to develop negative psychological disorders (unstandardized Beta = − 3.137; P = 0.038). Females were more likely to have higher psychological distress than males (unstandardized Beta = 2.464, P = 0.003). Single (not-married) people have a higher risk of psychological distress than married people (unstandardized Beta = 2.518, P = 0.025). Also, job type/status whether being unemployed (not working) or ‘civilian’ (civil servant/worker) was positively and significantly associated with an increased probability of psychological distress (unstandardized Beta = 1.436, P = 0.019). Conclusion Chronic ‘general’ pain was significantly associated with negative psychological disorders. The government of Saudi Arabia needs to focus on patients with chronic ‘general’ pain, females, young and unmarried individuals as potentially ‘high-risk’ population subgroups for adverse psychological disorders, and subsequent long-term complications.

To investigate the association between plasma homocysteine (Hcy) status and metabolic syndrome (MS) among Saudi patients attending King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A record-based cross-sectional study of 446 patients was carried out. All consecutive plasma Hcy levels from 2015 to 2018 were extracted. International Diabetes Federation criteria for MS were used to classify the patients. A multivariate regression model was Original Article developed to examine the associations between plasma Hcy and MS. Results: The mean plasma Hcy level was 10.52 µmol/L, and 40% of the patients exhibited elevated Hcy status. Male patients had significantly elevated Hcy levels compared to female patients (p<0.001). In addition, plasma Hcy levels were significantly higher in patients diagnosed with diabetes (p=0.021) and hypertension (p<0.001). The prevalence of MS within the study population was 51%. Homocysteine levels were associated with the presence of MS independent of demographic, anthropometric and biochemical variables (odd ratio 1.018; 95% confidence intervals 1.011-1.047). Conclusion: Plasma Hcy levels were elevated in 40% of the MS patients. Homocysteine had weak association with the presence of MS. Additionally, it was associated with some of its components individually. This study has raised the importance of investigating the association between Hcy status and MS among a representative sample of Saudi population. Additionally, examining possible association and interaction between Hcy level and specific component of MS is suggested to be explored in future studies.

No abstract

No abstract