Our study aims to observe the levels of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) associated with sickle cell disease (SCD) and premarital genetic counseling (PMGC) in 351 Saudi adults. The relationships between KAP levels and sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, marital status, and educational level) were observed. The study was conducted in King Khalid University Hospital between February 21, 2017, and March 7, 2018. A total of 351 Saudi participants attending the primary care clinic were selected using convenience sampling and were given a self-administered questionnaire. Overall, the 351 participants had the best attitude (41% scoring “good”), followed by knowledge (28.8%), and, lastly, practice (19.1%). Out of the sociodemographic characteristics, age group was the most statistically significant in all the three categories (knowledge, attitude, and practice). The > 50-year age group performed the worst in all the three categories. Despite the advancements in public healthcare measures in Saudi Arabia, our study revealed that there are still many gaps to be filled regarding the knowledge, attitude, and practice associated with SCD and PMGC.

Aim: To find out the incidence rate of post-thyroidectomy immediate hypocalcemia within 48 hours and explore the association of pre-operative vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted among 122 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy over one year (from January 2018 to December 2018) in Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After thyroidectomy, all patients were admitted and observed for at least 24-48 hours. The postoperative hypocalcemia, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), phosphate (PO4), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and vitamin D level were collected.Results: During 2018 a total of 122 (mean age 41.6±1.2 years; females 90.2%) patients underwent total thyroidectomy. The mean calcium level in the first two days was 2.07 mmol/L and 2.01 mmol/L. Most of the cases of hypocalcemia occurred on day 1 postoperatively. Hypocalcemia mainly occurs in patients with benign pathology. The level of vitamin D in those patients with benign pathology was significantly lower as compared to those with malignant pathology (49±23 vs 62±25; P=0.009). The overall mean level of vitamin D was 54.6±25 (50-150 nmol/L). Interestingly, there were no correlation between pre-operative vitamin D, PTH level and postoperative hypocalcemia. There were no statistically significant differences between postoperative hypocalcemia with other parameters except for pre-operative alkaline phosphatase which was barely positive (P=0.052).Conclusion: The outcomes of this study manifestly illustrated that a significant decline in calcium level after the surgery. In contrast to previous studies, our findings did not show a significant correlation between vitamin D level and hypocalcemia. This could be due to small sample size. Furthermore, the mean level of vitamin D in our cohort was 54 which was within the normal range. Further, well-designed randomized controlled trials with greater sample sizes are necessary to validate our findings.

The aim of this study was to report a unique case of microsporidial keratitis over deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy surgery that was successfully treated with therapeutic lamellar keratoplasty without recurrence at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The patient presented with recurrent attacks of eye pain, redness, photophobia, and decreased vision. The patient was initially treated as a case of presumed herpetic keratouveitis using antiviral medication and topical steroids with partial improvement. During the last episode, the condition deteriorated and patient underwent therapeutic lamellar keratoplasty. Histopathology indicated an infected graft with evidence of microsporidial infection. The patient was discharged with complete corneal epithelial healing and no signs of recurrence during follow-up. Microsporidial infection is a rare cause of stromal keratitis that affects both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients. Microsporidia should be suspected after surface ablation refractive surgery if the patient presents with recurrent symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis or stromal keratitis that are partially responsive to topical steroid therapy.