Objective: Medication adherence is defined as taking medications as advised and prescribed by health care professionals for stated duration. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic illnesses in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to document medication adherence in Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi outpatients with type 2 DM in the city of Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The study used the General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS) to document medication adherence in this population. Data was analyzed through SPSS version 23. Study was ethically approved. Results: Data was collected from 212 patients. Few patients (35.8%) had high adherence to anti diabetic medications. The correlation between Hb A1c level and adherence score was negative and significantly strong (ρ =-0.413, p < 0.0001). Most patients (N = 126, 59.4%) modified their medication therapy during month of Ramadan and on Eid occassion. Education level was not a determinant of adherence in this population. Conclusion: This study highlighted that medication adherence is influenced by religious and social factors. Patient counseling is required to improve patient beliefs and increase awareness of adhering to prescribed anti diabetic pharmacotherapy. A pharmacist can play constructive role of a disease educator and patient counselor.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS‐Cov‐2) resulting in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is documented to have a negative psychosocial impact on patients. Home dialysis patients may be at risk of additional isolating factors affecting their mental health. The aim of this study is to describe levels of anxiety and quality of life during the COVID‐19 pandemic among home dialysis patients. This is a single‐centre survey of home dialysis patients in Toronto, Ontario. Surveys were sent to 98 home haemodialysis and 43 peritoneal dialysis patients. Validated instruments (Haemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 Item [GAD7] Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ‐9], Illness Intrusiveness Ratings Scale, Family APGAR Questionnaire and The Self Perceived Burden Scale) assessing well‐being were used. Forty of the 141 patients surveyed, participated in September 2020. The mean age was 53.1 ± 12.1 years, with 60% male, and 85% home haemodialysis, 80% of patients rated their satisfaction with dialysis at 8/10 or greater, 82% of respondents reported either “not at all” or “for several days” indicating frequency of anxiety and depressive symptoms, 79% said their illness minimally or moderately impacted their life, 76% of respondents were almost always satisfied with interactions with family members, 91% were never or sometimes worried about caregiver burden. Among our respondents, there was no indication of a negative psychosocial impact from the pandemic, despite the increased social isolation. Our data further supports the use of home dialysis as the optimal form of dialysis.

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Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with atrial thrombus formation and peripheral embolization, which leads to ischemic stroke or systemic thromboembolism. The CHADS2 score is tool for estimating risk of stroke in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients. Obesity and Low density lipoprotein (LDL) are modifiable risk factors pose a great risk for stroke and venous thromboembolism. However, data on their implication in identify thromboembolic events in patients with NVAF are quite limited. Objective: To determine whether body mass index (BMI) and Serum LDL would be give incremental information with CHADS2 scheme in predicting thromboembolic event in NVAF Saudi patients. Methodology: The study consisted of 541 patients with AF seen in our institution from 2008 to 2013 were identified in database, 175 were NVAF. Thromboembolic end points were defined as ischemic stroke and systemic embolism. During follow- up period of 730 days. BMI, LDL and CHADS2 components associated with thromboembolic end points identified by Cox regression analysis. Results: Of 175 patients with NVAF, 26 (14.9 %) patients were identified to have thromboembolic events. Majority of them had stroke. Age (>or =75 years) and Peripheral vascular disease were significant factors for thromboembolic events. Thromboembolic risk in patients had previous stroke or TIA was 38.5% (P value = .000). Events rate of thromboembolic increased when CHADS2 score increased. No statistically significant associations were observed with BMI and thromboembolic risk. Study showed LDL associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events (P value = .009) despite 61.5% of patients were in desirable level of LDL. Using a Combination of serum LDL and CHADS 2 score give additional implication on thromboembolism risk assessment (p value =.005) of NVAF patient. Conclusion: Study demonstrated LDL associated with thromboembolic risk among NVAF Saudi patients. So keeping this association in consideration during thromboembolism risk assessment In addition to the conventional CHADS2 scheme is recommended. Further study is needed to search for modifiable risk factors that are associated with increased risk thromboembolism in NVAF patient.