Objectives:To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of primary care physicians (PCPs) toward topical corticosteroids (TCs).Methods:A cross-sectional, 53-item questionnaire based study on TCs was conducted among PCPs in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between January and March 2015. A maximum score of 30 was calculated for the knowledge portion.Results:Out of 420 PCPs, 336 responded (80%). Most participants (89.6%) reported prescribing TCs. The mean knowledge score was 17.14 (SD=5.48). Only 39% PCPs correctly identified that there are 7 or 4 TCs potency groups (2 different classification systems). The MBBS/MD and diploma-certified physicians scored lower than board-qualified PCPs (p<0.05). Family medicine physicians scored higher than general practitioners (GPs) (p<0.05). Hospital-based PCPs scored better than private practice PCPs (p<0.05). Moreover, those who felt somewhat comfortable (32.5%) in treating dermatology patients were more knowledgeable (p<0.05). Lastly, 76.5% of physicians were interested in attending courses on dermatologic therapies.Conclusion:Knowledge of TCs among PCPs was inadequate. Targeted educational interventions delivered by dermatologists are recommended.

BackgroundMucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is an autoimmune blistering disease that is notoriously difficult to treat. Nail involvement in MMP is rare.Case presentationWe report on a 58 years old man with severe MMP who presented with onychomadesis.ConclusionTo our knowledge, mucous membrane pemphigoid associated paronychia and onychomadesis have not been reported before. We believe it is important for dermatologists to be aware of this entity.

Aims and Objectives: Increase of childhood obesity prevalence and rapid changes in socio-economic status resulted in a decline in age at menarche, which contributes, to a number of diseases affecting women’s future health. The objective of this study is to assess the mean age at menarche in girls of ages 9-16 and observe its relationship with their body mass index and other covariates in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 304 female students of both private and governmental schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during March –May 2013. Data on demographics, socioeconomic status, physical activity, diet, and age at menarche were collected from students and their mothers, using self-administered questionnaires. Physical examinations were conducted to collect the anthropometric measurements. Results: Out of 304 students with a mean age (SD) of 12.52(2.08), 165 (54.3%) attained menarche. Mean menarcheal age (SD) for the girls was 12.08 (1.28). The mother’s mean age at menarche was positively correlated with their daughters (r=0.411, P<0.001). There was no significant correlation between BMI and age at menarche (P>0.05).  Governmental school students attained menarche at a higher age (12.34) than private school students (11.59), and the difference between them was statistically significant (P<0.001).Conclusion: Schoolgirls in our study attained menarche at an early age with a mean menarcheal age of 12.08 years. Our data follows the globally and regionally observed declining trends of age at menarche. When assessing BMI as an influencing factor of onset of menarche, our results showed no correlation. Further longitudinal studies are encouraged to monitor factors influencing the onset of menstruation, in order to prevent the potentially adverse consequences of early menarche.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(2) 2015 5-12

To analyze the quantity and characteristics of Saudi Arabia's (SA's) dermatology research publications throughout the years.

No abstract