Published Papers

Appraisal of Clinical, Psychosocial, and Environmental Health of Elderly in Saudi Arabia: A Household Survey.

Sulaiman A. Al-Shammari, FRCGP (UK), Yagob Al Mazrou, FRCGP (UK), Jamal S. Jarallah, MRCGP (UK)

Lubna Al Ansary, MRCGP (UK), M. El Shabrawy Ali, PH.D. (UK), Elijah amgboye, PH.D. (Lond) College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh

Abstract

This was a cross-sectional national survey of the elderly population of Saudi Arabia conducted between January 1994 and December 1995. The participants' physical, mental, social, and environmental health status were assessed in a personal interview during which a structured data form was completed by a trained research team. Data on 6,139 elderly participants have been analyzed: 64.2 percent were males mean age: 69.2 + 7.8 years which was higher than females 68.0 + 7.6 years (P < 0.0001). The widowhood (46.7%) status was also higher than the widower hood (4.1%) and 9.3 percent of the participants were never married. The proportion of female illiterates (95.8%) was higher than the males (71.4%). The proportion of participants with definite psychopathology was 33.8 percent and this increased with age and higher among females than males. Overall, 18.8 percent were dependent on others for ADL. Other clinical findings included visual impairment (46.1%) and difficulty in hearing (19.9%). However, a sizeable majority (72.2%) enjoyed good health. Only 3.7 percent lived alone. The proportion of the elderly taking part in any recreational exercise was 14.7 percent and only 4.3 percent had any experience of physical therapy. There were no special hospital wards for the elderly patients, and they were treated by general physicians.

Family Practice in Saudi Arabia: Chronic Morbidity and Quality of Care.

Sulaiman A. Al-Shammari, Mohammad Nass, Mohamed Al-Maatouq, Joharah Al-Quaiz

Over a one-year-period, 2990 patients attended a primary health care practice in urban Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Of these, 33.5% had chronic disorders. Clinically significant obesity (BMI > 29.9 Kg/m2) was present in 24.5% of those with chronic disorders.

Musculoskeletal disorders, diabetes mellitus (DM), digestive disorders and cardiovascular disease accounted for 38%, 36%, 24% and 22% of encounters respectively. Uncontrolled DM was encountered in 7.1% while uncontrolled systolic hypertension was present in 28.8% of patients with these disorders. A significant proportion (42%) of patients with bronchial asthma required emergency management. Symptomatic relief was obtained in 57% of patients with irritable bowel and 87% of patients with osteoarthritis of the knees.

The results point to a trend of morbidity similar to that encountered in developed nations with affluence and sedentary life style. There is a need to focus on obesity, life style measures that reduce weight would be expected to positively influence diabetes, hypertension and osteoarthritis of the knees. Monitoring of outcome measures would help identify areas of improvement and preventive measures.

Key words: Family practice, morbidity, quality.

Click here to download List of Publications of each doctor in Family Medicine:

Dr.Ahmed I.AlBarrak (FM).pdf