Forensic odontology contributes to human identification, age estimation, and medico-legal documentation, yet dental personnel’s preparedness in many regions is unclear. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding forensic odontology and dental record-keeping among dental students, interns, and practitioners in the Aseer region, Saudi Arabia, and examined the associations among the three domains. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 73 dental personnel across multiple institutions in Abha and Khamis Mushait. Participants were recruited by convenience sampling; the study was designed as a preliminary, single-region assessment. A structured questionnaire assessed knowledge (six single-best-answer items), attitudes (four pro-field Likert items), and record-keeping practices (three adequacy items). Knowledge was categorised using Bloom’s cut-offs. Non-parametric tests (Mann–Whitney, Kruskal–Wallis) and Spearman correlations were used; internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach’s α. Overall knowledge was low (mean 40.6
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:Regardless of patient characteristics, current CT imaging techniques usually use standardised radiation settings, which could lead to needless radiation exposure, especially in smaller or lighter patients. Based on unique patient characteristics, this one-size-fits-all method falls short of optimizing the crucial balance between radiation dose and diagnostic image quality. The clinical problem addressed is the lack of evidence-based, patient-specific CT protocols that consider body habitus and sex-related anatomical differences to minimize radiation exposure while preserving diagnostic accuracy. This study aimed to quantify the relationships between radiation dose, as assessed by dose-length product (DLP), patient body weight, and sex across different CT scanner models, to develop individualised protocol recommendations for optimal radiation dose management. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted on CT scan data of 900 adult patients who underwent head, chest, or abdomen-pelvis CT examinations across 10 different multi-detector CT scanners. The correlation between dose-length product (DLP) and body weight was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Mean dose-length product values were compared between males and females using an independent-samples t-test and across CT scanner models using a one-way ANOVA. Linear regression analysis was performed to establish predictive relationships between DLP and patient characteristics, with facility-specific correction factors developed for dose standardisation. Sex-specific regression models were created, and facility-specific correction factors were calculated to standardize dose comparisons across patient populations. RESULTS:We found a strong positive correlation between DLP and patient body weight (r = 0.61, p < 0.001), and this correlation varied across CT scanner models (r = 0.53-0.71). Mean dose-length product was markedly higher in male patients than in females (p = 0.002). A range of DLP differences was noted for the same examination type across multiple CT scanners (up to 46% difference in mean DLP). In some scanners, dose-length product values exceeded the recommended diagnostic reference levels. Mean DLP values were 758 ± 292, 524 ± 232, and 893 ± 419 mGy cm for head, chest, and abdomen-pelvis CT, respectively. Corresponding mean effective doses were 1.68 ± 0.58, 7.54 ± 2.98, and 14.05 ± 6.01 mSv. Sex-specific regression equations were established: Male dose-length product = -1134.33 + 27.13 × Weight; Female dose-length product = -1166.33 + 27.24 × Weight (both p < 0.001). Weight-stratified analysis showed DLP variations of 15-20% across weight categories (45-60 kg, 60-75 kg, 75-90 kg). After weight normalization, sex-adjusted DLP values showed 8.2% higher doses in males (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION:Major differences are found between men and women. This study showed a strong positive correlation between body weight and dose-length product, which indicates that patient characteristics have a major influence on radiation exposure during CT scans. The urgent need for dosage standardization is demonstrated by the significant discrepancies amongst scanners as well as the fact that 26% exceed diagnostic reference limits (DRLs). For the development of weight and sex-adjusted CT techniques, these quantitative correlations offer evidence-based suggestions. Such an attempt may allow to reduce 10-20% dose reductions in individuals having lower body weights without compromising diagnostic accuracy.
Background: Patients with malignancy demonstrate an elevated risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) due to coagulopathy and treatment modalities. Although low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and warfarin have historically been standard therapies, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are increasingly used in this population. Methods: We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis to compare the safety and efficacy of apixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban, LMWH, and warfarin in cancer-associated VTE. A comprehensive literature search of Embase, Medline, clinical trial registries, and manual sources was performed up to November 2025. The primary outcome was to compare the risk of VTE recurrence across therapies. Secondary outcomes included major bleeding, clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB), and all-cause mortality. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% credible intervals (CrIs) were estimated, and treatment rankings were derived using the surface under the cumulative ranking curves (SUCRA) probabilities. Results: Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 3325 patients were included. No clear evidence of differences was observed among apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, low-molecular-weight heparin, and warfarin for VTE recurrence, major bleeding, clinically relevant non-major bleeding, and mortality. For instance, rivaroxaban showed no statistically significant difference in VTE recurrence compared with apixaban (OR 1.13; 95% CrI 0.17-12.27), warfarin (OR 0.60; 95% CrI 0.03-19.00), edoxaban (OR 0.77; 95% CrI 0.06-11.11), or LMWH (OR 0.51; 95% CrI 0.10-2.66). Wide credible intervals reflect uncertainty due to the limited number of RCTs and low event rates. Conclusions: This Bayesian network meta-analysis showed no statistically significant differences between therapies with respect to VTE recurrence, bleeding outcomes, and mortality. However, the wide credible intervals indicate limited precision, warranting cautious interpretation of the findings.
Stroke remains an important healthcare issue globally, as it causes substantial morbidity and mortality in the population. The relationship between length of stay (LOS) and the functional outcomes of stroke rehabilitation has become an increasingly important area of investigation. Substantial research supports the idea that an extended rehabilitation stay is associated with enhanced functional recovery. This study aimed to explore the relationship between functional recovery, measured using the functional independence measure (FIM), and the LOS, and to analyze the possible predictability of functional recovery by the LOS for stroke patients who underwent an intensive rehabilitation program at the inpatient rehabilitation facility. This retrospective cohort study utilized existing data from the medical records of stroke patients who had undergone an intensive rehabilitation program at 2 tertiary centers in Riyadh city with an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to explore the association between FIM scores and LOS. The total included sample was subdivided according to LOS to explore the association between the FIM and other sample demographics and clinical characteristics. A total sample size of 400 was divided into 3 groups: short LOS (≤ 30 days) (n = 134), moderate LOS (31–60 days) (n = 234), and long LOS (> 61 days) (n = 32), with mean standard deviation age of 60.3 ± 14.3, 59.9 ± 13.8, and 60.1 ± 15.6 years, respectively. Total-FIM and motor-FIM gains were significantly lower in the short LOS group than in the long LOS group, while motor-FIM gain was also significantly lower in the moderate LOS group. No significant association was found between LOS groups and cognitive-FIM gain. Rehabilitation programs involved diverse interventions delivered through all rehabilitation therapies. Patients with longer rehabilitation duration achieved significantly greater total-FIM and motor-FIM gains, particularly compared with those in the short LOS group. Moderate LOS was also associated with lower motor-FIM gain than long LOS. In contrast, cognitive-FIM gain was not significantly associated with LOS, suggesting that overall and motor recovery may benefit more consistently from longer inpatient rehabilitation duration.
Background: Infant swaddling that restricts physiological hip flexion and abduction has been identified as a modifiable postnatal risk factor for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Despite increasing biomechanical evidence linking improper swaddling techniques to adverse hip development, caregiver-related determinants of hip-safe swaddling practices remain insufficiently characterized in Middle Eastern populations. Objective: To assess maternal knowledge of DDH and safe swaddling practices and to examine socio-demographic and informational factors associated with knowledge adequacy among mothers residing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among mothers with at least one child aged ≤ 5 years living in Riyadh. Data were collected using a previously validated questionnaire assessing DDH awareness and swaddling practices. Knowledge scores were calculated and categorized using predefined thresholds. Associations between socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge levels were examined using Pearson’s Chi-squared test. Results: Among 436 respondents, the mean DDH knowledge score was 67%, while knowledge of correct swaddling practices averaged 46.9%. Higher maternal educational attainment and receiving infant care information from healthcare professionals were independently associated with adequate DDH knowledge. Early DDH screening before 6 months of age was also independently associated with adequate swaddling-related knowledge. Reliance on informal information sources, including family members and social networks, was more frequently observed among participants with lower knowledge scores. Conclusion: Maternal awareness of DDH does not consistently translate into knowledge of appropriate hip-safe swaddling techniques. Integration of anticipatory guidance on safe infant positioning into routine pediatric preventive care may represent a modifiable pathway for reducing caregiver-related DDH risk exposures during early infancy.
