Objective: To examine the ability to use Quantitative Ultrasonography (QUS) densitometer for screening of osteoporosis and osteopenia by comparing QUS values obtained at the calcaneus region to bone mineral density (BMD) values measured at the spine and the neck of the femur using Dual Energy X-ray Absorbemetry (DXA).Methods: QUS (in the calcaneus region) and DXA (the spine and the neck of femur respectively) measurements were performed in 101 females.Results: The precision of the QUS parameters varied from 1.77-1.78, whereas the reliability ranged from 92.2%-98.6%. For the QUS parameters variability between subjects was greater than that within subjects. Positive correlation were found between stiffness index (SI) and BMDspine and BMDN.femur (r= 0.29 & r=0.25 respectively, P < 0.05) and a strong positive correlation between T-score calcaneus and both T-score Spine and T-score N.femur (r= 0.5 & r=0.58 respectively, P < 0.01).Conclusions: QUS is a reliable technique to be used in combination with DXA for the investigation of osteopenia and osteoporosis.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.12669/pjms.322.9757How to cite this:Hammad LF. Measurements of bone mineral density and stiffness index in young Saudi females. Pak J Med Sci. 2016;32(2):399-402.

BACKGROUND: The effect of maternal infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on the fetus is unclear, and there is no data from Saudi Arabia.OBJECTIVE: Assess the effect of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on fetal growth.DESIGN: Retrospective case-controlSETTING: Tertiary care hospital, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaPATIENTS AND METHODS: We selected pregnant women who underwent an obstetric growth scan and umbilical artery Doppler ultra-sound examination between 28 and 41 weeks of pregnancy. Women with multiple pregnancy, fetal abnormalities, maternal body mass index >30, maternal hypertension, any other chronic diseases that might affect fetal growth or pregnant women suffering from cancer were excluded. Fetal growth parameters assessed included fetal biometry (biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length). We also did an umbilical artery Doppler assessment, which includes the umbilical artery pulsatility index, resistive index and the systolic/diastolic ratio.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Fetal biometry and biophysical profileSAMPLE SIZE: 48 SARS-CoV-2; 98 non-SARS-CoV-2RESULTS: More women who had recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection had small for gestational age fetuses compared with the control group (P=.001).CONCLUSION: Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy was associated with a higher prevalence of small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses.LIMITATIONS: Retrospective, middle cerebral artery and uterine artery Doppler data were not included nor were the effect of tobacco use and socioeconomic status, the relationship between the date of infection with the date of conceiving or the relationship between the severity of infection in the mother and fetal biometry and growth.CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate bone mineral density (BMD) in young Saudi females (20-25 years) using Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), as it is a widely utilized modality for the measurement of BMD, used for the diagnosis of osteoporosis and osteopenia.Methods: BMD measurements were performed in the spine and the neck of the femur in 101 young females.Results: 37% and 34% patients had osteopenia in the spine and the neck of the femur respectively, BMD values = 0.98 and 0.81 gm/cm2 respectively). Whereas 5% had osteoporosis in the spine area, BMD values = 0.82 gm/cm2). Of the 101 subjects, 53 (52.5%) young females did not suffer from osteopenia in either both site, whereas 23 (22.7%) females had osteopenia in both sites, the remaining 25 subjects (25% of the subject included) had either osteopenia or osteoporosis in one of the sites. A strong association between BMD values with weight was found.Conclusions: We found that one third of the young Saudi females sampled suffer from osteopenia. Additionally, body weight has a positive relationship with bone mineral density.doi: http://dx.doi.org/>10.12669/pjms.313.7264How to cite this:Hammad LF. Bone mineral density in university aged Saudi females. Pak J Med Sci 2015;31(3):556-560.

Background/Objectives: Muscle thickness and stiffness near the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) site may influence vascular access function in hemodialysis patients. This exploratory study aimed primarily to describe differences in muscle thickness and stiffness between the AVF-bearing and contralateral limbs, and secondarily to examine whether these parameters were associated with AVF maturation. This study aimed to compare these muscle parameters between the AVF and contralateral sides and to evaluate their relationship with AVF maturation status. Methods: Thirty participants undergoing hemodialysis were included, comprising 22 with mature AVFs and 8 with non-mature AVFs. Ultrasound examinations measured muscle thickness and stiffness using Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) of the biceps brachii and brachioradialis muscles. Volume flow was recorded in the draining vein and feeding artery. Statistical analyses included paired comparisons, group comparisons, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regression models. Results: Brachioradialis thickness was significantly reduced on the AVF side compared with the contralateral side (p = 0.013, Cohen’s d = –0.95), particularly in forearm (radiocephalic) fistulas (Wilcoxon p = 0.014, Cohen’s d = –0.95), indicating localized muscle atrophy. No significant side-to-side differences were found for biceps brachii thickness or for stiffness in either muscle (all p > 0.1). Comparisons between mature and non-mature AVF groups showed no significant differences in muscle parameters on the AVF side (all p > 0.4). Conclusions: AVF may lead to asymmetric muscle changes, especially a reduction in brachioradialis thickness, regardless of maturation status, which could affect forearm function. Nevertheless, muscle thickness and stiffness do not appear to predict AVF maturity or vascular access success directly.

Background :Radiological imaging plays a crucial role in medical diagnosis. However, the equipment and accessories used increase the risk of transmission of nosocomial bacteria. Objective : The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the level and types of microbiological contamination in four diagnostic imaging hospital departments in order to identify their possible role in the spread of nosocomial bacteria and to assess the effectiveness of routine daily disinfection practices in the control of microorganisms in diagnostic imaging departments. Methods & results: Swabs were collected from the surfaces of selected parts of the equipment and accessories in each department three times daily (early morning, midday, and evening) for five successive days. Bacteria were isolated from 65 swabs (36.1% of all samples). The bacteria were isolated 3 times (4.6%) in the morning, 16 times (24.6%) at midday, and 46 times (70.7%) in the evening. The bacteria isolated were Escherichia coli (isolated 34 times; 52.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (20 times; 30.8%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (6 times; 9.3%), and Klebsiella species (5 times; 7.7%). Discussion & conclusion: Findings demonstrated that radiology equipment and accessories are not free of bacteria and further improvements in the sterilization and disinfection of radiology equipment and accessories are needed to protect staff and patients from nosocomial infections. Funding: This research was supported by a grant from the “Research Center of the Female Scientific and Medical Colleges”, Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: The study protocol was approved by the King Saud 109 University Scientific Committee (ethics number: CAMS 063-3839).

Work context is essential to understand in relation to handle the stress at work that ultimately creates a feeling of satisfaction or dissatisfaction among health professionals. The current study was conducted to investigate the relationship of work context and work stress among sonographers (n=153) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the study provided a gender-based comparison of both variables among sonographers. Work context was measured by administering subscale of work context derived from Work Design Questionnaire. Whereas, work stress was measured by Job Stress Scale. In addition, relationship of lifestyle was explored with work context and work stress. Data was collected through survey research forms. Results revealed the significant relationship of work context and work stress (r=.251, p=.002). Among lifestyle variables, perceived good health (r= .214, p=.008) and sleep (r=.242. p=.003) were found positively related with satisfaction toward work. Whereas, the strong positive correlation was found between work context and frequency of physical activity (r=.255, p=.005). No significant difference was found among male and female sonographers. The findings of this study contributed to evaluating the working condition of sonographers in relation to work stress. Effective strategies for better working settings as well as strategies for achieving satisfaction in work will be discussed to enhance the performance of sonographers.