AHMED Alhowimel

Dr. AHMED Alhowimel

Prince Sattam bin Abdualziz University
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

9Years (2018-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 December 2021 in Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
Verified
Journal Article
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AAAHMED Alhowimel
AHMED Alhowimel
MAMazyad A Alotaibi
Mazyad A Alotaibi
AAAqeel M Alenazi
Aqeel M Alenazi
BABader A Alqahtani
Bader A Alqahtani
MAMansour Abdullah Alshehri
Mansour Abdullah Alshehri
FAFaris Alodaibi
Faris Alodaibi
Objective: Previous evidence has recommended conservative interventions as the best treatment in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP). However, the influence of psychosocial factors on the treatment outcomes is unclear. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to address the psychosocial factors that influence changes in pain and disability in patients with CLBP after a guideline-based conservative intervention. Methods: Four electronic databases were systematically searched from inception until September 2020 for prospective studies examining the relationship between psychosocial factors and the outcomes of pain and disability after conservative intervention. All included studies were selected, extracted, and critically evaluated by two independent reviewers. Results: In total, 15 studies were included in this systematic review. The results support the link between the baseline fear of movement, depression, self-efficacy, and catastrophizing with future functional disability outcomes after conservative interventions. However, these factors were less likely to predict changes in pain intensity outcomes after conservative interventions. Self-efficacy seems to mediate between some of the baseline psychosocial factors (eg, fear) and future pain and disability. Conclusion: Fear of movement, self-efficacy, catastrophizing and depression were consistently reported to predict disability outcomes irrespective of the type of conservative intervention. This highlights the importance of addressing these factors in conservative management of CLBP.

15 March 2023 in Healthcare
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Journal Article
Open access
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AAAnas Elyas Ahmed
Anas Elyas Ahmed
SASuhaila Abdalkarim Ali
Suhaila Abdalkarim Ali
MZMaria Zenida
Maria Zenida
MBMaisa Ali Hussein Baiti
Maisa Ali Hussein Baiti
AAAtyaf Abbas Yahya Alhazmi
Atyaf Abbas Yahya Alhazmi
SASiddig Ibrahim Abdelwahab
Siddig Ibrahim Abdelwahab
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common long-term complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Additionally, various factors, such as socio-demographics, type of DM, fasting blood glucose, regular diabetes monitoring, comorbid chronic diseases, HbA1c, body mass index (BMI), and duration of DM, are also thought to predispose individuals to developing UTIs more frequently when they have DM. This research aims to evaluate the risk factors for UTIs and their prevalence among people with DM in Saudi Arabia (KSA). This cross-sectional study was conducted among 440 adults with type 1, type 2, and gestational DM. The participants had to be at least 18 years old, of both genders, and had been suffering from DM for any period of time. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized to collect data on demographic characteristics, such as sex, age, height, weight, material state, education level, income, and clinical profiles of DM and UTI. The crude (COR) and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were calculated using logistic regression in the IBM SPSS software. The incidence of types 1 and 2 DM and gestational diabetes reached 34.1, 60.9, and 5%, respectively. Most of the participants had first-degree relatives with DM (65.9%). UTI was common in 39.3% of participants. A chi-squared statistical analysis revealed that the frequency of UTI varied depending (χ2 = 5.176, P = 0.023) on the type of DM. Burning urination and abdominal pain were the most common symptoms. The CORs for sex, marital status, hypertension, and BMI were significant (P < 0.05) and had values of 2.68 (95% CI = 1.78–4.02), 0.57 (95% CI = 0.36–0.92), 1.97 (95% CI = 1.14–3.43), and 2.83 (95% CI = 1.19–2.99), respectively. According to the adjusted model, only sex influenced the occurrence of UTIs. The AOR for sex was 3.45 (95% CI = 2.08–5.69). Based on this study, the authorities related to the health of DM patients can use its findings to guide awareness programs and clinical preparedness.

10 April 2023 in Diagnostics
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Journal Article
Open access
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AAAqeel Alenazi
Aqeel Alenazi
AAAHMED Alhowimel
AHMED Alhowimel
MAMohammed Alshehri
Mohammed Alshehri
BABader Alqahtani
Bader Alqahtani
NANorah Alhwoaimel
Norah Alhwoaimel
PKPatricia M. Kluding
Patricia M. Kluding
Diabetes mellitus (DM) and osteoarthritis (OA) are chronic noncommunicable diseases that affect millions of people worldwide. OA and DM are prevalent worldwide and associated with chronic pain and disability. Evidence suggests that DM and OA coexist within the same population. The coexistence of DM in patients with OA has been linked to the development and progression of the disease. Furthermore, DM is associated with a greater degree of osteoarthritic pain. Numerous risk factors are common to both DM and OA. Age, sex, race, and metabolic diseases (e.g., obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia) have been identified as risk factors. These risk factors (demographics and metabolic disorder) are associated with DM or OA. Other possible factors may include sleep disorders and depression. Medications for metabolic syndromes might be related to the incidence and progression of OA, with conflicting results. Given the growing body of evidence indicating a relationship between DM and OA, it is vital to analyze, interpret, and integrate these findings. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to evaluate the evidence on the prevalence, relationship, pain, and risk factors of both DM and OA. The research was limited to knee, hip, and hand OA.

22 June 2020 in BMJ Open
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Journal Article
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MAMansour Abdullah Alshehri
Mansour Abdullah Alshehri
HAHosam Alzahrani
Hosam Alzahrani
MAMazyad Alotaibi
Mazyad Alotaibi
AAAHMED Alhowimel
AHMED Alhowimel
OKOmar Khoja
Omar Khoja
Objectives The main aim of this study was to investigate physiotherapists’ pain attitudes and beliefs towardss non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) and identify whether they are associated with treatment selection. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Saudi Arabia (SA). Participants An online survey was distributed to physiotherapists from April 2018 to January 2019. Primary and secondary outcome measures (1) Biomedical and biopsychosocial treatment orientations were assessed using the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists. (2) Frequent potential treatments used by physiotherapists for individuals with NSCLBP were identified through a 20-item survey. (3) The association between physiotherapists’ pain attitudes and beliefs and treatment selection was investigated. Descriptive analysis, Pearson’s correlation and multinomial logistic regression were used to analyse the data using SPSS (V.26). Results A total of 304 responses were included in the analysis. The biomedical (34.45±7.84) and biopsychosocial (31.74±5.67) treatment orientations were relatively low. The most frequent treatments used by physiotherapists were home exercises (87.1%), patient education (82.0%), specific back exercises (80.6%), electrotherapy (61.9%), soft tissue release (58.8%) and spinal mobilisation or manipulation (57.8%). Physiotherapists with a stronger biomedical treatment orientation were more likely to use treatments (p<0.05) such as specific back exercises, electrotherapy, soft tissue release, hydrotherapy, massage, lumbar supports and acupuncture. However, physiotherapists with a stronger biopsychosocial treatment orientation were more likely to use cognitive functional therapy (p<0.01). Conclusions Biomedical and biopsychosocial treatment orientations were relatively low among physiotherapists in SA. Although treatments such as home exercises and patient education were frequently used, some passive and traditional treatments not recommended by clinical practice guidelines continue to be commonly used by physiotherapists in SA. This study has confirmed that physiotherapists’ pain attitudes and beliefs are significantly associated with treatment selection when managing individuals with NSCLBP. Trial registration number Researchregistry3944.

OAOthman Youssef Alkassabi
Othman Youssef Alkassabi
LVLennard Voogt
Lennard Voogt
PAPamela Andrews
Pamela Andrews
AAAHMED Alhowimel
AHMED Alhowimel
Jo NijsJo Nijs
Jo Nijs
Hana AlSobayelHana AlSobayel
Hana AlSobayel
Background: Musculoskeletal (MSK) injury is one of the major causes of persistent pain. Objective: This systematic literature review explored the factors that lead to persistent pain following a MSK injury in the general population, including athletes. Methods: A primary literature search of five electronic databases was performed to identify cohort, prospective, and longitudinal trials. Studies of adults who diagnosed with a MSK injury, such as sprains, strains or trauma, were included. Results: Eighteen studies involving 5372 participants were included in this review. Participants’ ages ranged from 18–95 years. Most of the included studies were of prospective longitudinal design. Participants had a variety of MSK injuries (traumatic and non-traumatic) causing persistent pain. Multiple factors were identified as influencing the development of persistent pain following a MSK injury, including high pain intensity at baseline, post-traumatic stress syndrome, presence of medical comorbidities, and fear of movement. Scarcity of existing literature and the heterogeneity of the studies made meta-analysis not possible. Conclusions: This systematic review highlighted factors that might help predict persistent pain and disability following MSK injury in the general population, including athletes. Identification of these factors may help clinicians and other health care providers prevent the development of persistent pain following a MSK injury.

11 August 2023 in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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MAMohammed Alshehri
Mohammed Alshehri
AAAmjad M Alqhtani
Amjad M Alqhtani
SGShahd H Gharawi
Shahd H Gharawi
RSRaghad A Sharahily
Raghad A Sharahily
WFWajd A Fathi
Wajd A Fathi
AAAqeel Alenazi
Aqeel Alenazi
Background: Lower back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder that may affect students’ daily lives. Recent psychological research showed a relevant connection between LBP and multidimensional health. However, the association between LBP and lifestyle behavior has not been established, and improving knowledge in this area may help develop preventive strategies and optimize college students’ quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1420 college students in Saudi Arabia was conducted, and participants who attended Saudi Universities were recruited from May 2021 to November 2021. An established validated online survey assessed LBP, sleep quality, time spent sedentary (sedentary duration), health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, interpersonal relationships, and stress management. Generalized Linear Regression was used to assess the associations between LBP severity and lifestyle behaviors after controlling for covariates. Results: LBP was prevalent among college students from Saudi Arabia. Most of the sample were young (23.81 ± 6.02), and female (83.7%). There were significant differences between students with and without LBP regarding age, BMI, sex, marital status, pain severity, overall lifestyle behavior, health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, stress management, and global sleep quality. After controlling for age, BMI, sex, and marital status, there were significant associations between pain severity and global sleep quality (ß=0.2, p < .001, CI: 16 to 0.24), and sedentary duration (ß=0.03, p = .01, CI:0.009 to 0.06). Conclusions: This study helped define the prevalence of LBP in college students in Saudi Arabia and evaluated the association between LBP and lifestyle behaviors. The findings showed that students with higher levels of poor sleep quality or sedentary behavior had higher levels of pain. Promoting sleep quality and reducing sedentary behavior may help establish preventive strategies for LBP in college students.