Background and Objectives: Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial condition that affects quality of life (QoL). Symptoms like discomfort, blurred vision, and light sensitivity can negatively impact work efficiency, productivity, and psychological well-being. This study aimed to examine the relationship between DED and QoL, identify risk factors, and estimate DED prevalence in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1062 participants from Saudi Arabia, recruited via convenience sampling. Data were collected using an online questionnaire with three sections: sociodemographic information, the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) to assess DED severity, and the Arabic WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire to evaluate QoL. Results: Among participants, 77% suffered from DED. Males (β = −9.18, p < 0.001), postgraduate degree holders (β = −13.86, p = 0.001), and individuals with income >15,000 SR (β = −5.10, p = 0.023) had lower OSDI scores compared to reference groups (females, those with high school education or lower, and those with income <5000 SR, respectively), indicating a lower DED risk. Employed individuals, students (employed: β = 10.78, p < 0.020; students: β = 10.60, p < 0.016), divorced/widowed individuals (β = 18.70, p < 0.003), and those with diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid disorders showed higher OSDI scores. Higher OSDI scores correlated with lower QoL scores across all domains (physical: β = −0.26, p < 0.001; psychological: β = −0.22, p < 0.001; social: β = −0.25, p < 0.001; environmental: β = −0.20, p < 0.001). Conclusions: DED significantly affects all QoL domains. Risk factors include occupation, diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid disorders. Awareness and prevention efforts should be prioritized by institutions, while physicians should screen for DED in patients with chronic conditions. Further research is needed on the long-term effects of these risk factors and to improve management strategies.

Introduction: Psychological distress is common among medical students worldwide. However, psychological stigma remains a significant barrier to seeking help. This study explores the association between psychological distress, stigma, and attitudes toward help-seeking among medical students in the unique cultural context of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey distributed to medical students across Saudi Arabia, yielding 1,077 completed responses. Sociodemographic data were collected, along with responses to the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), the Stigma Scale for Receiving Psychological Help (SSRPH-A), and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPPH-SF-A). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, and factor analysis. Results: Overall, 32.2% of students reported low distress, 34.5% moderate distress, and 33.4% high distress. Female students exhibited higher distress but greater openness to seeking help, while males reported higher stigma. Lower GPA and income were associated with increased distress and reduced help-seeking attitudes. Regional variations were observed, with Najran reporting the highest distress, and Madinah and Qassim showing higher openness to help-seeking. Discussion: Findings are consistent with the international studies, indicating that stigma significantly hinders service utilization despite need. Cultural norms, socioeconomic status, and educational systems further shape attitudes. Digital healthcare transformation in Saudi Arabia offers opportunities to reduce stigma and expand access. Conclusion: Psychological distress and stigma remain prevalent among Saudi medical students, influenced by gender, socioeconomic, and regional factors. Targeted, culturally informed interventions are essential to reduce psychological stigma, promote awareness, and encourage positive help-seeking behaviors within academic environments.

Despite the growing implementation of telemedicine globally, few studies have focused on its usability with individuals with disabilities. Further, while several studies have addressed general telemedicine adoption in Saudi Arabia, few have specifically examined healthcare providers’ perspectives of telemedicine usability and its use and implementation challenges for this population. This study evaluates telemedicine usability for people with disabilities using provider-level data, offering practical insights to inform inclusive digital health policies and strategies. A cross-sectional survey of 380 healthcare providers across different healthcare facilities was conducted between October 2024 and March 2025 using a structured questionnaire derived from the original Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) and Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8). Multivariate linear regression was applied to identify the predictors of telemedicine usability. Only 46.84% of the healthcare providers reported using telemedicine with individuals with disabilities. The overall TUQ scores indicated moderate usability. The CSQ-8 score was a strong positive predictor of telemedicine usability [β = 0.88, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.75-1.01, P < 0.001]. Providers with access to improved telehealth resources reported significantly higher usability (β = 2.35, 95% CI 0.04-4.66, P = 0.046), while those reporting a need for enhanced training had lower usability scores (β = −2.40, P = 0.061). Common barriers included internet connectivity (74%), inadequate tools (63%), and a lack of training (54%). Healthcare providers showed moderate usability of using telemedicine services with individuals with disabilities as well as moderate satisfaction with such services. This study identifies critical gaps in infrastructure, training, and system readiness that hinder effective digital care delivery for this population. Its novel contribution lies in its provider-focused, disability-specific evaluation of telemedicine in the Saudi healthcare context, offering actionable recommendations to support equitable and inclusive digital health transformation.

Autologous fat grafting is commonly used in breast reconstruction due to its biocompatibility and ability to restore natural contours. However, unpredictable fat resorption often requires multiple procedures. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been introduced as a biological enhancer to improve graft retention, but the evidence regarding its efficacy remains inconsistent. To systematically evaluate and compare the clinical and esthetic outcomes of PRP-enhanced autologous fat grafting versus fat grafting alone in breast reconstruction procedures. This meta-analysis included four clinical studies published between 2011 and 2024, encompassing a total of 242 female patients (108 in the PRP group and 134 in the fat-only group). Data were extracted on tumor grade, prior radiation therapy, number of grafting sessions, fat necrosis, and satisfaction levels. PRP-enhanced fat grafting demonstrated significantly better fat retention, with 66.1% of patients requiring only one grafting session compared to 44% in the control group (p=0.016). Surgeon and patient satisfaction scores were notably higher in the PRP group (p<0.05). However, the incidence of fat necrosis was elevated in the PRP group (39.25%) compared to the control group (24.7%, p=0.006), particularly in irradiated tissues. Subgroup analysis showed optimal outcomes in non-irradiated, centrally located graft sites and patients with Grade II tumors. PRP-enhanced autologous fat grafting significantly improves fat retention and overall satisfaction in breast reconstruction, especially in non-irradiated tissues. Nonetheless, the increased risk of fat necrosis warrants cautious application and further refinement in PRP preparation techniques and patient selection.

—Introduction: Eye care in children is of critical importance, as numerous pathologies can arise during childhood with the risk of serious consequences, including blindness. Parents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices in this regard are therefore crucial, as they significantly influence their children's eye health. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of parents regarding children's eye care in the Jazan region of southwestern Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated questionnaire comprising 29 questions, divided into four sections: sociodemographic data, parents' practices regarding their children's eye care, parents' knowledge of eye problems, and parents' attitudes towards their children's eye examinations. Results: The study included 782 participants, most of whom were aged between 36 and 45 years (41.8%). The majority were Saudi nationals (95.9%) and married (94.2%). Regarding children's eye care, 61.1% of parents reported taking their child for an eye examination primarily in response to an eye illness. Awareness of specific eye conditions varied, with 57% aware of refractive errors, 71% of amblyopia, and 85% of cataracts. Logistic regression analysis identified participants’ area of residence and educational level as significant predictors of good knowledge and positive attitudes towards child eye care, while factors such as age and nationality had variable effects. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the majority of parents in Jazan are well-informed about children's eye care and recognise the importance of early eye examinations. However, there remains a need for targeted educational campaigns addressing the importance of regular eye checks, concerns regarding the psychological and educational impact of eyeglasses, and increased awareness of the preventability and treatability of childhood eye conditions.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis with limited treatment options. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the evidence regarding the use of bimekizumab for treating moderate-to-severe HS, focusing on its clinical efficacy, safety, and outcomes across different clinical parameters. Methods: We followed the “preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses” (PRISMA) guidelines and performed a systematic search for trials that compared bimekizumab with a placebo in patients with moderate-to-severe HS. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Embase was conducted up to April 2025. The primary outcome of efficacy was the percentage of patients who reached “HS Clinical Response 50” (HiSCR50), with secondary outcomes including HiSCR75, reduction in skin pain, and safety (evaluated by serious adverse events). Two reviewers independently assessed the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk-of-bias 2 tool. A fixed-effects model was used for meta-analysis. The study protocol was preregistered in PROSPERO (CRD420251025763). Results: Three RCTs, encompassing 1218 participants, were included. Bimekizumab made it substantially more probable that the HiSCR50 would be reached (RR: 1.64; 95% CI [1.37–1.97]; P <.00001) than the placebo. Patients who received bimekizumab were also substantially more likely to achieve higher response levels, HiSCR75 (RR: 1.98; 95% CI [1.52–2.59]; P <.00001) and a considerable reduction in skin pain (RR: 2.29; 95% CI [1.54–3.42]; P <.0001). For all measures of efficacy, both the every-two-week and every-four-week dosage schedules were better than the placebo. The occurrence of serious adverse events did not differ significantly between the bimekizumab and placebo groups (RR: 2.34; 95% CI [0.80–6.79]; P = .12). Conclusion: The evidence, although derived from a limited number of trials, demonstrates the superiority of bimekizumab over placebo. For patients with moderate-to-severe HS, bimekizumab showed significantly improved outcomes compared to placebo in terms of enhancing clinical response and lessening skin pain. Although no statistically significant increase in serious adverse events was observed, a potential risk cannot be definitively ruled out given the numerical imbalance.