Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening complication, can occur in individuals with type 2 diabetes during illness, stress, or medication use. This study examines DKA signals in type 2 diabetes, focusing on sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, and dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. Methods: DKA reports from Q1 2019 to Q3 2024 were retrieved from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Associations between primary exposure and outcomes were ascertained using four key metrics: Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR), Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR), Empirical Bayes Geometric Mean (EBGM), and Information Component (IC). Results: SGLT2 inhibitors exhibited the higher DKA risk in 2019–2021 (ROR: 314.86 [95% CI 301.76–328.53], PRR of 245.69 [95% CI 235.47–256.36], IC of 6.90, and EBGM of 120), declining in 2022–2024. GLP-1 receptor agonists showed an ROR increase from 2.88 [95% CI 2.56–3.25] in 2019–2021 to 4.64 [95% CI 4.06–5.29] in 2022–2023, slightly declining to 3.95 [95% CI 3.27–4.74] in 2024. DPP-4 inhibitors exhibited a steady ROR rise from 6.81 [95% CI 5.52–8.40] in 2019–2021 to 8.57 [95% CI 6.24–11.76] in 2022–2023 and further to 11.02 [95% CI 6.71–18.10] in 2024. PRR, EBGM, and IC values followed similar trends. The age groups 41–60 and 61–91 years were the most affected, with hospitalization at its highest rate for DPP4-inhibitors in Q1–Q3 of 2024. Hospitalizations were also observed with GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors. Life-threatening events and fatalities were also reported, with physicians contributing to most reports. Conclusions: DKA signals were observed for all three drug classes, particularly among elderly patients, highlighting the need for careful monitoring, especially during periods of illness or stress. However, the risk was higher in the SGLT2 inhibitor group than in the other groups.

Background: Telehealth is a promising approach for healthcare delivery that uses telecommunication technologies to enhance accessibility by providing remote health services. This study aimed to identify psychosocial factors that best predict behavioral intention to use telehealth/telemedicine, as mediated by attitude toward use, among older adults with chronic conditions in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia, and to compare users and non-users.Methods: Participants were aged 60 years or above, residing in Jazan, and presenting with at least one chronic condition. This study used a quantitative research approach with a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. We stratified all analyses by telehealth use status (users or non-users).Results: Our study sample comprised 466 participants aged 60 or above with at least one chronic condition. The most prevalent condition was diabetes (29%), followed by arthritis (23%). Among the telehealth users (n = 256), a high percentage (42%) reported that telehealth was better than in-person appointments. Among telehealth users, we found that perceived usefulness [(users: β = 0.501; p < 0.001) (non-users: β = 0.441; p < 0.001)] and facilitating conditions [(users: β = 0.768; p = 0.001) (non-users: β = 0.807; p < 0.001)] positively affected attitudes to using telehealth. Telehealth users and non-users reported dislike or fear of the service and unavailability of appointments as the most important barriers to using telehealth services.Conclusion: The results of this study are important for designing new telehealth applications, especially for older adults in Saudi Arabia. Designers and developers must understand that the attributes and capabilities of telehealth applications should be simple and user-friendly to encourage older adults to increase their intention to use telehealth.

Background: Tirzepatide (Mounjaro or Zepbound), a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, is approved for type 2 diabetes and weight management. Despite its efficacy, real-world safety data remain limited. This study analyzed post-marketing adverse events (AEs) associated with tirzepatide using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) to identify emerging safety concerns. Methods: FAERS reports from 2022 to Q1 2025 were analyzed. Disproportionality analyses (proportional reporting ratio [PRR], reporting odds ratio [ROR], empirical Bayes geometric mean [EBGM], and information component [IC]) were performed to detect safety signals. Reports were stratified by year, demographics, and AE type, focusing on cases in which tirzepatide was the primary suspect. Results: Among 65,974 reports, the majority originated from the U.S. (96%), with middle-aged females (40–59 years; 67%) most frequently affected. Incorrect dose administration was the top AE, increasing 8-fold from 1248 (2022) to 9800 (2024), with strong risk signals (ROR 22.15, 95% CI (20.75–23.65), and ROR 23.43, 95% CI (22.82–24.05), respectively, and PRR 16.80, 95% CI (15.74–17.93), and PRR 17.62, 95% CI (17.16–18.09), respectively). Other common AEs included injection-site reactions (e.g., pain [5273 cases in 2024]), gastrointestinal issues (nausea [3602 in 2024]), and off-label use. Class-related AEs (e.g., decreased appetite and blood glucose fluctuations) were also reported. Conclusions: Tirzepatide is associated with significant dosing errors, injection-site reactions, and gastrointestinal AEs in real-world use. The rising trend in reports underscores the need for enhanced provider and patient education, clearer dosing guidelines, and proactive monitoring. Further research is warranted to explore causative factors and optimize risk mitigation strategies.

Background: Finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor, is used for androgenetic alopecia and benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, concerns have emerged about its psychiatric side effects, including suicidality. This study analyzed finasteride-related reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) to identify potential safety signals. Methods: Adverse events reported from 2015 to 2024 were extracted using preferred terms, quantified using Bayesian analysis and disproportionality metrics, including empirical Bayesian geometric mean (EBGM), information component (IC), reporting odds ratio (ROR), and proportional reporting ratio (PRR). Results: Most were male (87%), with 43% aged 18–40 years, primarily using finasteride for hair loss. Disproportionality metrics for suicidality-related events fluctuated between 2019 and 2024. In 2019, the ROR was 27.51 (95% CI: 23.22–32.58), the PRR was 21.96 (95% CI: 18.54–26.01), the EBGM was 20.50, and the IC was 4.36. A slight decline was observed in 2020, a surge in 2021, and a peak in 2022 (ROR 34.64 (95% CI: 28.36–41.88), PRR 27.82 (95% CI: 22.30–34.61), EBGM 24.96, IC 4.64). Although a sharp rise in suicidality reports was noted in 2024, the rates of ROR and PRR dropped to 19.04 (95% CI: 17.02–21.30) and 16.53 (95% CI: 14.78–18.50), respectively. Serious outcomes such as disability (18.7%), life-threatening events (12.9%), and death (7.5%) were also noted. Conclusions: The upward trend in suicidality-related safety signals among young male users since 2019, which peaked in 2024, reflects emerging safety concerns among finasteride users, reinforcing the need for pharmacovigilance. Collaborative action among healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities, and pharmaceutical companies, along with clear warnings and mental health assessments before and throughout finasteride therapy, can mitigate potential psychiatric risks and enhance patient safety.

First aid is the most basic and life-saving service provided before emergency care is received. This study aimed to assess students’ knowledge and attitudes about performing first aid for snakebite emergencies and their perception of snakes. A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2019 among upper-level students (3rd year and above) of health-related courses at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia. Three hundred and nine students from four programs responded to the self-administered questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0. The highest percentage of the study sample comprised pharmacy students (44%), followed by nursing (25.2%), medical (16.8%), and emergency medicine students (13.9%). Overall, the emergency medicine students exhibited greater knowledge of snakebite first aid. However, over three-fourths of the students were unaware of dry bites. Around two-thirds were sure that they should not massage the bite site, while nearly one-fourth were not sure about the use of a tourniquet. The fifth- and sixth-year students had extremely diverse perspectives on snakes. The majority of the participants (92.8%) did not feel good about snakes. However, most of the students (95.2%) wanted to learn about snakebite first aid and overcome their fear of snakes. Overall, the students had a positive attitude towards first aid but lacked knowledge of snakebite emergencies. Public health awareness is required to dispel first-aid myths about snakebites and misconceptions regarding snakes.