The prevalence of disability varies between countries ranging from less than 1% to up to 30% in some countries, thus, the estimated global disability prevalence is about 15%. However, it is unknown what the current estimate of disability and its types and severity are in Saudi Arabia. Thus, the objective of this study is to estimate national and regional prevalence rates of any disability, types of disability, and their severity among Saudi populations. Data on disability status were extracted from the national demographic survey conducted in 2016 as reported by the General Authority for Statistics, Saudi Arabia (N = 20,064,970). Prevalence rates per a population of 100,000 of any disability, type of disability, and its severity were calculated at the national level and in all 13 regions. Out of 20,064,970 Saudi citizens surveyed, 667,280 citizens reported disabilities, accounting for a prevalence rate of 3326 per a population of 100,000 (3.3%). Individuals aged 60 years and above (11,014) and males (3818) had a higher prevalence rate of disability compared with females (2813). The Tabuk region has the highest rate of reported disability, at 4.3%. The prevalence rates of extreme disabilities in mobility and sight were higher in Madinah (57,343) and Northern border (41,236) regions, respectively. In Saudi Arabia, more than half a million Saudi citizens (1 out of every 30 individuals) reported the presence of disability during the year 2016. A higher prevalence rate of disability was seen among those aged 60 years and above, and males. Targeted efforts are required at the national and regional levels to expand and improve rehabilitation and social services for all people with disabilities.

Although numerous studies have described the link between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), no meta-analysis has been carried out on this relationship. Thus, the present study intended to address this limitation. A systematic search was carried out using electronic databases, such as PubMed, CINAHL Plus, Medline, and Web of Science. A sum of 10 studies (n = 9327) was incorporated in the meta-analysis. Compared with non-MetS, MetS was significantly associated with high CAD risk (OR = 4.03, 95% CI = 3.56–4.56). The MetS components were also significantly correlated with high CAD risk (OR = 3.72, 95% CI = 3.22–4.40). The presence of two (OR = 3.93, 95% CI = 2.81–5.49), three (OR = 4.09, 95% CI = 2.85–5.86), four (OR = 4.04, 95% CI = 2.83–5.78), or all five MetS components (OR = 3.92, 95% CI = 3.11–4.93), were significantly associated with a high risk of CAD. MetS and its individual or combined elements were linked with high CAD risk based on contemporary evidence. Thus, the assessment of MetS and its components might help identify people at a higher risk of advancing CAD in the future.

Overweight, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes increase the risk of non-communicable diseases and all-cause mortality worldwide. Previous studies have not determined the prevalence of these conditions/diseases throughout India. Therefore, this study was aimed to address this limitation. Data on these conditions/diseases among men and women aged ≥ 18 years were obtained from the fourth National Family Health Survey conducted throughout India between January 2015 and December 2016. The prevalence and prevalence rate per 100,000 population were calculated at the national level and by age group, sex, and type of residence for each state and union territory. The national prevalence of overweight, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes were 14.6%, 3.4%, 5.2%, and 7.1%, respectively. The highest prevalence of these conditions/diseases at the national level was seen among those aged 35–49 years (54 years for men), especially women living in urban areas. In India, 1 out of every 7, 29, 19, and 14 individuals at the national level had overweight, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, respectively—between 2015 and 2016. These results are important for the healthcare system and government policies in the future. Moreover, targeted efforts are required to establish public health strategies for the prevention, management, and treatment of these conditions/diseases throughout India.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between self-reported falls, doctor-diagnosed knee osteoarthritis (OA), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We hypothesized that falls and knee OA would be associated with poor HRQoL on both disease-specific and generic measures. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the publicly available Osteoarthritis Initiative data sets. A total of 4,484 subjects aged 45–79 years at baseline were divided into three subpopulations: those who had neither a history of falling nor doctor-diagnosed knee OA; those who had either a self-reported history of falling or doctor-diagnosed knee OA; and those who had both a self-reported history of falling and doctor-diagnosed knee OA. HRQoL was assessed using both disease-specific and generic measures. Multiple regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between self-reported falls, doctor-diagnosed knee OA, and HRQoL assessed using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score-Quality of Life (KOOS-QoL) subscale and two Short Form-12 (SF-12) summary scales. The models were adjusted for participant sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics. Results: Falls and knee OA were significantly associated with lower scores on the KOOS-QoL (β= −34.4, standard error 2.27, P≤0.0001) and on the physical component scale of the SF-12 (β= −9.44, standard error 0.90, P<0.0001). No significant relationship was found with the mental component scale score when adjusted for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics. Conclusion: When compared with those having neither a self-reported history of falling nor doctor-diagnosed knee OA and those with a self-reported history of falling or doctor-diagnosed knee OA, persons with both conditions (falls and knee OA) had significantly lower KOOS-QoL and physical component scale scores after adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics. Future research should assess potential mediating factors in an effort to improve HRQoL in persons with knee OA who are at high risk of falling.

Stroke is a major cause of death and other complications worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, stroke has become an emerging health issue leading to disability and death. However, stroke care including rehabilitation services, in Saudi Arabia lags behind developed countries. Stroke rehabilitation is an essential recovery option after stroke and should start as early as possible to avoid potential complications. The growing evidence on stroke rehabilitation effectiveness in different health care settings and outcome measures used widely are reviewed in this call to action paper.

Objective: Examine the longitudinal association between knee pain and prefrailty/frailty. Design: Longitudinal study. Setting: Five clinical centers across the United States. Subject: Data from 3,053 nonfrail participants aged 45–79 years at baseline from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Methods: According to self-reported knee pain at baseline, the participants were placed into three groups: no knee pain (N = 1,600), unilateral knee pain (N = 822), and bilateral knee pain (N = 631). Frailty status was assessed over time using the five frailty indicators (unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, weak energy, slow gait speed, and little physical activity). Based on the number of frailty indicators present, prefrailty (1–2) and frailty (≥3) were diagnosed. Generalized estimating equations logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between knee pain status and prefrailty/frailty. Results: After adjusting for age, sex, race, education, marital status, smoking status, comorbidities, and body mass index, unilateral knee pain at baseline was associated with an increased odds of developing prefrailty (odds ratio [OR] = 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01–1.27) and frailty (OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.38–2.62), and bilateral knee pain at baseline was also associated with an increased risk of prefrailty (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.24–1.62) and frailty (OR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.63–3.01) over time in comparison with no knee pain. The interaction of knee pain status by time was not significantly associated with either prefrailty or frailty. Conclusions: Knee pain (particularly bilateral knee pain) is associated with an increased risk of developing prefrailty and frailty over time.