Yasser M. Kofiah

Background: Heavily calcified peripheral artery disease (PAD) lesions limit the effectiveness of standard endovascular techniques and increase complication risk. This study systematically evaluates the safety and efficacy of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) as a calcium-modifying therapy. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published between 2020 and July 2025. Studies investigating the use of IVL in calcified femoropopliteal and infrapopliteal arteries were included. Inclusion criteria encompassed observational and interventional designs reporting procedural, safety, or efficacy outcomes. Studies not utilizing IVL as a primary therapy or lacking calcified lesions were excluded. Results: 14 studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising single-arm cohorts, registries, and randomized controlled trials. IVL consistently demonstrated high procedural success (>95%), low rates of major dissection (≤5.5%), minimal perforation (≤1.1%), and a reduced need for bailout stenting compared to conventional angioplasty. Compared to atherectomy, IVL showed a superior safety profile with lower rates of perforation and distal embolization. Relative to high-pressure balloons, IVL achieved similar luminal gain with significantly fewer flow-limiting dissections. Conclusion: IVL is a safe and effective technique for modifying calcified plaques in peripheral arteries, addressing key limitations of conventional endovascular approaches. By providing a controlled and predictable mechanism for vessel preparation, IVL represents a valuable treatment option in selected patients with heavily calcified peripheral artery disease and may facilitate durable revascularization with a favorable safety profile.

Background and Aim: Stroke remains one of the leading causes of long‐term disability worldwide, profoundly impacting patients' quality of life (QoL) and functional independence. This study aimed to assess quality of life (QoL) and functional outcomes among post‐stroke patients in Al‐Baha, Saudi Arabia, and to examine their associations with demographic, clinical, and rehabilitation factors. Methods: This study assessed QoL and functional outcomes among 125 post‐stroke patients in Al‐Baha, Saudi Arabia, from April 2023 to May 2024 at King Fahad Hospital. Quality of life (QoL) was evaluated using the EuroQol 5‐Dimension 3‐Level (EQ‐5D‐3L), while functional outcomes were measured with the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Associations of sociodemographic and clinical variables with QoL and functional outcomes were analyzed using chi‐square tests. Results: The mean QoL score was 14 ± 4.57, indicating moderate impairment. Mobility and pain/discomfort were the most impacted dimensions, with 12% and 37% of participants reporting extreme issues, respectively. Self‐rated health revealed that 45% of participants considered themselves ‘excellent’ health, while 19% rated their health as ‘poor’ ( p < 0.001). Younger participants (18–30 years) reported better QoL ( p = 0.025). Functional outcomes revealed that 59% had favorable mRS scores (0–2), while 41% had poor outcomes (3–6). Physiotherapy utilization was associated with functional outcomes, but poorer outcomes were observed among recipients likely due to selection bias. ( p = 0.047) but not with QoL scores. Conclusions: Findings highlight mobility limitations and pain/discomfort as the most affected dimensions of quality of life. Younger patients demonstrated better outcomes, while physiotherapy was associated with functional status, likely reflecting baseline severity rather than treatment effect. These results emphasize the importance of targeted, individualized rehabilitation strategies for post‐stroke populations.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) presents a significant and escalating public health burden in Saudi Arabia, adversely affecting various dimensions of patients’ well-being. This study aimed to assess the multidimensional quality of life (QoL), also referred to as health-related quality of life (HRQoL) across financial, physical, psychological, and sexual domains among individuals with T2DM in Al Baha, Saudi Arabia, and to compare these outcomes with non-diabetic individuals. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted between October 2023 and November 2024 using a structured, self-administered online questionnaire. A total of 948 adults participated, including 495 individuals diagnosed with T2DM and 453 non-diabetic controls. The instrument collected sociodemographic data, disease history, treatment modalities, comorbidities, and QoL indicators across four domains. Results: Diabetic participants demonstrated significantly lower scores in psychological, physical, and sexual QoL domains compared to non-diabetics (p < 0.05). Lower psychological QoL was independently associated with younger age and longer disease duration. Physical QoL was significantly influenced by gender, disease duration, and type of treatment, while sexual QoL was negatively impacted by lower educational attainment and presence of comorbidities. A higher financial burden was strongly correlated with reduced psychological and physical QoL (r = −0.569 and −0.469, respectively; p < 0.001). Conclusions: T2DM is associated with impaired QoL across multiple domains. Targeted, multidimensional interventions are needed to address the physical, psychological, sexual, and financial challenges faced by diabetic individuals in this region.

Objective: To evaluate the factors that contributed to the improvement in Clinical Cardiovascular Module (CCVM) performance at Al-Baha Faculty of Medicine Al Baha University, Saudi Arabia. focusing on Progress Test (PT) results. Methodology: A retrospective observational study was conducted at Al- Baha Faculty of Medicine, Al Baha University, Saudi Arabia. Two methods were used, combining quantitative data analysis of PT results for CCVM component, with metrics such as average scores and year-wise performance which analyzed across two periods the initial Period 2018 to 2020 where performance was stagnant or declining and the Improvement Period 2021 to 2024 where performance was improving with qualitative data from faculty members and students through faculty interviews and student surveys to explore changes in teaching methods, curriculum reforms and student support systems. Results: From 2021 to 2024 shows a significant improvement specially in Year three in which the College Average increased from 22.51% in 2018 to 45.25% in 2022 and Year five the Overall Average also rose from 34.13% in 2018 to 47.46% in 2022. This progress in achievement was confirmed by Statistical analyses using Repeated Measures ANOVA that shows p < 0.001, Independent Samples t-test p = 0.002. Qualitative findings highlighted the impact of active learning strategies, integration and enhanced student support systems as the main drivers of improvement. Conclusion: curriculum reforms and innovative teaching methods as an intervention, improved student performance in CCVM. These findings are valuable for policymakers and medical educators to improve medical students’ outcomes and prepare them for better clinical practice.

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) awareness and preventive practices are critical for the early detection and effective management of the disease. This study aimed to assess the level of BC awareness among women residing in Al Baha, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Breast Cancer Awareness Measure (BCAM) survey tool to evaluate BC awareness among female residents of Al Baha between June and July 2023. The sample was obtained through the snowball sampling technique. Results: A total of 1007 women participated in the study, with a mean age of 29 ± 10.9 years. Overall awareness of BC warning signs and risk factors was low, with 45% of participants demonstrating poor awareness. Significant positive associations were found between BC awareness and factors such as level of education (p = 0.020), employment status (p = 0.023), field of study for students (p < 0.0001), and average monthly family income (p = 0.001). Furthermore, 75% of participants rarely or never practiced breast self-examination, and only 37% of those invited to the Ministry of Health’s screening program had attended. Conclusions: The results highlight a significant lack of awareness and knowledge about BC among women in Al Baha. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted educational initiatives and awareness campaigns to address this knowledge gap and promote preventive practices.