Correspondence
14 May 2026
Saudi Medical Journal was established in 1979 through the vision and initiative of His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation, and Inspector General, whose support laid the foundation for the journal’s continued development. Since its inception, the Journal has been published regularly and has maintained a strong commitment to scientific rigor and editorial quality.
Over the years, Saudi Medical Journal has evolved in scope, reach, and operational efficiency. Its editorial and publishing activities have been continuously refined to ensure timely publication while upholding high standards of peer review and content quality. The journal has attracted submissions from both within and outside the Kingdom and serves a broad readership across the Middle East and beyond.
The Editorial Office has been led by distinguished editors and supported by dedicated staff who have contributed to building the journal’s international reputation and credibility. Ongoing improvements in editorial processes and publishing practices reflect the journal’s commitment to excellence and continuous development.
As the longest-running medical journal in the Kingdom, Saudi Medical Journal plays an important role in bridging medical scholarship between the Middle East and the global research community. In addition to publishing original scientific research, the journal actively supports capacity building by offering medical publication workshops aimed at junior doctors and health researchers.
Current Issue
Volume 47, Issue 6 (2026)View issue
Featured Content
Current Articles
Most Popular Articles
- Systematic Review14 May 2026
Impact of Treatment on the Health-Related Quality of Life of Children with Cancer in Saudi Arabia
Objective: The impact of cancer on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is considerable, particularly for children undergoing oncological treatment. While research has addressed HRQOL in childhood cancer survivors, less attention has been given to those actively undergoing treatment, including in Saudi Arabia. This systematic review aimed to address this gap by quantitatively evaluating studies reporting on the HRQOL of children in Saudi Arabia during their active cancer treatment phase. We also compare these findings with studies from around the world, emphasising demographic, medical and parental predictors of HRQOL. Methods: A comprehensive search of relevant databases (MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL) was conducted to identify studies assessing HRQOL in pediatric cancer patients, both in Saudi Arabia and globally. A narrative synthesis was performed. Results: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, involving 907 pediatric cancer patients. All children undergoing treatment experienced a decline in HRQOL. In Saudi Arabia, the psychosocial domain was especially affected. Children in the newly diagnosed phase reported the lowest HRQOL. Longitudinal studies showed improvement over time. Clinical, demographic and parental factors were found to influence HRQOL. Conclusion: Pediatric cancer patients face significant physical, emotional and psychosocial challenges. Tailored interventions and the integration of paediatric palliative care are urgently needed to improve HRQOL. This review highlights the need for more in-depth research in Saudi Arabia to inform clinical practices and optimise outcomes for children with cancer. - Systematic Review14 May 2026
Contribution of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) to Body Defense and Healing in Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Objective: To examine the contribution of IL-6 to host defense and healing in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Pulmonary tuberculosis continues to pose a significant global health challenge, with disease outcomes determined by complex host–pathogen interactions. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a multifunctional cytokine, has been implicated in immune regulation and tissue recovery during TB, but its specific role is not fully established. This review aimed to examine the contribution of IL-6 to host defense and healing in pulmonary TB. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Medline following PRISMA guidelines, covering publications from 2015 to 2025. Search terms included ``pulmonary tuberculosis,'' ``IL-6,'' ``Immune response,'' and ``Healing.'' Eligible studies were human-based, published in English, and provided full-text access. Data extraction focused on study design, population, IL-6 sample type, and findings related to immune response and healing. Results: Evidence consistently demonstrated IL-6 as a key modulator of TB immunity. IL-6 supports macrophage activation, T-cell differentiation, and granuloma formation, enhancing host defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Additionally, IL-6 regulates inflammation and promotes tissue repair, contributing to recovery. However, dysregulated or excessive IL-6 activity was linked to heightened inflammation and lung pathology, indicating a dual role in both protection and potential tissue damage. Conclusion: Interleukin-6 is central to immune defense and healing in pulmonary TB, exerting protective effects while requiring precise regulation to prevent pathological outcomes. Future research should clarify underlying mechanisms and explore IL-6–targeted strategies for improved TB treatment. - Review14 May 2026
Post-Stroke Fatigue in Saudi Arabia: A Call to Action
Post-stroke fatigue (PSF) is a major consequence of stroke, with a prevalence of approximately 42–53% among stroke survivors. However, over the last 2 decades, only a few studies have explored PSF in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Findings from these studies show that PSF negatively impacts the quality of life of individuals with stroke. Furthermore, they emphasize the need for education for both health care providers and patients regarding PSF. This call-to-action mini narrative review identifies knowledge gaps and provides recommendations for both researchers and policymakers, including the need for standardized management and the exploration of hospital environment settings. Specifically, it urges investigation into the prevalence and possible coping strategies for PSF from a cultural perspective. Finally, it highlighted crucial future research direction regarding possibility of the potential long-term effects of PSF on individuals with stroke in KSA. - Original Study14 May 2026
Artificial Intelligence in Dialysis Therapies: Applications in Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis for Managing Infectious Diseases and Complications
This narrative review synthesizes evidence from a systematic literature search (2019–2025) on artificial intelligence (AI) applications in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis for managing infections and complications. Dialysis patients face infection rates 100-fold higher than the general population and sepsis mortality exceeding 35%. The AI, utilizing machine learning algorithms such as XGBoost, deep neural networks, and explainable AI tools, revolutionizes care through precise diagnostics, prognostics, and therapeutics. Key models demonstrate high accuracy in predicting bloodstream infections (area under the curve [AUC] 0.914), classifying peritonitis (F1 0.93), detecting SARS-CoV-2 (AUROC 0.82), and forecasting mortality (AUC 0.979). Therapeutically, AI guides antibiotic stewardship, reducing inappropriate use by 18–67%, and mitigates intradialytic hypotension via ultrafiltration adjustments, reducing incidence by 25–40%. Despite promising results, challenges include data scarcity, algorithmic bias, and the integration of these tools into clinical workflows. Future directions involve diverse datasets, explainable AI, and real-time decision support systems. The AI holds transformative potential for personalizing dialysis management and improving patient outcomes. - Original Study14 May 2026
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in Patients Hospitalized in Palliative Care Service
Objectives: Patients receiving palliative care often have complex comorbidities and frequent healthcare exposure, which may place them at risk for blood-borne infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, data on the seroprevalence and prognostic impact of these infections in palliative populations remain limited. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV markers in patients hospitalized in a palliative care unit and to assess their association with mortality. Methods: This retrospective study conducted on 545 adult patients a tertiary palliative care unit between 2018 and 2024. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, nutritional support, mobility, serological markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV), and outcomes were extracted from hospital records. Results: The mean age of patients was 76.3± 15.1 years, and 52.8% were female. Malignancy was the most common comorbidity (50.5%), followed by infectious diseases (31.6%) and cardiovascular conditions. HBsAg positivity was identified in 0.6% of patients, anti-HBs in 31.2%, and anti-HCV in 0.2%. During hospitalization, 39.1% of patients died. Multivariate analysis revealed that chronic renal failure (HR=1.46, p=0.023), cardiac disease (HR= 3.11, p<0.001), immobility (HR=4.14, p<0.001), and HBsAg positivity (HR=6.91, p<0.001) were independent predictors of mortality. Conclusions: While the seroprevalence of active HBV and HCV infection was low in this palliative cohort, HBsAg positivity was associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality. The high proportion of patients lacking HBV immunity also highlights the need for strengthened infection control measures. - Original Study14 May 2026
A Retrospective Cohort Study of Uterine Cancer Epidemiological Analysis and Age-Based Disparities in Saudi Arabian Population across 32 Years
Objectives: To investigate the burden of uterine tumour in Saudi Arabia during the past 32 years (1990–2021), with an emphasize on the prevalence, incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Knowing these patterns strengthen the national aims of cancer control under Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Vision 2030. Methods: A retrospective study was performed using data retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database. The work included population from Saudi Arabia between 1990 and 2021 and tested standardization age-specific metrics, involving uterine tumour incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALYs. Results: Uterine tumour cases raised from 507 in 1990 to 6,366 in 2021, showing a 1,170% rise. There was an increase in age-based pattern by 206%, with significant raises in women aged 30–54 and a pattern toward earlier onset (ages 34–39). Incidence increased by 300%, from 2.7 to 7.5 per 100,000, with most significant increase noticed in women over 55. DALYs correlated with uterine tumour raised by 500%, mostly affecting aged women. Death due to uterine tumour increased 4 times; the highest death rates taken place in women aged 45–49 years. An unforeseen raise in the mortality was observed among women aged 20–24 years in the period between 2004–2007. Conclusion: The study showed an increase in the uterine tumour trends in Saudi Arabia especially in the recent years, underscores the need for upgrading the preventive policies and early detection strategies.