ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME (ARDS) IN HAIL REGION, SAUDI ARABIA

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a medical condition occurring in critically ill patients characterized by extensive inflammation in the lungs and associated with several complications. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the common risk factors associated with ARDS in Hail Region, Northern Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This study investigated retrospectively 68 patients with ARDS clinical presentations during the period from January 2015 to January 2016 in King Khalid Hospital, Hail, Saudi Arabia. Results: Out of 68 patients with ARDS clinical presentations, ARDS was verified in 38/68 (55.9%). Out of 38 ARDS patients, 21/38(55.3%) were males and 17/38 (44.7%) of the 68 studied patients, pneumonia, trauma, H1N1 infection and fibrosis were identified in 50(73.5%), 3(4.4%), 13(19.1%) and 12 (17.6%), respectively. Out of the 38 ARDS patients, 29/38 (76.3%) died. Conclusion: ARDS is common in Hail Region and a common cause of patients to be admitted to specialized intensive care units. Inhalation injuries associated with pneumonia, H1N1 infection and fibrosis were an independent risk factor for ARDS. The mortality rate observed in the study patients was high and associated with ARDS diagnosis.