Annals of Saudi medicine
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Mar 2011
Prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among smokers attending primary healthcare clinics in Saudi Arabia.
The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Saudi Arabia is unknown. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of COPD among smokers more than 40 years of age attending primary healthcare clinics in Saudi Arabia. ⋯ Underdiagnosis of COPD in primary healthcare clinics in Saudi Arabia is common, but its extent is not different from the corresponding data available in the literature for other countries. Use of spirometry as a routine test for all patients older than 40 years of age and with a smoking history can help in early detection and proper diagnosis of COPD, which subsequently will help in implementation of preventive measures.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Mar 2011
Practice GuidelineUpdated recommendations for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis: a local perspective.
Postmenopausal osteoporosis and osteoporosis in elderly men are major health problems, with a significant medical and economic burden. Although osteopenia and osteoporosis are more common locally than in the West, fracture rates are generally less than in Western countries. Vitamin D deficiency is common in the region and contributes adversely to bone health. ⋯ Weekly alendronate (in the absence of contraindications) is recommended as first-line therapy. Alternatives to alendronate are raloxifene or strontium ranelate. Second-line therapies are zoledronic acid intravenously once yearly, when oral therapy is not feasible or complicated by side effects, or teriparatide in established osteoporosis with fractures.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Mar 2011
Effect of thyroid hormone replacement therapy on ovarian volume and androgen hormones in patients with untreated primary hypothyroidism.
Primary hypothyroidism may be associated with ovarian enlargement and/ or cyst formation. We evaluated the effect of thyroid hormone replacement therapy on hormonal changes, ovarian volume and sonographic appearance. ⋯ Severe longstanding hypothyroidism leads to increased ovarian volume and/or cyst formation. A decrease in ovarian volume, resolution of ovarian cysts and reversal of the polycystic ovary syndrome-like appearance, together with improvement in serum hormone levels, occurred after euthyroidism was achieved.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Mar 2011
Incidence of various clinico-morphological variants of cutaneous tuberculosis and HIV concurrence: a study from the Indian subcontinent.
There are few reports of cutaneous tuberculosis with immunosuppressed states such as HIV, use of immunosuppressants or malignancy. Diagnosis is thus difficult and despite scientific advances such as polymerase chain reaction, it is frequently missed. Although rare, given its worldwide prevalence and the rising incidence of HIV, it is important for clinicians to recognize the variants and promptly treat the patient. ⋯ Cutaneous tuberculosis rates were slightly higher in our study than in other studies from India. HIV co-infection rates were similar to those in other studies. Many atypical morphological forms and presentations were observed in HIV co-infected patients. Due to the varied clinical presentations, physician awareness and a high index of suspicion are necessary to diagnose cutaneous forms of tuberculosis.