Annals of Saudi medicine
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Jan 2012
2009 H1N1 influenza A in children: a descriptive clinical study.
The 2009 H1N1 was a new influenza virus causing illness in people. Especially those younger than 5 years of age and those who have high-risk medical conditions are at increased risk for influenza-related complications. In the present study, we describe the clinical presentation of the H1N1 cases attending Jeddah Clinic Hospital-Al Kandarah (JCH-K) in the time period from October 2009 to January 2010, and identified the high-risk age groups. ⋯ Even though the majority of cases of the 2009 pandemic influenza A H1N1 were mild, a severe disease does occur in children. In view of delayed PCR results, clinical presentation and lymphopenia were used as diagnostic criteria to start antiviral treatment as early as possible. No deaths were attributed to the 2009 pandemic.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Jan 2012
Features associated with severe disease in hospitalized children with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection at a university hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In 2009, pandemic H1N1 influenza A caused significant morbidity and mortality worldwide; however, available data on disease characteristics and outcome of hospitalized children is limited. ⋯ The majority of children with 2009 H1N1 influenza A-associated hospitalization in this series had an uncomplicated course. Respiratory complications and ICU admissions were more frequent in those with underlying disease, especially asthma and neuromuscular diseases. Efforts need to be focused prior to each influenza season and special emphasis needs to be given to children by immunizing them with H1N1 influenza A vaccination to avoid severe disease and minimize complications.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Jan 2012
Case ReportsNovel influenza A (H1N1) virus-induced hemophagocytosis: first case reported in Saudi Arabia.
H1N1 is a novel subtype of the influenza A virus. Since its reemergence in 2008, it has been reported to cause a variety of illnesses ranging from mild flu-like symptoms to severe multiorgan failure. We report a case of a young immunocompetent man who presented with progressive shortness of breath and rapidly developed multiorgan dysfunction, including pancytopenia from H1N1 infection during the 2010-2011 influenza season. ⋯ Published reports contain only a few records of H1N1-induced hemophagocytosis. This is the first case report from Saudi Arabia with H1N1-induced secondary hemophagocytosis. It also highlights the fact that the virus is still very virulent and will pose a major annual health risk along with the seasonal influenza for at least the next few years.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Jan 2012
Multicenter StudyBaseline characteristics, management practices, and long-term outcomes of Middle Eastern patients in the Second Gulf Registry of Acute Coronary Events (Gulf RACE-2).
Limited data are available on patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and their long-term outcomes in the Arabian Gulf countries. We evaluated the clinical features, management, in-hospital, and long-term outcomes of in such a population. ⋯ Compared to developed countries, ACS patients in Arabian Gulf countries present at a relatively young age and have higher rates of metabolic syndrome features. STEMI patients present late, and their acute management is poor. In-hospital evidence-based medication rates are high, but coronary revascularization procedures are low. Long-term mortality rates increased severalfold compared with in-hospital mortality.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Jan 2012
Serum uric acid and lactate levels among patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: which is a better marker of hypoxemia?
Tissue hypoxia due to repeated sleep apneas leads to increased serum levels of uric acid (UA) and lactate in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Studies on assessment of serum level of UA in patients of OSAS are available. However, research on simultaneous evaluation of levels of serum lactate and UA is lacking. ⋯ Both serum UA and lactate were positively correlated with the degree of hypoxia in OSAS. The plasma UA levels in patients with OSAS did not show an overnight rise. However, the plasma lactate levels were higher in the morning. The measurement of serum lactate level was a better marker of oxidative stress among patients with OSAS.