Annals of Saudi medicine
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Annals of Saudi medicine · May 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyOff-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery in patients with triple-vessel disease and enlarged ventricles.
Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) is a popular treatment for patients with ischemic heart disease, especially for high-risk patients. However, whether OPCAB can lead to better clinical outcomes than on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (ONCAB) in patients with enlarged ventricles remains controversial. This prospective randomized study was designed to characterize comparison of early clinical outcome and mid-term follow-up following ONCAB versus OPCAB in patients with triple-vessel disease and enlarged ventricles. ⋯ No differences in early and mid-term mortality were found between OPCAB and ONCAB in patients with triple-vessel disease and enlarged ventricles. However, OPCAB seems to have a beneficial effect on postoperative complications.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · May 2014
Effects of chronic pain on function, depression, and sleep among patients with traumatic spinal cord injury.
The main objectives of this cross-sectional study were (1) to examine chronic pain using the Multidimensional Pain Inventory-Spinal Cord Injury (MPI-SCI) version and (2) to assess the relationship between chronic pain and functional status, depression, and sleep quality among patients with SCI. ⋯ We identified a strong interrelationship between SCI-related "Pain Severity" and both depression and sleep quality. Hence, a comprehensive pain examination and management strategies including psychosocial interventions should be given particular consideration to address the critical issue of chronic pain in individuals with SCI.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · May 2014
Case ReportsNephrotic syndrome of minimal change disease following exposure to mercury-containing skin-lightening cream.
A 28-year-old female suffered from nephrotic syndrome after a long-term use of mercury-containing, skin-lightening cream. The blood and urinary mercury content of this patient increased with use. Renal biopsy showed minimal change disease. ⋯ Minimal change disease has been reported in a few case reports published in the English language. Here we report a case of nephrotic syndrome with minimal change disease following exposure to a mercury-containing, skin-lightening cream. We also reviewed relevant published reports to summarize clinical features and treatments and to explore the possible mechanisms involved.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · May 2014
Case ReportsMyxopapillary ependymoma masquerading as subcutaneous sacrococcygeal non-healing ulcer: case report.
Ependymomas outside the confines of the cranium and spinal cord are rare. The occurrence of these tumors in an extradural, sacrococcygeal, or subcutaneous location may prove challenging, particularly in the absence of any obvious central nervous system connection. ⋯ It was initially diagnosed and was being treated as an infected epidermoid cyst. Clinical and histopathological features are described, and a brief review of published reports is presented.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · May 2014
The obstacles facing scientific and medical publishing in Saudi Arabia.
Medical and scientific publishing in Saudi Arabia has flourished in the last ten years. Such a form of publishing faces its own obstacles and the experience of the Annals of Saudi Medicine if analyzed can delineate such obstacles. The aim of this study is to identify the workflow obstacles facing the Annals of Saudi Medicine. ⋯ The Annals of Saudi Medicine is a regional or continental journal with substantial submissions as case reports. This affected its Impact Factor and Hirsch Index. Moreover, the review process is delayed due to the poor response of the reviewers.