Annals of Saudi medicine
-
Annals of Saudi medicine · Mar 2015
The relationship between red cell distribution width and homozygous M694V mutation in familial Mediterranean fever patients.
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is characterized by recurrent and self-limiting attacks with peritonitis, pleuritis, arthritis, and erysipelas-like erythema. We aimed to investigate the red cell distribution width (RDW) level as an inflammatory marker in FMF patients compared with normal subjects. ⋯ We suggest that RDW may show subclinical inflammation in FMF patients. RDW may be a promising marker in predicting the homozygous M694V mutation in FMF patients.
-
Annals of Saudi medicine · Mar 2015
Prophylaxis and treatment of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer: the Saudi clinical practice guideline.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is commonly encountered in the daily clinical practice. Cancer is an important VTE risk factor. Proper thromboprophylaxis is key to prevent VTE in patients with cancer, and proper treatment is essential to reduce VTE complications and adverse events associated with the therapy. ⋯ In patients with metastatic cancer requiring long-term treatment of VTE, the Saudi Expert Panel recommends low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) over vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) (strong recommendation; moderate quality evidence). In patients with non-metastatic cancer requiring long-term treatment of venous thromboembolism, the Saudi Expert Panel suggests LMWH over VKA (weak recommendation; moderate quality evidence).
-
Annals of Saudi medicine · Mar 2015
Case ReportsUnusual presentation of arsenic poisoning in a case of celiac disease.
Arsenic poisoning may occur from sources other than drinking water such as rice, seafood, or insecticides. Symptoms and signs can be insidious, non-specific, atypical, and easily overlooked. We present a 39-year-old woman with celiac disease who was on gluten-free diet for 8 years and presented with diarrhea, headache, insomnia, loss of appetite, abnormal taste, and impaired short-term memory and concentration, but with no skin lesions. ⋯ She responded very well to chelation therapy with dimercaptosuccinic acid given orally and recovered within 2 weeks. The suspected source of arsenic poisoning was rice, as drink.ing contaminated ground water is not known in Saudi Arabia and she had not taken seafood. Therefore, arsenic poisoning should be suspected based on the meticulous medical history in cases of patients with celiac disease whose main food is rice and who present with unusual symptoms.
-
Annals of Saudi medicine · Mar 2015
Gaucher disease in Syrian children: common mutations identification, and clinical futures.
Gaucher disease (GD) is caused by the deficiency of glucosidase beta acid (GBA). Three clinical forms of GD are available. Some mutations in the GBA gene have a high frequency in spe.cific populations. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of phenotypes and genotypes of GD in Syrian pediatric patients and assess whether a genotype-phenotype relationship could be helpful in treatment decision-making. ⋯ L444P/L444P was the most common genotype in the studied patients. GD3 with severe visceral presentation in childhood was the dominant phenotype; N370S was found in the heterozygote state in 1 case and in the homozygote state in 1 case. This phenotype and genotype pattern is encountered in the Middle East. There was no genotype-phenotype correlation.
-
Annals of Saudi medicine · Mar 2015
On-pump beating heart coronary revascularization: Is it valid for emergency revascularization?
On-pump beating heart coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) may be considered as an alternative to the conventional on-pump surgery in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome requiring emergency revascularization. This study reports our clinical experience and early outcomes with the on-pump beating heart coronary surgery on patients with acute coronary syndrome. ⋯ We think that the on-pump beating heart revascularization technique can be a good choice for emergency CABG of high-risk patients with a multivessel coronary artery disease.