Annals of Saudi medicine
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Mar 2010
Quasispecies of genotype 4 of hepatitis C virus genomes in Saudi patients managed with interferon alfa and ribavirin therapy.
Many patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection do not respond to antiviral treatment, possibly due to viral quasispecies. We aimed to investigate whether the quasispecies population could be used as a predictor of response to therapy in our patients. ⋯ Quasispecies in our studied patients cannot be used to predict responsiveness to treatment, but may offer an explanation for failure of most HCV-4 patients to respond to interferon alfa and ribavirin therapy.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Mar 2010
Fetal weight normograms for singleton pregnancies in a Jordanian population.
Estimated intrauterine fetal weight (EIUFW) is important for reducing prenatal mortality and morbidity through early detection of faltering growth. Our objectives were to develop patterns of ultrasonically determined EIUFW by gestational age, for normal singleton pregnancies, and to assess the effect of a number of variables on EIUFW. ⋯ Weight gain during pregnancy should be encouraged for pregnant mothers who gain less than one kilogram per month in the second and third trimester. A prospective study on a national representative sample in Jordan is needed to generate our own standards for fetal growth.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Jan 2010
Prevalence of elevated hepatic transaminases among Jordanian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Since the extent of elevation of liver transaminases in type 2 diabetics in Jordan and most of the Middle East is unknown, we estimated the prevalence of elevated liver transaminase levels among patients with type 2 diabetes and determined associated risk factors. ⋯ Elevated ALT and AST levels are found in 10.4% and 5.4% of our type 2 diabetic patients respectively. Male gender, younger age, higher waist circumference; as an indicator of central obesity, as well as non insulin use are independent predictors of elevated liver transaminase levels.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Jan 2010
Case ReportsCombined occurrence of diabetes mellitus and retinitis pigmentosa.
The combined occurrence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is rare. It has been reported in the form of four different syndromes that are inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. We describe two cases of DM and RP occurring together. ⋯ The second case was a 34-year-old male who presented with insulin-resistant diabetes, hypertension, blindness secondary to RP, deafness, normal cognitive functions, primary infertility, renal, and liver impairment. He was diagnosed clinically as having Alström syndrome. Because of overlapping clinical manifestations and the cost and time involved in genetic studies, clinical criteria can be used for diagnosis and as a guide for genetic mapping in these patients.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Jan 2010
ReviewTrauma care systems in Saudi Arabia: an agenda for action.
Saudi Arabia is undergoing a rapid population growth that along with improved socioeconomics has led many individuals to own a car or even a number of cars per family, resulting in a greater number of vehicles on the roads. The reduced focus on good public transportation systems and the dependence on cars for transportation have created a diversity of drivers who are unfamiliar with the local driving rules and lack the basic skills for safe driving. This is in addition to some young drivers who frequently violate traffic laws and tend to speed most of the time. ⋯ Essential components of the system include trauma prevention, prehospital care, hospital care, rehabilitation, system administration, trauma care education and training, trauma care evaluation and quality improvement, along with the participation of society. Research has documented a significant decrease in morbidity and mortality from trauma after the implementation of such systems, depending on their efficiency. The purpose of this review is to discuss the problem of road traffic accidents in this country and address the trauma care system as an effective solution.