Saudi Med J
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To systematically review the literature and to summarize all evidence related to the diagnosis and management of patulous eustachian tube. ⋯ Currently, there is a wide spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions with minimal clinical efficacy, a persistent lack of systematic guidelines, and several gaps in previous research endeavours.
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A few decades ago, the government of Saudi Arabia introduced electronic medical records (EMRs) in some health care facilities. However, the progress in adopting these systems on a national level was slow. In 2008, the Saudi Ministry of Health started an initiative to expand and optimize the use of EMRs in governmental health care institutions. ⋯ Other barriers include poor computer literacy, lack of system customization to hospital needs, and poor support and training from information technology (IT) personnel. Identifying and addressing these barriers is essential for the optimal application of EMR systems in all health care facilities. In this review, the author focused on the benefits of widespread adoption of EMRs in Saudi Arabia, the perceptions of health care professionals, and the challenges and barriers toward improved implementation of this technology.
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To validate the web weight gain-based WINROP (weight, insulin-like growth factor I, neonatal, retinopathy of prematurity [ROP]) algorithm retrospectively to identify type 1 ROP in a Saudi cohort of premature infants. Methods: The records of preterm infants (greater than 23 and less than 32 weeks gestation) born between August 2013 and October 2018, were reviewed. Birth weight, gestational age, and weekly weight measurements of the premature infants were entered online. Based on weekly weight gain, the WINROP algorithm alerted clinicians whether infants were at high-risk for vision‑threatening type 1 ROP. ⋯ The specificity of the algorithm was 31.5%. Positive predictive values was 10.5% and negative was 100%. Conclusion: The general WINROP sensitivity in identifying type 1 ROP was 100% similar to that reported in developed countries; however, its specificity was low at 31.5%. Tweaking of the algorithm based on the population may increase the specificity and promote the practical utility of this non-invasive screening tool for ophthalmologists and neonatologists in this population.
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To assess bone mineral density (BMD) of children with short stature using quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and compare it to children with normal height. Methods: We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional controlled study between May 2018 and February 2019 at various pediatric clinics in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In total, 219 children were included: 100 had short stature, and 119 were of normal height. Data were collected from one-on-one interviews, and BMD was measured using quantitative ultrasound. Results: Children with short stature had significantly lower BMD z-scores than children with normal height (pless than 0.05). ⋯ A significant association was found between higher BMD z-scores, and both age (p=0.05) and height (p=0.02). Through a further division of children with short stature into those with and those without growth hormone deficiencies, we show that growth hormone deficiency was positively associated with lower BMD z-scores; however, the p-value was 0.06. Conclusions: Compared with children of normal height, those with short stature had lower BMD. Height, vitamin D supplementation, and age were all significantly correlated with higher BMD, while growth hormone deficiency was correlated with lower BMD.
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Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is rare disease entity and has recently been recognized as an inflammatory disorder with the tendency to affect multiple organs. Pachymeningitis of spine caused by IgG4-related disease is extremely rare. ⋯ He was found to had pachymeningeal thickening on a cervical magnetic resonance image (MRI) and elevated serum IgG4 levels. He was treated with glucocorticoids and rituximab, which led to a significantly positive radiological response.