Saudi Med J
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To assess the existence of subclinical atherosclerosis in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in comparison to age, gender and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors matched controls. Methods: A cross-sectional study, 100 RA patients and 150 age, gender and CVD risk factors matched controls were recruited between June 2019 and December 2019. Detailed history, physical examination, and ultrasound examination of the carotid arteries for the carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and for the presence of atheroma, had been carried out. Differences between RA and controls carotid structural changes were carried out using t-test and Chi-test. ⋯ Patients with RA showed more sub-clinical atherosclerosis with thicker cIMT at 0.60±1.4 versus 0.56±0.09 mm, (p=0.03). cIMT is a surrogate marker for the presence of atherosclerosis and a predictor for the cardiovascular disease progression. Rheumatoid arthritis patients had more carotid atherosclerotic plaque; 21 (21%) patients versus 6 (4%) healthy controls (p less than 0.001). Conclusion: Subclinical atherosclerosis is more prevalent among RA patients of the GCC than the control participants.
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Review Meta Analysis
Outcomes of COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region in the first 4 months of the pandemic.
To summarize the outcomes of the coronavirus disease 2019 infections in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) in the first 4 months of the pandemic. ⋯ Wide variability was found between EMR countries in recovery and mortality, implying the possible impact of resource availability, and genetic and environmental factors on the morality and recovery of the COVID-19.
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To investigate clinical characteristics and the outcome of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) at tertiary care center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: The present retrospective, observational study was carried between 2000-2019 at Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The demographic and clinical characteristics of 137 PLWHIV patients were collected by reviewing the medical data record. Results: Of the total 137 PLWHIV, 78.8% were male and 21.2% were female. At care entry, the most opportunistic infections found were the cytomegalovirus infections. cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in 13.8% of patients, tuberculosis (8%), AIDS associated malignancy (10.9%), hepatitis B (5.8%), NTM (3.6%), hepatitis C (2.2%). ⋯ The highest number (n=20) of patients were diagnosed in 2018. Conclusions: Our findings describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of PLWHIV at a major tertiary referral hospital in Saudi Arabia. The non AIDS related disease is the major cause of death in HIV infected patients. Early diagnosis and initiation of antiretroviral therapy resulted in a significant decrease in morbidity and mortality.
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To investigate the association between plasma homocysteine (Hcy) status and metabolic syndrome (MS) among Saudi patients attending King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. ⋯ The mean plasma Hcy level was 10.52 µmol/L, and 40% of the patients exhibited elevated Hcy status. Male patients had significantly elevated Hcy levels compared to female patients (p less than 0.001). In addition, plasma Hcy levels were significantly higher in patients diagnosed with diabetes (p=0.021) and hypertension (p less than 0.001). The prevalence of MS within the study population was 51%. Homocysteine levels were associated with the presence of MS independent of demographic, anthropometric and biochemical variables (odd ratio 1.018; 95% confidence intervals 1.011 -1.047). Conclusion: Plasma Hcy levels were elevated in 40% of the MS patients. Homocysteine had weak association with the presence of MS. Additionally, it was associated with some of its components individually. This study has raised the importance of investigating the association between Hcy status and MS among a representative sample of Saudi population. Additionally, examining possible association and interaction between Hcy level and specific component of MS is suggested to be explored in future studies.
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To find reference data for the time of appearance of ossification centers in carpal bones and the lower ends of the radius and ulna in the Saudi population. In addition, to check the sequence of appearance of carpal bones and the relation of this sequence to the appearance of distal epiphyses of the radius and ulna. Methods: A retrospective radiological study was carried out between 2012 to 2020 at King Fahad Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. A sample of 279 hand/wrist plain radiographs of Saudi children was analyzed. ⋯ The sequence of appearance of carpal bones in the Saudi population is similar to what is described in the literature. However, the time of appearance of some of these bones is earlier than that in other populations.