The rates of sputum conversion among new smear positive open pulmonary tuberculosis patients treated under directly observed treatment, short course strategy.

Objective: To evaluate effectiveness of directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) by monthly sputum conversion rates at first, second, and third month in newly diagnosed patients of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) (category-1), and to study patterns of lesions on chest radiographs and their correlation to smear sputum positivity, also to record reaction to Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST) in active TB patients.

Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted among 100 newly diagnosed patients of open pulmonary tuberculosis CAT-1, admitted and treated under DOTS, at the Tuberculosis Center, Dammam Medical Complex, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between July to December 2010. Chest radiographs were studied for the patterns of lesions and their correlation to the grades of sputum positivity.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome among a snoring community.

Objective: To evaluate the relation between snoring and the presence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in terms of relevant health parameters and questionnaire responses.

Methods: Selective random sampling within a household survey in the cities of Al-Khobar and Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over a 3 month period during the year 2000, was carried out. One hundred and fifty-two persons, aged 17-62 years, with a positive history of snoring as determined by the spouse or other members of the family were selected.