Validation of an Arabic version of Fatigue Severity Scale.

Objectives: To develop and test the psychometric properties of an Arabic version of Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS-Ar) that can be used to measure fatigue in Arabic patients with disorders where fatigue is a major symptom. 

Methods: Forward and backward translations of FSS were undertaken to develop an Arabic version. The validity and reliability of the FSS-Ar was then tested on 28 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 24 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and 31 healthy subjects.

Imaging findings of neuro-Behcet disease.

Objective: To study the neuroimaging findings of neuro-Behcet`s disease (NBD) in Saudi patients and to discuss the radiological differential diagnosis.

Methods: The clinical data and radiological findings on CT, MRI and cerebral angiography of 16 patients with NBD attending King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from January 1990 to February 2003 were reviewed.

Results: Out of 16 patients with NBD, 11 patients (68.

Multiple sclerosis. Recent modalities of treatment.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has devastating physical, psychological, and economic consequences. The disease commences in most patients with a relapsing-remitting course, and it is likely that treatment is most effective during this phase before permanent axon damage has occurred. Despite the absence of a cure for MS, the 4 available drug therapies (Interferon (IFN) beta-1a, IFN beta-1b, glatiramer acetate, and mitoxantrone) play a role in the management of MS based on their demonstrated efficacy.

Non paraneoplastic opsoclonus - myoclonus syndrome.

We analyzed the features of opsoclonus syndrome as a manifestation of post viral encephalopathy in 3 patients (one child and 2 adults). This is the first report of opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome in the Arabian Peninsula. Symptoms appeared a few days after a viral-like illness in all patients.