Factors that influence quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis in Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: To study the factors which may contribute to quality of life (QOL) in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: 175 pwMS and 71 age-, gender-, and BMI-matched healthy subjects participated in this cross-sectional study. QOL was studied by the multiple sclerosis quality of life-54 (MSQOL-54) while depression, disability, and fatigue were measured by the beck depression inventory-II (BDI-II), the expanded disability status scale (EDSS), and the modified fatigue impact scale (MFIS), respectively.

The Efficacy of Adding Electromagnetic Therapy or Laser Therapy to Medications in Patients With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common disease with a highly significant burden among the Saudi population. This study aimed to investigate the effects of adding either magnetic or laser therapy to medications in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Seventy-one medically controlled diabetic patients were randomly assigned to 26 patients were exposed to magnetic therapy for 20 minutes/session, 2 sessions/week, for 3 months 25 patients were exposed to laser therapy with intensity 5.

Psychometric properties of an Arabic version of the fatigue severity scale in patients with stroke.

: Post-stroke fatigue is a common symptom which needs to be assessed by a psychometrically sound tool. : To investigate the psychometric properties of an Arabic version of the fatigue severity scale (FSS-A) in patients with stroke. : An observational, cross-sectional design was applied to 147 survivors of first-time stroke and 70 healthy participants.

Association of acute stress with multiple sclerosis onset and relapse in Saudi Arabia.

To determine if there is a relationship between acute stress and either the onset or relapse of multiple sclerosis (MS) and to discover how different types of acute stressors may be involved. Methods:  This study was carried out in Saudi Arabia between September 2017 and June 2018 and involved King Fahad University Hospital in Eastern province, Arfa Multiple Sclerosis Society in the Central and Western province of Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed using an Arabic self-constructed questionnaire consisted of 4 sections: 1) demographic data and time of diagnosis; 2) emotional/psychological stressors; 3) environmental/physical stressors; and 4) 4 specific stressors measuring their effect on the severity and recurrence of attacks.

Stroke and seizure continue to be the major brunt of in patient neurology care. An observation from teaching hospital.

Objective: To assess the burden and describe the pattern of neurological disorders requiring admissions in a teaching hospital of Al Khobar.

Methods: This is a retrospective, cross sectional study, carried out in the Neurology Department of King Fahd Hospital of the University from January 2009 to December 2016. Neurological disorders were grouped as ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, transient ischemic attack, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, seizure disorders, central nervous system infection, multiple sclerosis, neuropathies, myopathies, headache, dementia and miscellaneous group.

New onset epilepsy in the elderly: clinical, radiological and electroencephalographic features and treatment responses.

Objective: To evaluate new onset epilepsy characteristics, etiology, radiological and electroencephalographic features and to document treatment response in the elderly.

Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out in King Fahd Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 2010 to 2013. Medical records were searched to recruit patients.

Serum Vitamin B12 and thyroid hormone levels in Saudi patients with multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: To determine the relationship between Vitamin B12 levels and thyroid hormones in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Materials And Methods: One hundred and ten patients with MS were recruited for this study after Institutional Review Board approval. All patients signed a written informed consent form and donated a single blood sample.

Risk factors and subtypes of acute ischemic stroke. A study at King Fahd Hospital of the University.

Objective: To identify the different subtypes of acute ischemic stroke, and estimate the frequency of various risk factors among these patients.

Methods: In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, we reviewed the medical records of patients admitted with the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke at King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia from March 2008 till December 2015. The demographic characteristics, subtypes of stroke, risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, valvular heart disease) and other relevant data were documented on pre-defined data sheets.

Hsp72 (HSPA1A) Prevents Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Aggregation and Toxicity: A New Approach for Type 2 Diabetes Treatment.

Type 2 diabetes is a growing public health concern and accounts for approximately 90% of all the cases of diabetes. Besides insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes is characterized by a deficit in β-cell mass as a result of misfolded human islet amyloid polypeptide (h-IAPP) which forms toxic aggregates that destroy pancreatic β-cells. Heat shock proteins (HSP) play an important role in combating the unwanted self-association of unfolded proteins.

The use of immune modulating drugs for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

This review discusses the mechanisms of action of 4 immune modulating drugs currently used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), including Alemtuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that functions by targeting CD52, an antigen primarily expressed on T and B lymphocytes and monocytes/macrophages, resulting in their depletion and subsequent repopulation; Dimethyl fumarate that switches cytokine production toward a T helper 2 profile and enhances cytosolic levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, which has immune regulatory and cytoprotective effects on oligodendrocytes, neurons, and glial cells; Fingolimod functions by blocking the release of activated lymphocytes from lymph nodes by targeting sphingosin-1-phosphate receptors; Natalizumab a humanized monoclonal antibody binds α4β1-integrin resulting in reduced migration of immune cells from blood across the blood-brain barrier into the CNS. This review presents the most up to date information on mechanisms of action, safety, and efficacy of these immune modulators and provides future perspectives for the treatment of MS.

Newly diagnosed seizures in adults.

Objective: To study the clinical, electroencephalographic (EEG) and computed tomography (CT) profile in a hospital population of over 18-years adult patients with newly diagnosed recurrent seizures.

Methods: The clinical profiles obtained from history including detailed description of the seizures, examination, EEG and CT findings were recorded prospectively for all over-18 patients who were referred to the electrodiagnostic service at King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Eastern Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 1997. The data was entered into a standard database file and analyzed using a personal computer.