Visual Impact of Early Hydroxychloroquine-Related Retinal Structural Changes in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the early retinal structural changes due to hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) use and its impact on visual acuity (VA) of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Patients And Methods: The study was conducted as a case-control study that included 60 eyes of 30 SLE patients treated with HCQ compared with 50 eyes of 25 healthy individuals. Patients were kept on 200 or 400 mg as daily maintenance dose.

Ultrasound-guided caudal epidural steroid injection in chronic radicular low back pain: short-term electrophysiologic benefits.

Objective: To assess the short-term efficacy of ultrasound-guided caudal epidural steroid injections (ESIs) in improving pain, and nerve function as measured by electrophysiological testing in chronic radicular low back pain.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with chronic radicular low back pain were randomized into one of two groups. The injection group ( = 20) underwent a single ultrasound-guided Caudal ESI of 1 ml of 40 mg ml Triamcinolone Acetonide (Kenacort-A), with local anesthetic.

Validation of an adapted arabic version of fibromyalgia syndrome impact questionnaire.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is the most common chronic pain syndrome encountered in medical practice, affecting females more than males, and the estimated prevalence of FM in Egypt is 1.3 %. The aim was to translate and adapt the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) into Arabic and assess reliability and validity.

Evaluation of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in the management of patients with discogenic lumbar radiculopathy.

Aim: This randomized clinical trial was designed to evaluate the effect of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMF) in the management of patients with discogenic lumbar radiculopathy.

Methods: Forty patients suffering from lumbar radiculopathy due to lumbar disc prolapse were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a study group that included 20 patients who received PEMF therapy and a control group that included 20 patients who received placebo treatment. Both groups were evaluated at bases line and after 3 weeks by using a visual analogue scale (VAS) (0-10), somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) for selected dermatomes and Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (OSW), and findings were compared before and after treatment.