High intensity approaches to exposure and response prevention for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating psychiatric condition with multidetermined etiological and maintaining mechanisms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), specifically exposure and response prevention (ERP), is the first line behavioral intervention to treat OCD. ERP directly targets threat learning that characterizes OCD through processes of habituation (fear extinction) and inhibitory learning, in addition to eliciting neuronal changes implicated in OCD.

Psychophysiological assessment of stress reactivity and recovery in anxiety disorders.

The present study aimed to examine changes in psychophysiological arousal from baseline to a stressor phase (reactivity) and from the stressor phase to a second resting phase (recovery) in patients with anxiety disorders. Fifty adult patients with DSM-5 anxiety disorders (panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or social anxiety disorder) and 28 healthy control (HC) participants underwent psychophysiological monitoring including electrocardiogram, respiration rate, electrodermal activity, gastrocnemius electromyograph, and end-tidal CO for a 3-min resting phase, a 6-min mild stressor phase, and a 3-min recovery phase. Anxious patients then went on to receive naturalistic cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in a specialty outpatient clinic.

The dose-response curve in cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders.

Previous studies examining the dose-response curve in psychotherapy have suggested that 11-19 sessions may be necessary for at least 50% of individuals to show clinically significant improvement. However, this curve has not been examined specifically for cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders, for which a more rapid recovery curve may be expected. Survival analysis was used to assess the dose-response curve for 201 patients with anxiety disorders who received weekly CBT at an anxiety specialty clinic.

CYP2C9 polymorphism studies in the Saudi population.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of CYP2C9 polymorphism in normal Saudis (controls), in Saudi patients with venous thrombosis, in patients requiring low dose warfarin (study group) for anticoagulation, and to compare our results to those from other populations.

Methods: Blood from the control and study groups was collected from November 2001 to November 2008. The DNA was extracted, stored at -70°C and later tested for the CYP2C9 polymorphism using established methods.

Inferior vena caval filters: 5 years of experience in a tertiary care center.

Background And Objectives: Interruption of the Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) is recommended in certain cases to prevent Pulmonary Embolism (PE). Reported data on the efficacy and rate of complications vary considerably.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who had a temporary or permanent IVC filter inserted at our institution during the past 5 years.

The Saudi Thrombosis and Familial Thrombophilia Registry. Design, rational, and preliminary results.

Objective: To describe the Registry and report preliminary data for the prevalence of 5 prothrombotic gene mutations in the normal Saudi population.

Methods: Blood from consenting healthy Saudi individuals and patients with venous thrombosis (VT) from different regions of the Kingdom was collected from November 2001 until July 2007. The extracted DNA of each sample was kept at -70 degrees C until tested for 5 known prothrombotic factors using established methods.

Comparative study between the Light Cycler and the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism in detecting factor V Leiden and factor II 20210G>A mutations.

Objectives: To test reproducibility, speed and cost of testing for factor V Leiden and FII 20210G>A in our practice.

Design And Methods: We compared conformity, reproducibility, speed and cost using the Light Cycler (LC) and PCR-RFLP.

Results: There was 100% conformity and reproducibility.

Antibody levels to the class I and II epitopes of the M protein and myosin are related to group A streptococcal exposure in endemic populations.

Rheumatic fever (RF)/rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis are thought to be autoimmune diseases, and follow group A streptococcal (GAS) infection. Different GAS M types have been associated with rheumatogenicity or nephritogenicity and categorized into either of two distinct classes (I or II) based on amino acid sequences present within the repeat region ('C' repeats) of the M protein. Sera from ARF patients have previously been shown to contain elevated levels of antibodies to the class I-specific epitope and myosin with the class I-specific antibodies also being cross-reactive to myosin, suggesting a disease association.

Lack of association between factor V Leiden and thromboembolism in patients with prosthetic heart valves.

Thromboembolism represents the most serious complication in patients with prosthetic heart valves, and causes significant mortality and morbidity. Many risk factors for the condition have been identified. However, many patients who have a therapeutic level of anticoagulation and no obvious risk factors develop thromboembolism.

Association of factor V Leiden with Behçet's disease.

Objective: Studies show an association between factor V Leiden and venous thrombosis. Since venous thrombosis is common in Behçet's disease (BD), we looked for an association between thrombosis in BD and the presence of factor V Leiden.

Methods: Twenty-three patients with BD according to International Study Group criteria and 22 patients with rheumatoid arthritis by American College of Rheumatology criteria as controls participated in the study.

Dental procedures in patients receiving oral anticoagulation therapy.

Over a 10-year period a uniform management plan for patients receiving long term oral anticoagulation therapy for prosthetic heart valves and needing dental procedures was instituted. Those undergoing dental extraction or gum hygiene in the presence of gross gum pathology (Group A) had their oral anticoagulation discontinued two days prior to the procedure which was carried out only if the INR was 1.5 or less on the day of the procedure.