Serum uric acid as a sensitive concordant marker with lupus nephritis and new onset of renal damage: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: The objectives of this study are to assess serum different uric acid levels among systemic lupus erythematosus patients with or without active lupus nephritis in comparison to healthy controls and to study the relation of baseline uric acid levels to the development of new-onset renal damage in lupus nephritis.

Methods: This is a case-control study followed by a prospective cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Three groups were included; all were having normal kidney function, 25 SLE patients with recently diagnosed active lupus nephritis (LN), 26 SLE patients without LN, and 38 healthy controls.

Community-based screening for pre-hypertension among military active duty personnel.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of both pre-hypertension and hypertension, and risk factors associated with the newly diagnosed Saudi military active duty personnel.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional screening of 1238 Saudi military active duty service personnel was conducted during the period from September to December 2007 at the military units of Taif region, western Saudi Arabia. Screening tools included self-administrated questionnaire, general physical examination, anthropometric measurements, and assessment of blood pressure.

Does the use of radiofrequency ultrasonic dissector in tonsillectomy have a beneficial effect over the use of laser?

Objective: To compare the intra- and post- operative morbidities on the use of radiofrequency ultrasonic dissector (US) with the use of laser during tonsillectomy in the same patients.

Methods: A randomized comparative study was implemented where all patients underwent tonsillectomy at Al-Hada Armed Forces Hospital, Taif, and Aouhod Hospital, Al-Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the period January 2000 to December 2005 were recruited for the study. Radiofrequency US was used in one side, and laser was used in the other side of the same patient.

Association of glycosylated haemoglobin level and diabetes mellitus duration with the severity of coronary artery disease.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to cause microvascular and possibly macrovascular complications. This study was performed to find the association between glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) level and the severity of coronary artery disease. One hundred and ten consecutive patients admitted to hospital with acute myocardial infarction were studied.

Exercise capacity of Saudi with symptoms suggestive of cardiovascular disease in a military hospital in Western Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To analyze the results of exercise tolerance test (ETT) of Saudi women and assess their exercise capacity.

Methods: A hospital based retrospective cohort analysis was carried out on all Saudi women referred to the Cardiology Department for ETT from February 2005 to June 2007. They underwent symptom limited treadmill test according to the standard Bruce protocol with exercise electrocardiogram monitoring.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in Alexandria, Egypt; incidence rates and trend study (1995-2004).

During the past decades, the incidence of the most common non-Hodgkin's lymphomas has increased dramatically worldwide. In Egypt, it is the fifth most common cancer in both the sexes. The purpose of this study is to study the problem of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in Alexandria, Egypt: incidence rates and trend.

Pattern of disability among patients attending Taif Rehabilitation Center, Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: Despite the growing awareness of the community about the economic, psychological and medical impact of disability, limited research has been carried out to determine the pattern of disabilities in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of hospital records of patients who were admitted to Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center, Taif, Saudi Arabia, during the period from 1999-2005. A total of 850 patient records were reviewed.

Insomnia symptoms and their correlates among the elderly in geriatric homes in Alexandria, Egypt.

The prevalence of sleep complaints increases steadily with age. Studies investigating insomnia among elderly people living in geriatric homes, especially among Egyptians, are scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of insomnia symptoms among the elderly living in geriatric homes in Alexandria and their correlates.

Prevalence, symptomatology, and risk factors for depression among high school students in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and pattern of depression in a secondary school sample of Saudi Arabia adolescents.

Methods: Four hundred and ninety secondary school students, comprising 306 males (62.4%) and 184 females (37.

Anemia and nutritional status of schoolchildren living at Saudi high altitude area.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and possible risk factors for anemia and abnormal anthropometric measurements among schoolchildren in Al-Hada Area, Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: We conducted the study between January and April, 2005 at Al-Hada area. A nested case-control study was conducted to estimate risk factors for anemia and abnormal anthropometric measurements.

Surveillance of nosocomial infections at a Saudi Arabian military hospital for a one-year period.

Unlabelled: The objectives of the current study are to define how many and what kind of nosocomial infections are occurring, what are the causative microbes and what kind of drugs can be used in treatment of infection at Al-Hada Armed Forces Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia during the year 2004. A prospective study was implemented for all cases admitted at Al-Hada Armed Forces Hospital during the period 1(st) January, 2004 till 31(st) December, 2004 and which developed infection. Determination of nosocomial infections was performed using standardized CDC criteria.

Epidemiologic study of nosocomial urinary tract infections in Saudi military hospitals.

A case-control study of patients with and without confirmed UTI was performed to identify risk factors for nosocomial UTI. Duration of hospitalization, unit of admission, history of diabetes mellitus or debilitating diseases, and duration and number of urinary catheters were independently associated with increased risk of nosocomial UTIs.

Emotional and behavioral problems among male Saudi schoolchildren and adolescents.

Objective: Determination of the prevalence rate of emotional or behavioral problems, or both, among male Saudi schoolchildren and identifying the possible risk factors behind these problems.

Methods: The study was conducted from March-May, 2003 and included all male schoolchildren of Al-Abnae schools specialized for the sons of the employees of the Saudi Ministry of Defense (military and civilians) in Taif Governorate, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (total number 1416 students). It was conducted through 2 phases: A screening phase (using the Child Behavior Checklist "Parent`s form") for all schoolchildren and adolescents included in the study through a cross-sectional approach to assess their emotional and behavioral problems, and a case-control phase to study risk factors.

Nosocomial urinary tract infection. Risk factors, rates and trends.

Objective: This report aims at both estimation of the rates of overall nosocomial and urinary tract infection (UTI) and their linear trends as well as studying the potential risk factors of patients admitted to Al-Hada, Rehab and Prince Sultan military hospitals and developed nosocomial UTIs (NUTIs).

Methods: A case-control study on 206 discharged patients with confirmed UTI and 618 controls without UTI was carried out between August 2001 through to July 2003 to study risk factors for nosocomial UTI as well as hospital records during the period (1998-2002) were reviewed for calculation of the overall annual nosocomial infection and nosocomial UTI rates.

Results: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that duration of hospital stay, unit of admission, history of diabetes mellitus or debilitating diseases, and duration and number of urinary catheters were independently associated with increased risk of NUTIs.