Wilson disease in 71 patients followed for over two decades in a tertiary center in Saudi Arabia: a retrospective review.

Background And Objectives: Wilson disease (WD) is a rare autosomal recessive disease. Our objective was to describe the diverse patterns, therapies, and outcomes of this disease.

Design And Setting: A retrospective study over two decades on WD patients in a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia.

Inflammatory bowel disease in Saudi Arabia: a hospital-based clinical study of 312 patients.

Background And Objectives: The epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and natural course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Saudi Arabia are still largely unknown. Hence, we decided to conduct a large retrospective, cohort study to determine these features of the disease.

Design And Setting: Retrospective study conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh from January 1970 to December 2008.

Predictors of sustained virological response to a 48-week course of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin in patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 4.

Background And Objectives: Knowledge of the predictors of sustained viral response (SVR) to pegylated interferon (PEG-INF) alfa-2a and ribavirin (RBV) therapy in patients with hepatitis C genotype-4 (HCV-4) is crucial for selecting patients who would benefit most from therapy. We assessed the predictors of SVR to this combination therapy in Saudi patients with chronic HCV-4 infection.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study included 148 patients with HCV-4 infection who underwent clinical, biochemical and virological assessments before treatment and at 12, 24, 48 and 72 weeks post-treatment.

Bio-enteric intragastric balloon in obese patients: a retrospective analysis of King Faisal Specialist Hospital experience.

Background: Bio-enteric intragastric balloon (BIB) insertion is gaining popularity for weight reduction in obese patients. We evaluated the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of BIB in the treatment of obesity.

Methods: A total of 173 Saudi obese patients [mean+/-SD age 34.

Sustained virologic response to peginterferon alpha-2a and ribavirin in 335 patients with chronic hepatitis C: a tertiary care center experience.

Background/aim: This retrospective study assessed the efficacy, safety, and the predictors of sustained viral response (SVR) to a 48-week-course of peginterferon alpha-2a (Pegasys) and ribavirin combination therapy in 335 consecutive Saudi patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Materials And Methods: Clinical, biochemical, and virological parameters were collected at time 0 (pretreatment) and at 12, 24, 48, and 72 weeks posttreatment. The mean +/- SD age was 49.

Successful management of multifactorial colitis in a recipient of hematopoietic stem cell transplant: a case report.

Recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant can develop life-threatening complications at any time following their transplants. These complications require repeated clinical assessment, appropriate and thorough screening as well as a comprehensive management approach. We report a young adult male who received a sibling allograft in the second complete remission of his acute lymphoblastic leukemia at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh.

A pilot trial of combination cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil and interferon-alpha in the treatment of advanced esophageal carcinoma.

Background/objectives: Based on the synergistic effect between cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and between 5-FU and interferon-alpha, we conducted a trial to assess the response rate and toxicity of the combination of cisplatin, 5-FU and interferon-alpha in patients with advanced esophageal cancer.

Methods: Patients with locally advanced or metastatic squamous cell or adenocarcinoma of the esophagus were eligible. No prior chemotherapy or interferon were allowed.