Prevalence and correlates of anaemia in adolescents in Riyadh city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and correlates of anaemia in male and female adolescents in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Design: A cross-sectional community-based study.

Setting: Five primary health-care centres in Riyadh.

The role of rapid testing and clinical decision in the diagnosis of human influenza A H1N1 infection.

Objective: To evaluate the role of the rapid influenza diagnostic test (RIDT) and clinical decision in the diagnosis of H1N1.

Methods: In November 2009, 290 suspected influenza patients were examined for H1N1 during an outbreak in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Nasopharyngeal swabs were analyzed using Directigen EZ Flu A+B kit.

Prevalence and factors associated with low bone mineral density in Saudi women: a community based survey.

Background: Low bone mineral density (BMD) is a public health issue in Saudi Arabia. This study measured the prevalence and factors associated with low BMD in Saudi women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross sectional study using two stage cluster sampling technique was conducted in Riyadh, 2009.

Prevalence of anemia and associated factors in child bearing age women in riyadh, saudi arabia.

Objective. To determine the prevalence and risk factors for anemia in child bearing age women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Design.

Abrupt withdrawal of inhaled corticosteroids does not result in spirometric deterioration in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Effect of phenotyping?

Background And Objective: Some studies show a decline of FEV(1) only one month after withdrawal of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), while others show no decline. We speculate that the presence of an asthma phenotype in the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) population, and that its exclusion may result in no spirometric deterioration.

Methods: We performed a prospective clinical observation study on 32 patients who fulfilled the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive lung disease definition of COPD (Grade II-IV).

The coagulopathy of liver disease: does vitamin K help?

Vitamin K is frequently administered in cirrhotic patients to correct their coagulopathy, but evidence for such practice is lacking. We aimed to assess whether vitamin K administration increases the levels of the vitamin K-dependent factor VII (FVII), protein C, and protein S in patients with different stages of liver dysfunction. Eighty-nine patients were recruited into four groups: group 1 [hepatitis B virus (HBV) inactive carriers, n = 23]; group 2 [chronic HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) hepatitis, n = 21]; group 3 (cirrhosis, n = 24); group 4 (hepatocellular carcinoma, n = 21); and a healthy control group (n = 39).

Lung functions in poorly controlled type 1 Saudi diabetic children and adolescents.

Objective: To determine the lung function among Saudi type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) children and adolescents.

Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Pulmonology and University Diabetes Centre, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from December 2008 to July 2010. A group of 52 (26 male and 26 female) volunteer T1DM children were recruited with an age range from 8-14 years (mean 12.

A validation study comparing the sensitivity and specificity of the new Dr. KSU H1N1 RT-PCR kit with real-time RT-PCR for diagnosing influenza A (H1N1).

Background And Objectives: A new test (Dr. KSU H1N1 RT-PCR kit) was recently developed to provide a less expensive alternative to real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We report the findings of a validation study designed to assess the diagnostic accuracy, including sensitivity and specificity, of the new kit, as compared to real-time RT-PCR.

Factors affecting the progression of diabetic nephropathy and its complications: a single-center experience in Saudi Arabia.

Background And Objectives: One out of five Saudi diabetics develops end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Factors associated with progressive loss of renal function have not been extensively studied and reported in our community. We sought to evaluate the pattern and progression in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and investigate the potential risk factors associated with progression to diabetic nephropathy (DN) among Saudi patients.

Asthma masquerading as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a study of smokers fulfilling the GOLD definition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Irreversible airways obstruction in smokers is usually attributed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We speculate that some of these are cases of asthma indistinguishable from COPD.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of asthma in a 'COPD' population and how to differentiate the two conditions.

Assessment of alpha-fetoprotein in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in Middle Eastern patients.

Background: Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels for the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may vary by geographical region and racial background. No data exists for this test in the Middle Eastern population. In addition, there is limited data on the impact of virological status on AFP levels.

Clinical characteristics and computed tomography findings in Arab patients diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Background And Objective: Sarcoidosis is prevalent worldwide with significant heterogeneity across different ethnic groups. We aimed To describe the clinical characteristics and computed tomography findings among Arab patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Methods: A retrospective study of patient demographics, symptoms, co-morbid illness, sarcoidosis stage, treatment, pulmonary function and CT results.

Outcome of patients with pulmonary embolism admitted to the intensive care unit.

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is an important cause of in-hospital mortality. Many patients are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) either due to hemodynamic instability or severe hypoxemia. Few reports have addressed the outcome of patients with PE; however, none were from ICUs in the Middle East.

The prevalence of asthma in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.

Background: Most of the studies that have explored the relationship between obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and asthma have focused on the prevalence of snoring and OSA symptoms in patients with asthma.

Objectives: This study was conducted to measure the reverse relationship - the prevalence of asthma in patients with diagnosed OSA.

Methods: We assessed the prevalence of asthma in all patients diagnosed polysomnographically to have OSA during the study period.

Evaluation of three instructional methods of teaching for undergraduate medical students, at king saud university, saudi arabia.

Background: There is an international move from traditional curriculum towards the learner - centered, and patient-oriented curriculum. In spite of its advantages, problem-based learning requires a larger number of teaching staff and space. This study was done to compare the problem-based learning (PBL), lectures and modified PBL methods.

Prevalence of sleep problems and habits in a sample of Saudi primary school children.

Background: Sleep problems in children vary not only with age, but also with ethnic and sociocultural background. No research has been conducted to assess sleep problems in Saudi elementary school children. This study surveyed parents (or guardians) abouttheir elementary school children's sleep to assess the prevalence of certain sleep problems.

Comparison of clinico-radiological features of patients with positive cultures of nontuberculous mycobacteria and patients with tuberculosis.

Objective: To identify the clinico-radiological features of patients with positive cultures for nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and compare those to a sample of patients with tuberculosis (MTB).

Methods: A laboratory database was used to retrieve all specimens submitted to King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, mycobacteriology laboratory for mycobacterial smears and cultures during the period from October 1999-April 2002. Using this database, the original records of the mycobacteriology laboratory and a review of the patient's health records, a standard proforma was completed that included demographic, clinical, radiological and laboratory information on patients included in this study.