Experiences of Dermatologists and Patients Regarding Psoriasis and Its Connection to Psoriatic Arthritis in Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, immune-mediated skin disease that has significant impact on a patient's quality of life, yet it remains challenging for dermatologists to successfully identify and manage. Without effective screening, diagnosis and treatments, psoriasis can potentially progress to psoriatic arthritis. A descriptive, observational cross-sectional study of Saudi Arabian dermatologists and patients with psoriasis was conducted to explore dermatologist and patient perspectives of psoriasis, including diagnosis, management, disease course and unmet needs.

Exploring Impact of Multidisciplinary Care on Patient Activation in Saudi Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Survey-Extended Results from the COPARA National Project.

Introduction: Multidisciplinary setting in healthcare provide positive patient outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of specialized rheumatology clinics (multidisciplinary settings) on the activation and engagement of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Material And Methods: This cross-sectional survey assessed patient activation using the patient activation measure-13.

Exploring factors influencing patient activation in Saudi rheumatoid arthritis patients: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey-Results from the COPARA study.

Objectives: To evaluate patient activation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients using patient activation measure 13 (PAM-13) on a national level in Saudi Arabia.

Method: A national survey was administered across multiple centers in Saudi Arabia. Patient activation was assessed using the PAM-13.

Preferred Mode of Therapy Among Patients in Rheumatoid Arthritis Saudi Database: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aims And Objectives: Current knowledge of patients' preferences for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment is limited. Our goal was to determine the most favorable mode of therapy and the reasons behind choosing each route among RA patients in the Rheumatoid Arthritis Saudi Database (RASD).

Materials And Methods: In this cross-sectional, nationwide, qualitative study, we conducted interviews with 308 RA patients to assess their preferred mode of therapy (oral, subcutaneous (SC) injection, or intravenous (IV) infusion) and to determine the reasons behind their choice.

Exploring Factors Influencing Medication Compliance in Saudi Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey - Results from the COPARA Study.

Purpose: Compliance is essential to achieve treatment goals in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. The current study evaluated compliance and related factors in a large and diverse population.

Patients And Methods: Patients with RA who received active treatment were invited to participate in an online survey.

Causes of the Failure of Biological Therapy at a Tertiary Center: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study.

Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most commonly encountered autoimmune diseases. Treatment generally includes disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and/or biological therapy. However, a significant proportion of the patients do not respond to treatment either as a (primary failure) or lose efficacy over time (secondary failure).

Early Diagnosis Of Inflammatory Arthritis By Primary Care Physicians Following Training By A Rheumatologist.

Background: Early diagnosis and therapeutic management of inflammatory arthritis (IA) is crucial for minimizing disease progression and improving outcomes. We recently developed the New Early Arthritis Referral Criteria to help improve the detection of suspected early IA via musculoskeletal (MSK) examination. The present study aimed to evaluate the agreement between rheumatologists and primary care physicians (PCPs) trained by rheumatologists in detecting IA when applying the standardized MSK examination techniques used to develop this criteria in a real-world setting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus. Retrospective analysis of clinico-laboratory parameters and their association with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index score.

[No Abstract Available].

Glomerulonephritis disease pattern at Saudi tertiary care center.

[No Abstract Available].

Pleuropulmonary manifestation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Saudi Arabia.

Background And Objectives: Pleuropulmonary (PP) involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, limited data are available regarding lung complications in the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia. The objectives of the current study were to determine the prevalence of PP manifestations and to identify the associated risk factors.

Determining early referral criteria for patients with suspected inflammatory arthritis presenting to primary care physicians: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment for inflammatory arthritis can greatly improve patient outcome. We aimed to provide standardized and validated criteria for use by primary care physicians (PCPs) in the identification of individuals requiring referral to a rheumatologist.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed the predictive value of a wide variety of demographic variables, patient-reported complaints, physical examination results, and biomarkers in order to identify the most useful factors for indicating a requirement for referral.

Hyperlipidemia in rheumatoid arthritis patients in Saudi Arabia. Correlation with C-reactive protein levels and disease activity.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of hyperlipidemia in patients from Saudi Arabia with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to investigate its relationship with C-reactive protein level and disease activity.

Methods: A cross-sectional 3-year study was conducted on RA patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Saudi Arabia between January 2011 and December 2013. Lipid profiles were determined following 12-hour overnight fasting, and the association of lipid profiles with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and disease activity was determined.

Anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin antibody and rheumatoid factor (prevalence and association) in rheumatoid arthritis patients; Saudi and non-Saudi.

Unlabelled: background: The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of anti-mutated citrullinated vimentin (MCV) antibodies and rheumatoid factor (RF) and to evaluate their association in rheumatoid arthritis patients, both Saudi and non-Saudi.

Methods: Retrospectively, we studied 280 rheumatoid arthritis patients, at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. The antibodies were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and rheumatoid factor by nephelometry.

Pulmonary manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus: association with disease activity.

Background And Objective: Although systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common connective tissue disease affecting the lung, few studies have assessed risk factors that predict pulmonary manifestations. The objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalence of lung manifestations in SLE patients from Western Saudi Arabia by analysing results from high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans and to identify independent risk factors for lung involvement.

Methods: This was a 10-year retrospective study involving 184 SLE patients.

Frequency and risk factors of musculoskeletal pain in nurses at a tertiary centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: a cross sectional study.

Background: Musculoskeletal complaints are an important occupational problem; nevertheless, few studies have targeted nurses in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among nursing personnel at a tertiary centre in Jeddah.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was performed in which full-time registered nurses from four different departments (n = 200) were selected for analysis between September 1, 2011 and February 29, 2012.

Vitamin d deficiency in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: Hypovitaminosis D is common in the general population. Many studies that have been conducted to show the association between vitamin D deficiency and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) reveal that deficiencies in vitamin D are common in this group of patients. Our aim was to study the relationship between 25(OH)D and disease activity in patients with SLE.

Musculoskeletal manifestations in diabetic patients at a tertiary center.

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem worldwide. Most diabetic patients will develop functional disabilities due to multiple factors, including musculoskeletal (MSK) manifestations. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of MSK in diabetic patients and to examine the possible predictors for its development.

Vitamin D deficiency in rheumatoid arthritis. Prevalence and association with disease activity in Western Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of low serum vitamin D level (25[OH]D) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with healthy controls, and to analyze the association between 25(OH)D and disease activity.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included 100 RA patients (85% women) and 100 controls, not on vitamin D supplements from January 2010 to December 2011 at a tertiary care center at the Department of Internal Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Disease activity was measured using the disease activity score index (DAS28).

Adverse effects of low dose methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis patients. A hospital-based study.

Objective: To evaluate the side effects of methotrexate (MTX) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to evaluate the possible predisposing variables.

Methods: A retrospective analysis conducted for all patients diagnosed with RA and treated with MTX over 3-years (January 2006 to December 2008) at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Frequency of MTX side effects and the predictive variables were recorded and analyzed statistically.

Medical conditions associated with a positive anti-double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid.

Objective: To explore the associated diseases with positive anti-double stranded (ds) DNA other than systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to determine an association if any, between its level in non-SLE causes.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of all patients with positive anti-dsDNA assay (more than 200 IU/ml) tested for any underlying etiology from January to December 2007 at King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Results: Two hundred and twelve patients with anti-dsDNA antibody testing were evaluated.

Tetracyclines: what a rheumatologist needs to know?

Tetracyclines are broad-spectrum antibiotics that act at the ribosomal level. They were first introduced in 1948 and were widely prescribed by dermatologists in the early 1950s for treatment of acne. More recently, biologic actions of tetracyclines affecting inflammation, angiogenesis, and bone metabolism have been researched.

Extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis: a hospital-based study.

Background And Objective: The frequency of extra-articular manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis (ExRA) differs from one country to another, so we investigated ExRA frequency in a well-defined hospital patient population with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Saudi Arabia. We also examined possible predictors of the development ExRA.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of all patients diagnosed with RA at a university hospital during a 4-year period.