Abdurhman S. Al-Arfaj

Prevalence of Radiographic Knee Osteoarthritis in Saudi Arabia

Abstract: In this cross-sectional study we looked at the radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in 300 randomly chosen patients attending 14 primary care facilities for different medical conditions. Radiographic OA was seen in 89 out of 167 males (53.3%) and in 81 out of 133 females (60.9%). The patella was involved with radiographic osteoarthritic changes in 80.7% and 87.8% of female and male OA patients, respectively. In most cases the medial compartment joint space was narrowed. Radiographic OA of the knee is very common in Saudi patients, especially in the patellofemoral compartment.

Hyperuricemia in Saudi Arabia

Abstract The objective of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout in a sample of Saudi individuals and their relationship to certain risk factors, namely, obesity, serum glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, age, and sex. A total of 487 Saudis (250 males and 237 females) from 14 primary care clinics were interviewed, examined, and investigated. The mean age for the males was 46.89 ± 17.01 years (range 14–83) and for the females 45.08 ± 13.67 years (range 21–80). Serum uric acid (SUA) values above 420 μmol/l for males and 360 μmol/l for females were considered to be high. Of the 487 individuals, 41 (8.42%; 20 males and 21 females) had hyperuricemia. The mean SUA was 308.41 ± 90.64 μmol/l for males and 254.59 ± 85.79 μmol/l for females. In females, uric acid levels correlated significantly with age, body mass index (BMI), serum creatinine, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), but not with serum cholesterol or triglycerides. In males, uric acid levels only correlated significantly with BMI and serum creatinine. No case of gout was found.

Profile of ankylosing spondylitis in Saudi Arabia

SummaryThis study describes the profile of ankylosing spondylitis as seen at the King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia over a period of 4 years. Fifteen cases were accumulated, eleven males and four females (M:F ratio 2.75:1). Thirteen patients were of Arab origin. The mean age of onset was 23.4 years, and all patients but one had a subacute onset. A positive family history was elicited in two patients (13%) and HLA B27 was positive in eight out of twelve patients (67%). Symmetrical radiographic sacroiilitis was present in all fifteen patients, radiographic spondylitis in eleven (73%), enthesitis in nine (60%) while peripheral joints were affected in five (33%). Conjunctivitis and uveitis were seen in 2 (13%) and 1 (7%) respectively. Most patients were in ARA functional Class I and II.

Induction of autoimmunity in Brown Norway rats by oral and parenteral administration of sodium silicate

Silica and silicate may disturb immune function such as autoimmunity and tumour immunity. The main objective of this study was to examine the relation between sodium silicate and induction of autoimmunity in genetically susceptible rats. In this study, thirty Brown Norway rats were randomised into four treatment groups, the first and second group receiving 3 mg of sodium silicate (NaSiO4) (equivalent to 2 mg silica) in 0.2 mL of normal saline either per oral or subcutaneously, and the third and fourth group (control) receiving 0.2 mL of normal saline (0.9%) through the same corresponding route. A significant number of rats (80%) (P < 0.05) which received sodium silicate by the subcutaneous route showed a high level of serum ANA compared with controls. In the oral, sodium silicate group showed high serum ANA in an insignificant number of rats. Other autoantibodies in both groups (anti-dsDNA, anti-Smith, anti-SSA, anti-SSB) showed gradual increased post exposure, but the numbers of rats with positive titres post exposure was statistically not significant. Silica exposure in rats appears to induce the development of autoimmunity. A longer duration post exposure to silicate seems to be associated with greater risks.

Limited Wegener’s granulomatosis of the epididymis

A case is presented of Wegener’s granulomatosis limited to the epididymis in a 32‐year‐old man. Tests for antineutrophils cytoplasmic antibodies were negative throughout. He showed excellent response to treatment with prednisolone, azathioprine and cotrimoxazole, following recurrence of his disease, after local complete excision. He remains free of disease 40 months after the discontinuation of all his treatment.

The Relationship between Chondrocalcinosis and Osteoarthritis in Saudi Arabia

Abstract: The association between articular chondrocalcinosis and osteoarthritis was sought by studying 92 patients over the age of 60. Anteroposterior and lateral X-ray projections of knees, hands and wrists were studied for the presence of chondrocalcinosis and osteoarthritis. Of the 92 patients (60 males, 32 females), six had chondrocalcinosis of the knees; two of them also had it in the wrist. The six cases with chondrocalcinosis were compared to the 86 cases without, for the presence of osteoarthritis in the different compartments of the knees, intercarpal joints (IC) and metacarpophalangeal joints (MCP). We found an association between chondrocalcinosis and osteoarthritis of the lateral knee compartment (odd ratio (OR) 10.59, 95% CI 3.47–34.9), second MCP joint (OR 3.27 95% CI 1.44–8.93), third MCP joints (OR 6.92, 95% CI 1.99–25.54) and IC joint (OR 5.69, 95% CI 1.14–29.7). No association was found with overall knee OA, medial knee compartment OA or patellofemoral OA. In conclusion, chondrocalcinosis was associated with OA of the lateral knee compartment, second MCP, third MCP and IC joints.

Adult-Onset Still’s Disease in Saudi Arabia

Abstract: We present a series of 14 Saudi patients diagnosed to have adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD). The clinical and laboratory pattern of AOSD in our series is more or less similar to that in other reported series, apart from having lower cardiac and pulmonary involvement than western series. The disease course was relatively benign, with only half the cases showing recurrences, which were controlled by alterations in the dosage of corticosteroid and NSAIDs. A comparison with other series is given.

Eosinophilic fasciitis (Shulman's syndrome): case reports and review of the literature.

In 1974, Shulman et al. reported two patients with scleroderma-like skin changes, peripheral eosinophilia and hypergammaglobulinemia.1 This disorder was initially distinguished from progressive sys...

Randomized, double-blind, short-term trial of nabumetone versus diclofenac in osteoarthritis of the knee

Abstract In a double-blind study, 67 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee were randomly assigned to take nabumetone 1000 mg (n = 35) or slow-release diclofenac 100 mg (n = 32) daily for 28 days. In both groups, statistically significant improvement over the baseline assessment ( P