Systemic lupus erythematosus after thymectomy for myasthenia gravis: a case report and review of the literature.

Here, we report a case of systemic lupus erythematosus in a 13-year-old girl who developed the disease 3 years after thymectomy performed for the treatment of myasthenia gravis. The presenting symptoms were fever, generalized fatigability, bilateral loin pain, weight loss, arthralgia, hair loss, and recurrent painless mouth ulcers. Laboratory findings revealed proteinuria, hematuria, anemia, leucopenia, a high titer of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-dsDNA, and decreased complement (C3 and C4) levels. There was minimal ascitis and pericardial effusion. Renal biopsy showed lupus nephritis class IV. The diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus was established based on the clinical and laboratory findings. The activity of systemic lupus erythematosus was controlled by pulsed treatment with methyl prednisolone followed by long-term oral glucocorticoid and immunosuppressive therapy. This study highlights the immune system derangement following thymectomy. It also examines the relevant literature.

Back Pain and Schoolbags among Adolescents in Abha City, Southwestern Saudi Arabia.

The incorrect carriage of schoolbags and heavy bags may result in back pain (BP) in adolescents. Our objective was to assess the problem of BP and associated factors among adolescents. This was a cross-sectional study targeting intermediate and secondary school adolescents in Abha City, Saudi Arabia. An anonymous questionnaire for BP was used. Student body weight and the weight of their full schoolbag were measured. The study included 876 adolescents. An overall prevalence of BP of 39.4% (95% CI: 35.3-43.7) was found. Upper BP (UBP), middle BP (MBP), and lower BP (LBP) amounted to 14.5%, 13.4%, and 11.5%, respectively. Associated significant factors with MBP were carrying the bag on one side compared to on the back (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.20-3.73) and being at intermediate level compared to secondary (aOR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.04-2.40). On the other hand, gender and schoolbag weight/body weight percent were not found to be significantly associated with MBP. None of the studied factors were significantly associated with overall BP, UBP, or LBP. BP is a prevalent among adolescents in southwest Saudi Arabia. One-sided schoolbag carriage is a significant associated factor for middle back pain. Parents and teachers should encourage students to consider the correct way to carry schoolbag.

Classroom Furniture Mismatch and Back Pain Among Adolescent School-Children in Abha City, Southwestern Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To explore the potential classroom furniture mismatch with students' anthropometric measurements and back pain related to sitting for extended periods. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on all twelve male and female intermediate and secondary schools located in Abha city. Anthropometric and classroom furniture measurements were assessed, and the mismatch was determined using standardized methods. Students were also screened for back pain related to long sitting at school. Results: A total number of 879 students was selected. The study revealed seat height mismatch in both intermediate, and secondary school of 84.3%, and 75.6%, respectively. Seat depth mismatch was 74.0% in intermediate schools and reached 84.5% in secondary schools. The desk height was improper for 94.1%, and 82.3% of students in intermediate, and secondary schools, respectively. The levels of mismatch differ significantly by grade level and gender. A prevalence of 10.8% of back pain related to long sitting at school was found. In multivariable logistic regression, males, intermediate school children, and the presence of buttock-popliteal length/seat depth mismatch were significantly associated with pain. On the other hand, practicing exercise was a significant protective factor. Conclusions: There is a prevalent mismatch between students' dimensions and existing schools' furniture. School furniture providers should take in consideration the average Saudi students' dimensions, while designing school furniture especially for males, and at intermediate schools, or provide schools with adjustable seats and desks.

A case of neuropsychiatric lupus with myelopathy successfully treated with corticosteroids.

This report describes a 16-year old female patient who presented with acute paresis in both lower limbs, acute urinary retention, blurred vision and arthritis. The patient was diagnosed as having systemic lupus erythematosus with myelitis and bilateral abducent nerves palsy. The administration of steroids resulted in marked improvement in her neurological symptoms.

The level of C-reactive protein in chronic hemodialysis patients: a comparative study between patients with noninfected catheters and arteriovenous fistula in two large Gulf hemodialysis centers.

Hemodialysis (HD) patients have greater morbidity and mortality when they have a central venous catheter (CVC) rather than an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) access. Inflammation associated with dialysis catheter use and resultant higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels could have an independent adverse effect on patient outcomes. In this prospective study, we investigated whether HD catheters induce inflammation independent of infection. We compared the mean levels of the inflammatory marker (CRP) in 67 patients on maintenance HD using noninfected catheters with 86 HD patients using AVFs at Prince Salman Center for Kidney Diseases, Saudi Arabia (KSA), and Jahra Hospital, Kuwait, who met our inclusion criteria. C-reactive protein levels were measured every 2 months over a period of 6 months using immunoturbidimetric assay. One hundred fifty-three patients on maintenance HD for more than 6 months were included in the study, with mean age of 52.19 ± 16.06 years; 66% were males and 34% were females. Serial levels of mean CRP were statistically and significantly higher in group with noninfected catheters (1.33, 1.24, and 1.10 mg/dL) compared to those with AVFs (0.65, 0.59, and 0.68 mg/dL) with P value of 0.000. In our study, we found no relation between CRP level and age, sex, hemoglobin, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, and iPTH level in both groups. Hemodialysis patients with a catheter have a heightened state of inflammation independent of infection, and thus our study supports the avoidance of catheters and a timely conversion to AVFs with catheter removal.

Level of C-reactive protein in chronic hemodialysis patients: a comparative study between patients with non-infected catheters and arteriovenous fistula in a large Saudi hemodialysis center.

Central venous catheters are associated with infection and resultant higher C-reactive protein levels (CRP), suggesting that catheters may be an important determinant of increased inflammatory response. The increased levels of markers such as CRP are associated with increased risk of premature death and hospitalization in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on regular hemodialysis (HD). In this prospective study the mean levels of the inflammatory marker CRP were measured every 2 months over a period of 6 months by using immunoturbidimetric assay in 70 ESRD patients on maintenance HD at Prince Salman Center For Kidney Diseases (PSCKD) who met our inclusion criteria, comparing those dialyzed using a non-infected catheter (35 patients) to those using arteriovenous fistulas (35 patients). Seventy ESRD patients who had been on maintenance HD for more than 6 months were included in the study, with a mean age of 50.09 ± 15.61 years, 80% were males and 20% were females. Serial levels of mean CRP were statistically significantly higher in the group with non-infected catheters (0.83, 0.82, 0.94 mg/dL) compared with those with arteriovenous fistula (0.31, 0.38 and 0.34 mg/dL) with P-values of 0.000, 0.023 and 0.001, respectively. In our study we found no relationship between CRP level and age, sex, hemoglobin albumin, calcium, phosphorus and intact parathyroid hormone level in both groups. Our study shows that catheters might contribute to increased inflammation independent of infection, and support the avoidance of catheters and a timely conversion to fistulas with catheter removal.

Lack of adverse effect of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α biologics in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: 5 years follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder affecting synovial joints and many other organs. Most patients seen in clinical settings have a progressive chronic disease, with radiographic damage, frequent work disability, incremental functional declines and increased mortality rates. The introduction of the biological drugs in treatment of RA has played an important role in prevention of destructive effects of the disease but may have serious adverse effects due to their powerful inhibition of the immune system. OBJECTIVES: To study the adverse effects (ADEs) of three different tumor necrosis factor α inhibitor (TNFi) drugs (infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept) in RA patients for 5 years in the south-west area of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Two groups of RA patients were included in this study: The first group included 112 patients, representing the biologics group. These patients received biological therapy plus disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs): 56 patients received infliximab (IFX), 36 patients received adalimumab (ADL) and 20 patients received etanercept (ETN). The second group also included 112 patients, representing the control group: RA patients treated only with the traditional DMARDs. ADEs were classified into mild and severe. RESULTS: The mild ADEs which had been recorded during 5 years of follow-up in patients receiving TNFi, were onycholysis (1.8%), positive tuberculin test (1.8%) and small vessel vasculitis (1.8%). Statistically, there were insignificant differences in the mild ADEs except for upper respiratory tract infection that was significantly higher in the control group. Severe ADEs included pneumonia (1.8%) and solid tumor (1.8%) and there were no significant differences between the biologics and control groups. Also there were no significant statistical differences for the ADEs, mild or severe, between the three biologics, infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept. Occurrence of ADEs did not correlate to methotrexate dose, steroid dose or rheumatoid factor positivity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the use of TNFi therapy appeared to be as safe as traditional DMARDs in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis patients and long-term follow-up with careful examination is essential to pick up any abnormal ADEs.

Paediatric case report: primary antiphospholipid syndrome presented with non-thrombotic neurological picture psychosis; treat by antidepressants alone?

The classical clinical picture of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is characterized by venous and arterial thrombosis, fetal losses and thrombocytopenia in the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies and/or lupus anticoagulant. APS can occur either as a primary disorder or secondary to a connective tissue disease, most frequently systemic lupus erythematosus. Central nervous system involvement is one of the most prominent clinical manifestations of APS, and includes thrombotic events, psychiatric features and a variety of other non-thrombotic neurological syndromes. We present a 9-year-old Saudi girl who developed psychotic illness without thrombotic manifestations. Autoantibodies against cardiolipin were persistent and strongly positive while antinuclear antibodies and antibodies against double-stranded DNA was absent. Her brain computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance arteriography and magnetic resonance venography all were normal. There was no evidence of infection, drug intake or connective tissue disorders, So a diagnosis of primary APS was likely. Starting on antipsychotics only was unsatisfactory and marked improvement occurred after combined treatment with antidepressants (imipramine 10 mg and risperdal 0.2 mg, both once daily), small-dose aspirin (100 mg) and hydroycloroquine (100 mg) both once daily. Unfortunately aspirin was stopped by the family and 5 months later she developed right axillary vein thrombosis. This case presented psychotic illness. Investigations revealed the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies without a thromboembolic picture, mimicking Hughes syndrome but not fulfilling the criteria needed for the diagnosis. Thus, psychosis should be appreciated as a presenting symptom for primary APS and combined treatment with antipsychotics, aspirin and antimalarials is recommended.