King Fahad Central Hospital Research Articles

Gender Differences in Health-Related Quality of Life: A Survey of Saudis with SCD

Context: The literature provides limited evidence of the quality of life (QoL) distinctions between Saudi Arabian male and female patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Objectives: To compare SCD complications, symptoms, and individual items in the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) between Saudi adult males and females. Methods: A multi-center, cross-sectional study was conducted on 629 Saudi adults with SCD who attended King Fahad Hospital in Hofuf and King Fahad Central Hospital in Jazan. Results: Gender differences were noted in terms of SCD-related complications, symptoms, daily activity, and pain. Saudi females with SCD reported significantly more fever (66.8% vs. 54.8%, P=0.003), more swelling (59.2% vs. 38.9%, P=0.001), and more frequent blood transfusion (88.5% vs. 80.6%, P=0.009). Males reported more physical exercising than females (41% vs. 23%, P=0.001), and having less family support (89.6% vs. 96.3%, P=0.001). Saudi females with SCD reported significantly higher percentages of daily activity limitations in lifting or carrying groceries (66.7% vs. 58%, P=0.031), climbing one flight of stairs (63.5% vs. 53.6%, P=0.016), and walking the length of one block (59.2% vs. 42.5%, P=0.001). Saudi females with SCD reported a higher percentage of bodily pain (94.3% vs. 87.1%, P=0.004). Conclusion: The study reveals that Saudi females with SCD experience SCD-related complications, symptoms, and pain differently than Saudi males with SCD. According to our data, females reported more limitations in daily activity, more pain, and less physical activity, than males. An interventional program is needed to address QoL among Saudi females with SCD.

Health-related quality of life in patients with sickle cell disease in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundThere is a lack of research concerning health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Saudi patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), particularly among adult populations. The aim of the current study was to describe the characteristics of SCD patients and their impact on their quality of life (QoL).MethodsSix hundred twenty-nine adult SCD patients who attended King Fahad Hospital in Hofuf and King Fahad Central Hospital in Jazan were included in the analysis. Demographic/clinical data were collected and an Arabic version of the Medical Outcomes 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire was used to assess QoL.ResultsSCD patients who hold a university degree reported positive impacts on the following domains of SF-36: physical role function, vitality, emotional well being, social function, pain reduction, and general health (P = .002, P = .001, P = .001, P = .003, P = .004, and P = .001, respectively). In general, patients with fever, skin redness, swelling, or history of blood transfusion tended to impair the health status of the SF-36. A multivariate analysis revealed that patients with a university degree tended to report high scores of physical role functions, emotional role function, and vitality. Patients with regular exercise tend to increase vitality, social function, general health, and reduce pain. Unemployment tends to lessen vitality and worsen pain. On average, pain, social function, and physical function scores tended to worsen in patients with swelling or history of blood transfusion.ConclusionsThis study highlighted that poor education, fever, skin redness, and swelling were negatively associated with specific components of SF-36. SCD patients with a history of blood transfusion found their QoL poorer, whereas regular exercise tended to improve QoL.

An Assessment of Twelve Cases of HELLP Syndrome Treated at the King Fahad Central Hospital, Gizan, Saudi Arabia

A total of 11,051 deliveries were conducted during period spanning four years, from July 1993 to June 1997. Twelve patients presented with the HELLP syndrome, a high incidence of 1.0 per 1000 deliveries. A significant proportion (75.0 per cent) of these women was multiparous with a mean age of 27.6 years, and majority (83.3 per cent) had preterm deliveries. Prominent presenting clinical features included preeclampsia (proteinuria and hypertension), eclampsia, jaundice, epigastric pain, anorexia and malaise. Relevant laboratory profiles on all patients met the criteria for confirmation of the diagnosis of HELLP syndrome. Important complications were disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute renal failure, transient cortical loss of vision, pulmonary oedema and transient nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. All patients required supportive care in the hospital's intensive care unit at the peak of their illnesses, and essential treatment consisted of control of fits and hypertension, transfusion of blood, fresh frozen plasma and albumin. Although, fortunately, there was no maternal death in spite of the severe and often stormy maternal morbidity, a very high perinatal mortality rate of 308 per 1000 was recorded. (Afr J Reprod Health 1999; 3 [2]: 68-78) Key Words: HELLP syndrome, King Fahad Central Hospital, pre-eclampsia-eclampsia

The Clinical Pattern and Complications of Severe Malaria in the Gizan Region of Saudi Arabia

may present in its most severe forms. 2,5,6,8 Despite a vigorous program of malaria control in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the infection is still endemic in the southwestern area of the country. 9 As a result of continued preventive measures, the epidemiology of the disease may be changing, and the proportion of nonimmune individuals may increase. Furthermore, the emergence of chloroquine-resistant malaria in the neighboring country of Yemen has a major implication for the Gizan population. 2,4 The frequency and clinical outcome of severe malaria may provide useful, albeit indirect, information on the emergence of antimalarial drug resistance in this region. We describe the clinicopathologic profile and mortality in patients treated for severe malaria in King Fahad Central Hospital (KFCH), Gizan, Saudi Arabia.

Flavobacterium Meningosepticum in ICUs

Letters to the EditorFlavobacterium Meningosepticum in ICUs P. Thirumalaikolundusubramanian P. Thirumalaikolundusubramanian King Fahad Central Hospital Gizan, Saudi Arabia Search for more papers by this author Published Online:1 Jan 1998https://doi.org/10.5144/0256-4947.1998.84aSectionsPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationTrack citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail AboutIntroductionTo the Editor: Kambal et al.1 have analyzed the isolation of Flavobacterium meningosepticum in space and time, and arrived at valid conclusions clinically and epidemiologically. The epidemiological conclusions would have been stronger still if the authors had carried out ribotyping of their F. meningosepticum isolates. Ribotyping of the F. meningosepticum has been found to be a very useful tool for epidemiological studies concerning F. meningosepticum from an outbreak.2ARTICLE REFERENCES:1. Kambal AM, Arora SC, Alzeer A, Babay HH. "Flavobacterium meningosepticum in ICUs of a teaching hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia" . Ann Saudi Med. 1997; 2: 240–6. Google Scholar2. Colding H, Bangsbong J, Fiehn NE, et al. "Ribotyping for differentiating Flavobacterium meningosepticum isolates from clinical enviromental sources" . J Clin Microbiol. 1994; 32: 501–5. Google Scholar Previous article Next article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 18, Issue 1January 1998 Metrics History Published online1 January 1998 InformationCopyright © 1998, Annals of Saudi MedicinePDF download