Functional and psychosocial impact of COVID-19 pandemic on rheumatic patients’ quality of life in Saudi Arabia

Quality of Life Research - The COVID-19 pandemic might add to the stressors experienced by people living with rheumatic diseases. This study aimed to examine rheumatic patients’ functional...     

Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans at the Site of a Central Venous Line

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a locally aggressive cutaneous tumor that usually does not metastasize. Clinically, it may present as a reddish macule to protuberant nodule affecting the trunk and proximal extremities of young and middle-aged adults. Histologically, it is characterized by a monomorphous storiform proliferation of spindle cells, involving the dermis and hypodermis, with a honeycomb pattern of infiltration of the subcutaneous fat. In case of difficulty in diagnosis, immunohistochemical markers (especially CD34) are highly sensitive for DFSP. It is important to remember that the rarity of DFSP, its resemblance to hypertrophied scars and keloids, and its appearance at trauma sites sometimes make the diagnosis of DFSP difficult and delayed. In the literature, DSFP was not described in a child until 1957. Here we report an instance of DFSP at an unusual site in a 9-year-old child, which was the location of a previous central venous line insertion in the left supraclavicular area. A complete excision of the tumor with a wide surgical margin of 3cm of visibly uninvolved tissue was performed, followed by a deltopectoral flap and skin split graft. Postoperatively, the patient's general condition was stable and he was discharged after 5 days to be followed up 3 months later in our clinic.     

Prevalence of HLA-B27 in the general population and in patients with axial spondyloarthritis in Saudi Arabia

The prevalence of HLA-B27 in the general population and in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients in Saudi Arabia is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of HLA-B27 in these two populations and describe the delay in diagnosis of axSpA patients. The prevalence of HLA-B27 in the general population was evaluated using cord blood and healthy organ transplant donor databases. Data from patients with axSpA were collected retrospectively from five centers. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) was diagnosed based on a positive X-ray, as evaluated by two independent readers. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis were excluded. A total of 134 axSpA patients were included, of whom 107 (79.9%) had AS, and most (67.2%) were males. HLA-B27 was positive in 60.4, 69, and 25.9% of patients with axSpA, AS, and non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA), respectively. The median and interquartile range (IQR) ages at symptom onset and disease diagnosis were 26 (20–33) and 30 (25–38) years, respectively. The median delay to diagnosis was 3 (1–6) years. There was a negative correlation between the time of onset of symptoms and the delay in diagnosis (r = ?0.587). Male gender and HLA-B27 positivity were associated with a younger age at symptom onset/diagnosis (p < 0.05). HLA-B27 was positive in 82/3332 (2.5%) and 27/1164 (2.3%) individuals in the cord blood and healthy organ transplant donor databases, respectively. The prevalence of HLA-B27 is lower in the general Saudi population and in axSpA patients compared to Caucasians, thus, limiting its utility as a diagnostic criterion.     

Minimally invasive surgical management of symptomatic uterine cysts

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of a minimally invasive access-integrated protocol for aspiration or drainage of symptomatic uterine cysts. The design of the study is a prospective cohort study. The study setting is a tertiary care referral facility and university hospital. Twenty seven women with objective evidence of uterine cysts diagnosed by ultrasonography. The patients underwent transvaginal sonographic diagnosis of uterine cysts at different sites. Cyst aspiration was performed using interventional 2D ultrasonography, hysteroscopy and/or laparoscopy. Follow-up was performed for a maximum of 1 year to assess relief of symptoms and the recurrence rate. The main outcome measures of the study are success of aspiration tool, relief of symptoms, and persistence or recurrence rates. Cervical and corporeal uterine cysts were diagnosed in 19 and eight cases respectively. The mean size of the cervical cyst was 2.9 ± 1.21 (1.8–3.7) cm, while that of the uterine cysts was 4.8 ± 1.89 (3.4–-6.1) cm. Improved health-related quality of life in the form of relief of deep dyspareunia and excessive vaginal discharge were reported in eight of 12 (66.6%) and 11/14 (78.5%) cases, respectively. Aspiration of symptomatic uterine cysts is technically feasible and achieves acceptable results. Uterine cysts may not be ignored as a potential cause of gynecologic symptoms, however, their precise pathogenesis and related co morbidities including impact on fertility should be substantiated by an adequately powered prospective randomized controlled study.     

Expert recommendations on early diagnosis and referral of axial spondyloarthritis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Clinical Rheumatology - Axial spondyloarthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily involves the axial skeleton (sacroiliac joints and spine), causing stiffness, severe pain and...