Blindness in Saudi Arabia

The prevalence and etiology of visual loss and of eye diseases were determined in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The sample was a stratified geographic cluster sample of 14,577 persons representing the settled population of Saudi Arabia. A nonstatistical sample of 2,233 bedouins was also examined. The survey revealed that 1.5% of the population are blind and another 7.8% are visually impaired according to the World Health Organization definition. The most common causes of blindness include cataract, trachoma, nontrachomatous corneal scars, refractive errors, congenital anomalies, failed medical or surgical treatment, and glaucoma. Refractive errors, amblyopia, and trauma are also important causes of less severe, and often unilateral, lost vision. About 7% of all Saudi Arabians, and 42% of those older than 40 years, have a cataract or its sequelae. Over 3.5% of the population have corneal scars, about half of which are caused by trachoma.     

Diphyllobothriasis in Saudi Arabia

We described a Saudi patient infected with Diphyllobothrium latum D. latum. A 38-year-old male presented, complaining of passing worms. He had a history of recent travel to Europe and South East Asia. Stools examination revealed typical D. latum eggs. He was treated with praziquantel followed by saline purge, after which he discharged an intact tapeworm. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations of the worm confirmed the diagnosis of D. latum. This is the first case of diphyllobothriasis to be reported in Saudi Arabia. The epidemiology and methods of prevention of diphyllobothriasis are discussed.     

Hyperlipidemia in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hyperlipidemia among Saudis of both genders in rural and urban communities. METHODS: Selected Saudis in the age group of 30-70 years were studied over a 5-year period between 1995 and 2000 in Saudi Arabia. Data were obtained from history, physical examination, and analysis of fasting plasma lipids. The data were analyzed to classify individuals with hypercholesterolemia (HC) (total cholesterol > or =5.2 mmol/l), and hypertriglyceridemia (HT) (total triglycerides > or =1.69 mmol/l). Logistic regression analysis was performed to provide a risk assessment model and correlation with other coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors. RESULTS: The number of study samples included in the final analysis was 16,819. The prevalence of HC was 54% with mean cholesterol level of 5.4+/-1.52 mmol/l. Prevalence of HC among males was 54.9% and 53.2% for females, while 53.4% among urban Saudis and 55.3% for rural Saudis. Hypertriglycemia prevalence was 40.3% with mean triglycerides level of 1.8+/-1.29 mmol/l. Males had statistically significant higher HT prevalence of 47.6% compared to 33.7% in females (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Hyperlipedimia is reaching higher prevalence rates in KSA. This finding may suggest that CAD will soon be a major health problem. Reduction in obesity by adopting healthier eating habits, and increasing physical activity are of considerable importance to our community.     

Genito-urinary cancer in Saudi Arabia

The incidence of Genito-urinary cancer (GUC) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) increases with age and is 5-fold higher in men than in women. Genito-urinary cancer accounts for only 9.2% of all cancers in KSA, while the rate in the United States of America (USA) is as high as 24.1%. An epidemiological search on GUC in KSA revealed a relatively low incidence compared to developed countries. This is more evident in prostatic cancer, which is 50 times lower than in the USA. The most common GUC in KSA is bladder, followed by the prostate, kidney, and testicular cancer. Penile cancer is extremely rare. Genito-urinary cancer is not among the 10 most common cancer in KSA, however, bladder cancer ranking tenth. Reviewing the National Cancer Registry data in addition to the available literature on GUC in KSA for the past 50-years showed the changing pattern of this disease over time.     

Ecthyma gangrenosum in Saudi Arabia

We report a diagnosis of ecthyma gangrenosum EG in 4 females of mean age 54.8 range 43-64 years, within 10 months. Severe drug reaction treated with high dose systemic corticosteroids in patient one, acute myelocytic leukemia treated with high dose dexamethasone, and multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics in patient 2 preceded the onset of EG. Patients 3 and 4 had vasculitic purpura and hemodialysis. In addition, patient 3 was receiving multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics plus anti-tuberculosis TB drugs for gastric TB, while patient 4 was on melphalan and high dose systemic corticosteroids. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from blood culture of the first 3 patients, and skin culture of patient one. Blister aspirate from patient 4 yielded Candida albicans. Factors enhancing skin invasion by pathogenic organisms in our patients were breached skin integrity, therapy with high dose corticosteroids and multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics, hematologic malignancies and chemotherapy with severe neutropenia.     

Constrictive pericarditis in Saudi Arabia

Twenty four patients underwent pericardectomy for constrictive pericarditis. There were 2 operative deaths. Tuberculosis was the aetiological factor in 20 patients and a post surgical aetiology was found in 2 patients. The aetiology remained unclear in 2 patients.     

Human immunodeficiency virus in Saudi Arabia

The human immunodeficiency virus HIV type 1 has evolved as one of the most important global infectious pathogens. Although the virus had initially emerged among certain high risk groups in developed countries, it quickly gained momentum in developing countries threatening most population groups. The first case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was diagnosed in 1984. Twenty years later, by the end of 2003, 1509 patients have been reported to have acquired HIV 1. The majority of the early infected patients have acquired HIV 1 from blood product transfusion. Subsequently, the most prevalent mode of transmission became heterosexual. In this review, the distribution of HIV infected persons, prevalence data, and future outlook are presented. Communities considered conservative are not immune from a sexually transmissible virus that has infected 60,000,000 people globally.