Long term G‐CSF‐induced remission of ulcerative colitis‐like inflammatory bowel disease in a patient with glycogen storage disease Ib and evaluation of associated neutrophil function

We present a 23‐year‐old female with Glycogen storage disease Ib (GSD Ib) who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis‐like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) at 7 years of age. G‐CSF therapy reversed the IBD, was required to maintain IBD remission and was well tolerated. Neutrophil functions at time of diagnosis showed impaired chemotaxis but normal superoxide anion production and bactericidal activity. Ulcerative colitis‐like IBD may also be seen in GSD Ib and is responsive to G‐CSF therapy. Neutrophil dysfunction is variable among patients with GSD Ib. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:1410–1413. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Rapid analysis of trans,trans-muconic acid in urine using microextraction by packed sorbent

A simple and fast method has been developed for the determination of urinary trans,trans-muconic acid (ttMA) based on micro-extraction by packed sorbent (MEPS), followed by HPLC-UV detection. Parameters affecting the performance of MEPS were investigated. The results of the MEPS-HPLC-UV procedure were compared with the results of the conventional SPE method. The procedure was used for the determination of ttMA in urine samples of benzene-exposed subjects. The calibration curve was obtained in the range of 0.1 to 2 μg/mL, and the method showed high linearity (R²=0.9997). The LOQ was 0.1 μg/mL. For the MEPS method, the withinand between-day precision ranged from 3.0 to 5.1% and 3.3 to 5.2%, respectively. The within-and between-day accuracy ranged from 93.3 to 99.3% and 91.5 to 96.0%, respectively. The developed MEPS-HPLC-UV method is suggested as an alternative to the existing conventional SPE method for the biomonitoring of benzene-exposed subjects.     

Pregnant women’s use and attitude toward herbal,vitamin, and mineral supplements in an academic tertiary care center,Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background

Herbal medicine has been widely utilized by pregnant women despite the limited available evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of that practice. The current available studies, from different countries, estimated that the use of herbal medicine during pregnancy range from 7% up to 96%. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence, attitude, source of information, and reasoning behind the use of herbal medicine among pregnant women in Saudia Arabia.

Factors that facilitate reporting of adverse drug reactions by pharmacists in Saudi Arabia

Objectives: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a pervasive global problem, and its management is integral to patient safety and healthcare quality. Pharmacists play a pivotal role in monitoring and reporting ADRs, which has a direct impact on patient care. The aim of this study was to identify potential factors that facilitate pharmacists in community and hospital settings to report ADRs.

Methods: A cross-sectional, online survey using a validated questionnaire was administered to pharmacists working in community and hospital pharmacies in Saudi Arabia.

Results: 1,717 community and 153 hospital pharmacists participated in this study. Only 10.2% and 26.8% of community and hospital pharmacists, respectively, admitted ever reporting an ADR. The most reported factors that may facilitate ADRs reporting have included ongoing improvements in therapeutic knowledge about ADRs, attending educational programs with continuous medical education credits, the seriousness of the experienced ADRs and accessibility to patients’ medical profile. The impact of peers by seeing colleagues reporting ADRs and ADRs due to herbal or traditional medicine were the least important factors reported by pharmacists.

Conclusion: The study identified factors that can effectively address the under-reporting of ADRs by pharmacists. A multi-stakeholder, multi-pronged approach of ADR reporting is needed to develop greater awareness of this issue among pharmacists.     

Clinical and optical coherence tomographic findings and outcome of treatment in patients with presumed tuberculous uveitis

Purpose To define the clinical characteristics and optical coherence tomographic (OCT) features, and to assess the outcome of treatment, in patients with presumed tuberculous uveitis (PTU). Methods All patients diagnosed with PTU at King Abdulaziz University Hospital between January 1998 and May 2006 were reviewed. The diagnosis was made when findings were consistent with possible intraocular tuberculosis with no other cause of uveitis suggested by history, symptoms, or ancillary testing, strongly positive tuberculin skin-test results, and response to antituberculous therapy. Results Fifty-one patients (73 eyes) were identified. There were 34 males (66.7%) and 17 females (33.3%) with a mean age of 40.1 ± 11.0 years (range 16–68 years). Fifty-eight eyes (79.5%) had panuveitis and 15 eyes (20.5%) had posterior uveitis at presentation. Clinical manifestations included vitritis (71.2%), macular edema (63%), retinal periphlebitis (35.6%), multifocal choroiditis (20.5%), and granulomatous anterior uveitis (17.9%). All patients received antituberculous therapy and systemic corticosteroids. After a mean follow-up of 18.9 ± 21.9 months (range 6–96 months), all eyes showed resolution of inflammation, with no recurrences, associated with significant improvement in visual acuity (VA) (P = 0.007). There was a significant positive correlation between initial and final VAs (r = 0.7856, P < 0.001). Thirty-one eyes with macular edema were examined at baseline and at follow-up with OCT. There were three patterns of macular edema: diffuse (DME) (28.5%), cystoid (29%), and serous retinal detachment (45.2%). Initial VA of 20/40 or better was significantly associated with central macular thickness (CMT) of 300 μm or less (P = 0.0065) and DME (0.0484). At final follow-up, there was a significant reduction in CMT (P < 0.001) associated with a significant improvement in VA (P = 0.0091). Conclusions Antituberculous therapy combined with systemic corticosteroids leads to resolution of inflammation and elimination of recurrences of PTU. OCT is useful in monitoring the efficacy of treatment in patients with macular edema.