This study was conducted to determine the causes and clinical presentations of osteomalacia/rickets in adolescents seen at the King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Riyadh. Because osteomalacia and rickets constitute the same entity, the term osteomalacia will be used for future discussion. A retrospective file review was performed on all adolescents (10-16 years) with osteomalacia, defined as alkaline phosphatase levels ≥500 IU/L, seen at the KAMC, Riyadh, from 2000 to 2006. We recorded the signs and symptoms, dietary history and amount of sun exposure at presentation. A total of 135 patients were found to fit the inclusion criteria for the study. Of them, 57 had nutritional causes, with a mean age of 13.2 years, and included 32 females. At diagnosis, 22 patients were found to have bone pain, 10 had bone deformities, eight had pathological fractures and 17 were asymptomatic. Secondary causes for osteomalacia were found in 59 cases who had liver and renal disease and in 19 other patients who were on medications such as anticonvulsants and steroids, which are known to cause osteomalacia. Our study indicates that osteomalacia is a significant health burden that deserves special attention. Bone pain is the most common presenting symptom at diagnosis. Because of the high risk of osteomalacia associated with the use of anticonvulsants and steroids, it is advised that all patients on these drugs should be routinely screened for secondary osteomalacia.

PURPOSE:The purpose of the study was to report the outcomes of pneumatic retinopexy (PR) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).METHODS:A retrospective chart review of all patients with RRD who were managed with PR at the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital between 2000 and 2014. Data were collected on preoperative ocular history, characteristics of the RRD, postoperative anatomical and visual outcomes, and secondary surgeries.RESULTS:Sixty-five eyes comprised the study sample with mean a follow-up of 42 months. Eighteen (27%) eyes had a history of ocular surgery and 5 (7.6%) had previous ocular trauma. Thirty-nine (60%) eyes had macula on RRD. Retinal detachment (RD) was caused by a single break in fifty (76.9%) eyes. Superior breaks were found in 56 (86.1%) eyes. Twelve (18%) eyes had posterior vitreous detachment. Fifty-one (78.5%) eyes underwent PR under local anesthesia and 9 (13.8%) underwent conjunctival peritomy. Octafluoropropane gas was used in 49 (75.4%) eyes and sulfur hexafluoride in 16 (24.6%) eyes. Cryotherapy was performed in 48 (73.8%) eyes and only laser photocoagulation in 8 (12.3%) eyes. Nine (13.8%) eyes underwent both cryotherapy and laser photocoagulation. Primary anatomical healing was achieved in 45 (69.2%) eyes, of which 20 (30.8%) required a second intervention. The final anatomical outcome was achieved in 100% of the eyes. At final visit, vision improved in 72% of eyes, was maintained in14.5%, and decreased in 9.7% (6).CONCLUSION:PR is a safe procedure for RRD repair. The final anatomical outcome was excellent in all cases including the recurrent RD after primary failure.

No abstract

Objective Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been used during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic because of its reported anti-viral activity. This study examined the association of chronic HCQ use with the incidence and complications of COVID-19. Methods This retrospective cohort study included adults with rheumatoid arthritis and/or systemic lupus erythematosus who visited rheumatology clinics in three tertiary hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between January 2019 and December 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on HCQ use. Data were obtained from the electronic health record and by interviews with patients. The primary study objective was the incidence of COVID-19 and its complications from March 2020 to February 2021. Results Almost 11% of the study cohort was positive for COVID-19, and the incidence of COVID-19 was similar between HCQ users (11.11%) and nonusers (10.86%). Disease complication rates were similar in the study arms, and they mainly included fever, dry cough, fatigue, and breathing difficulty. Conclusions This study revealed no significant association between chronic HCQ use and the incidence of COVID-19, and disease complications were similar in the study arms.