Qatar Medical Journal - Volume 1998, Issue 2

Abstract Papers considered for publication in Qatar Medical Journal are those reporting original work, review articles and case reports that are particularly relevant to medicine in the broad sense. Editorials and Review articles are by invitation.

Abstract The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), first described in 1983(1), is now recognised as one of the most common acquired thrombophilia(2). The syndrome is defined by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) [a positive anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) assay and/or lupus anticoagulant (LA)] and a history of either arterial or venous thrombosis and/or recurrent pregnancy loss (Table 1). Some of these patients may also have other f Read More

Abstract Hyperlipidemic pancreatitis represents one of the most acute and dramatic consequences of the chylomicronemia syndrome which, if misdiagnosed, can lead to pancreatic destruction and death. A retrospective analysis of 16 cases admitted to Hamad General Hospital since 1990 investigated the relationship between hyperlipidemia and pancreatitis. All the patients had discrete, recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis Read More

Abstract We reviewed 35 cases of bronchiectasis seen at the Department of Pediatrics of Hamad Medical Corporation in the State of Qatar. The main objective was to determine the etiology and the clinical features and to evaluate their management Ages ranged from 7 months to 12 years with a mean of 63.8 months. The male to female ratio was 1.7:1 and 23 (65.9%) of the cases were diagnosed before the age of six years. Cough wa Read More

Abstract Twenty-one patients with unstable burst fractures of the thoracolumbar spine (T12-L3) were treated with narrow DC plates and 6.5mm cancellous pedicle screws. The number of levels instrumented in all patients were only one level above and one level below the fracture. Follow-up averaged 22 months (range 12-45 months). The correction of kyphotic angle in all patients averaged 6.1 degrees at follow-up, while in patien Read More

Abstract The history of epilepsy is probably as long as human race. It is estimated that 6-7% of population suffer at least one seizure at some time in their life, between 0.5-1% of Population suffer from active epilepsy. Drug treatment even when successful is only suppressive, since none of the drugs ls curative. Surgical approach, hence is more logical as it would eliminate the cause of the seizures. In pediatric age group, the need or early su Read More

Abstract A series is presented of 30 patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) who were treated by sternal split and extended thymectomy. The mean age was 22 years, median 19 years with a female to male ratio of 2:1. The overall improvement rate was 90%; 70% achieved drug-free remission and another 20% required decreased medication. Drug-free remission was achieved in 80% female and in 50% male and in 50% on steriods Read More

Abstract The purpose of this study was to validate Pugh's modification of the Child-Turcotte Classification (CTC) in the prediction of mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. A cohort of 45 cirrhotics collected in Mosul Teaching Hospitals, Iraq, was followed for five years and deaths were recorded at twelve month intervals from the individual dates of diagnosis. Cohort analysis and estimation of Relative Risk measured the strength of the associati Read More

Abstract To discover the pattern of upper GIT (Gastro-intestinal tract) bleeding in the north of Jordan. A retrospective study of 110 patients with upper GIT bleeding who had been admitted to the Prince Rashed Hospital between the 1st July1995 and the 31st December 1996. The mean age was 52 years; NSAI intake was reported in 26 patients (23%); 60% of the patients had duodenal ulcers; the mortality was nine per cent. With regard to age Read More

Abstract By using the Silver Platten International CD-ROM version with MedSPIRS of the database Medline from 1966 to 1995 the intention of this survey was to investigate biomedical research in a developing country, Afghanistan, through collating the number and types of publications and to review the number of publications concerned with diseases of particular relevance to the country. Six hundred and two publications were identified and t Read More

Abstract Two hundred patients presenting at the Emergency Department (ED) with signs and symptoms of acute asthma and requiring emergency management were studied to determine their response to repeated nebulization with B-2 agonist. This was effective in 83% while a further 14% needed the addition of intravenous hydrocortisone. The remaining 3% did not improve and were admitted. We concluded that the assessment of the Read More

Abstract The aim of this study is to report the indications for corneal grafting at (KHMC) during the past four years. The study includes a review of 282 eyes that had undergone penetrating keratoplasty from January 1993 till December 1996. The age range was from 6 to 75 years and the female to male ratio was 1:1.15. The study revealed that the indications for penetrating keratoplasty in respective order were; keratoconus, pseudophakic bu Read More

Abstract Objectives and methods: In Jordan no data have been reported on the frequency and diversity of hematological abnormalities occurring in brucellosis in adults. In order to determine the hematological changes during the active course of the disease, 217 adult patients, (ages ranging from l4 to 75 years; mean 28.7 years) were studied Prospectively at the Jordan University Hospital during the Period 1987-1996. Two hundred and ele Read More

Abstract A prospective study was carried out to demonstrate the bacteriology of post-traumatic bone infections with particular attention to the role of anaerobic microorganisms. Compound fracture was found to be the most common predisposing factor for infection. Seventy-seven patients were studied and a total of 155 organisms was recovered (117 aerobes and 38 anaerobes). The most frequently isolated organisms were Pseudo Read More

Abstract Seventy eight acute hepatitis B cases, identified by the presence of HbsAg and IgM anti-HBC markers, were compared with 102 normal individuals from malaria endemic areas in Ninevah (Northern Iraq). Both groups were asked for any history of malaria. More hepatitis B cases reported malaria (70.5%) than normal individuals (odd's ratio 11) which suggests that the vector of malaria plays a role in the transmission of hepatitis B.

Abstract This study is a comparison between the allowing of free clear fluids until about two hours preoperatively and the usual preoperative fasting. In a prospective trial the residual volume and pH of gastric content were measured in 60 patients who were put into either a study group where the intake of free fluids was allowed up to two hours preoperatively or a control group who were fasted for six hours. There were no significant differences Read More

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of intravaginal prostaglandin E2 pessaries, for the induction of labor in intrauterine fetal death. Design: Sixty five women at 20-40 weeks gestation, with intrauterine fetal death proved by ultrasound examination and with no history of previous delivery by caesarean section, were treated with 20mgprostaglandin E2 pessaries intravaginaly. The dose was repeated 8-hourly for up to 48 hours until Read More

Abstract