Subject(s)
Research/standards , Journalism, Medical , Peer Review, Research , Publishing , Editorial PoliciesABSTRACT
To determine the efficacy and tolerability of subcutaneous beta interferon 1b [B1F1b] among Saudi patients with remitting-relapsing multiple sclerosis [R-R MS]. An open label study held at the Neurology Division of the Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh from March 1997 until December 2001. Thirty-two consecutive patients below the age of 50 years with clinically definite R-R MS according to Poser's Criteria and expanded disability status scale below 5.5 were enrolled in treatment with subcutaneous B1F1b 8 million IU 3 times a week. The primary outcome measures used were: reduction in annual relapses, proportion of relapse-free patients, and the mean time to the first relapse after treatment was started. The secondary outcome measures used were the time to progression in disability, tolerability and safety of the beta interferon. Only 28 patients were analyzed to assess the outcome measures, the other 4 patients dropped out and were followed-up. Twenty were women and 8 were men [female:male ratio of 2.5:1]. There was a significant reduction in relapse-rate in all patients, 32.5% were relapse-free, while 37.5% showed reduction in the number of relapses. None of our patients showed progression of disability [P<0.0249]. Mild adverse reactions were seen in 38.5%, influenza-like illness occurred in 53.6%, and injection-site reaction in 35.7%. Subcutaneous B1F1b is effective in patients with R-R MS, especially in reducing relapse rate, probable disability, and it is well tolerated. However, longer follow-up is necessary to evaluate the role of B1F1b in preventing disability
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Interferon-beta , Treatment Outcome , Interferons , Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/drug therapyABSTRACT
To determine the efficacy and tolerability of subcutaneous beta interferon 1b [B1F1b] among Saudi patients with remitting-relapsing multiple sclerosis [R-R MS]. An open label study held at the Neurology Division of the Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh from March 1997 until December 2001. Thirty-two consecutive patients below the age of 50 years with clinically definite R-R MS according to Poser's Criteria and expanded disability status scale below 5.5 were enrolled in treatment with subcutaneous B1F1b 8 million IU 3 times a week. The primary outcome measures used were: reduction in annual relapses, proportion of relapse-free patients, and the mean time to the first relapse after treatment was started. The secondary outcome measures used were the time to progression in disability, tolerability and safety of the beta interferon. Only 28 patients were analyzed to assess the outcome measures, the other 4 patients dropped out and were followed-up. Twenty were women and 8 were men [female:male ratio of 2.5:1]. There was a significant reduction in relapse-rate in all patients, 32.5% were relapse-free, while 37.5% showed reduction in the number of relapses. None of our patients showed progression of disability [P<0.0249]. Mild adverse reactions were seen in 38.5%, influenza-like illness occurred in 53.6%, and injection-site reaction in 35.7%. Subcutaneous B1F1b is effective in patients with R-R MS, especially in reducing relapse rate, probable disability, and it is well tolerated. However, longer follow-up is necessary to evaluate the role of B1F1b in preventing disability
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Interferon-beta , Multiple Sclerosis/drug therapy , Injections, Subcutaneous , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
We reviewed the files of 80 successive patients with native and prosthetic valve endocarditis admitted to Riyadh armed forces hospital. Neurological complications [NC] occurred in 28 [35%] patients. The valves involved were mitral in 12 [43%] aortic in eight [29%] combined mitral and aortic lesions in six [21%] and others in two [7%]. The common causative organisms were streptococci in 12 [43%] staphylococcus aureus and staphylococcus epidermides, both occurring in four [14%]. Compared to the 52 infective endocarditis patients with no neurological complications [NNC] the NC occurred more frequently in male patients those with aortic valve lesion those with atrial fibrillation those with delayed therapy and those with causative organisms being streptococci. Eleven patients died [39%], 12 [43%] recovered with motor sequelae, six [21%] had seizure disorder, and five [18%] had full recovery. The frequency of neurological complications and mortality is comparable to those reported in the literature; however the frequency of strokes was higher in our patients