Bone mineral density measurements of distal radius in Saudi Arabia females

A survey using Gammadensit x-ray bone mineralometer was conducted on 150 Saudi Arabian postmenopausal [PM] females and on another group of 150 females of menstruating age of around 30 years as the group with peak bone mass [PBM]. The minimum age in the PM group was 44 years and maximum was 71 years [mean 54.08 years], SD +/- 7.02, whereas for the PBM group, the mean age was 29.15 years [range 24 to 33]. The bone mineral density [BMD] for the PM group was 0.310 g/cm [2] minimum and the maximum was 0.546 g/cm [2] [mean 0.440 g/cm [2]]. In the PBM group, the mean BMD was 0.660 g/cm [2]. Compared to Western females, the PM group BMD was 21% lower and the Saudi PBM group was 29% higher than in Western females of the same age and sex. The BMD of rural Saudi females was 0.479 g/cm [2] as compared to 0.359 g/cm [2] in the urban population. In females who had borne more than 10 children, the BMD was 0.483 g/cm [2], and was 0.354 g/cm [2] in females who had fewer than five children. There was no statistical significance in rural versus urban and 10 children [P value was < 0.18 and < 0.13]. This study concludes that BMD of the PM Saudi females is lower than that of the Western females of the same age, making them more osteoporotic with a higher risk of osteoporotic-related fractures

dilemma of jumping syndrome

A retrospective review of 25 patients of Jumping Syndrome is presented. These females were admitted to King Fahd University Hospital, AI-Khobar between Ist January 1990 and 31st December 1992. The minimum age was 21 years and the maximum 40 years with a mean of 29.7 years. Thirteen of the 25 were Indonesian, 8 Sri Lankans and the remaining 4 Filipino nationals. they sustained 48 fractures and 1 dislocation the breakdown of which is; thoracolumbar spine 22, calcaneum 11, femur 3, tibia and fibula 3, radius and ulna 3, patella 2, pelvis 2, humerus 1, metatarsals 1 and 1 dislocated elbow respectively. Thirteen patients [52%] needed surgical intervention. the minimum hospital stay was 13 days and maximum 135 days with a mean of 56 days. There appears to be a rise in deliberate self harm and the new trend is by jumping from a height. This is causing a great socio-economic, medical care concern. We believe that our society as a whole must recognise this issue and attempts should be made to solve it sooner than later

Road traffic accident admissions in a University Hospital in Saudi Arabia [a pilot study]

Road traffic accidents have been rated as the most important single cause of morbidity and mortality in the Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia. An alarming fact, that more than 75% of those maimed or killed are young healthy individuals below 40 years of age, has emerged from our pilot study. Equally alarming is the fact that none of the vehicle occupant victims had their seat belts on at the time of injury. This pilot study is presented to draw attention to the fact that with appropriate and timely action many of the deaths and disabilities can be prevented