ABSTRACT
Acne vulgaris is one of the most common chronic inflammatory skin disorders among adolescents and young adults. It is associated with substantial morbidity and, rarely, with mortality. The exact worldwide incidence and prevalence are currently unknown. Current challenges involve improving understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of acne vulgaris and developing a practical treatment consensus. Expert panel discussions were held in 2013 and 2014 among a group of scientists and clinicians from the Omani and United Arab Emirate Dermatology Societies to ascertain the current optimal management of acne vulgaris, identify clinically relevant end-points and construct suitable methodology for future clinical trial designs. This article reviews the discussions of these sessions and recent literature on this topic
ABSTRACT
Saudi Arabia appears to have an unusually high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma, which has been causally associated with a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus [HBV]. Other risk factors, including hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection are currently not known. A study was undertaken to establish the risk factors and clinicopathological features of hepatocellular carcinoma in Saudi Arabia. The profiles of 140 patients with a biopsy-proven hepatocellular carcinoma were analyzed. Demographic data revealed a strong male preponderance [male:female = 5.7:1] and 114 patients [81.4%] were found to have or have had HBV infection. The data concerning HCV infection were incomplete, but suggest a causal association [nine of 33 patients]. An absence of alcohol as a risk factor was noteworthy. Clinical jaundice and right upper quadrant abdominal pain were the most frequent presenting features. Abnormal liver function tests were present in 125 patients [89.3%] at diagnosis and serum alpha fetoprotein was elevated in 112 patients [80%]. The majority of patients had locally advanced, inoperable disease and the prognosis was uniformly dismal. The median survival was 61 days