Platelet aggregation and physiological anticoagulants in sickle-cell disease

During the period January 2002- December 2004, we assessed 30 sickle- cell anaemia patients admitted to hospital in Al Khobar with vaso- occlusive crisis for levels of antithrombin [AT] III, protein C [PC] and protein S [PS]. We also did platelet aggregation studies. Steady state levels were assessed during follow- up and compared with 36 adult controls. Levels of PC, PS and AT III in the group were significantly higher than in those in vaso- occlusive crisis and those in steady state control [P < 0.001]. There was a statistically significant difference between controls and patients for all platelet factors except adrenaline. There was no significant difference between the levels of PC, PS, aggregation AT III and platelet aggregation variables in patients in the steady state and in vaso- occlusive crisi

Physicians' knowledge, attitude and practice towards erectile dysfunction in Saudi Arabia

We aimed to test the knowledge, attitude and practice [KAP] of physicians towards erectile dysfunction in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia. At a scientific meeting about erectile dysfunction, 159 physicians from both government and private sectors answered a 34-item questionnaire in private. The mean total KAP score for the group was below the expected st and ard of 60%. Male physicians scored significantly higher than females. Urologists scored the highest, followed by and rologists. Surprisingly, physicians with higher qualifications scored lower than those with intermediate qualifications and even less than general practitioners. Those who had practised for >/= 10 years scored better than those with < 10 years practice. The role of cardiologists in the diagnosis and management of erectile dysfunction is discussed

Patterns of belief and use of traditional remedies by diabetic patients in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

A sample of 1039 diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia was interviewed using a structured questionnaire about belief in traditional herbal remedies. The relationship of belief scores to sociodemographic and diabetes-related variables was assessed using chi-square tests. The study showed that 15.6% of the sample believed that traditional medicines were safe and effective and 25.8% that they might be beneficial. One-third of patients were using traditional remedies. A statistically significant relationship was shown between belief in traditional medicines and variables such as female sex, positive family history of diabetes, duration of diabetes and compliance with diet. However, there was no relationship with other compliance variables or with glucose and weight control. Efforts should be made to enhance diabetic education among patients on the basis of evidence-based practice