prevalence of infection in RA patients using biological DMARDs in King

Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis is one of the most common autoimmune disorders. Drugs used are only to slow the progression and to enhance the quality of life. These therapies have several disadvantages as lack of selectivity and it can cause loss of patient compliance

Aim: To identify the most common type of infection, rheumatoid arthritis patients in our region encountered, while using biologics and/or traditional DMARDs

Method: Cross-sectional study was carried out in Rheumatology clinics at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, included Rheumatic patients who visit the clinics from 2013 to 2017. Data sheet was including demographic, using drug and American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for RA were added

Result: Total of 164 patients were included in this study, 18 [11%] males, and 146 [89%] females. Trends among the target sample showed that 40 [24.4%] had diabetes and 51[31.1%] had hypertension. Patients who had been taking both DMARDs and Biologics, DRMADs only, biologics only were 49 [29.9%], 74[45.1%] and 15[9.1%] respectively. The total number of the infections was 180, among them 62.78% were taking DMARDs only and the most common infection was lower urinary tract infections [UTI] 28[37.38%]

Conclusion: UTI have the highest rate of infection in patients using traditional DMARDs and patient using both drug groups. And we recommend conducting a cohort study to identify these infections. It can help in assessing their outcomes

cross-sectional analysis of use of information technology by selected students of health colleges of a Saudi University

Objective: To determine the use of information technology [IT] among students of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy in Prince Sattam Bin AbdulAziz University, AI-Khraj, Saudi Arabia [PSAU]

Study Design: Across-sectional survey

Place and Duration of Study: From September 2014 to January, 2015

Methodology: A close-ended questionnaire consisting of 30 multiple choice questions [MCQs] was distributed to the students. The questions were related to their access to computers, skills and training, computer activities, and internet

access. Data analyses and descriptive analyses for various variables were performed using SPSS version 17.0

Results: An overall response rate of 84.9% [488 out of 575] was obtained. All of the students [100%] had an access to the computers. Most of the students [61.9%] used computers for academic purposes. A majority of the students [74.4%] preferred the use of powerpoint presentations aided by marker-and-board method for teaching. For communication from the colleges, 62.9% of the respondents preferred it through the email; 100% of the students had an email account. All of the students [100%] used internet; 83.1% considered the information as accurate. The internet was used by 47.6% of the students for seeking the medical information

Conclusion: All of the students had an access to IT and most of them used it for their educational purposes

Research practices and publication obstacles among interns at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, 2011-2012

Background: Medical students can play a vital role in health research at any institute. Moreover, scientific publication by medical students is a strong indicator of students' knowledge, skills and attitudes towards scientific research. Very little information exists, however, on this matter in Saudi Arabia

Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the publication practices of medical interns who graduated from King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Medicine and to investigate barriers to conducting and publishing research during their medical studies. A questionnaire was distributed to 394 interns and 249 [63.2%] responded

Results: About 31% of the responding interns started research during their undergraduate study years. About 12% discontinued their research, whereas only 7% submitted their research for publication. Only 3.2% of the interns had their research papers published and 3.2% had their research paper accepted for publication; 2% had research papers under revision. Interns had positive attitudes towards research, although only a few of them had submitted their papers for publication. Furthermore, interns expressed the need for training in research design, scientific paper writing and publication practice. They recommended devoting slots in medical school curriculum, in addition to other extracurricular training workshops, to teach and train students on such practices and also to provide more convenient opportunities for student participation in conferences

Conclusion and recommendations: Interns in King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Medicine have a positive attitude towards research; however, few students submit papers for publication. Lack of time and training in research methods were the main obstacles cited by the interns for conducting and publishing research. Interns welcome training in research, scientific writing and publication practice. These requirements will be issued to the main curriculum committee at the faculty of medicine and recommendations on possible actions will be discussed with the administration

study of prescribing valsartan in out-patient clinics at the Royal hospital, Muscat, Oman

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers such as Valsartan, are a newer class of drugs associated with significant reductions in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. They are commonly used in hypertension, chronic heart failure, diabetes-related nephropathy and post-myocardial infarction in patients who are intolerant to Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors [ACEi], A review of medicines used in Royal Hospital [an Omani tertiary health care centre] during 2004 and 2005 showed that Valsartan was one of 20 most expensive drugs used The main objective of this study was to evaluate the pattern of prescribing valsartan in out-patient clinics. a retrospective study applying medicines use evaluation, to describe the pattern of prescribing Valsartan in comparison with international guidelines. The study carried out in the outpatient pharmacy setting, Royal Hospital from 15th May to 30th June 2006, It included 120 adult patients who had been prescribed Valsartan at the outpatient clinics during the study period, among the 120 patients only 109 patients were finally included in the study, Elevenpatients who had had duplicated prescriptionswere excluded from the study, 78% of the patients were on Valsartan for its FDA-approved indications while 22% of patients were for other non-approved indications. Half of the patients were initiated on an ACEi before shifting to Valsartan, The other half of the patients was started with Valsartan as a first line choice without any clinical justification, The study showed that half of the patients were initiated on Valsartan without being prescribed an ACEi prior to that, while the recommendation in most of the international guidelines based on indication stated that ARBs are used in patients who are intolerant to ACEi, The study emphasizes the need for further research to highlight the need for developing national guidelines and adhering to these guidelines for rational prescribing