Clinical profile of adult hypothyroidism at King Abdulaziz University Hospital

To determine the clinical profile of hypothroidism at King Abdulaziz University Hospital [KAUH] and to report on any differences between males and female, medical reports of patients diagnosed as hypothyroidism > 18 years at KAUH in the period between January 1997 to December 1999 were studied. The following data were collected, age, sex, symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism, cause, presence of hyperlipidemia before treatment, results of hormonal investigations and thyroid antibodies, does of thyroxin replacement. A total of 306 were studied. 273 [79%] were females with M:F ratio 1:8. Spontaneous primary hypothyroidism was found in 247 [90%] females and post surgery was a cause in 5 [15%] males versus 9 [3%] females [P-value 0.001,0.02,0.03 respectively]. Constipation, depression and weight gain was found more in females, 36% versus 18%, 8% in females only, 31% versus 18% respectively [P-value 0.003,0.001,0.04]. Our study showed that primary spontaneous hypothroidism is the commonest cause of hypothyroidism in females while post ablation hypothyroidism is more common in males. Depression, constipation and weight gain were the presenting symptoms more common in females compared to males

Clinical profile of stroke: the experience at King Abdulaziz University Hospital

To determine the pattern and risk factors of stroke in Saudi nationals and non-Saudis, at King Abdulaziz University Hospital [KAUH], in the western province of Saudi Arabia. All cases of stroke admitted to KAUH in the period between January 1995 and December 1999 were studied. Demographic data of the patients, stroke types, risk factors and mortality were reported. Of the 103 patients studied, 56% were Saudis and 44% non-Saudis with male predominance and mean ages of 66 and 62 years respectively. In Saudis, the stroke types were 74% ischemic, 10% hemorrhagic and 16% unspecifi ed, whereas in non-Saudis, the fi gures were respectively 62%, 29% and 9%. The frequency of stroke increased steadily with age in Saudis but dropped after the sixth decade in non-Saudis. There was no signifi cant difference between the Saudis and the non-Saudis in the occurrence of risk factors for stroke or in mortality. The pattern and risk factors of cases of stroke treated at KAUH are similar to those reported from other regions of Saudi Arabia and other parts of the world