Clinical characteristics and computed tomography findings in Arab patients diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is prevalent worldwide with significant heterogeneity across different ethnic groups. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and computed tomography findings among Arab patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis. A retrospective study of patient demographics, symptoms, co-morbid illness, sarcoidosis stage, treatment, pulmonary function and CT results. Of 104 patients, most [77%] were 40 years of age or older at diagnosis, and females in this category [>/= 40 years] significantly outnumbered male patients [69/104 [66.3%] vs. 35/104 [33.7%], P=.003]. The most common complaints were dyspnea [76%], cough [72.1%] and weight loss [32.7%]. The majority of patients displayed impairment in lung function parameters at presentation. However, significant impairment in forced vital capacity, percentage predicted [FVC%] [<50%] was present in only 17% of patients. The most frequent CT finding was mediastinal lymph node enlargement in 49 patients [73.1%]. Parenchymal abnormalities indicating lung fibrosis were noted in 31 patients [46.3%], and traction bronchiectasis was the most common [35.8%] fibrotic pattern detected on CT scans. At presentation, clinical manifestations of sarcoidosis among this sample of Arab patients were similar to reports from other nations. Further studies are needed to explore the effects of race and ethnicity on disease severity in the Middle East

Prevalence of sleep problems and habits in a sample of Saudi primary school children

Sleep problems in children vary not only with age, but also with ethnic and sociocultural background. No research has been conducted to assess sleep problems in Saudi elementary school children. This study surveyed parents [or guardians] about their elementary school children's sleep to assess the prevalence of certain sleep problems. The study population comprised boys and girls attending regular public elementary schools in all grades and was conducted during springtime of the year 1999. A questionnaire inquiring about demographic data, specific sleep problems and habits and home environment was distributed and completed by the parents or guardians. A total of 1012 complete questionnaires were included in the analysis. The sample comprised 511 boys [50.5%] and 501 girls [49.5%]. The mean age was 9.5 +/- 1.9 years, ranging from 5 to 13 years. Daytime fatigue was the most prevalent sleep problem [37.5%] followed by bedtime resistance [26.2%], difficulty rising in the morning during weekdays [20.7%], and sleep-onset delay [11.8%]. Cosleeping with parents was reported in 12.4% of children. The study revealed some differences between boys and girls. Napping during the daytime was reported in 40.8% of children. The study showed that sleep problems are prevalent among Saudi elementary school children. Moreover, the study shed some light on sleep habits and practices in this age group in Saudi Arabia, like the high prevalence of daytime napping