Cerebellar atrophy in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Central nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is common; this is especially so in patients with positive antiphospholipid antibody. However, cerebellar involvement is very unusual. In our institution, we have seen 150 cases of SLE over the last 10 years; however, this is the only patient who has cerebellar involvement due to SLE. The patient had no other neurological deficit, and no other cause apart from her SLE to explain her cerebellar ataxia. Her antiphospholipid antibody was negative. The patient showed some improvement on high-dose steroids and azathioprin.

Effect of short-term use of different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on renal function during fasting in ramadan.

This study was conducted to determine the combined effect of Ramadan fasting and short-term use of different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on renal function in healthy volunteers. The study subjects were assigned to six different groups, five of whom took different NSAIDs (namely nabumetone, indomethacin, diclofenac, sulindac, tenoxicam) and the sixth was a control group. Data were collected on serum sodium, chloride, potassium, urea, creatinine, bicarbonate and uric acid as well as urinary osmolarity, sodium, potassium, chloride and urea. These measurements were taken before fasting, 10 days into fasting while using NSAIDs, and five days after stopping the use of NSAIDs. The results showed slight changes in serum and urine measurements during fasting while using NSAIDs. These changes, although were significant in some cases, were within the normal range and were noted in all the study groups including the control group. We conclude that short-term use of NSAIDs in healthy subjects during fasting is not associated with any major adverse effects on the renal function.