A case-control study on health-related quality of life of systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic rheumatic autoimmune condition that can cause a wide range of symptoms and problems that may affect the health-related quality of life. The main objective of the study was to assess the SLE burden by exploring the effect of the disease on health-related quality of life. The study consisted of 29 female SLE patients and 27 healthy female controls; they were matched for age and parity. A 36-item Short Form health survey questionnaire (SF-36) was used to collect data from participants through face-to-face interviews and to assess their health-related quality of life. SF-36 summary scores for the physical and mental components were decreased in the studied patients compared with controls; PCS was 28.81 ± 16.63, 77.25 ± 15.75 for cases and controls, respectively; and MCS was 32.75 ± 18.69, and 78.75 ± 10.63 for cases and controls, respectively (p < 0.05). The high correlation between the two dimensions characterizes this decrease. SLE negatively affected the quality of life of the patients. Measures such as lifestyle modifications, physical activity, and a healthy diet should be taken to improve the health-related quality of life in SLE patients. In addition, raising the patient's awareness about the disease and its consequences could help to cope with the illness and engage in social and physical activities.

Environmental risk factors of systemic lupus erythematosus: a case-control study

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complicated chronic autoimmune disorder. Several genetic and environmental factors were suggested to be implicated in its pathogenesis. The main objective of this study was to examine how exposure to selected environmental factors was associated with SLE risk to support the development of disease preventive strategies. A case-control study was conducted at the Rheumatology outpatient clinic of Alexandria Main University Hospital, in Alexandria, Egypt. The study sample consisted of 29 female SLE patients, and 27 healthy female controls, who matched the cases on age and parity. Data were collected by a structured interviewing questionnaire. Blood levels of lead, cadmium, and zinc of all participants were assessed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The multivariate stepwise logistic regression model revealed that five factors showed significant association with SLE, namely living near agricultural areas, passive smoking, blood lead levels ≥ 0.075 mg/L, and exposure to sunlight (odds ratio (OR) 58.556, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.897-1807.759, OR 24.116, 95% CI 1.763-329.799, OR 18.981, 95% CI 1.228-293.364, OR 9.549, 95% CI 1.299-70.224, respectively). Whereas walking or doing exercise were significantly protective factors (P = 0.006). The findings of this study add to the evidence that SLE can be environmentally induced. Preventive measures should be taken to address the environmental risk factors of SLE.

Association between sleeping hours and cardiometabolic risk factors for metabolic syndrome in a Saudi Arabian population

OBJECTIVES

Epidemiological and molecular studies have shown that sleep duration is associated with metabolic syndrome (MtS), a disease that is on the rise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We aim to investigate the association between sleep duration and selected cardiometabolic risk factors of MtS in a Saudi Arabian population.

SETTING

Secondary care was given to the participants. There were 2 participating centres, shopping malls in North and South Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

PARTICIPANTS

We recruited 2686 participants over a 1-year study period. Participants were selected based on their willingness. The only criterion for exclusion was living in the area (North or South Jeddah) for less than 15 years.

PLANNED AND PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Participants were measured for blood sugar levels, blood pressure and body mass index. All participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire.

RESULTS

There was a positive association between longer sleep duration and obesity, hypertension and hyperglycaemia. The adjusted ORs for obesity, hypertension and hyperglycaemia were 1.54 (95% CI 1.20 to 1.98), 1.89 (95% CI 1.45 to 2.48) and 1.59 (95% CI 1.19 to 2.13), respectively, in participants sleeping >8 h/night, as compared with those sleeping 7 h. The positive associations between longer sleep duration, defined as sleeping >7 h, and the disease status, did not differ from other risk factors such as physical activity and nutrition.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first epidemiological study reporting on the association between sleep duration and cardiometabolic risk factors of MtS in a Saudi Arabian population. Sleep durations of 8 h or greater were found to be associated with all 3 cardiometabolic risk factors: obesity, hypertension and hyperglycaemia, and this relationship was not confounded by quality of nutrition or physical activity levels.

Health impacts on workers in wastewater treatment plants in jeddah city, saudi arabia

Wastewater workers are exposed to various job-related hazards. This work was carried out in the period from November, 2004 to January, 2005. All workers (one hundred and ninety two workers) in the Jeddah Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants (MWTP) were interviewed. They were asked to answer a precoded questionnaire that included personal data and complete medical (present, past, and family) history. They were also asked about history of previous medical examinations in details. Psychological problems were the most common health problems as they formed 84.4% followed by mucous membranes' irritation which constituted 42.2%. The percentage of workers following the safety precautions: wearing anti-slide shoes; the use of personal protective tools for the protection of the skin and eyes; the use of safety precautions in mixing chemicals; the safe storage, transfer, and circulation of chemicals; and ensuring the safety of electrical appliances were 14.6%, 75%, 13.5%, 91.7%, and 95.8%, respectively. The T-test was carried out between those having mucous membrane irritation and those who didn't have mucous membrane irritation as regards the duration of work and it was found to be statistically significant (p=0.000). Those who suffered from mucous membrane irritation have mean work duration of 5.04 years whereas those without irritation have a mean of 6.75 years. Finally, t-test was carried out between those having psychological problems and those who didn't have psychological problems and it was found to be significant (p=0.007). The mean work duration for those suffering from psychological problems was 6.2 years whereas those who didn't suffer from psychological problems had a mean work duration of 5.1 years.

Adult depression in Alexandria, Egypt, 1998

The objectives of this population based study were to quantify the prevalence of depression among adults in Alexandria, to identify some of its determinants as well as to reveal gender differences in its presentation. 300 adults were surveyed in their households (10 from each of 30 clusters of the governorate). The self administered Beck's inventory for usage in primary care settings was used for identifying the depression state. The prevalence rate was 11% with a non significant higher proportion among males. Mean age of depressed subjects was higher than the free Age interval with highest percentage of cases was 50-60 years Epidemiologic variables that were found to be significantly associated with a higher rate of the condition were being divorced or widowed, a positive recent history of stressful life events and having a positive personal history of psychological troubles. On the other hand, examined factors like financial state, working status and whether the person is a bread earner or dependent in the family had no association with the state of depression. Male cases were younger than female ones, they also had a higher mean score on the depression scale. The genders differed significantly in scores of psychopathological parameters related to hopelessness, low self esteem, loss of sexual interest, loss of pleasure, guilt, self reproach and suicidal ideation. The authors recommend active case finding for depression at the primary care level, instituting counseling services for marriage and family relations, intensifying mass media health education directed to mechanisms of coping with life stresses and restudying the gender differences in epidemiology of depression in a large scale community research.

Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus, and flow cytometric cell cycle kinetics in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and inverted papilloma among Egyptian patients

It is widely accepted that the Epstein-Barr virus is etiologically associated with the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The human papillomavirus is also associated with inverted papilloma. We used the polymerase chain reaction technique to detect both viruses in both types of tumors. Flow cytometry was also used to study the DNA pattern and proliferative behavior of the tumors in relation to the viruses. EBV was detected in 13/20 (65%) of NPC specimens, and in none of IP (n = 10) or control specimens (n = 10). This indicates the contribution of EBV as an etiologic factor in NPC. Five cases of NPC (25%) were positive for HPV 16, two of them were EBV positive. Four HPV 16 positive cases were found among cases with inverted papilloma, but none among the control cases. Flow cytometry revealed that all NPC, IP, and control samples were diploid except one aneuploid NPC sample. Proliferative capacity (PC) of primary tumors was predictive of tumor recurrence in NPC. Using 13.6% as a cut-off point for PC, we were able to discriminate between high risk and low risk groups with 100% sensitivity and 86% specificity. PC can be used as a baseline prognostic parameter in NPC, making it possible to modify courses of treatment in an attempt to inhibit tumor recurrence.