Abdurhman S Al-Arfaj

OBJECTIVE: Although systemic lupus erythematosus of varying severity has been seen in our clinics, there is no information regarding the prevalence of the disease among Saudi nationals. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in Al-Qaseem region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A community survey of towns and villages in the Al-Qaseem area of central Saudi Arabia was conducted in 3 phases to determine the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in the region. RESULTS: Of the 10,372 studied, 2 cases of systemic lupus erythematosus were identified using the criteria set for the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus by the American College of Rheumatology. Based on that, the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus was estimated to be 19.28 per 100,000 population in the region. CONCLUSION: The estimated prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in Al-Qaseem area is similar to that found in western countries.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the relationship between radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, generalized OA and serum cholesterol. METHODS: Over a period of 7 months from September 1998 through to March 1999, 246 patients attending 14 primary care clinics in Northern Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for different non-musculoskeletal complaints were recruited in the study. Their knees, hands and wrists were radiographed. Their ages, sex, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), fasting serum cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid were recorded. RESULTS: There were 113 females and 133 males with average ages 46 14.2 and 51.54 16.0 years. One hundred and twenty-two (49.6%) cases of knee OA and 58 (23.6%) cases of generalized OA were found and analyzed for the association with serum cholesterol levels. Crude odds ratio (OR) for the relationship between knee OA and the third tertile of serum cholesterol was 2.33 (95% CI, 1.19-4.58) which on adjusting for age, sex, BMI, serum uric acid and triglycerides were 2.68 (95% CI, 2.00-3.64). For generalized OA, the crude odds ratio (OR) in relation to the third tertile of serum cholesterol was 1.65 (95% CI, 0.78-3.53), adjusted OR was 2.18 (95% CI, 1.55-3.15). CONCLUSION: The results showed an association between high serum cholesterol level and both knee and generalized OA.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of back pain in the adult population of Al-Qaseem Central Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to find associated features and factors. METHODS: A house-to-house survey covering 1,000 household in the towns and villages of Al-Qaseem province was carried out over a period of 18 months extending from September 1993 until the end of February 1995. A total of 5,894 adults, aged 16 years and above, were questioned by trained staff regarding back pain, and the demographic data in addition to general, medical and social history. RESULTS: A response was obtained in 5,743 (97.4%). Their mean age was 34.14 15.16 (range 16-99). Back pain was reported by 1,081 (18.8%), wherein 499 (8.8%) were men, and 574 (10%) were women. Back pain was more prevalent in married (23.3%) individuals than unmarried (6.4%). Adjusted odds ratio (OR) for back pain in married individuals was 1.88 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.49-2.37). Back pain was strongly correlated with age (correlation coefficient = 0.378 P < 0.01). It also showed significant correlation with weight and height, depression, family history of back pain, change in work ability, frequency of attendance at local doctor, use of medication and lower education level. The association with body mass index became evident only after comparing the heaviest 20th percentile to the lightest (OR 1.335 [95% CI, 1.279-1.402]). Certain occupational status (unemployed, farmers, professional workers and housewives) were associated with back pain. CONCLUSION: Back pain was relatively common in this largely unindustrialized community although its prevalence is lower than reported from some western countries.