scholarly journals Awareness of Emergency Eye Diseases and Red Flag Symptoms in Population of Western Province

2021 ◽  
pp. 112-120
Author(s):  
Abdulaziz Shehri ◽  
Atheer Ayad Alharthi ◽  
Bushra Faisal Alshehri ◽  
Ahlam Mohammed Aljuaid ◽  
Hanan Rizieq Alhuthali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Giant Cell Arteritis ◽  
Giant Cell ◽  
Visual Loss ◽  
Eye Diseases ◽  
Red Flags ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽  
Western Province

Background: Emergency eye disease can lead to visual loss when the patient delay seeking medical care quickly due to poor knowledge and awareness of red flags and symptoms that eventually end by late diagnosis then possibly devastating outcomes for example permanent visual loss. This study aims to examine the level of awareness and knowledge regarding different emergency eye diseases in Western Province, kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This is a cross sectional study conducted via online questionnaire and approved by research ethics of Taif university. SPSS version 25 was used for statistical analysis. Chi-squared, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal Wallis tests were applied, and a P-value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.  Result: A total of 702 participants to the online questionnaire from the western province of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with 565 (80.5%) females and 137 (19.5%) males. Regarding the awareness of different emergent ocular diseases, acute angle closure glaucoma has the highest awareness level (41.7%) and the least was giant cell arteritis (12.4%). Conclusion: This study reflected the awareness and knowledge of retinal detachment, giant cell arteritis and central retinal occlusion in average population of the western province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which was extremely low. This will have an impact on seeking medical care early with delay in diagnosis and implementation of treatment that results in significant visual complications. So, we need to raise awareness of society about different emergency ocular conditions and red flags to help overcome the negative outcomes.

scholarly journals The Level of Lymphedema Awareness among Women with Breast Cancer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 627
Author(s):  
Fatmah Alsharif ◽  
Wedad Almutairi ◽  
Faygah Shibily ◽  
Fatmah Alhothari ◽  
Fidaa Batwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Medical Team ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
The Status

Background: Lymphedema is a condition in which excessive fluid accumulates in soft tissues. It is a common complication of breast cancer treatments. It can lead to serious consequences and interfere with the activity of daily living. This study aimed to determine the level of awareness of breast-cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) among women with breast cancer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This was a descriptive quantitative cross-sectional design that included a convenience sample of women diagnosed with breast cancer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected by distributing a self-administrated online questionnaire consisting of four parts, including demographic data (five items), the status of education about BCRL (three items), basic medical history of breast cancer (six items), and BCRL level of awareness of risk factors and management (nine items). Results: In total, 95 out of 135 of participants did not know about lymphedema, 119 of the participants (88.1%) did not receive any explanation about the possibility of lymphedema from their medical team before surgery, and 121 of them (89.6%) did not receive it after surgery. The most significant factor affecting participants’ level of awareness regarding BCRL was the lack of information about the possibility of BCRL occurrence, which was not provided to them by the medical team. Recommendation: Early and continuous education for future management is essential to prevent problems related to BCRL and improve quality of life.

scholarly journals Challenges in the Diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis Before Visual Loss

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Purnima Mehta ◽  
Faaiq Hassan ◽  
Muhammed Omar Qadir ◽  
Shirish Dubey ◽  
Sergio Pagliarini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Giant Cell Arteritis ◽  
Giant Cell ◽  
Visual Loss ◽  
Systemic Vasculitis ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Common Type ◽  
Atypical Presentation ◽  
Delay In Diagnosis ◽  
Atypical Presentations ◽  
High Index Of Suspicion

Background: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common type of systemic vasculitis affecting the elderly. Ophthalmic presentations of GCA in particular can be difficult to identify prior to permanent visual loss occurring. Methods: Here, we present 3 challenging cases as a retrospective series to highlight the variable presentations of GCA with ophthalmic involvement, but GCA was not suspected due to atypical presentation. Results: Unfortunately, all 3 cases went on to develop visual loss in the affected eye due to a delay in diagnosis or treatment. The authors wish to highlight the challenges posed to the referring clinicians, when patients had systemic/ocular co-morbidities, which delayed the suspicion of GCA Conclusion with a Practical Point: Our cases highlight the variable presentations of this condition as well as the devastating ophthalmic implications that GCA can have. A high index of suspicion must be maintained; particularly in elderly patients with atypical presentations.

Giant cell arteritis and transient visual loss

BMJ ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 338 (may06 1) ◽  
pp. b1809-b1809 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M Guly ◽  
J. A Olson
Keyword(s):  
Giant Cell Arteritis ◽  
Giant Cell ◽  
Visual Loss ◽  
Transient Visual Loss

scholarly journals Giant cell arteritis and COVID-19: similarities and discriminators, a systematic literature review

2020 ◽  
pp. jrheum.200766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Puja Mehta ◽  
Sebastian E. Sattui ◽  
Kornelis van der Geest ◽  
Elisabeth Brouwer ◽  
Richard Conway ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Count ◽  
Giant Cell Arteritis ◽  
Giant Cell ◽  
Visual Loss ◽  
Diagnostic Error ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Correct Treatment ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Diagnostic Confusion ◽  
Distinct Features

Objective To identify shared and distinct features of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to reduce diagnostic error that could cause delays in correct treatment. Methods Two systematic literature reviews determined the frequency of clinical features of GCA and COVID-19 in published reports. Frequencies in each disease were summarised using median and range. Results Headache was common in GCA but was also observed in COVID-19 (66% for GCA, 10% for COVID-19). Jaw claudication or visual loss (43% and 26% in GCA, respectively) were not reported in COVID-19. Both diseases featured fatigue (38% for GCA, 43% for COVID-19) and elevated inflammatory markers (CRP elevated in 100% of GCA, 66% of COVID-19), but platelet count was elevated in 47% of GCA but 4% of COVID-19. Cough and fever were commonly reported in COVID-19 and less frequently in GCA (cough, 63% for COVID-19 versus 12% for GCA; fever, 83% for COVID-19 versus 27% for GCA). Gastrointestinal upset was occasionally reported in COVID-19 (8%), rarely in GCA (4%). Lymphopenia was more common in COVID-19 than GCA (53% in COVID-19, 2% in GCA). Alteration of smell and taste been described in GCA but their frequency is unclear. Conclusion Overlapping features of GCA and COVID-19 include headache, fever, elevated CRP and cough. Jaw claudication, visual loss, platelet count and lymphocyte count may be more discriminatory. Physicians should be aware of the possibility of diagnostic confusion. We have designed a simple checklist to aid evidence-based evaluation of patients with suspected GCA.

scholarly journals Giant Cell Arteritis: Visual Loss Is Our Major Concern

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (8) ◽  
pp. 1458-1461 ◽  
Author(s):  
MIGUEL A. GONZALEZ-GAY ◽  
SANTOS CASTAÑEDA ◽  
JAVIER LLORCA
Keyword(s):  
Giant Cell Arteritis ◽  
Giant Cell ◽  
Visual Loss

–463 G/A myeloperoxidase promoter polymorphism in giant cell arteritis

2007 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 485-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Salvarani ◽  
B Casali ◽  
E Farnetti ◽  
N Pipitone ◽  
D Nicoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Giant Cell Arteritis ◽  
Giant Cell ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Polymyalgia Rheumatica ◽  
Visual Loss ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Promoter Polymorphism ◽  
Reggio Emilia ◽  
Cerebrovascular Accidents

Objective:To investigate potential associations between–463 G/A myeloperoxidase (MPO) promoter polymorphism and susceptibility to, and clinical features of giant cell arteritis (GCA).Methods:A total of 156 patients with biopsy-proven GCA who were residents of Reggio Emilia, Italy, and 235 population-based controls from the same geographic area were genotyped for–463 G/A promoter polymorphism of the MPO gene by molecular methods. The patients were subgrouped according to the presence or absence of polymyalgia rheumatica and severe ischaemic complications (visual loss and/or cerebrovascular accidents).Results:The distribution of the MPO-G/A genotype differed significantly between patients with GCA and the controls (pcorr = 0.003). Allele G was significantly more frequent in patients with GCA than in the controls (pcorr = 0.0002, OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4 to 2.9). Homozygosity for the G allele was significantly more frequent in patients with GCA than in controls (pcorr = 0.0002, OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4 to 3.4). No significant associations were found when patients with GCA with and without polymyalgia rheumatica or with and without severe ischaemic complications were compared.Conclusions:Our findings show that the–463 G/A promoter polymorphism of the MPO gene is associated with GCA susceptibility and support a role for MPO in the pathophysiology of GCA.

scholarly journals Visual loss in giant cell arteritis 3 weeks after steroid initiation

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. e228251
Author(s):  
Anouk Le Goueff ◽  
James Peters ◽  
Lisa Willcocks ◽  
David Jayne
Keyword(s):  
Giant Cell Arteritis ◽  
Giant Cell ◽  
Visual Loss ◽  
Diagnostic Delay ◽  
Steroid Treatment ◽  
Oral Steroid ◽  
Common Complication ◽  
Visual Symptoms ◽  
Loss Of Vision ◽  
Oral Glucocorticoids

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common vasculitis in adults and blindness is a common complication if left untreated. Oral glucocorticoids are the mainstay of treatment and if started promptly, loss of vision can usually be prevented. We present the case of a 77-year-old man who developed irreversible bilateral blindness after a confirmed diagnosis of GCA and oral steroid treatment. The roles of diagnostic delay, steroid dosing, significance of visual symptoms at diagnosis and after commencing oral glucocorticoids, and interpretation of ophthalmological signs are reviewed.

scholarly journals P188 Tocilizumab for giant cell arteritis: real world experience in a single UK centre

Rheumatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Reynolds ◽  
Bridget Griffiths ◽  
Karolyn Houghton ◽  
Ben Thompson ◽  
Alice R Lorenzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Giant Cell Arteritis ◽  
Giant Cell ◽  
Urinary Tract Infections ◽  
Visual Loss ◽  
Large Vessel Vasculitis ◽  
Large Vessel ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Clinical Records

Abstract Background Tocilizumab was approved for the treatment of giant cell arteritis (GCA) by NICE in April 2018. This decision followed the GiACTA (Giant Cell Arteritis Actemra) study, a randomised control trial that demonstrated a beneficial effect of tocilizumab in reducing the frequency of disease flare and overall prednisolone requirements. However, as noted in the NICE appraisal, the extent to which the patient population in the GiACTA study reflects the population it is eventually used for in UK clinical practice is not clear. To address this, we analysed the records of all patients started on tocilizumab treatment for GCA in a single centre since its approval. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical records of all patients started on tocilizumab for GCA at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. All patients are discussed in a regional connective tissue disease MDT prior to the initiation of therapy to ensure they fulfil NICE guidelines. At each subsequent visit adverse events related to both tocilizumab and corticosteroids and any flares of GCA or ischaemic events are recorded. Results In total 14 patients started tocilizumab since June 2018, with a cumulative exposure of 8 patient-years. The mean age was 74 years, slightly older than the average age in the GiACTA trial (69 years). In contrast to GiACTA where 48% of patients were newly diagnosed, all our patients had established disease. In our cohort 36% of patients had CT PET evidence of large vessel vasculitis, similar to the rate in GiACTA (40%) but higher than the national average of around 5%. Incidence of visual loss in our treated patients was higher at 29% than recorded in the general GCA population in the DC-VAS study (7.9%). In those treated for relapsing disease around half (56%) had recorded previous significant adverse events with steroids, including heart failure, hypertension and mood changes. Five patients had infections requiring antibiotics (cellulitis/ulcer in three, chest infection in one, urinary tract infections in two), with two serious infections requiring hospital admission (both urinary tract infections). No patients had further ischaemic events while on treatment. All patients were on a lower dose of prednisolone following treatment with an average of a 63% reduction in steroid dose. Conclusion The modest number of patients receiving tocilizumab for GCA suggests we are not treating everyone at first relapse. The higher rates of large vessel vasculitis, visual loss and previous steroid-induced complications suggest a preference for saving tocilizumab for a more severely affected subset of patients. In this preliminary data there were reassuringly no recorded ischaemic events following treatment and steroid doses were successfully reduced in all patients. Disclosures G. Reynolds None. B. Griffiths None. K. Houghton None. B. Thompson None. A.R. Lorenzi None. J. Heaney None.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document