Saudi Medical Journal 

About: Saudi Medical Journal is an academic journal published by Ministry of Defence and Aviation. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Population & Medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 0379-5284. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 7637 publications have been published receiving 84488 citations.

Ki67 expression in breast cancer. Correlation with prognostic markers and clinicopathological parameters in Saudi patients.

Abstract: Objectives: To evaluate Ki67 immunoexpression pattern in Saudi breast cancer (BC) patients and investigate any possible predictive or prognostic value for Ki67. Methods: This is a retrospective study designed to quantitatively assess the Ki67 proliferative index (PI) in retrieved paraffin blocks of 115 Saudi BC patients diagnosed between January 2005 and March 2015 at the Department of Pathology, King Fahd Hospital, Al Madinah Al Munawarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Ki67 PI was correlated with individual and combined immunoprofile data of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) with their clinicopathological parameters. Results: Ki67 immunoreactivity was highly expressed (greater than 25% of the tumor cells were positive) in 85 (73.9%) patients. The Ki67 PI was significantly associated with poor prognostic clinicopathological parameters including old age ( p less than 0.02), high tumor grade ( p less than 0.01), lymph node metastasis ( p less than 0.001), and Her-2/neu positivity ( p less than 0.009). However, the association with ER positivity, PR positivity, tumor size, and lymphovascular invasion were not statistically significant. The Ki67 PI was significantly associated with BC molecular subtypes that were Her2/neu positive (luminal B and HER-2) subtypes compared with the Her2/neu negative (luminal A) subtype ( p less than 0.04). Conclusion: The Ki67 PI is significantly higher in Saudi BC patients comparing with the reported literature. Ki67 PI was highest in the HER-2 and luminal-B molecular subtypes. Along with other prognostic indicators, Ki67 PI may be useful in predicting prognosis and management of Saudi BC patients. Saudi Med J 2016; Vol. 37 (2): 137-141 doi: 10.15537/smj.2016.2.12285 How to cite this article: Elkablawy MA, Albasri AM, Mohammed RA, Hussainy AS, Nouh MM, Alhujaily AS. Ki67 expression in breast cancer . Correlation with prognostic markers and clinicopathological parameters in Saudi patients . Saudi Med J 2016; 37: 137-41.

Diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabia.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major public health problem worldwide, and it is a known risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). New recommendations for the diagnosis of diabetes have changed the epidemiology of DM. Therefore, we designed this study with the objective to determine the prevalence of DM among Saudis of both sexes, between the ages of 30-70-years in rural as well as urban communities. This work is part of a major national project: Coronary Artery Disease in Saudis study (CADISS) that is designed to look at CAD and its risk factors in Saudi population. METHODS This study is a community-based national epidemiological health survey, conducted by examining Saudi subjects in the age group of 30-70-years of selected households over a 5-year period between 1995 and 2000. Data were obtained from history, fasting plasma glucose levels, and body mass index. The data were analyzed to classify individuals as diabetic, impaired fasting glucose and normal, using 1997 American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria, which was adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1998, to provide prevalence of DM in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). RESULTS A total of 17232 Saudi subjects were selected in the study, and 16917 participated (98.2% response rate). Four thousand and four subjects (23.7%), out of 16917 were diagnosed to have DM. Thus, the overall prevalence of DM obtained from this study is 23.7% in KSA. The prevalence in males and females were 26.2% and 21.5% (p<0.00001). The calculated age-adjusted prevalence for Saudi population for the year 2000 is 21.9%. Diabetes mellitus was more prevalent among Saudis living in urban areas of 25.5% compared to rural Saudis of 19.5% (p<0.00001). Despite the readily available access to healthcare facilities in KSA, a large number of diabetics 1116 (27.9%) were unaware of having DM. CONCLUSIONS The overall prevalence of DM in adults in KSA is 23.7%. A national prevention program at community level targeting high risk groups should be implemented sooner to prevent DM. We further recommend a longitudinal study to demonstrate the importance of modifying risk factors for the development of DM and reducing its prevalence in KSA.

Obesity in Saudi Arabia

Abstract: OBJECTIVES Obesity and overweight are well known risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD), and are expected to be increasing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) particularly among females. Therefore, we designed this study with the objective to determine the prevalence of obesity and overweight among Saudis of both gender, between the ages of 30-70 years in rural as well as in urban communities. This work is part of a major national project called Coronary Artery Disease in Saudis Study (CADISS) that is designed to look at CAD and its risk factors in Saudi population. METHODS This study is a community-based national epidemiological health survey, conducted by examining Saudi subjects in the age group of 30-70 years of selected households over a 5-year period between 1995 and 2000 in KSA. Data were obtained from body mass index (BMI) and were analyzed to classify individuals with overweight (BMI = 25-29.9 kg/m2), obesity (BMI >/=30 kg/m2) and severe (gross) obesity (BMI >/=40 kg/m2) to provide the prevalence of overweight and obesity in KSA. RESULTS Data were obtained by examining 17,232 Saudi subjects from selected households who participated in the study. The prevalence of overweight was 36.9%. Overweight is significantly more prevalent in males (42.4%) compared to 31.8% of females (p<0.0001). The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity was 35.5% in KSA with an overall prevalence of 35.6% [95% CI: 34.9-36.3], while severe (gross) obesity was 3.2%. Females are significantly more obese with a prevalence of 44% than males 26.4% (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Obesity and overweight are increasing in KSA with an overall obesity prevalence of 35.5%. Reduction in overweight and obesity are of considerable importance to public health. Therefore, we recommend a national obesity prevention program at community level to be implemented sooner to promote leaner and consequently healthier community.

History of diabetes mellitus.

Abstract: Clinical features similar to diabetes mellitus were described 3000 years ago by the ancient Egyptians. The term "diabetes" was first coined by Araetus of Cappodocia (81-133AD). Later, the word mellitus (honey sweet) was added by Thomas Willis (Britain) in 1675 after rediscovering the sweetness of urine and blood of patients (first noticed by the ancient Indians). It was only in 1776 that Dobson (Britain) firstly confirmed the presence of excess sugar in urine and blood as a cause of their sweetness. In modern time, the history of diabetes coincided with the emergence of experimental medicine. An important milestone in the history of diabetes is the establishment of the role of the liver in glycogenesis, and the concept that diabetes is due to excess glucose production Claude Bernard (France) in 1857. The role of the pancreas in pathogenesis of diabetes was discovered by Mering and Minkowski (Austria) 1889. Later, this discovery constituted the basis of insulin isolation and clinical use by Banting and Best (Canada) in 1921. Trials to prepare an orally administrated hypoglycemic agent ended successfully by first marketing of tolbutamide and carbutamide in 1955. This report will also discuss the history of dietary management and acute and chronic complications of diabetes.

Smoking in Saudi Arabia.

Abstract: This article reviewed the literature on the epidemiology, consumption, trade, control, prevention, and treatment of tobacco smoking in Saudi Arabia. The prevalence of current smoking in Saudi Arabia ranges from 2.4-52.3% (median = 17.5%). Among school students, the prevalence of current smoking ranges from 12-29.8% (median = 16.5%), among university students from 2.4-37% (median = 13.5%), and among adults from 11.6-52.3% (median = 22.6%). In elderly people, the prevalence of current smoking is 25%. The prevalence of smoking in males ranges from 13-38% (median = 26.5%), while in females it ranges from 1-16% (median = 9%). To conclude, smoking is prevalent in the Saudi population at different age groups. The prevalence of current smoking is much higher in males than in females at different ages. More research is needed in the area of prevention and treatment of smoking.