Clinical and biochemical characteristics of people experiencing post-coronavirus disease 2019-related symptoms: A prospective follow-up investigation

BackgroundPost-acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome, also known as long COVID, is a prolonged illness after the acute phase of COVID-19. Hospitalized patients were known to have persisting symptoms of fatigue, headache, dyspnea, and anosmia. There is a need to describe the characteristics of individuals with post-COVID-19 symptoms in comparison to the baseline characteristics.PurposeTo investigate the clinical and biochemical characteristics of people who recovered from COVID-19 after 6 months of discharge from the hospital.MethodsThis was a prospective follow-up investigation of hospitalized and discharged COVID-19 patients. Adult patients admitted to King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and discharged were recruited. The baseline demographic information, comorbidities, vital signs and symptoms, laboratory parameters, COVID-19 therapy, and outcomes were collected from the medical records. Blood samples were collected for cytokines estimation. A detailed interview about signs and symptoms was undertaken during the follow-up.ResultsHalf of the followed-up people reported experiencing at least one of the COVID-19-related symptoms. The mean blood pressure was found higher in follow-up. People with the symptoms were characterized by low lymphocyte count, lower serum calcium levels, and hyperglycemia compared to people without any post-COVID-19 symptoms. Cytokines IL-8, VEGF, and MCP-1 were higher in people with the most frequent symptoms.ConclusionPeople with post-COVID-19 symptoms were characterized by lower lymphocyte count, lower serum calcium levels, and hyperglycemia compared to people without symptoms. Individuals with the most frequent post-COVID-19 symptoms had higher baseline pro-inflammatory, chemotactic, and angiogenic cytokines

Social and Cultural Euphemism in Saudi Arabic: a Semantic, a Pragmatic and a Sociolinguistic Analysis

This paper explores the universal linguistic phenomenon of the social and cultural euphemism in Saudi Arabic. It aims at improving the understanding of other cultures' readers of the Saudi culture, concerning uses of euphemism, and simultaneously showing how some linguistic expressions are essentially products of social and cultural pressures. To examine this notion, the study analyzes and classifies examples of the most frequently used Saudi Arabic euphemism, based on various topics. The study shows that the social and cultural factors are very influential in expressing euphemism. It also reveals a clear and a huge shift in the use of euphemism in the Saudi culture, where Saudis did not apply euphemisms frequently in the past, as they are applying these days. Because of the new development of the country’s economy, openness, interfaith dialogue, cultural communication, new lifestyles have emerged and called for more prestigious linguistic behavior. It is hoped that the study would uncover why there are certain sensitive situations where euphemism is needed, such as those of religion, social circumstances, and death situations.

Social and Cultural Euphemism in Saudi Arabic: a Semantic, a Pragmatic and a Sociolinguistic Analysis

This paper explores the universal linguistic phenomenon of the social and cultural euphemism in Saudi Arabic. It aims at improving the understanding of other cultures' readers of the Saudi culture, concerning uses of euphemism, and simultaneously showing how some linguistic expressions are essentially products of social and cultural pressures. To examine this notion, the study analyzes and classifies examples of the most frequently used Saudi Arabic euphemism, based on various topics. The study shows that the social and cultural factors are very influential in expressing euphemism. It also reveals a clear and a huge shift in the use of euphemism in the Saudi culture, where Saudis did not apply euphemisms frequently in the past, as they are applying these days. Because of the new development of the country’s economy, openness, interfaith dialogue, cultural communication, new lifestyles have emerged and called for more prestigious linguistic behavior. It is hoped that the study would uncover why there are certain sensitive situations where euphemism is needed, such as those of religion, social circumstances, and death situations

Appraising the outcome and complications of peritoneal dialysis patients in self-care peritoneal dialysis and assisted peritoneal dialysis: A 5-year review of a single Saudi center

Our objective is to study the outcomes and complications of peritoneal dialysis (PD) including comparison of self-care PD with home-care assisted PD during a five-year period. A retrospective study of PD data at King Saud University-affiliated hospital in Riyadh from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2013. One hundred and eleven patients were included (female 55%). The average age was 47.4 (1–83) years. Twenty-one (18.91%) patients were on continuous ambulatory PD and 90 (81.08%) on automated PD. The mean time on PD was 23.5 (3–60) months. At the end of five years, 47 (42.34%) patients were continuing on PD, 12 (10.81%) had renal transplant, 33 (29.73%) patients were transferred to hemodialysis, and two (1.8%) patients were transferred to other centers. Seventeen patients died during this period giving a mortality rate of 7.13 deaths/100 patient-year during the five-year period. Six patients died due to cardiovascular causes, while five had sepsis. There was one death each due to prostate cancer, hyperoxaluria, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Three patients died suddenly at home. Peritonitis rate was one episode/35.28 patient/month or one episode/2.94 patient/year. We compared the results for patients doing the dialysis themselves [56 (50.45%)] “self-care PD” to 55 (49.5%) patients assisted by a family member or other caregivers “assisted PD.” We found no significant difference in the incidence of complications, technical outcome, mortality, and peritonitis episodes. However, we found a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus and significant increase in exit site infection in assisted PD. Our study suggests that PD patients in Saudi Arabia have a good overall outcome. Furthermore, assisted PD showed good patient and technique outcome

National Guidelines for the Management of Lupus Nephritis in Saudi Arabia

Context: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that can affect all organs and cause considerable morbidity and mortality. The estimated prevalence of SLE in the central region of Saudi Arabia is 19.28/100,000 individuals. Approximately half of those will eventually develop clinically significant renal disease. Therefore, screening for renal involvement is essential for early diagnosis and optimal disease management. Aims: This study aims to develop a pathway that can facilitate the early diagnosis and management of lupus glomerulonephritis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methodology: The Saudi Society of Rheumatology in collaboration with the Saudi Society of Nephrology and Transplantation and under the supervision of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties formed a committee involving rheumatologists, nephrologists, and a renal pathologist. Multiple workshops were conducted to adapt the 2019 Update of the Joint European League against Rheumatism and European Renal Association–European Dialysis and Transplant Association recommendations for the management of SLE, as well as The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcome 2020 using the ADAPTE process. Results: This document includes recommendations related to screening for renal involvement, renal pathology and classification, initial and subsequent therapy for lupus nephritis (LN), the treatment of refractory and relapsing LN, and the management of advanced renal disease. Recommendations concerning pregnancy and postpartum care are also included. Conclusion: We developed a guideline for the management of adults with LN based on recommendations developed elsewhere. This guideline was adapted to the local context of our health-care system