Abstract:
:The utilization of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for serum digoxin and theophylline was assessed with respect to the indication, time of sample collection and contribution to patient care. A total of 585 serum drug level determinations of digoxin (275) and theophylline (328) were done in a four month period. Reasons for requests were subtherapeutic response (27.5%), suspected toxicity (3.8%), baseline data (26.7%), patients at risk for toxicity (7.7%), and for the remaining 34.4% of orders, no reason was stated. The highest number of requests 246 (42.1%) were from the inpatient ward (INP), followed by emergency room (ER) 32.6%, outpatient department (OPD) 13% and intensive care unit (ICU) 12.3%. Repeated assays accounted for 363 determinations of which 55.9% had levels similar to the previous ones. In this study, we found a high incidence of inappropriateness in patient selection (34.4%), time of serum sample collection (28.4%), and dosage adjustment (46.8%). However, when these audit criteria were analyzed together, the overall appropriateness was as low as 33.5%. This indicated that serum drug monitoring was poorly utilized and did not contribute much to the patient's care. This results in an estimated financial loss per year (for inappropriate use of digoxin and theophylline levels) of about 37,344 Saudi Riyals (US $9,956.00). Corrective educational programs for the staff, based on standard guidelines for TDM, have been initiated and this study is a baseline for future prospective audits.
journal_name
Ann Saudi Medjournal_title
Annals of Saudi medicineauthors
Al-Ghamdi MS,Eferakeya A,Al-Sowayan Sdoi
10.5144/0256-4947.1992.178subject
Has Abstractpub_date
1992-03-01 00:00:00pages
178-83issue
2eissn
0256-4947issn
0975-4466pii
12-178journal_volume
12pub_type
杂志文章abstract:BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in both developing and industrialized countries, especially among young children and in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. It is implicated in both invasive (e.g. meningitis and septicemia) as well as noni...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4103/0256-4947.83214
更新日期:2011-07-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Dentists suffer a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) but studies are quite limited. The present study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of MSDs among dentists in the Ha'il Region, Saudi Arabia. DESIGN AND SETTINGS:A cross-sectional, questionnaire study was conduct...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2015.456
更新日期:2015-11-01 00:00:00
abstract::Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common pediatric disorder occurring in about 2 to 2.5 per 1000 live births. It is a chronic motor disorder resulting from a non-progressive (static) insult to the developing brain. CP is the clinical presentation of a wide variety of cerebral cortical or sub-cortical insults occurring during t...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章,评审
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2006.123
更新日期:2006-03-01 00:00:00
abstract::Chronic urticaria is a common skin disease. In about 45% of patients the cause is an autoantibody directed at the α-subunit of the high-affinity IgE receptor (chronic autoimmune urticaria; CAU). Omalizumab is a monoclonal anti-IgE antibody that has a proven role in the treatment of various allergic diseases. We gave o...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4103/0256-4947.70567
更新日期:2010-11-01 00:00:00
abstract::Neonatal diabetes mellitus is considered a rare disease that is diagnosed in the first six months of life, and can be either transient or permanent. Recent advances in molecular genetics have shown that activating mutations in KCNJ11 (the gene that encodes for the Kir6.2 subunit of the K ATP potassium channel of the p...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4103/0256-4947.60526
更新日期:2010-03-01 00:00:00
abstract::Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis is now recognized as an important cause of respiratory tract infections. Over a two year period, Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis was isolated in pure culture from 3.4% of the sputums collected from patients with symptoms of acute respiratory tract infections. It was the third mo...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.1992.562
更新日期:1992-11-01 00:00:00
abstract::Two cases of orf occuring in one family are reported. The patients developed characteristic skin lesions one week after sustaining cuts while slaughtering a sheep. The diagnosis of orf was confirmed by electron microscopy which revealed numerous large oval virus particle characteristics of parapox virus. This we belie...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.1986.49
更新日期:1986-01-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Tocilizumab (TCZ) is a humanized anti-human IL-6R antibody, a novel therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who fail treatment with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNFs). OBJECTIVE:To assess the safety and efficacy of TCZ monotherapy or in combinati...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章,多中心研究
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2016.190
更新日期:2016-05-01 00:00:00
abstract::The concept of dual-graft liver transplantation was introduced to overcome the discrepancy between liver transplantation demand and liver donation. Dual-graft transplantation also mitigates cumulative family risk by decreasing individual donor risk through minimization of the resected liver volume from each donor. Her...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type:
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2019.118
更新日期:2019-03-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Data on thyroid surgery in children are scarce. OBJECTIVE:Analyze outcome data on thyroid surgery in a pediatric population. DESIGN:Medical record review. SETTING:Tertiary health care institution. PATIENTS AND METHODS:We collected demographic and clinical data on patients 18 years or younger who had thyr...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2020.316
更新日期:2020-07-01 00:00:00
abstract::The objective of this case control study was no identify the possible associated risk factors of mild mental retardation in children. Sixty-nine parents of mildly mentally retarded (MR group) male children and a similar number of matched parents of normal male children (control) were interviewed using a questionnaire....
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.1993.355
更新日期:1993-07-01 00:00:00
abstract::Cigarette smoking is universally acknowledged to be a health hazard. We are of the opinion that primary health care (PHC) physicians can potentially play a key role in the promotion of non-smoking campaigns. The aim of this study was to determine the role of male PHC physicians in the promotion of a non-smoking campai...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.1997.515
更新日期:1997-09-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Studies about stroke in Saudi Arabia are limited. This retrospective study aims to determine the clinical characteristics of Saudi patients with heart failure (HF) with and without subsequent stroke, and also to find out whether gender differences exist in the presentation of HF patients who h...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2013.387
更新日期:2013-07-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Total laboratory automation (TLA) is a relatively new way of improving the management of high volume clinical laboratories. TLA may reduce staff, reduce operating costs, decrease testing time and provide enhanced process control. OBJECTIVES:Establish a cost efficient TLA that is less labor intensive, improv...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2018.352
更新日期:2018-09-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:We tested the clinical utility of the platelet count, the aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio, and the AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) score in predicting the presence or absence of advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C in Saudi Arabia. METHO...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2007.89
更新日期:2007-03-01 00:00:00
abstract::A controlled prospective study was carried out between 16 July 1991 and 31 January 1992 to evaluate the oropharyngeal flora in homozygous sickle cell disease (SS). Throat swabs for cultures were taken from 163 asymptomatic SS patients attending sickle cell clinics (90 children and 73 adults). Throat swabs were also ta...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.1995.215
更新日期:1995-05-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is indicated by calcium deposits in the coronary artery wall. Calcification is a component of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Currently, there are no data on calcification in Saudi women at high risk of coronary artery disease. The aim of this st...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2015.298
更新日期:2015-07-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) develops in elderly males when serum androgens are relatively lower than in healthy younger males, but it is not well understood whether and how sex steroids are altered in prostatic hyperplasia. It is also uncertain whether there is any change in sex steroid levels in male...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2008.174
更新日期:2008-05-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Patients with thalassemia may complain of numbness and weakness of the lower extremities. The aim of the study was to document whether these patients suffer from a polyneuropathy and to determine any contributing factors for the development of neuropathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS:We examined 30 patients with th...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2006.358
更新日期:2006-09-01 00:00:00
abstract::Enterococci with high level of aminoglycosides resistance are being reported from different parts of the world with increasing frequency. Treatment of infections caused by such isolates is associated with a high incidence of failure or relapse. This is attributed to the loss of the synergetic effect of aminoglycosides...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.1994.290
更新日期:1994-07-01 00:00:00
abstract::A high caloric intake from fat sources and prevailing obesity in the Saudi population prompted this study. Waist to hip circumference ratio (WHR), fasting cholesterol, triglycerides and insulin were measured in 76 non-insulin dependent adult Saudi diabetics. Serum LDL, HDL and VLDL were measured in 45 of these diabeti...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.1994.329
更新日期:1994-07-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:The association of type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension is so high that it cannot be explained on the basis of diabetic nephropathy. This phenomenon has been attributed to a condition known as metabolic syndrome. Depression may be another aspect of metabolic syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS:We conducted ...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2003.254
更新日期:2003-09-01 00:00:00
abstract::The patterns of smoking in Jordan were determined in a sample of 3489 subjects representing various strata of society. The sample included 2103 students and 1386 nonstudents. In the nonstudent population, 58.5% of the male and 27.4% of the female subjects were smokers; overall, 96% smoked manufactures cigarettes. Male...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.1991.144
更新日期:1991-03-01 00:00:00
abstract::Eighteen cases of traumatic fracture dislocation were managed surgically using a technique which involved an anterior cervical approach followed by discectomy, bone graft, and insertion of a metal plate. The patients were mobilized early to prevent the usual complications of bedsores, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary e...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.1991.189
更新日期:1991-03-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Patients with severe sickle cell anemia (SCA) have a higher potential for oxidative damage due to chronic redox imbalance in red blood cells that often leads to hemolysis, endothelial injury and recurrent vaso-occlusive episodes. This study evaluated the plasma levels of vitamins A, C and E as indicators of ...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2006.17
更新日期:2006-01-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) has been recognized as an effective management strategy for acute ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). However, there is no first-hand information regarding the quality of pPCI procedures in the Arabian Gulf countries. This study...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2014.482
更新日期:2014-11-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Experience with alteplase in pediatric patients is limited and recommendations are extrapolated from adult data. Comprehensive guidelines on the management of thromboembolic events in this group are lacking. We assessed the efficacy and safety of alteplase (recombinant tissue plasminogen activ...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.4103/0256-4947.62840
更新日期:2010-05-01 00:00:00
abstract::Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by production of abnormal hemoglobin S and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Information about the prevalence of SCD in Saudi Arabia is patchy and probably underestimated, but studies have reported that SCD is a relatively common...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章,评审
doi:10.4103/0256-4947.81540
更新日期:2011-05-01 00:00:00
abstract::Three hundred and seventy-six consecutive antinuclear antibody-positive sera were tested for anti-ds DNA antibody by using three commercial kits which use 125 I recombinant DNA (radioimmunoassay), highly purified calf thymus DNA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) and Crithidia lucilliae (immunofluorescence assay) as ...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.1995.327
更新日期:1995-07-01 00:00:00
abstract::Many countries now struggle to provide cost-effective, quality healthcare services to their citizens. Saudi Arabia has experienced high costs along with concerns about quality of care in its public facilities. To address these issues the country is currently restructuring their healthcare system to privatize public ho...
journal_title:Annals of Saudi medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2008.243
更新日期:2008-07-01 00:00:00