From the Editor
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Ahmad Husari
Editor, Middle-East Journal of Internal Medicine
Director, American University of Beirut Sleep Disorders Center
Director, American University of Beirut outpatient clinical care services
Assistant Professor
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
American University of Beirut Medical Center
Beirut Lebanon
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In this issue a number of papers deal with theoretical laboratory research and other discussed clinical research. A paper on SLE attempted to determine the difference in serum resistin levels in Systemic lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared to a control group. This study included three groups of 30 SLE patients, 30 RA patients and 30 apparent healthy volunteers. All patients were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, and laboratory assessment. Serum samples from all patients and controls were tested for serum resistin levels. The mean of serum resistin levels in SLE (2.86±0.02 ng/ml) and RA (3.002±0.06 ng/ml) were insignificantly higher than controls (2.14± 0.08ng/ml) (p=0.233 and p=0.07respectively) . There was no significant difference between serum resistin levels between SLE and RA patients (p=0.586). The authors concluded that serum resistin levels did not correlate with clinical or laboratory markers except platelet counts in SLE and or RA cases, although its higher level in these diseases compared to the controls.

A cross sectional descriptive study from Nigeria looked at prevention of otologic disorders in primary school children. A Random sample of 1,200 pupils were taken. A semi structured questionnaire was used and all children were examined. Findings showed that out of 802 children studied, only 279(34.8%) were found normal. The common Otologic diseases found among the respondents were impacted cerumen 39.7%, chronic suppurative otitis media 95 (11.8%), debris 55 (6.9%) Otitis media with effusion 28 (3.5%), and acute otitis media 10 (1.3%). The authors concluded that based on the proportion of children identified with otologic problems, there is need for periodic and well coordinated school health programmes.

A paper from Saudi Arabia looked at the Clinicopathologic features of Lichen Planus in Assir area. The diagnostic records of dermatopathology cases received at the Pathology Department, Assir Central Hospitals (2007-2008 ) were reviewed. The lesions included 51 cases of lichen planus. It was found that lichen planus was more common in males than in females (2 : 1). The average age incidence was 35.8 years, and 35.4 years for males and females respectively. The lower extremities, face and trunk were the most common sites for the lichen planus. The author concluded that in Assir region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia lichen planus is a common disease. It usually affects middle age populations and has a male sex predilection.

A cross sectional study was conducted in Kirkuk city included 176 pregnant women, and 134 non-pregnant married women (control group). The objective was to estimate the prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies among pregnant women in Kirkuk city. The study revealed 62.48 % pregnant women infected with HSV-2. The highest rate of IgM antibodies was found in 50% of pregnant women aged 18-23, this was also true for both IgM and IgG antibodies together that was found in 41.17% of them. The authors concluded that seroprevalence of HSV-2 was relatively high in pregnant women in Kirkuk city. Primary and re-infection of latency occurred at highest rate in age group 18-23 years old. Primary HSV-2 infection increases the AEC and IL-2 during pregnancy. The highest rate of abortion occurred during the first trimester of pregnancy in women with HSV-2.

A paper from Turkey Hatay looked at the Predictive value of pain intensity in the clinical severity of painful crises in children and adolescents with sickle cell diseases. All hospitalized SCD patients with painful crisis between September 2012 and September 2013 were included into the study. The intensity of pain was assessed at the first visit. Pain scores were obtained using the Faces Pain scale and Verbal Descriptor Scale. Seventy-nine patients under the age of 18 years-old with SCD and 146 episodes of painful crisis were evaluated. Forty-five (57%) patients were women and mean age was 11.5 years. The white blood cell counts, aspartate aminotransferase and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly higher while erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit and albumin levels were significantly lower in the in the severe pain episodes group (p<0.05 for all). The number of patients transfused was significantly high in severe pain episodes group than the other two groups (p=0.006, p=0.001). Most of severe pain episodes group had complicated vaso-occlusive crisis (acute chest syndrome 41.6 %, Hepatic sequestration crisis 6.7%), (p<0.05). The authors concluded that there may be a direct relationship between prevalence of complicated vaso-occlusive crisis and pain intensity of SCD. Patients with sickle cell anemia should be classified according to their pain scores during hospitalization, and patients with high pain scores should be closely monitored for complications.

A paper from Erbil, Iraq, was designed to evaluate and compare the effects of different doses of omega-3, gemfibrozil and atorvastatin on lipid profile and haematological parameters in hyperlipidemic rats. Forty eight rats were divided into two groups. The first groups included 18 rats; they were subdivided into three subgroups each of 6 rats. The first subgroup served as a control. The second and third subgroups received omega-3 (15 mg/kg) and (30 mg/kg) orally (PO) daily respectively. The second group included 30 rats and received atherogenic diet throughout the treatment period and served as hyperlipidemic rats. At the end of treatment period of all these groups, the rats were subjected to various biochemical and hematological tests. The authors concluded that Omega-3 was effective in controlling lipid profile especially serum (TC, TG and LDL-C). No significant differences were found between the effects of both doses omega-3 and gemfibrozile or atorvastatin on TC, TG, and LDL-C of hyperlipidemic rats. In contrast to omega-3, gemfibrozile and atorvastatin induced a significant raise in the level of HDL-C. Omega-3 was effective in increasing the levels of HB, RBC, HTC and MCH in hyperlipidemic rats.