Biologics, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, are increasingly used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. The efficacy of these drugs has been demonstrated in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). However, these studies are conducted in controlled environments, and the results may not necessarily reflect clinical outcomes in daily clinical practice. In Europe and other western countries, numerous biologics registries that enroll and monitor patients receiving biologics have been established. These registries follow patients irrespective of whether they continue with the initial biologic drug. Thus, real-life efficacy data from these registries can be used to assess the long-term safety of biologics through longitudinal studies. In Africa and Middle East (AFME), such registries currently exist only in Morocco and South Africa. In light of the increasing availability of biologics and scarcity of long-term safety data of these agents in the AFME population, there is a need to establish biologics registries in other countries across the region. This review discusses the value of biologics registries versus RCTs as well as safety and efficacy data from observational studies presented as lessons from well-established biologics registries. In addition, the rationale for establishing such registries in the AFME region is also presented.
Objective Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been used during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic because of its reported anti-viral activity. This study examined the association of chronic HCQ use with the incidence and complications of COVID-19. Methods This retrospective cohort study included adults with rheumatoid arthritis and/or systemic lupus erythematosus who visited rheumatology clinics in three tertiary hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between January 2019 and December 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on HCQ use. Data were obtained from the electronic health record and by interviews with patients. The primary study objective was the incidence of COVID-19 and its complications from March 2020 to February 2021. Results Almost 11% of the study cohort was positive for COVID-19, and the incidence of COVID-19 was similar between HCQ users (11.11%) and nonusers (10.86%). Disease complication rates were similar in the study arms, and they mainly included fever, dry cough, fatigue, and breathing difficulty. Conclusions This study revealed no significant association between chronic HCQ use and the incidence of COVID-19, and disease complications were similar in the study arms.
Background: Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is a global pandemic public health problem which affected more than 5 million worldwide and caused more than 500,000 deaths. Disease presentations varied from a symptomatic or mild to severe illness which leads to death. Aim: The study describes the demographic and clinical characteristics patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to Security Forces Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between 15 th March till 30 th of June 2020. Methods: Study group studied a case series of 566 consecutive patients with COVID-19 evaluated at Security Forces Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 15 th March and 30 th June 2020. Main Outcomes: Demographic data, underlying co-morbidities, clinical presentation, and treatment were collected. Results: Demographically, COVID-19 was more prevalent in male, Saudi, nonsmokers with blood group O + ve patients. It's more common in patients with co-morbidities like diabetes and hypertension. Fever, cough, and shortness of breath are the most common presenting symptoms. ESR, CRP, LDH, and Ferretin are the commonest laboratory abnormalities found. Conclusion: Totally, 556 case series patients showed more prevalence in aged male with diabetes as co-morbidity. Fever and cough are the most presenting symptoms with high inflammatory markers.
Aim: To find out if there is any correlation between COVID-19 antibody serological testing and symptom severity. Methods: This study is a case series of 44 consecutive patients confirmed with COVID-19 who are divided into a group of 23 patients with mild disease and a group of 21 patients with severe disease. All 44 samples were confirmed positive SARS-CoV-2. Subsequent recombinant SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG test was performed for all patients and all patients developed neutralizing antibodies with altered range. Main outcomes: IgG level and its correlation with disease severity, demographic data, underlying comorbidities, clinical presentation, and treatment comparison between mild and severe disease groups. Results: Quantitative SARS COV-2 IgG was significantly higher in moderate and severe disease groups compared with those in the mild disease group. COVID-19 infection was more prevalent in male, Saudi nationals and smokers with comorbidities and higher inflammatory markers are more in the severe group than in the mild group which necessitates more management options to be taken for severe group patients. Conclusion: IgG antibody level was higher in the severe disease group. Also, the study showed significant differences between the mild and severe disease groups in terms of demographic, clinical, and management variables.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.