FEVER OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN - EXPERIENCE IN RIYADH, SAUDI-ARABIA

Fever of unknown origin constitutes a continual challenge to clinicians all over the world. The pattern of etiological factors varies from one geographic area to another. Over a 4-year period, 62 patients were diagnosed as having this syndrome in the University Hospitals, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Of these, infection and neoplasms accounted for 71% of the cases. Tuberculosis, brucellosis, and lymphoma were the most common diagnoses. Co-infection by Schistosoma mansoni and Salmonella typhi caused prolonged obscure fever in one patient. Our approach to diagnosis is discussed and compared with the experience in the literature. The application of noninvasive diagnostic methods such as ultrasonography, radioisotope scanning, and improved microbiological techniques should further reduce the incidence of fever of unknown origin in the Kingdom. However, knowledge of its epidemiological pattern in this area will assist practicing physicians in the judicious use of available diagnostic facilities.