Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viral infections in the premarital adult population of Al Majmaah,Saudi Arabia

BackgroundViral hepatitis is a major global health problem affecting millions of people worldwide. The main objective of the present study was to estimate the seroprevalence of hepatitis C and hepatitis B in Saudi adults undertaking premarital screening voluntarily.MethodologyThis observational retrospective study was conducted at King Khaled General Hospital, Al Majmaah, Saudi Arabia, for a period of 3 years (October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2019). The prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections was calculated using Microsoft Excel and the hematological data analysis was performed using SPSS software. A total of 3755 premarital Saudi adults who voluntarily participated in the premarital screening were included in this study. Subjects were screened for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV). The demographic and epidemiological parameters included patient age, sex, nationality, and seropositivity for HBV and/or HCV.ResultsOf the 3755 subjects, eight (0.242%) and 12 (0.364%) subjects were positive for HCV and HBV, respectively. Among the 12 HBV-positive subjects, nine (75%) subjects were men, and three (25%) subjects were women. However, among the eight HCV-positive subjects, five (62.5%) subjects were men, and three (37.5%) subjects were women.ConclusionThis study concluded that the prevalence of HBV infection was slightly higher than that of HCV infection among the Saudi adult population of Al Mjamaah. In addition, both HBV and HCV were less prevalent in women than in men in the study population.     

Digestive system involvement and clinical outcomes among COVID-19 patients: A retrospective cohort study from Qatar

BACKGROUNDCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus most commonly presents with respiratory symptoms. While gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations either at presentation or during hospitalization are also common, their impact on clinical outcomes is controversial. Some studies have described worse outcomes in COVID-19 patients with GI symptoms, while others have shown either no association or a protective effect. There is a need for consistent standards to describe GI symptoms in COVID-19 patients and to assess their effect on clinical outcomes, including mortality and disease severity.AIMTo investigate the prevalence of GI symptoms in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and their correlation with disease severity and clinical outcomes.METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed 601 consecutive adult COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization between May 1-15, 2020. GI symptoms were recorded at admission and during hospitalization. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment data were retrieved. Clinical outcomes included all-cause mortality, disease severity at presentation, need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission, development of acute respiratory distress syndrome, and need for mechanical ventilation. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify independent predictors of the adverse outcomes. RESULTSThe prevalence of any GI symptom at admission was 27.1% and during hospitalization was 19.8%. The most common symptoms were nausea (98 patients), diarrhea (76 patients), vomiting (73 patients), and epigastric pain or discomfort (69 patients). There was no difference in the mortality between the two groups (6.21% vs 5.5%, P = 0.7). Patients with GI symptoms were more likely to have severe disease at presentation (33.13% vs 22.5%, P < 0.001) and prolonged hospital stay (15 d vs 14 d, P = 0.04). There was no difference in other clinical outcomes, including ICU admission, development of acute respiratory distress syndrome, or need for mechanical ventilation. Drugs associated with the development of GI symptoms during hospitalization were ribavirin (diarrhea 26.37% P < 0.001, anorexia 17.58%, P = 0.02), hydroxychloroquine (vomiting 28.52%, P = 0.009) and lopinavir/ritonavir (nausea 32.65% P = 0.049, vomiting 31.47% P = 0.004, and epigastric pain 12.65% P = 0.048). In the multivariate regression analysis, age > 65 years was associated with increased mortality risk [odds ratio (OR) 7.53, confidence interval (CI): 3.09-18.29, P < 0.001], ICU admission (OR: 1.79, CI: 1.13-2.83, P = 0.012), and need for mechanical ventilation (OR: 1.89, CI:1.94-2.99, P = 0.007). Hypertension was an independent risk factor for ICU admission (OR: 1.82, CI:1.17-2.84, P = 0.008) and need for mechanical ventilation (OR: 1.66, CI: 1.05-2.62, P = 0.028).CONCLUSIONPatients with GI symptoms are more likely to have severe disease at presentation; however, mortality and disease progression is not different between the two groups.     

Female sexual dysfunction: classification, pathophysiology, and management

Female sexual dysfunction is a prevalent problem in the general community; however, it has not been studied as extensively as male sexual dysfunction. Female sexual dysfunction is a common complication after most pelvic surgeries. With the introduction of screening programs, most pelvic malignancies are detected at earlier stages and in younger patients. Sexual dysfunction is a major quality-of-life issue in these young women. Hysterectomy (simple or radical) is the most common type of pelvic surgery in women and is one of the most important causes of female sexual dysfunction. Additionally, female sexual dysfunction is an important issue after urologic (radical cystectomy) and colorectal surgeries (simple and radical proctocolectomy). Sexual dysfunction is a common problem among postmenopausal women. Modifications in the surgical technique (nerve sparing) are rapidly evolving in the field of urology and colorectal surgery, which will be soon followed by modifications in the field of gynecologic surgery. In this article we summarize the pathophysiology and classification of female sexual dysfunction, with special emphasis on the relationship between female sexual dysfunction and pelvic surgeries.     

Sickle cell disease in pregnancy

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an autosomal recessive condition, which leads to life-long haemolytic anaemia. Clinical features are intermittent episodes of severe pain and chronic complications including a high risk of stroke, renal dysfunction, retinopathy and cardiopulmonary disease. Advances in treatment have enabled affected women to live to childbearing age. Pregnancy and childbirth with SCD are considered high-risk, and are associated with increased maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. A universal newborn screening programme provides for early identification of all affected newborns. The antenatal screening programme identifies women with haemoglobinopathies and offers them the option of fetal screening. Management of women with SCD begins with preconceptual care, which involves counselling, screening for end organ damage and a review of their medications. Multidisciplinary antenatal care is desirable. Contraception should be discussed post pregnancy. The only proven cure for this condition is correction of the genetic defect by haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.     

Zika virus: Is Pakistan next?

正Dear editor,Zika virus(ZIKV)crisis,which caught Brazil in 2015,heralded the rapid spread throughout Americas and has imparted catastrophic devastation to human population in the form of severe teratogenic