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Objectives Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are prevalent and commonly associated conditions. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of NAFLD and identify liver fibrosis risk using noninvasive scoring methods in a cohort of patients with OSA. Methodology In this retrospective study of patients with confirmed OSA, patients who underwent abdominal ultrasonography were recruited. The primary outcome was the prevalence of suspected NAFLD (steatosis on ultrasound and/or elevated alanine transaminase [ALT]). The secondary outcomes included the prevalence and predictors of liver fibrosis risk as assessed by the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score. Results A total of 133 patients fulfilled the study inclusion criteria. The average age was 49.8±15.1 years, and 57.1% were females. The average BMI was 37.3±14.5. According to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) scores, 37.9%, 29.6%, and 32.6% of participants had mild (5-14), moderate (15-29), and severe (>=30) OSA, respectively. Radiologically defined NAFLD was detected in 44.4% of the participants, and elevated liver enzymes were detected in 63.9% of the patients. High NFS and FIB-4 scores were recorded in 9% and 3.8% of the patients, respectively. According to logistic regression analysis, age and BMI significantly predicted high NFS scores. Conclusion NAFLD appears to be common among OSA patients. Age and obesity, but not OSA severity, predicted high liver fibrosis risk as assessed by noninvasive scoring systems.
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OBJECTIVES: Colorectal polyps are a known precursor to colorectal cancer (CRC). Using the Saudi dietary guidelines adherence scores, this study evaluated whether dietary intake can lead to the development of colorectal polyps in a Saudi cohort. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 101 patients of both sexes, aged 30-86 years (40 patients with colorectal polyps and 61 patients without polyps), were recruited from the endoscopy unit in a Saudi hospital. A questionnaire was administered to collect demographic data, anthropometric data, and information about dietary habits. RESULTS: Patients with colorectal polyps were significantly older than those without polyps (p = 0.05). The mean body mass index in both patient groups was within the overweight range, with a value of 28.6 ± 6.7 kg/m2. We did not find significant differences between patients with and without colorectal polyps. Although there was no difference in the overall scores for adherence to the Saudi dietary guidelines between the two groups, the specific adherence score for vegetables was significantly higher in patients without colorectal polyps (5.0 ± 0.0 vs. 4.9 ± 0.3, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Ageing and lower vegetable intake, previously reported to be risk factors for CRC, were likewise identified in this study. However, a multi-centre study with a larger sample size, utilising data from this study, is needed.
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Eosinophilic esophagitis in adults is a recently described entity occurring in young males with dysphagia, in whom esophageal biopsies show eosinophilic infiltration. This study defines the clinical and histological features of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis, distinguishing it from gastroesophageal reflux disease. Esophageal biopsies from patients with dysphagia or esophagitis were reviewed blindly, and assessed for: epithelial eosinophil counts, presence of eosinophilic microabscesses, edema, basal zone hyperplasia, lamina propria papillae elongation, eosinophils and fibrosis. Clinical and endoscopic findings were obtained. Eosinophilic esophagitis was diagnosed with epithelial eosinophils > or = 15 in > or = 2 high-power fields (hpfs) or > or = 25 in any hpf. Analysis was performed with Mann-Whitney, chi2 and ANOVA tests. Of 157 cases, 41 had eosinophilic esophagitis. Male gender (81%) and age < or = 45 (54%) were commoner in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (P = 0.001, 0.010, respectively). Dysphagia was more common in eosinophilic esophagitis patients (63%, P < 0.001); heartburn was more common in noneosinophilic esophagitis patients (53%, P < 0.001). Endoscopic rings were more common in eosinophilic esophagitis patients (27%, P = 0.023); hiatus hernia was more common in noneosinophilic esophagitis patients (11%, P = 0.022). Eosinophils were more numerous in eosinophilic esophagitis biopsies (mean 39/hpf, P < or = 0.001). Only eosinophilic esophagitis biopsies had eosinophilic microabscesses (42%, P < or = 0.001). Edema, basal zone hyperplasia, lamina propria papillae elongation and lamina propria eosinophils were commoner in eosinophilic esophagitis (P < or = 0.001-0.002), while lamina propria fibrosis was specific for eosinophilic esophagitis (39%, P < 0.001). Eosinophilic esophagitis is a disease with a predilection for young males with dysphagia and rings on endoscopy. Biopsies in eosinophilic esophagitis have high epithelial eosinophil counts, averaging nearly 40/hpf. Increased awareness of eosinophilic esophagitis is necessary, since treatment with allergen elimination or anti-inflammatory therapy may be more effective than acid suppression.