Colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer in Egypt: a nationwide cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines advocate for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in adults who are at risk by using direct visualization methods such as colonoscopy. However, in Egypt, there is a paucity of data regarding the current practice of colonoscopy screening. Moreover, more information is needed about the knowledge and attitudes of potential participants regarding the procedure and possible barriers that can limit their participation. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study using an interview-based survey of patients aged 45 years or above who presented to outpatient clinics of nine university hospitals throughout Egypt. Participants were surveyed to assess their compliance with CRC colonoscopy screening guidelines, their knowledge of and attitude towards colonoscopy screening, and their perspective on potential barriers to colonoscopy screening. RESULTS: A total of 1,453 participants responded to our survey in the nine study centers. Only a minority of participants (2.3%) were referred for CRC screening. Referral rates were higher among those who knew someone with a history of CRC (5.3% vs 1.5%, p < 0.001) or had a discussion with their physician about CRC (25.8% vs 0.7%, p < 0.001). Few responders (3.2%) had good knowledge regarding CRC screening. After introducing the concept of CRC screening to all participants, most patients (66.7%) showed a positive attitude towards having the procedure. Financial burden and fear of results were the two most frequently cited barriers to undergoing CRC screening (81.1%; and 60.1%, respecteively). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the positive attitude, there is insufficient knowledge about CRC screening among eligible participants in Egypt. This has probably contributed to low compliance with current CRC screening guidelines and needs to be addressed at the national level.

Total hip replacements following acetabular fractures. 7 to 15 years clinical and radiological results.

This study is reporting the long term clinical and radiographic results of a group of 45 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty following acetabular fractures. The study included 39 males and 6 females. The age of the patients ranged from 32 to 61 with a mean of 46.4 years. The indication for surgery was secondary osteoarthritis in 35 patients and avascular necrosis of the femoral head in the remaining ten. The follow up period ranged from 7 to 15 years with a median of 10.3 years. Uncemented total hip prostheses were used in 37 cases while 8 cases had hybrid prostheses with cemented cups and uncemented stems. Thirty patients (66.7%) needed autogenous acetabular bone grafting. There has been a statistically significant improvement from a preoperative mean Oxford hip score of 16 to a postoperative mean score of 39.8 (p < 0.001). At the end of follow up, two cases had revision for cup loosening. The complications included one case of transient sciatic nerve palsy, and two cases of heterotopic ossification. Currently, total hip replacement remains the best option for end stage post traumatic arthritis. There are technical challenges associated with this replacement surgery which the surgeon should be aware of.

Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein as a predictor of cardiac ischemia in intractable seizures in children.

BACKGROUND: Children with intractable epilepsy have chronic dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system causing myocardial ischemia. Heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) is a sensitive biomarker for myocardial ischemia. AIMS: We aimed to evaluate serum levels of H-FABP during seizures compared to their interictal levels and healthy controls and changes in heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) in epileptic children with intractable seizures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 30 epileptic seizures in 25 children with intractable epilepsy and 30 matched controls. They were subjected to video-electroencephalography monitoring simultaneously with Holter electrocardiogram and measurement of H-FABP. RESULTS: Mean serum levels of H-FABP were increased significantly in patients either in the ictal or interictal periods compared to that in the controls (P < 0.001 and P< 0.01, respectively). There is no significant difference in serum levels of the H-FABP in the ictal and interictal periods. The basal time domain measures of HRV were significantly lower in the patient group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: H-FABP might suggest a degree of myocardial ischemia in intractable epilepsy. HRV is impaired in patients with refractory seizures.

Value of electroencephalographic monitoring in newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy treated with hypothermia.

BACKGROUND: The values of electroencephalography (EEG) in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) during therapeutic hypothermia (TH) are still uncertain. AIMS: The aim of this study is to detect EEG background, the prevalence of seizures during cooling, and to determine different EEG patterns that can predict brain injury in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine newborns with HIE were subjected to TH. Continuous monitoring by video-EEG was carried out throughout cooling and during rewarming. MRI was done for all newborns after rewarming. The predictive value of EEG background for MRI brain injury was evaluated at 6-h intervals during cooling and rewarming. RESULTS: At all-time intervals, normal EEG was associated with no or mild MRI brain injury. At the beginning of cooling, normal background was more predictive of a favorable MRI outcome than at later time points. After 24 h of monitoring, diffuse burst suppression and depressed patterns had the greatest prognostic value. In most patients, a discontinuous pattern was not associated with poor prognosis. Thirty-one percent developed electrical seizures, and 8% developed status epilepticus. Seizures were subclinical in 42%. There is a significant association between duration of seizure patterns detected on the EEG and severity of brain injury on MRI. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous EEG monitoring in newborns with HIE under cooling has a prognostic value about early MRI brain injury and identifies electrographic seizures, approximately 50% of which are subclinical. Treatment of clinical and subclinical seizure results in a reduction of the total duration of seizure pattern supports the hypothesis that subclinical seizures should be treated.