Population based treatment strategy of H pylori in Qatar: Through clinical and demographic insights.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori), a widespread gastric pathogen, can have a range of presentations necessitating population based tailored treatment strategies. We aimed to study the clinical and demographic profile of patients with H pylori in Qatar, to determine the best treatment strategy for Qatar's population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective data collection of all patients diagnosed with H pylori from January 2017 to December 2019 in Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), Qatar was done. The demographic, clinical, endoscopic and histologic characteristics of patients and H. Pylori directed therapies were documented and compared. Pearson's Chi-square test, independent samples ttest or analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used as appropriate to compare various parameters between patients. RESULTS: 2217 patients tested positive for H. Pylori over 3 yrs. of which 837 (37.8 %) were Qatari nationals. Dyspepsia was the most common indication for testing (44.6 % patients) which was positively associated with gastric erythema and atrophy on endoscopy (P = 0.000 and 0.004, respectively) and negatively associated with a normal endoscopy (p = 0.038). Most of the patients had chronic active gastritis (98.2 %). Other pre-malignancies were seen in only 85 (14.3 %) patients. Mean (SD) age of patients with premalignancies was significantly more than those without [ 53.25 (17.6) vs. 44.77 (14.8), p = 0.000]. Only 11(0.6 %) patients had a malignancy of the stomach. CONCLUSION: H pylori infection may be quite prevalent amongst Qatari nationals. Since prevalence of gastric premalignancies and incidence of gastric malignancy in patients with H pylori in Qatar may be low, generalized test and treat strategy is not economically and practically meaningful in Qatar. Symptomatic patients should be tested and treated, with endoscopy reserved for those with alarming symptoms, failure of proton pump inhibitors and older patients.

Multifaceted manifestations: A case report of MRSA pneumonia with sepsis, pyelonephritis, and ileus muscle abscess.

Methicillin-resistant staph aureus (MRSA) infections are challenging to treat, and with the emergence of community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) strains, early consideration of this pathogen in populations without typical risk factors is critical. Here we present a case of CA-MRSA pneumonia that resulted in Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) with septic shock, pyelonephritis, and muscle abscess.

Renal Infarction as the First Manifestation of Undiagnosed Atrial Fibrillation With Coexisting Left Atrial Thrombus: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Acute renal infarction, presenting with nonspecific symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and hematuria, can lead to delayed diagnosis due to similarities with other medical conditions. Computed tomography with IV contrast is used to diagnose renal parenchymal infarction, treated through surgical, percutaneous interventions, and anticoagulation therapy. Investigation for the infarction source is crucial, particularly in the absence of prior cardiac issues, necessitating heart rhythm monitoring and an echocardiogram to evaluate paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and intracardiac thrombus, respectively. Renal infarction may elevate blood pressure due to renin release, recommending medications like angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers. We present a case of renal infarction due to PAF with a concomitant intracardiac thrombus.

A dilemma of patients: poor quality administration of tertiary care hospitals: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: The study focuses on healthcare delivery standards in Pakistan's tertiary care hospitals. Poor accountability and a lack of financial and human resources are the main contributing factors to a hospital's substandard performance and low patient satisfaction rates. Feedback surveillance forms are the Achilles tendon in the quality improvement of a facility, and this practice is, unfortunately, not widely practiced in the hospitals of Pakistan. Through this paper and experience, the authors hope to shed light on the need for regular feedback surveys and implementing their results to improve healthcare quality. Settings and Design: A prospective, observational study of seven tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan. Materials and Methods: The data was collected using a survey form. Each survey form was filled out by a team comprising three public health professionals who observed the hospital and its functioning without interfering with its workings. The questionnaire was developed with the help of Tools for Assessing the Operationality of District Health Systems: Health Facility Questionnaire designated in the respective facilities. The analysis was then draughted as a qualitative narrative review. Finally, the review was broken down into an assessment of the hospital's outpatient clinic setting, inpatient department, emergency department and other departments. Results: The survey was conducted at seven public sector hospitals in three major cities of Pakistan. The survey focused on administrative and nonmedical parameters of healthcare facilities. Overall, the hospitals of Lahore and Islamabad lacked mass casualty apparatus and cleanliness, and staff behaviour can be improved. The hospitals in Rawalpindi have mass casualty apparatuses in place. However, they need improvement in accessibility services and hygiene and staff attitude. Conclusions: The survey showed that all the hospitals had good access and accessibility, and the directions were clearly marked for the visitors. The hospital staff is knowledgeable about the hospital, but their behaviour needs to be improved. Also, the quality of the cleanliness and waiting areas is fair but needs improvements. Finally, regular cheques via regular feedback and quality assessments can improve healthcare delivery.

Prevalence of low bone mineral density in inflammatory bowel disease and factors associated with it.

BACKGROUND: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have numerous risk factors for low bone mineral density (BMD). We aimed to study the prevalence of low BMD in IBD and the factors associated with it. METHODS: BMD was measured by radial quantitative ultrasound, and clinical and biochemical characteristics were compared in prospectively enrolled patients and healthy age and gender-matched controls. Chi-square test, t test for independent samples, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were used as appropriate for univariate analysis to compare the characteristics between patients with and without abnormal BMD. Binary logistic regression analysis was done to determine the factors associated with low BMD in IBD patients. RESULTS: One hundred and six patients (Crohn's disease [CD] = 35, ulcerative colitis [UC] = 71) and 55 controls were included. Low BMD was equally prevalent in CD, UC and controls (42.9%, 36.6%, 36.4% respectively, p = 0.791). Serum calcium and vitamin D were significantly lower in IBD patients compared to controls (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively) but not between patients with low and normal BMD. Older age (Odds ratio [OR] = 66.12 [9.299-470.243], p < 0.001), late onset of disease (OR = 4.795 [1.067-21.543], p = 0.041) and absence of steroid usage (OR = 0.272 [0.089-0.832], p = 0.022) were significantly associated with low BMD. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of low BMD in patients with IBD was similar to controls and this was associated with increasing age, late onset of disease, and absence of steroid usage. Judicious use of steroids can help preserve bone health in IBD.