Histological and laboratory features of patients undergoing liver biopsy at a university hospital in Central Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the most common liver pathologies seen in our center, to find the prevalence of advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C, and to correlate the histological and laboratory features of the most common diseases and compare between them. METHODS: Liver biopsy procedures performed in our Gastroenterology Unit at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were traced from records between the years 1997-2003. Clinical, histopathological, and laboratory features were recorded. RESULTS: We identified 574 liver biopsies during the study period. Of the 502 included patients, males were 58.6%. The mean age of the patients was 43.5 years. Approximately half of the biopsies (49%) were performed for patients with hepatitis C, followed by hepatitis B, for which 17% of the biopsies were performed. Patients with hepatitis B were approximately 10 years younger than patients with hepatitis C (p = 0.01). They were 10% more likely to be males. In terms of fibrosis, only approximately 17% of patients with hepatitis B and 27% of patients with hepatitis C had advanced fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Most liver biopsies performed in our center are performed for patients with hepatitis C. Rates of advanced fibrosis in our series are significantly lower than what was previously reported in other studies.

The role of leptin in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: The role of steatosis in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease (CLD) is now believed to form part of a continuum in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). One of the unconventional areas in which leptin is now receiving great attention is liver diseases. Several published studies indicate that circulating leptin is increased in patients with cirrhosis, chronic HCV, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). AIMS: the present study aims to assess serum leptin levels in patients with NAFLD with and without HCV infection, and to correlate it with the biochemical markers and histopathology of liver diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: the present study included 67 Saudi subjects divided into 3 age and sex-matched groups. Group A: 22 patients with DM (8 males and 14 females, mean age 44 +/- 12.9 years). Group B: 20 patients with chronic HCV infection (7 males and 13 females, mean age 48.9 +/- 14.1 years). Group C: 25 control healthy volunteers (15 males and 10 females, mean age 40.7 +/- 12.6 years). Serum leptin, C-peptide, and insulin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Liver biopsy was done for the HCV group only. RESULTS: Patients with chronic HCV infection had significantly lower mean +/- SD serum leptin levels (25.6 +/- 37.2 ng/mL) compared with the diabetic and control groups, 55.7 +/- 59.0 and 81.8 +/- 41.7 ng/mL (p = 0.002 and p = 0.046 respectively). However, in the HCV group, leptin levels did not differ significantly as regard steatosis grade, and fibrosis stage. Steatosis in the HCV group patients correlated with the body mass index and hyperglycemia, but not with leptin levels. Serum leptin correlated positively with serum insulin and C-peptide levels in both the HCV and diabetic groups, but not in the control group). CONCLUSION: Serum leptin can't be used as a non-invasive marker for the predication of steatosis and fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.

Biochemical and radiological predictors of malignant biliary strictures.

AIM: Differentiation of benign biliary strictures (BBS) from malignant biliary strictures (MBS) remains difficult despite improvement in imaging and endoscopic techniques. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical, biochemical and or radiological predictors of malignant biliary strictures. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all charts of patients who had biliary strictures (BS) on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or percutaneous cholangiography (PTC) in case of unsuccessful ERCP from March 1998 to August 2002. Patient characteristics, clinical features, biochemical, radiological and biopsy results were all recorded. Stricture etiology was determined based on cytology, biopsy or clinical follow-up. A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to determine the optimal laboratory diagnostic criterion threshold in predicting MBS. RESULTS: One hundred twenty six patients with biliary strictures were enrolled, of which 72 were malignant. The mean age for BBS was 53 years compared to 62.4 years for MBS (P=0.0006). Distal bile duct stricture was mainly due to a malignant process 48.6% vs 9% (P=0.001). Alkaline phosphates and AST levels were more significantly elevated in MBS (P=0.0002). ROC curve showed that a bilirubin level of 84 micromol/L or more was the most predictive of MBS with a sensitivity of 98.6%, specificity of 59.3% and a positive likelihood ratio of 2.42 (95% CI=0.649-0.810). Proximal biliary dilatation was more frequently encountered in MBS compared to BBS, 73.8% vs 39.5% (P=0.0001). Majority of BBS (87%) and MBS (78%) were managed endoscopically. CONCLUSION: A serum bilirubin level of 84 micromol/L or greater is the best predictor of MBS. Older age, proximal biliary dilatation, higher levels of bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, ALT and AST are all associated with MBS. ERCP is necessary to diagnose and treat benign and malignant biliary strictures.

Epidemiology and outcome of Crohn's disease in a teaching hospital in Riyadh.

AIM: To know the epidemiology and outcome of Crohn's disease at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and to compare the results from other world institutions. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients seen for 20 years (between 1983 and 2002). Individual case records were reviewed with regard to history, clinical, findings from colonoscopy, biopsies, small bowel enema, computerized tomography scan, treatment and outcome. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients with Crohn's disease were revisited, 13% presented the disease in the first 10 years and 87% over the last 10 years. Thirty-three patients (42.9%) were males and 44 (57.1%) were females. Age ranged from 11-70 years (mean of 25.3+/-11.3 years). Ninety-two (92%) were Saudi. The mean duration of symptoms was 26+/-34.7 mo. The mean annual incidence of the disease over the first 10 years was 0.32:100,000 and 1.66:100,000 over the last 10 years with a total mean annual incidence of 0.94:100,000 over the last 20 years. The chief clinical features included abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, anorexia, rectal bleeding and palpable mass. Colonoscopic findings were abnormal in 58 patients (76%) showing mostly ulcerations and inflammation of the colon. Eighty nine percent of patients showed nonspecific inflammation with chronic inflammatory cells and half of these patients revealed the presence of granulomas and granulations on bowel biopsies. Similarly, 69 (89%) of small bowel enema results revealed ulcerations (49%), narrowing of the bowel lumen (42%), mucosal thickening (35%) and cobblestone appearance (35%). CT scan showed abnormality in 68 (88%) of patients with features of thickened loops (66%) and lymphadenopathy (37%). Seventy-eight percent of patients had small and large bowel disease, 16% had small bowel involvement and only 6% had colitis alone. Of the total 55 (71%) patients treated with steroids at some point in their disease history, a satisfactory response to therapy was seen in 28 patients (51%) while 27 (49%) showed recurrences of the condition with mild to moderate symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea most of which were due to poor compliance to medication. Seven patients (33%) remained with active Crohn's disease. Nine (12%) patients underwent surgery with resections of some parts of bowel, 2 (2.5%) had steroid side effects, 6 (8%) with perianal Crohn's disease and five (6.5%) with fistulae. CONCLUSION: The epidemiological characteristics of Crohn's disease among Saudi patients are comparable to those reported from other parts of the world. However the incidence of Crohn's disease in our hospital increased over the last 10 years. The anatomic distribution of the disease is different from other world institutions with less isolated colonic affection.

The pattern of esophageal manometry in progressive systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to study the esophageal motility pattern and the frequency of acid reflux in patients diagnosed to have progressive systemic sclerosis and compare the results to that of normal controls. METHODS: All consecutive patients diagnosed to have progressive systemic sclerosis between 1417-1419 (Hijra year) at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were included (Group I). History of heartburn, dysphagia and regurgitation was reviewed. Drugs that might suppress acid or alter motility were discontinued 2 weeks before inclusion. The results were compared to that of 21 symptomatic controls of similar age and sexes that were seen at the same period (Group II). Esophageal manometry and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were performed in all patients. Ambulatory 24 hour-pH monitoring was carried out in 6 patients of group 1 and 20 patients of group II. RESULTS: Thirteen progressive systemic sclerosis patients (12 females) mean age was 38.7 years and 21 (19 females) mean age was 34.8 years were included. The symptom scores, lower esophageal sphincter pressure, esophageal contractions amplitude were significantly worse in patients compared to control, dysphagia was mostly due to aperistalsis. All progressive systemic sclerosis patients showed the typical esophageal manometry pattern of lower esophageal sphincter pressure and diminished amplitude with aperistalsis. Gastroesophageal reflux was detected in 83% of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis. Moreover, all 24-hour pH monitoring variables were significantly worse in group I. CONCLUSION: Patients with progressive systemic sclerosis usually present with heartburn, dysphagia and regurgitation. Esophageal manometry typically shows lower pressure and aperistalsis. Gastroesophageal reflux is frequent.

Malignant biliary strictures. Diagnosis and management.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the cause, methods of diagnosis and management of malignant biliary strictures in our institution and compare with studies from other communities. METHODS: From March 1998 through to August 2002, we reviewed 1000 files of patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at the Gastroenterology unit, King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for malignant biliary strictures (MBS). Clinical, laboratory data, method of diagnosis and management were recorded. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients (72/1000) with MBS were encountered. Forty one (57%) were males and 31 (43%) were females and the majority were Saudi nationals (82%). Jaundice and right upper quadrant pain were the most frequent symptoms in 84.7% and 52.8% of patients. Cholangiocarcinoma was present in 31 (43%) and pancreatic adenocarcinoma in 23 (31.9%) patients. Other malignancies found included gallbladder carcinoma in 5 patients (6.9%), ampullary carcinoma in 5 (6.9%), metastatic liver carcinoma in 4 patients (5.6%), hepatocellular carcinoma in 2 (2.8%) and lymphoma in 2 (2.8%). The diagnosis was entertained mainly by ERCP (93%). Endoscopic palliation was carried out in 77.8% of patients, percutaneous transhepatic drainage in 13.9% and surgery in 6 (8.3%). The mean survival was higher for the endoscopic compared to the percutaneous transhepatic and surgery groups (6.9 +/- 4.13, 4.27 +/- 4.29 and 3.67 +/- 2.65 months). CONCLUSION: In non-resectable tumors, ERCP is the optimal method of diagnosis and palliation of MBS.

Chronic cough at a non-teaching hospital: Are extrapulmonary causes overlooked?

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence, assess the diagnostic approach and to identify specific causes and treatment response of chronic persistent cough (CPC) in consecutive adult patients attending the chest clinic at a non-teaching hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY: Chronic persistent cough was defined as cough persisting for more than 3 weeks. Patients were assessed clinically and investigated according to the suspected diagnosis. The specific causes were confirmed by appropriate investigations, as well as response to specific therapy. Improvement in cough following therapy was assessed subjectively by patients on a scale from 0 to 100%. RESULTS: Of 1332 patients seen in the chest clinic, 136 (10.2%; 95% confidence interval 8.6-11.8%) presented with CPC as the main complaint. One hundred patients (55% males) were assessed, after excluding 36 patients who were lost to follow up. The common presenting diagnoses (for the 81 patients who had previously consulted a physician) were upper respiratory tract infection (17.1%), asthma (15.9%), bronchitis (9.8%) and unknown in 30.8% of patients. Final diagnoses (as a sole or contributory cause) were established in 96% of patients and included rhinosinusitis (RS; 60%), asthma (26%), gastro-oesophageal reflux (GERD; 9%), postinfectious cough (8%) and bronchiectasis (5%). The agreement between the presenting and final diagnoses was generally poor, especially for extrapulmonary causes, which was as low as 5.3%. All patients, except for one, had complete or substantial improvement in the severity of cough. CONCLUSIONS: In a non-teaching hospital setting, CPC is a common benign disorder that rarely requires specialized investigations and is easily treated once the causes are identified. The multiplicity of causes and extrapulmonary triggers of CPC, particularly RS, are often overlooked. The principal causes in our series remain the same as in studies elsewhere, namely RS, asthma and GERD.

Twenty-four hour pH monitoring during pregnancy and at postpartum: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the amount of acid refluxed in symptomatic pregnant women and compare this to the postpartum period. METHODS: Eight non complicated symptomatic pregnant women were enrolled. The mean age was 28+/-6.3 years and gestational age 26+/-4.4 weeks at inclusion. Repeated measurements were done at 9.8+/-6.5 weeks postpartum. Esophageal manometry and 24h pH monitoring were performed at each time period. RESULTS: Heartburn (HB), regurgitation and dysphagia were the main presenting symptoms, however only regurgitation was significantly more frequent during pregnancy (P=0.01). Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure was significantly lower during pregnancy (P=0.001). Twenty-four hour pH monitoring variables were worse and the number of reflux episodes and the upright reflux reached statistical significance (P=0.03, and 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: Pregnancy is associated with decreased LES pressure, more frequent episodes of reflux and upright reflux.

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection and methonidazole resistance: different results in different countries.

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Influence of concomitant medical diseases on the course of bleeding duodenal ulcers.

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