ABSTRACT
In late 2019, a novel coronavirus, now designated SARS-CoV-2, emerged and was identified as the cause of an outbreak of acute respiratory illness in Wuhan, a city in China, named as COVID-19. Since then the waves of the virus exponentially hit many countries around the globe with high rates of spread associated with variable degrees of morbidity and mortality. The WHO announced the pandemic state of the infection in March 2020 and by June 1st 2020 more than 6 million individuals and more than 370 thousands case fatalities were documented worldwide. In this article, we discussed many aspects regarding this emerged infection based on the available evidence aiming to help clinician to improve not only their knowledge but also their practices toward this infection.
Subject(s)
Indicators of Morbidity and Mortality , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19 , Clinical Telehealth CoordinatorABSTRACT
In late 2019, a novel coronavirus, now designated SARS-CoV-2, emerged and was identified as the cause of an outbreak of acute respiratory illness in Wuhan, a city in China, named as COVID-19. Since then the waves of the virus exponentially hit many countries around the globe with high rates of spread associated with variable degrees of morbidity and mortality. The WHO announced the pandemic state of the infection in March 2020 and by June 1st 2020 more than 6 million individuals and more than 370 thousands case fatalities were documented worldwide. In this article, we discussed many aspects regarding this emerged infection based on the available evidence aiming to help clinician to improve not only their knowledge but also their practices toward this infection.
Subject(s)
Humans , Indicators of Morbidity and Mortality , COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing , Phylogeny , Pneumonia , COVID-19ABSTRACT
Background and study aim: Liver enzymes are important markers for hepatocyte damage. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a combination of metabolic abnormalities including high blood glucose, obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemia. The incidence of MS is believed to be increasing in Egypt. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between elevated liver enzymes and MS among Egyptian adults. Patients and Methods: A total 138 apparently healthy subjects were randomly included (99 females and 39 males). Demographic, clinical (blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference) and biochemical (measurements of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino-transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lipid profile, blood glucose and viral markers) were collected from every subject. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to a well-known criteria and subjects in the final analysis were divided into group I; metabolic syndrome and group II; non-metabolic syndrome subjects. Results: In this study, 92 persons fulfilled three of the five criteria of metabolic syndrome (group I) with prevalence of 66.7% while group II (non-metabolic syndrome) represented 33.3%. Patients with MS were older and less physically active in comparison with group II. There were an association between elevations in liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) and MS. ALT, AST and ALP were elevated in 42.4%, 17.2% and 20.7% of patients with MS respectively. ALT and AST showed positive correlation with elevated blood glucose and triglycerides levels while AST/ALT ratio showed negative correlation with diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides level and waist circumference. The more items of MS the patient have the higher the level of liver enzymes. Conclusion: Among Egyptian adults elevated levels of liver enzymes were associated with MS and a correlation was noticed with its components
Subject(s)
Adult , Alkaline Phosphatase , Egypt , Enzymes , Liver , Metabolic SyndromeABSTRACT
Background and study aim: Hepatitis C virus infection is a multisystemic disease with many extrahepatic manifestations. Affection of bone matrix density is a common complication of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. The pathogenesis of osteoporosis in chronic liver disease is still unknown and is expected to be multifactorial. The aim of this work is to assess the frequency of osteoporosis/osteopenia in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection with or without cirrhosis.Patients and methods:This study was carried out on 30 patients with chronic HCV infection without cirrhosis (Group II); 30 patients with chronic HCV infection with compensated cirrhosis (Group III) and 20 age and gender matched healthy controls (Group I). All subjects of the study performed liver function tests; viral markers; liver biopsy; hormonal assay and Bone Mineral density measurement (BMD) by Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).Results : In patients with chronic hepatitis C (group II) the frequency of osteopenia was 11 (36.7); osteoporosis 2 (6.7); total patients with low BMD was 13 (43.3). In cirrhotic patients (group III); the frequency of osteopenia was 13 (43.3); osteoporosis was 3 (10.0); and total patients with low BMD was 16(53.3) vs 1(5.0) in the control group (group I). there was also no significant difference between patients with low BMD and patients with normal BMD as regards age; gender; common risk factors; liver function tests or hormonal levels.Conclusion : Reduced BMD is common chronic HCV-infected patients with and without cirrhosis. HCV infection is a risk factor of osteoporosis