ABSTRACT
Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD] is a chronic motility disorder resulting in reflux of stomach contents in to the esophagus. It has a prevalence rate of 10-20% in the western world. In the Gulf region, the prevalence of GERD is not yet well characterized. Annually, millions of Muslims gather from across the world embark on a religious pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. They represent a population with various socio-demographic characteristics, life styles, dietary habits and social life stresses that might affect the prevalence of this chronic disorder
Objective: the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and impact of GERD on the pilgrims in Mecca region during the Hajj period in the year 1438 Hegira
Methods: participants were asked to fill a self-administered questionnaire, GERD questionnaire [GERDQ] and GERD-HRQL were used for making the diagnosis of GERD and to assess its impact on the patient's quality of life
Results: the prevalence of GERD among the study population was 29.0%, with a statistically significant association with age and nationality. Neither smoking nor the presence of other diseases showed statistically significant relationship with the presence of GERD [p>0.05]. GERD-HRQL scale showed a statistically higher median in GERD patients compared to healthy subjects. Moreover, 58 participants [52.73%] showed poor quality of life compared to 52 participants [47.27%] who expressed good quality
Conclusion: this study showed a prevalence rate of GERD among pilgrims in Mecca region to be 29.0%, which has an impact on their daily life activities. These data indicate a need for a comprehensive approach to GERD management in the health-care system
ABSTRACT
Background: hydatid disease [Echinococcus granulosus], is a parasite disease infestation in humans most commonly occurs in the liver. It has high recurrence rate. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for HD and aims to eliminate the parasite, promoting the rapid disappearance of any residual cavity and preventing complications and recurrence
Case study: our patient is a case of recurrent huge hydatid cyst which infested in the liver of 39-year-old female, medically free, in 2009 she underwent evacuation of hydatid cyst with partial removal of the cyst wall. 7 years later [2016] she presented to ER with abdominal mass increasing in size with time, associated with dull, aching pain and vomiting, with jaundice and itching, there was no fever, no change in bowel habit, no change in urine and stool color. A full investigation done, abdominal CT showed large oval shaped intraperitoneal cystic lesion with a diameter about 20 cm * 15 cm. The patient received anti-parasitic medications for 2 weeks before the operation. The operation of complete cyst excision [cystectomy] was done. We recommend a total or partial pericystectomy as the most appropriate procedure for the management of primary hydatid cyst and also for recurrent hydatid cyst with pre- and post-operative courses of anti-parasitic drugs should be considered which helped in reducing the intraoperative spillage of viable cysts and to decrease the recurrence rate post-operatively, and the patient has to avoid the risk factors and transmission ways of the parasite