Morbidity of Schistosomiasis mansoni in rural Alexandria, Egypt

A parasitological survey of stool and urine of 2577 from 3281 individuals living in Abis village, Alexandria, was undertaken in 1998 in order to investigate the prevalence of schistosomiasis in this area and the risk factors for hepatic morbidity. A random sample of 1082 individuals was interviewed using a questionnaire regarding the risk factors for liver morbidity. All interviewed adults [total 728] were clinically examined for an evidence of organomegaly [hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly]. Individuals with clinically detected organomegaly were referred for detailed investigations [total 65]. The criteria for severe hepatic morbidity were AST/ALT ratio higher than 1, prothrombin activity <70% and an evidence of portal hypertension

Genetic determinants of essential hypertension

This study aimed at determining the role of genetic and environmental risk factors in the development of essential hypertension in Alexandria, Egypt. A case-control-study was conducted in the Main Health Insurance Hospital [MHI] Alexandria, Egypt, whereby cases previously diagnosed as hypertensive were included in the study. A hospital-based control group visiting the hospital for other unrelated conditions and randomly selected in the same day as cases was also included in the study. Both cases and controls were subjected to a semi-structured questionnaire including information concerning socio-demographic data and risk factors for hypertension. Only cases were subjected to segregation analysis. This study included 165 cases with history of essential hypertension and 196 controls. Multivariate analysis of potential risk factors showed that the following factors are independently associated with an increased risk of essential hypertension; age over 40 years, elevated BMI, workers, ever smoker and stress. Education less than 6 years remained in the model as an independent protective effect. Segregation analysis proved that the disease is not inherited as single gene mode of inheritance. On the other hand, the heritability for 1st 2nd and 3rd degree relative was 28.2%, 28.7% and 20.0%. These figures provide evidence to multifactorial mode of inheritance in essential hypertension