Monoclonal gammopathy among patients with chronic hepatitis C infection

To determine the prevalence of monoclonal gammopathies in Kuwait and its association with chronic hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection. Methodology: Serum protein electrophoresis and measurement of immunoglobulin levels were carried out prospectively in 100 consecutive patients with chronic HCV infection. Among the 100 patients tested [82 males, 18 females; median age 45 years], 59 had polyclonal band in serum protein electrophoresis while the other 41 had a normal pattern. None of the patients had monoclonal gammopathy. The mean serum immunoglobulin levels were: IgG 18.4 g/l [range 4-39], IgA 2.9 g/l [range 0.09-8] and IgM 1.6 g/l [range 0.14-6.08]. There was no evidence of monoclonal gammopathies in patients with chronic HCV infection in Kuwait

Hodgkin's disease: Kuwait experience

To describe histologic subtypes, clinical presentation and treatment outcome of Hodgkin's lymphoma in Kuwait. Subjects and Method: Patients older than 15 years, diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma between 1980 and 1998, were included in this retrospective analysis. Data were collected using a standardized form that included demographics, histologic subtypes, clinical presentation, stage, extranodal involvement, treatment modality and follow-up. Histology reports were obtained from hospital records. There were 83 [59%] males and 57 [41%] females. Dominant histologic subtypes were nodular sclerosis 65 [46.4%] and mixed cellularity 42 [30%]. Constitutional symptoms were reported by 54 [38.6%] of the cases. Two thirds [64%] of the cases were advanced. Primary extranodular involvement included liver [8%], gastrointestinal tract [7%], lung and bone marrow [4% each]. Disease-free survival according to treatment groups were: radiotherapy alone 100%, chemotherapy alone 88%, and combined modality 65%. The 5-year Kaplan-Meier estimates of overall disease-free survival was 84%. In the cohort of 137 patients with Hodgkin's disease the treatment with combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy had a remarkable outcome. However, evaluation of long-term treatment complications is needed