Skin manifestations of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in Cairo, Egypt

We assessed the dermatological manifestations associated with chronic hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection and their association with liver status. Of 155 patients with chronic HCV infection in Cairo, Egypt, 71 [45.8%] had dermatological manifestations: pruritus without evident skin lesions [21.3%], pigmented purpuric eruption [5.2%], aphthous ulcer and lichen planus [3.9% each], leukocytoclastic vasculitis [2.6%], psoriasis [1.9%], tinea versicolor [1.3%] and other conditions [5.8%]. Shrunken liver, splenomegaly and ascites were significantly associated with the presence of skin lesions [relative risk 8.0, 2.7 and 1.8 respectively], and shrunken liver was significantly associated with pruritus [relative risk 2.1]. Sex was not associated with any of the skin lesions

Respiratory and dermatological hazards among workers in textile dyeing

This study was done to find out the prevalence of respiratory and dermatological disorders among workers exposed to textile dyes and to investigate the dyes most probably associated with respiratory and dermatological disorders among exposed workers. It was carried out on 200 workers in dye houses in the textile dyeing industry in Al-Mahalla Al-Koubra as a study group and 200 workers not exposed to dyes as a control group. The results of this study revealed that: there was no statistically significant difference between both groups as regards age. marital status, residence, social class and educational level. The prevalence of smoking in both groups was almost the same with no significant difference. Inquiry about chronic cough, chronic phlegm and chronic bronchitis showed high prevalence rates in both groups but there were no significant differences between them. On the other hand, chest tightness, dyspnea, asthma and conjunctivitis were found to be significantly higher among the exposed group than among the non exposed group. In the present work, the longer duration of work exposure was found to be related to higher prevalence rate of respiratory and irritant symptoms, the difference between the groups was significant. Regarding the relationship between smoking habit and the prevalence rate of chronic respiratory symptoms, the current study demonstrated that there was significant difference between the three groups of exposed workers [smokers, non- smokers, ex-smokers], as regards chronic cough, chronic phlegm, chronic bronchitis and asthma. On studying the ventilatory functions, significant differences between exposed and non exposed groups of workers were found in the mean values of FVC% predicted, FEV1% predicted. FEV1/FVC% and FEF 25-75% predicted. Further more, these parameters were significantly lower among smokers and when the duration of dye exposure was prolonged. Multiple regression analysis was done to prioritize the factors affecting the ventilatory function parameters among the exposed workers and it revealed that, although the exposure to dye had a powerfull effect, yet smoking [number of cigarettes smoked per day and duration of smoking] had the strongest effect. Eczema was observed among 10% of the exposed group, while no cases of eczema were detected among the control group. About 86% [18 workers] of the workers having eczema gave positive reactions to the dye allergens. The prevalence of positive patch test reaction was found to be higher to disperse dye than to the reactive dye in the current study. This study proves that textile dyeing workers suffer from high prevalence of respiratory and dermatological disorders and the prevalence of positive patch test reaction was found to be higher to disperse dye than to the reactive dye

Iodine deficiency among pregnant mothers and their neonates from a public health point of view

A cross sectional study of a random sample of 300 pregnant mothers was conducted to investigate the problem of iodine deficiency during pregnancy and delivery among mothers and their neonates. The prevalence of iodine deficiency among pregnant mothers was 35%, 60% of them were not educated compared with 33.8% of the normal pregnant women. The illiteracy rate was higher among husbands of mothers suffering from iodine deficiency disorder [IDD] than among the normal group. Also, higher percentages of normal pregnant mothers were working women and high percentages of their husbands were practicing skilled or governmental jobs than IDD group. A statistical significant relationship was found between high parity, frequency of stillbirths, recurrent abortion and iodine deficiency among mothers. As regard the dietary history, a significant relation was noticed between iodine deficiency and inadequate intake of iodine rich food and the frequent intake of goitrogenic food