Evaluation of Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome: In the Kirkuk Hospitals Reviewers from Employees Associated with H. Pylori AB Test as a Case Study

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) or insulin resistance syndrome is widespread and multi-factorial disorder. This article aims to assess and observe samples with the MetS to start efforts to take the proper treatments to minimize the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, we evaluate the association of Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) Ab tests with MetS. To meet this goal, 350 reviewers of K1 Hospital are participated in this work for six months from October 2016 to March 2017. The patients (N=350) are divided into two groups, a group subjects with MetS (N=109), whereas the latter is without MetS (N=241). A venous blood sample is taken after 8 hours of fasting to measure fasting blood glucose, H. Pylori Ab test and other required biochemical assays. Additionally, blood pressure (BP), Body Mass Index (BMI) (i.e. weight and height), and waist circumference are measured. The assays revealed that the frequency of MetS is 31.1% as per the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP: ATPIII) criteria. Furthermore, a statistically significant age (p=0.02) corresponded higher rate of MetS cases is larger than 40 years old (i.e. 69%). Moreover, BMI recorded as (27.6 ± 4.4 vs 31.4 ± 4.5, p <0.001), height (169 ± 8.4 vs 168.1 ± 8.5, p ≤ 0.11), weight (78.8 ± 12.3 vs 88.6 ± 13.2, p<0.01) and waist circumference (83.3 ± 16.1 vs 96.3 ± 11.6, p<0.001). Besides, BP showed positively correlation with systolic (120.3 ± 10.6 vs 130.6 ± 10.8, p<0.04) and diastolic (70.9 ± 0.9 vs 80.8 ± 10, p<0.01). The biochemical assays for employees with and without MetS are mean values of fasting Serum glucose (5.3 ± 1.4 vs 7.5 ± 3.2, p ≤ 0.001). The highest average total cholesterol recorded as (4.3 ± 1.3 vs 4.9 ± 1.3, p ≤ 0.001), serum triglyceride (2 ± 1.5 vs 2.8 ± 1.2, p ≤ 0.001) and lower HDL levels (1.2 ± 0.5 vs 0.8 ± 0.1, p ≤ 0.001). Accordingly, the results showed that H. Pylori infection is associated significantly with metabolic syndrome. In consequence, the outcome demonstrated high rates of obesity and overweight in MetS cases

Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus seropositivity and define the risk factors for HCV infection in a group of pregnant women and the effect of HCV infection to mother and baby at the time of delivery. METHODS: From March 1997 to February 1998, 5655 women who delivered over 20 gestational weeks at our hospital were screened for HCV-Antibody(RIA), and the samples of most of HCV-Ab positive cases were analyzed for HCV-RNA by polymerase chain reaction(PCR). We also studied the risk factors for HCV infection, the effect of HCV infection to mothers and neonates at delivery. RESULTS: Of 5655 mothers 25 (0.44%) were HCV-Ab positive, and 20 of HCV-Ab positive mothers were analyzed for HCV-RNA by PCR. Of 20 HCV-Ab positive mothers 12 cases (60%) were HCV-RNA positive. Risk factors significantly more prevalent among HCV-seropositive patients were : a history of habitual intraveneous drug use, a history of smoking, alcohol drinking during pregnancy, having liver cirrhorsis. The proportions who had received a blood transfusion, had a history or ongoing syphilis or were positive for hepatitis B virus surface antigen were not significantly different between seropositive and seronegative women. Liver function test at delivery was abnormal in 4 cases(16%) of HCV-Ab positive group. And the number of abnomal liver function test cases in HCV-Ab negative group were 47(0.83%). This had statistical difference. In neonates at delivery, all 20 neonates of 20 ones having HCV-Ab positive mother were HCV-Ab positive. But only 2 cases of 20 babies were HCV-RNA positive. CONCLUSION: Mothers who have risk factors such as injecting drug use, smoking, alchohol drinking and liver cirrhorsis, should undergo HCV-Ab testing and quantitative HCV-RNA testing by PCR. More advanced studies about vertical transmission of HCV infection are needed.