ABSTRACT
Organ transplant programs are increasing in Saudi Arabia with the major barrier to transplantation being a shortage of organs. The majority of Saudi Nationals are reluctant and unwilling to donate or consent for donation. This study was undertaken to determine the knowledge and attitude towards organ donation among males in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire was distributed to 223 men attending the out-patient department of the National Guard Hospital, Riyadh. A total of 205 (92%) individuals answered the questionnaire. Of them, 187 (91%) were Saudis and 18 (9%) were non-Saudis. A total of 187 (88%) had heard about organ donation of whom 80 (43%) each, had acquired this knowledge through television or radio, 16 (8%) through newspaper and magazines, seven (4%) through friends and relatives, and four (2%) through health-care workers. Of the 205 study subjects, 88 (43%) claimed they understood the concept of brain-death, 96 (47%) did not, and 19 (10%) did not respond to this question. One hundred and thirty-eight (67%) were willing to donate, and 156 (76%) were willing to receive an organ. One hundred and fifteen (56%) believed that Islam permits people to donate organs, five (2%) thought Islam does not permit organ donation, 64 (31%) gave a "don't know" answer and 21 (11%) did not attempt to answer the question. In addition, 41 (20%) thought organ donation disfigures the body. In conclusion although 67% of the respondents in this survey were willing to donate, there was a significant lack of knowledge and misconception with regard to Islamic support to, and the mutilating effects of, organ donation. Public educational programs and other measures addressing these issues may help in increasing the rate of organ donation among Saudis.
ABSTRACT
To determine the prevalence and type of glomerulonephritis (GN) associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) cirrhosis, we prospectively evaluated 28 consecutive Saudi patients with HCV cirrhosis for liver transplantation. Six patients (21%) underwent kidney biopsies for proteinuria, unexplained elevated serum creatinine or both. All 6 had GN, 4 had membranoproliferative, one focal segmental and one membranous GN. Immunologic and electron microscopic studies demonstrated immune complex deposition in the glomeruli. Two patients with significant proteinuria were treated with interferon alpha for 3 months with improvement in kidney and liver function. To our knowledge, this is the first report of focal segmental GN associated with HCV. This high prevalence of HCV associated GN is alarming and warrants further studies in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients, particularly as an indication for therapeutic intervention.
