Metabolic and cardiovascular risk profiles and hepatitis C virus infection in rural Egypt.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To investigate the relationship between lipid profiles and diabetes with past and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among village residents of Egypt. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fasting lipids and glucose profiles were compared among adults never infected with HCV (negative HCV antibodies), infected in the past (positive HCV antibodies and negative HCV RNA) and chronically infected (positive HCV antibodies and HCV RNA). RESULTS: Of the 765 participants, 456 (59.6%) were female, and median age was 40 (range 25-88) years. Chronic HCV infection was present in 113 (14.8%) and past infection in 67 (8.8%). After adjustment for age and sex, participants with chronic HCV infection had lower plasma low density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared with those never infected (age and sex adjusted differences (95% CI) were -19.0 (-26.3 to -11.7) mg/dl and -26.2 (-39.0 to -13.3) mg/dl, respectively). In contrast, participants with cleared HCV infection had higher triglyceride levels compared with those never infected (age and sex adjusted difference (95% CI) was +16.0 (0.03 to 31.9) mg/dl). In multivariate analysis, participants with chronic HCV infection were more likely to have diabetes (OR 3.05, 95% CI 1.19 to 7.81) compared with those never infected, independent of LDL cholesterol levels. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this community based study has shown that in a single population, chronic HCV infection is associated with glucose intolerance and, despite that, a favourable lipid pattern. An intriguing finding was the high triglyceride levels observed among participants with past infection, suggesting that elevated triglycerides at the time of acute infection may facilitate viral clearance.

Higher clearance of hepatitis C virus infection in females compared with males.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: According to the literature, 14-46% of subjects clear hepatitis C virus (HCV) from blood after infection. Controversy exists about sex differences in HCV clearance rates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We compared HCV clearance in males and females using data from a large population based study on HCV infection in Egypt. Definitions used in the paper were: cleared HCV infection (positive HCV antibody and negative HCV RNA test results) and chronic HCV infection (positive HCV antibody and positive HCV RNA test results). The study sample included 4720 village residents aged 18-65 years recruited through home based visits (n = 2425) or voluntary screening (n = 2295). RESULTS: Overall, HCV antibody prevalence was 910/4720 (19.3% (95% confidence interval 18.2-20.4)). Of those with HCV antibodies (n = 910), 61.5% had chronic HCV infection. Compared with males, females were more likely to have cleared the virus (44.6% v 33.7%, respectively; p = 0.001). Control for age, schistosomiasis history, iatrogenic exposures, and sexual exposure to HCV did not alter the positive association between female sex and viral clearance. CONCLUSION: This study provides strong evidence in favour of a higher HCV clearance rate in females compared with males.

The value of X-ray with uterine sound in the diagnosis of IUDs with missing tails.

Missing IUD tails may result from expulsion, retraction of filaments, uterine perforation or pregnancy. Missing IUD tails occur in 5-25% of all IUD insertions, and require a safe and correct diagnostic technique. Plain X-ray with uterine sound in utero is a popular, simple technique which does not require special skills. This study discusses the feasibility and accuracy of this method in 104 women presenting with a history of missed IUD. Twenty women with suspected pregnancy or uterine abnormalities were excluded from the study. The diagnosis was verified by examination of the patient under anesthesia, D & C, laparoscopy or laparotomy. The accuracy rate was 95.23% (80 women). The diagnosis was wrong in 4.76% (4 women) where the X-ray technique wrongly diagnosed intrauterine location of the device, while examination under anesthesia and laparoscopy located these 4 devices in an extrauterine location. Through the use of this technique it was possible to reduce the hospital stay to one day in 95% (80 patients). The technique is feasible, reliable and without complications; it is particularly suitable in hospitals where other diagnostic facilities are not available.