Association of toll-like receptors 2, 4, 9 and 10 genes polymorphisms and Helicobacter pylori-related gastric diseases in Saudi patients.

Purpose: Helicobacter pylori is one of the most prevalent human pathogens worldwide. However, the outcomes of H. pylori infection are markedly variable from asymptomatic mild lesion to malignant transformation. Many factors are suggested to influence these infection outcomes, including host immunity and genetic susceptibility. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) can recognise different microbial components and play an essential role in the mucosal immune response against H. pylori infection. Materials and Methods: The association between the common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes of TLR2, 4, 9 and 10 and H. pylori-related gastric diseases were investigated by molecular methods after the confirmation of H. pylori infection. The study included 210 patients in three groups; chronic gastritis (n = 90), peptic ulcer disease (PUD) (n = 75) and gastric carcinoma (n = 45). Results: The results showed a significant association between TLR4 SNPs (rs 4986790 and rs 4986791) and the presence of H. pylori infection, especially in chronic gastritis patient group. Furthermore, TLR9-rs352140 TT genotype was more prevalent among chronic gastritis patient group. TLR10-rs 10004195 TT genotype was found to be less prevalent among H. pylori-related chronic gastritis and PUD and was suspected to have a protective effect. TLR2 SNPs (rs3804099 and rs3804100) showed no significant statistical difference between H. pylori-infected patients and the controls. Conclusion: TLR genes polymorphisms may play a role in H. pylori infection susceptibility and may influence its outcomes; however, the ethnic and other factors may modify this effect.

Migraine, tension-type headache, and depression among Saudi female students in Taif University.

BACKGROUND: Studies done in Saudi Arabia showed a high prevalence of headache among university students. Limited research was done to assess the relationship between headache and psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and association between migraine, tension-type headache, and depression among Saudi female students in Taif University. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaires about headache and depression was conducted at the Taif University on 1340 female students in the academic year 2016-2017. The Beck Depression Inventory, the ID Migraine™ screening tool, and the criteria of the International Headache Society were used to investigate the depressive symptoms and headache types. RESULTS: The self-reported headache prevalence was 68.4%, and the prevalence of migraine, tension-type headache (TTH), and depression was 32.5%, 29.5%, and 6.2%, respectively. The main migraine trigger was stress or anxiety; 86.6% of migraineurs had a positive family history, and only 11.9% sought medical care for headache. Of students with TTH, 61.1% reported family history and only 12.4% sought medical care. Paracetamol was the commonly used analgesic for all headache types. Medical students and students in older grades showed significantly higher levels of all headache types. Depression prevalence was significantly higher among migraineurs and students who suffered higher headache frequencies. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated a high prevalence of headache among the studied students and an association between headache and depression. The study calls for increasing awareness towards headache and the importance of seeking medical consultation. Management strategies should be planned for the observed headache and depression comorbidity.

Effects of a training program about breast cancer and breast self-examination among female students at Taif University.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in Saudi women. It is spreading three times faster in the Kingdom than in other countries. One-third of breast cancers are preventable through healthy life styles. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the impact of a training program on breast cancer and breast self-examination (BSE) among female students at Taif University. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: This study was carried out using a pre-post test design on a sample of female university students from seven colleges in Taif University (Faculty of Science, Faculty of Economics and Management, Faculty of Art, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, and the Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences) in the academic year 2012-2013. RESULTS: None of the participants had ever practiced BSE before training, and only 16% of them believed that BSE is necessary, whereas 8.7% were willing to teach others BSE. There was limited knowledge of breast cancer. After the training program, a significant improvement was observed in all knowledge items, and 83.6% of the students practiced BSE compared with 0% practice before training. CONCLUSION: This study showed the effectiveness of the intervention program in improving students' knowledge of breast cancer and their practice of BSE. Thus, campaigns focusing on females in this age group should be carried out in the Saudi society.

Screening for urine abnormalities among preschool children in western Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the frequency of urinary problems among preschool children. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 1000 preschool asymptomatic children attending the outpatient clinics of the Children's Hospital, Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between August 2013 and December 2013 were subjected to dipstick urine analysis. Microscopic examination was performed for the abnormal dipstick samples, and children with hematuria were investigated for kidney function. RESULTS: Dipstick urine analysis revealed abnormal findings in 25.1% of the screened children. The most common dipstick abnormalities were positive nitrite test in 18.1%, hematuria in 16.9%, and positive leukocyte esterase test in 14.3% of the cases. The most common abnormality in microscopic urine examination was crystals in 13% of the cases. Pyuria were evident in 5% of cases and hematuria in 2.5%. The most common bacteria in positive urine culture samples was Escherichia coli in 62.6%. CONCLUSION: In view of these important findings, dipstick screening should be implemented in preschool children. 

Spontaneous weight change during chronic hepatitis C treatment: association with virologic response rates.

OBJECTIVE: We examined weight changes during chronic hepatitis C (CHC) therapy and association with virologic response. METHODS: Weight changes were compared between subjects achieving rapid, early, and sustained virologic response rates (RVR, EVR, and SVR). RVR, EVR and SVR were compared among patients with or without weight loss of ≥ 0.5 body mass index (BMI) units (kg/m²) at 4, 12, 48 weeks. RESULTS: CHC therapy was initiated in 184 cases. Median pretreatment BMI was 27.7 (18.4-51.3) with 38% overweight and 31% obese (BMI ≥25 and ≥ 30, respectively). Among patients with liver biopsies (n = 90), steatosis was present in 31.6%; fibrosis grade of 1-2/6 in 46%, 3-4 in 37.3% and 5-6 in 14.7%. Mean weight loss at 4, 12, 24 and 48 weeks of therapy were 1.2, 2.6, 3.8 and 3.3 kg, respectively. After 4 and 12 weeks of treatment, 38% and 54.3% had a BMI decrement of ≥ 0.5 kg/m². For genotype 1, weight loss at 4 weeks was associated with significantly higher EVR (90.0% vs. 70%, p = 0.01) and a tendency towards better RVR and SVR (42.9% vs. 26.0% and 55.2% vs. 34.8%, respectively, p = 0.08). In multivariate analysis, weight loss at 4 weeks was independently associated with EVR (OR 6.3, p = 0.02) but was not significantly associated with RVR or SVR. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous weight loss at 4 and 12 weeks of CHC therapy was associated with improved EVR. Weight loss at 4 weeks was an independent predictor of EVR but not SVR.

Prevalence and risk factors of hearing impairment among primary-school children in Shebin El-kom District, Egypt.

PURPOSE: This study examined the feasibility of screening hearing loss in rural and urban schools in Egypt, and investigated the prevalence and causes of hearing impairment (HI) in Egyptian primary-school students. METHOD: A total of 555 children (6-12 years of age) from a rural and an urban school in the Shebin El-Kom District of Egypt were screened for HI at their schools. A 2-stage screening procedure was used, and positive cases were referred for a diagnostic hearing assessment at a regional medical facility. Risk factors were investigated through a parent questionnaire and an environmental study consisting of noise, ventilation, and crowding measurements at the schools. RESULTS: The screening failure rate was 25.6%, and the prevalence of confirmed HI was 20.9%. The rate of HI did not differ across the schools. Conductive hearing loss of minimal to mild severity was the most common type of HI. The most important predictors for HI were parent suspicion, otitis media, household smoking, low socioeconomic status, and postnatal jaundice. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HI did not differ across settings and was more common than reported in children from developed countries. The screening results also suggest that professionals with limited audiology background can be trained to implement hearing screening programs in Egyptian schools.