Osteoporosis is a prevalent systemic metabolic disorder characterized by a reduction in bone mass and bone density, damage in microstructure of bone tissue, and raised bone fragility causing of fracture susceptibility. This study included 189 Iraqi adults aged 45–75 years, evaluating serum levels TGF-β3 and WNT5A across three groups: healthy individuals (n = 31) as control, those with primary osteoporosis/osteopenia (n = 61), and with comorbidity-related osteoporosis (linked to β-thalassemia, parathyroid disorders or diabetes; n = 97). Among those, β-thalassemia-associated osteoporosis patients showed the most distinct decrease in bone mineral density (0.57 ± 0.078 g/cm², p < 0.0001) along with marked increases in WNT5A (0.89 ± 0.68). Based on disease context, the level of TGF-β3 varied, peaking in thalassemia cases (0.28 ± 0.18 ng/mL). Significant disease-specific correlations were noticed, comprising moderate positive relationships between TGF-β3 and WNT5A (r = 0.433, p = 0.017) in diabetes patients, as well as a negative correlation between HbA1c and TGF-β3 in diabetes (r = −0.503, p = 0.047). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis highlighted WNT5A (AUC ≤ 0.882, sensitivity ≤ 81%) and TGF-β3 (AUC ≤ 0.891) as effective biomarkers for distinguishing thalassemia-related osteoporosis. These results underscore the role of comorbidities in altering stress response and signaling pathways, and support the use of WNT5A and TGF-β3 as promising diagnostic markers for targeted osteoporosis management in high-risk populations.
Background: The occurrence of seizures in bacterial meningitis is important, as it has been reported to increase the risk of complications; however, its frequency and predictors are not well studied yet. Objective: To assess the frequency, clinical, and biochemical predictors of seizures in children with acute bacterial meningitis. Method: A cross-sectional study recruited confirmed acute bacterial meningitis cases based on positive CSF culture and sensitivity among children aged 2 months to 15 years admitted to the Central Child Teaching Hospital emergency department in Iraq. Patients were divided into two groups based on seizure at presentation time. Demographic characteristics [age, gender, residence, duration of fever and disease, prese
... Show MoreSubstance use disorders are a widely recognized problem among hepatitis C-infected patients; moreover, substance abuse by intravenous injection is a common mode of transmission of the hepatitis C virus worldwide. The frequency of substance use disorders and their relation to hepatitis C infection are still unknown in Iraq. This cross-sectional study, conducted among a sample of hepatitis C- infected patients attending the Gastrointestinal Tract Center in Baghdad Medical City, aimed to examine the prevalence of substance use disorders, the sociodemographic characteristics of the abusers, and the relation between intravenous
Background: The purposes of this study were to determine the photogrammetric soft tissue facial profile measurements for Iraqi adults sample with class I normal occlusion using Standardized photographic techniques and to verify the existence of possible gender differences. Materials and methods: Eighty Iraqi adult subjects (40 males and 40 females) with an age ranged between 18-25 years having class I normal occlusion were chosen for this study. Each individual was subjected to clinical examination and digital standardized right side photographic records were taken in the natural head position which is mirror position which the patient looking straight into his eyes into the mirror mounted on the stand. The photographs were analyzed using A
... Show MoreObjective(s): To describe the demographic attributes, vaccination status of measles patients and the occurrence of
the disease according to time and place in Kirkuk governorate during the year 2010.
Methodology: The epidemiological study (a descriptive study) on measles cases was carried out in Kirkuk province
which is one of the Iraqi governorates from January 20th to July 30th, 2011. Data were collected retrospectively by
review of patients' files that were registered at the department of statistic in health directorate of Kirkuk during the
year 2010. A purposive "non-probability" sample of (152) confirmed measles cases (clinically and laboratory) that
were registered at the department of statistic in health directora
Background: Smoking is considering a major risk factor for development and progression of periodontal disease. Investigations regarding the association between smoking and periodontal disease have consistently demonstrated negative periodontal effects and greater probabilities of established periodontal disease among smokers in comparison with non smokers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of smoking on periodontal health status and on the salivary levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK), and to correlate the clinical parameters of periodontal health with the biochemical findings in smokers and non-smokers. Materials and methods: Unstimulated saliva sample was collected
... Show MoreBackground: Coping skills play a vital role in managing the physical and psychological effects of breast cancer (BC). Despite improvements in early detection and treatment, Breast cancer survivors continue to face long-term challenges after diagnosis. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the coping skills employed by breast cancer women in Iraq and to identify the sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological factors associated with these coping skills. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 244 breast cancer women in The Medical City Teaching Oncology Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, from August 2023 to October 2023, coping skills and psychological factors were assessed using the BRIEF COPE-28, and Hospital Anxiety Depression scale
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