Background: Hepatitis C and B is common disease all over the world and their chronicity is a social and medical problem so medical treatment by alpha interferon can change the mortality and morbidity.
Object: Identify the incidence of the side effects of pegylated interferon alpha in a sample of Iraqi patients with chronic hepatitis B&C and their relation to age, gender, duration of treatment and type of hepatitis comparing them with the literatures from other countries.
Patients and methods:A descriptive case series study was conducted on 50 patients, 24 male and 26 female, with established diagnosis of hepatitis B(20 patients)and C(30 patients) who attend Baghdad Teaching hospital and Gastroenterology and Hepatology centre in Baghdad between the period of January 2009 and October 2010 with follow up over at least 3 months.
A direct interview with detailed history and thorough clinical examination with some simple laboratory investigation were done to determine any of the documented side effects of alpha interferon therapy or discover new side effects not elicited in the studies done on other populations.
Results: Flu-like illness is the most common side effect (84%), followed by fatigue, anorexia, local reaction and neuropsychiatric side effects while Neutropenia, lymphopenia and thyroiditis are rare.
There is no significant difference in the incidence of side effects between age groups with the exception of constipation which occurs more in younger age group. Arthralgia, palpitation, eczema, itching and rash increase in incidence with prolonged duration of treatment.
There is no significant difference in incidence of side effects between both genders apart from hypertension (more in female) and dizziness (more in male).
There is no significant difference in incidence of side effects between patients with hepatitis B&C but anemia occurs more in patients with hepatitis C and tremor reported more in patients with hepatitis B.
Conclusion: Almost all patients on treatment with interferon-based regimen will experience adverse events that can threaten good adherence. Flu-like illness is the most common side effect (84%), followed by fatigue, anorexia, local reaction and neuropsychiatric side effects (depression, nervousness, insomnia).
The higher incidence of anemia in patients with hepatitis C is mostly due to concomitant ribavirin therapy.
Age, gender, type of hepatitis and duration of treatment can affect the incidence of interferon therapy.
Background: Sorafenib is an oral multikinase inhibitor which has been given approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma and advanced renal cell carcinoma . However, measuring quality of life and patient-reported symptoms may provide further information for evaluating and comparing treatment efficacy and toxicity profiles during cancer treatment. Despite the critical importance of patients' quality of life while receiving anticancer treatment, neither Iraqi patients undergoing anti-cancer medications in general nor those receiving Sorafenib in particular had any published data evaluating this important parameter.
Objectiv
... Show MoreBackground: Patients on maintenance hemodialysis are at increased risk of infection with parentally transmitted viral agents. In recent years a high prevalence of hepatitis G virus infection among end stage renal diseases and chronic hemodialysis patients has been well documented.
Objectives: To assess the percentage and risk factors of HGV in hemodialysis patients, and to evaluate the clinical consequences of HGV in this population.
Patients and methods: Fifty (50) patients with chronic renal failure who underwent maintenance hemodialysis. Patients were currently attending hemodialysis department of Baghdad teaching hospital during the period of October 2011 to January 2012, compared to forty one (41) healthy blood donors who unde
This study aimed to determine the effects of age, gender, and allergen type on serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in asthma (AS) and allergic rhinitis (AR) patients. Sixty AS patients, 52 AR patients, and 61 controls were enrolled in the study. Sera of participants were assessed for total IgE level and specific IgE antibody against four allergen types (animal dander, grasses, mites, and molds). The results revealed that median level of total IgE was significantly increased in AS (218.9 IU/mL; p-value < 0.001) and AR (244.3 IU/mL; p-value < 0.001) patients compared to controls (167.1 IU/mL), while, there was no significant difference between AS and AR patients (p-value = 0.270). Logistic regression
... Show MoreBackground: Chief complaint of patients attending dental clinic represents the first step towards treatment plan. However, most of patients are not aware but the extent and severity of periodontal disease, which could be also, misdiagnose by the dentist. Aim of the study: To investigate whether reported chief complaint(s) are consistent with oral hygiene status Materials and methods: Records of 1102 patients, attending periodontics clinics in the college of dentistry/ university of Baghdad, were used to determine ten most commonly reported chief complaints. Sample of patients was further subdivided according to gender and age. In addition, plaque and gingival index were recorded to determine oral hygiene status. Results: Patients mostly
... Show MoreThis study has been carried out to evaluate the expression level of beta 2 microglobulin gene on patients infected by hepatitis C virus before and after treatment with interferon. The study included 117 hepatitis C patients comprising as 63 pre-treated patients, the range of age was between 20-65 year with a mean age of 48.12 ± 16.1 and 54 post-treated patients with age range was between 23-63 year with the mean of 46.1 ± 18.1. Also it was found that more than half of patients were located within third and fourth decade i.e. 30-49 year, with a percentage of 52.4% and 55.6 % for pre-treatment and post-treatment patients respectively. Moreover , regarding both groups, males are more than females with the ratio of ( 3.2:1) among p
... Show MoreVitamin E, having the well known antioxidant activity through scavenging free radicals و it occurs in several isomeric forms , these isomers have relatively different functions . One of these actions is related to its ability to inhibit platelets aggregation and hence thrombosis. The present study included a total number of apparently healthy 62 males . 11of them served as standard group , treated with 100 mg aspirin /day for more than one month . Another 31 subjects were randomly grouped into 5 groups that received different daily doses of α – tocopherol : 400 IU , 800 IU and 1200 IU for 2-6 months.The remainder ( 20 ) subjects served
... Show MoreBack ground: Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord that known as meninges. It is the major cause of morbidity and mortality among infants and children less than the age of 5 years.
Objectives: To determine Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis incidence in children aged less than 5 years and choice a drug for treatment
Patients and methods: During period from Febraury 2012 to first March 2013 ,250 Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were collected from children less than 5 years ,which clinically diagnosed with meningitis ,in several hospitals of Iraq.Microbiological, biochemical, latex agglutination test and antibiotics sensitivity were used to identify and choice the antib
Humility is assign of the Purity of the soul and safety of the heart from the disease of pride and arrogance. It represents an important side of the formation of man's character and his behavior since it calls for love, intimacy and connection and a means to free the heart from the chains of envy and grudge. The word Humility (humbleness) appeared in the holy bible in many places. A accordingly, Christianity urged for sticking to it by its followers. The study aims at showing the meaning of humbleness, its importance and example of the humbleness of Jesus Christ (Peace be upon him) under the title (humbleness in Christianity/A Descriptions study). The paper falls into an introduction and three sections. The introduction talks about the mean
... Show More