Preferred Language
Articles
/
ueYVH50BmraWrQ4dTVKj
Patterns and sociodemographic characteristics of substance abuse among hepatitis C virus-infected patients in Iraq: a cross-sectional study
...Show More Authors
Abstract<sec> <title>Background

Substance 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 drug abuse and hepatitis C virus infection. All participants were subjected to an Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) questionnaire and a data form to determine sociodemographic characteristics and hepatitis C virus-related risk factors.

Results

In a total of 300 hepatitis C virus-infected patients, the prevalence of substance use disorders was 53.6%. Among these patients, 43.6% abused nicotine, 6% abused licit drugs, and 4% abused alcohol. No one reported illicit drug abuse. Intravenous drug abuse was rare, and there was no relationship found between intravenous drug abuse and hepatitis C infection. Cupping (23%) and blood transfusion (20.3%) were both significantly associated with hepatitis C transmission in this study (p > 0.001).

Conclusion

This study revealed a high prevalence (53.6%) of substance abuse in this sample of hepatitis C-infected patients, with nicotine being the most commonly abused substance. However, there was no relationship between hepatitis C infection and intravenous drug abuse. Common risk factors that might contribute to hepatitis C transmission among this population include cupping and blood transfusion.

Scopus Crossref
View Publication
Publication Date
Mon Sep 28 2026
Journal Name
Iraqi Journal Of Pharmaceutical Sciences
The Impact of Infliximab Trough Level and Anti-Drug Antibody on Clinical Outcomes in Crohn's Disease Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in Iraq
...Show More Authors

Primary and secondary response loss , often mediated by the development of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs), limit treatment efficacy. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is important in optimizing infliximab therapy by correlating drug level with clinical outcomes. This study aimed to find the relationship between infliximab level, ADA presence, and clinical activity in Iraqi Crohn's disease (CD) patients. This cross-sectional study included adult Crohn's disease patients receiving maintenance infliximab (IFX) treatment. Data on demographics and clinical characteristics were collected. Infliximab level and ADA were measured using ELISA. Forty-three patients were included. Patients in remission had significantly higher infliximab levels and lower

... Show More
View Publication Preview PDF
Crossref
Publication Date
Sat Jul 02 2016
Journal Name
Iraqi Medical Journal
Screeing for Hepatitis ( HBs Ag) and Hepatitis C (HCV Ab) Among Dialysis Children.
...Show More Authors

Publication Date
Tue May 20 2025
Journal Name
Journal Of Experimental Zoology India
Molecular docking and toxicity profiling of quercetin and silibinin: A computational approach against key hepatitis C virus proteins
...Show More Authors

View Publication
Scopus (4)
Crossref (1)
Scopus Crossref
Publication Date
Thu Oct 25 2018
Journal Name
Al-kindy College Medical Journal
Prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus in Beta thalassemic patients attending blood diseases center in Ibn- AL -Baladi Hospital, Baghdad
...Show More Authors

Background: Thalassemias are a group of heterogeneous genetic disorders, in which the rate of production of hemoglobin is partially or completely suppressed due to reduced rate of synthesis of α or β- chain

Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of Hepatitis C infection among B thalassemia patients attending Ibn-AL-Baladi center of blood diseases in AL-Sader city, in AL-Resafa Quarter of Baghdad and to determine the possible risk factors.

Type of the study: Cross- sectional study.

Methods: A cross sectional study conducted on B Thalassemia patients attending the blood diseases center in Ibn-AL-Baladi hospital during the period from 1st

... Show More
View Publication Preview PDF
Crossref (2)
Crossref
Publication Date
Fri Nov 21 2025
Journal Name
Plos Global Public Health
Association of socioeconomic and demographic determinants with clinical outcomes in Iraqi patients with diabetes: A cross-sectional study
...Show More Authors

Social determinants of health (SDH) profoundly influence diabetes outcomes; nevertheless, their impact on the Iraqi diabetic population remains under researched. The objectives of this study were To investigate the relationship between particular social determinants of health (SDH) variables namely food and housing insecurity, social support, income, and education and clinical outcomes, including HbA1c levels, medication adherence, and patient satisfaction among Iraqi diabetic patients. A cross-sectional study involving 212 diabetic patients in Iraq was conducted. Participants attending a healthcare facility in Iraq filled out validated questionnaires regarding social determinants of health, medication adherence, and satisfaction. HbA1c rea

... Show More
View Publication Preview PDF
Scopus Clarivate Crossref
Publication Date
Sun Nov 09 2025
Journal Name
Journal Of Nephropharmacology
Association between anti-erythropoietin antibody levels and treatment response in hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease: A cross-sectional study from Iraq
...Show More Authors

Introduction: The therapeutic efficacy of erythropoietin (EPO) may be diminished by the formation of anti-erythropoietin antibodies (AEAs), potentially resulting in therapy failure. Objectives: This retrospective study included 84 hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) treated with recombinant EPO and aimed to evaluate the association between serum AEA and treatment response. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study included eighty-four Iraqi patients with ESRD who had been on recombinant human EPO for more than 6 months and had hemoglobin levels below 11 g/dL. Serum AEA levels were measured in all patients to evaluate their association with treatment response and to investigate correlations with demograph

... Show More
View Publication Preview PDF
Scopus Crossref
Publication Date
Tue Jun 30 2026
Journal Name
Al-esraa University College Journal For Medical Sciences
Prevalence and Determinants of Metabolic Syndrome Among Adults Attending Primary Health Care Centers in Baghdad: A Cross-Sectional Study
...Show More Authors

Metabolic syndrome has emerged as an important health concern globally, especially in developing countries where urbanization and lifestyle changes are rapidly increasing. No reliable epidemiological information regarding the prevalence and risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome is available among Iraqi adults in primary health care (PHC) clinics. This study was designed to determine the prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome and identify potential risk factors among adults attending PHC centers in Baghdad. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study design was used, targeting 412 adult subjects selected randomly from multiple PHC centers in Baghdad. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, anthropometric, and biochemical data were col

... Show More
View Publication
Crossref
Publication Date
Fri Mar 01 2013
Journal Name
Zanco Journal Of Medical Sciences
Epidemiology of viral hepatitis B and C in Iraq: a national survey 2005-2006
...Show More Authors

Background and objective: Viral Hepatitis Type B&C is serious public health challenge throughout the world.Hepatitis B and C viruses still remain to be the major causes of chronic hepatitis.It is estimated that around 350-400 million people in the world are chronic carriers of HBV, which represents approximately 7% of the total populationwhereas infection with HCV is found in approximately 3% of the world population, which represents 160 million people. Hepatitis B infection has a wide range of seroprevalence in the Mediterranean countries ranging from intermediate (=>2% ) to high prevalence ( =>7%). World Health Organization estimated a prevalence rate for HCV infection of about 4.6% in Eastern Mediterranean in 1999. During the eightieths

... Show More
View Publication
Crossref (21)
Crossref
Publication Date
Sun Sep 01 2019
Journal Name
Dental Hypotheses
Possible Role of Statins on the Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients With Periodontal Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study
...Show More Authors

The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the possible role of statins on the inflammatory biomarkers in patients with periodontal disease (PD) This cross-sectional study involved 74 patients with PD and/or dyslipidemia divided into Group A: 34 patients with PD (nonstatins users); Group B: 40 patients with PD (statins users); and Group C: 30 healthy controls. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured . Blood pressure prolife and indices of PD were evaluated in each group. Statistical analysis was conducted by using SPSS version 20.0.

View Publication
Scopus (15)
Crossref (13)
Scopus Clarivate Crossref
Publication Date
Mon Jan 01 2018
Journal Name
Pakistan Journal Of Medical & Health Sciences
Prevalence of Peripheral Arterial Disease in End Stage Renal Disease Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Cross-Sectional Study
...Show More Authors

The chronic renal disease is a principle common medical dilemma in Iraq. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a prevalent infirmity in the hemodialysis people. The aim of present study was to estimate the prevalence of PAD in subjects with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This cross-sectional study was done between January 2016 and May 2017 on ESRD subjects regularly attending renal dialysis unit in Al-Kindy teaching hospital in Baghdad, Iraq. PAD was diagnosed on the base of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) measured by using a hand-held Doppler ultrasound. Subjects with ABI ≤0.9 were supposed positive for PAD. A total of 150 ESRD cases were analyzed. The mean age of the subject was 49.52±15 years. Majority of them were males 87(58%). Most

... Show More
Preview PDF
Scopus