The Outcome of COVID-19 Infection in Patients With Gastrointestinal Diseases: An Experience at a Tertiary Center.

Objective: Observing the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on digestive diseases in hospitalized patients at the Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology in "Mother Teresa" University Hospital Center (UHC),Tirana.

Methods: This retrospective study was carried out from June 2020 to December 2021 involving 41 cases of patients >18 years who were positive for COVID-19 infection detected by RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction) assays of nasopharyngeal swab specimens. The severity of COVID-19 infection was evaluated by hematological/biochemical parameters, blood oxygenation/need for oxygen, radiological data on pulmonary CT imaging.

Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment in Albanian Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C and Advanced Liver Fibrosis.

Background Treating chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) is very effective at clearing the infection. In Albania treatment with DAA is limited to patients with liver stiffness F3-F4, and with other co-infections. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of DAA in Albanian patients with genotypes 1-5, who mostly suffer from advanced liver fibrosis.

Hepatitis B, C and Delta virus infections in Albanian patients with chronic liver disease: evaluation of possible changes during the last 10 years.

Objective And Methods: The prevalence of viral hepatitis markers and of alcohol intake was evaluated in 106 and 99 Albanian patients with the diagnosis of viral and/or alcoholic chronic liver disease who were consecutively admitted to the University Hospital Center of Tirana, during 1995 and 2005, respectively.

Results: A slight decrease in HBsAg (78 vs. 70%) and HBeAg (18 vs.