Predictors of esophageal varices and first variceal bleeding in liver cirrhosis patients.

Aim: To assess "predictors" of esophageal varices (EV) and variceal bleeding using non-invasive markers in Albanian patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.

Methods: One hundred thirty-nine newly diagnosed cirrhotic patients without variceal bleeding were included in this analysis. Model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio (AST/ALT), AST to platelet ratio index (APRI), platelet count to spleen diameter (PC/SD), fibrosis-4-index (FIB-4), fibrosis index (FI) and King's Score were measured for all participants.

Clinical outcomes of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Kosova.

Background/aims: The aim was to determine the sociodemographic and etiologic factors, endoscopic accuracy, treatment efficiency and clinical outcome of patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal system bleeding in Kosova.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients who had applied to our Gastroenterology Department between January 2006 and December 2010.

Results: There were 460 eligible cases with mean age 56.

The efficacy of levofloxacin-based triple therapy for first-line helicobacter pylori eradication.

Introduction: Because of the increasing resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole, new therapeutic alternatives are needed. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of 7- and 10-day triple therapy including omeprazole, levofloxacin and amoxicilline for Helicobacter pylori eradication as a first-line therapy.

Methods: One hundred and five patients with peptic ulcer disease and with non-ulcer dyspepsia infected with Helicobacter pylori were included in this study.

Predictive Value of the Model of End-Stage Liver Disease in Cirrhotic Patients with and without Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis.

Objective. We aimed to assess the predictive value of the model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) in hospitalized cirrhotic patients with and without spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and fatal outcome. Methods.

Role of intravenous omeprazole on non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding after endoscopic treatment: a comparative study.

Aim: To evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of intravenous omeprazole versus intravenous ranitidine therapy for the treatment of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding after endoscopic therapy.

Methods: 108 patients (72 males and 36 females) admitted with non-variceal UGI bleeding in the Intensive Care Unit of the University Hospital of Durres, Albania, from 2004 to 2008, were included in the study. Patients with gastro-duodenal malignancy and those who were previously receiving anti-secretory drugs were excluded.

Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in Albania.

Aim: To assess the prevalence and socio-demographic distribution of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Albania.

Methods: Blood samples from 410 unselected schoolboys, 666 students, 500 military personnel, 1286 casual blood donors, 378 voluntary blood donors and 640 pregnant women (total 3880 non-vaccinated residents of rural and metropolitan areas from all over Albania; 2354 (60.7%) male and 1526 (39.

Anthropometric indices and gastro-esophageal reflux disease in adult population in Tirana, Albania.

Purpose: To assess the association of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) with anthropometric indices [body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (W/H)] in the adult population of Tirana, the Albanian capital.

Work Method: A case-control study was conducted in Tirana in 2005-2007 including 126 consecutive patients diagnosed with GERD at the Endoscopy Unit of the University Hospital Center (77 men aged 54.95 +/- 14.