Epidemiology, disease burden, and treatment strategies of chronic hepatitis C virus infections in Saudi Arabia in the new treatment paradigm shift.

Background/aims: Around 101,000 individuals are estimated to be viremic for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in 2014; however, only about 20% have been diagnosed. We aim to assess baseline epidemiology, disease burden, and evaluate strategies to eliminate HCV in KSA.

Materials And Methods: The infected population and disease progression were modeled using age- and gender-defined cohorts to track HCV incidence, prevalence, hepatic complications, and mortality.

Effect of exposure to silica in inducing autoimmune hepatitis: an experimental animal-controlled study.

Objective: The aim of this experimental study is to investigate the effect of subcutaneous and oral sodium silicate in inducing the autoimmune hepatitis.

Materials And Methods: Twelve Brown Norway rats were studied, six rats were challenged with Sodium Silicate and the rest were challenged with normal saline as a control group. At 14th week post-sodium silicate or normal saline exposure, the rats were sacrificed.

Predictors of sustained virological response to a 48-week course of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin in patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 4.

Background And Objectives: Knowledge of the predictors of sustained viral response (SVR) to pegylated interferon (PEG-INF) alfa-2a and ribavirin (RBV) therapy in patients with hepatitis C genotype-4 (HCV-4) is crucial for selecting patients who would benefit most from therapy. We assessed the predictors of SVR to this combination therapy in Saudi patients with chronic HCV-4 infection.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study included 148 patients with HCV-4 infection who underwent clinical, biochemical and virological assessments before treatment and at 12, 24, 48 and 72 weeks post-treatment.

Sustained virologic response to peginterferon alpha-2a and ribavirin in 335 patients with chronic hepatitis C: a tertiary care center experience.

Background/aim: This retrospective study assessed the efficacy, safety, and the predictors of sustained viral response (SVR) to a 48-week-course of peginterferon alpha-2a (Pegasys) and ribavirin combination therapy in 335 consecutive Saudi patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Materials And Methods: Clinical, biochemical, and virological parameters were collected at time 0 (pretreatment) and at 12, 24, 48, and 72 weeks posttreatment. The mean +/- SD age was 49.

Six Minute Walk Test to assess functional capacity in chronic liver disease patients.

Aim: To examine the utility of Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD).

Methods: Two hundred and fifty subjects between the ages of 18 and 80 (mean 47) years performed 6MWT and the Six Minute Walk Distance (6MWD) was measured.

Results: The subjects were categorized into four groups.

Validation of three noninvasive laboratory variables to predict significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C in Saudi Arabia.

Background: We tested the clinical utility of the platelet count, the aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio, and the AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) score in predicting the presence or absence of advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Liver biopsy procedures performed on chronic hepatitis C patients in our gastroenterology unit at King Khalid University Hospital were traced from records between the years 1998 to 2003. The hospital computer database was then accessed and detailed laboratory parameters obtained.

Hepatitis B genotypes: relation to clinical outcome in patients with chronic hepatitis B in Saudi Arabia.

Aim: To identify the most common hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype in Saudi Arabia, and correlate the prevailing genotypes with the clinical outcome of patients.

Methods: Patients were consecutively recruited from the hepatology clinics of two tertiary care referral centers. Patients were categorized into 4 different groups: group 1, patients with hepatitis B and normal liver enzymes; group 2, patients with hepatitis B and abnormal liver enzymes but without cirrhosis; group 3, patients with hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis; group 4, patients with hepatitis B and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Histological and laboratory features of patients undergoing liver biopsy at a university hospital in Central Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To identify the most common liver pathologies seen in our center, to find the prevalence of advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C, and to correlate the histological and laboratory features of the most common diseases and compare between them.

Methods: Liver biopsy procedures performed in our Gastroenterology Unit at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were traced from records between the years 1997-2003. Clinical, histopathological, and laboratory features were recorded.

[Ergonomic aspects in the prevention of occupational cumulative trauma disorders of the locomotor system].

In recent years, a rapid increase in the number of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) induced by repeatability of certain functions in the course of work performance has been observed. In the United States, a twenty-fold increase in the number of registered CTDs of upper limbs has been noted during the last ten years. For example in 1993, CTDs constituted 60% of all occupational diseases.

An ergonomic system for assessing postural stress in workplaces.

A new method has been developed to enable the ergonomic assessment of stress associated with posture at the workplace. It enables evaluations of the load resulting from working postures at workplaces where standing and walking postures dominate. The method also offers the possibility of estimating the preexisting load already at the stage of workplace designing.