Evaluation of the available anti-HCV antibody detection tests and RT-PCR assay in the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infection.

The aim of the present work is to evaluate the commercially available antibody tests in the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by comparing their results with the RT-PCR test. The study included 316 serum samples from three groups: blood donors, patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) and patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Samples were subjected to HCV-antibody detection by ELISA and RIBA tests and HCV-RNA detection by RT-PCR assay.

Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease in patients with laryngeal and voice disorders.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for the management of patients with laryngeal and voice disorders.

Methods: This study consisted of 30 patients from Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) and Phoniatric outpatient clinics at Al-Noor Specialist Hospital in Holy Makkah, Saudi Arabia complaining of laryngeal symptoms mainly dysphonia, during one year period from May 2005 to May 2006. All patients were subjected to: voice evaluation, which include searching for etiological factors, auditory perceptual assessment (APA), laryngeal examination and upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT) endoscopy.

Enhanced external counterpulsation in patients with coronary artery disease-associated erectile dysfunction. Part I: effects of risk factors.

Introduction: Recently it has been demonstrated that enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) could improve erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with refractory ischemic heart disease (IHD).

Aim: To assess the effect of risk factors on the efficacy and the satisfaction rate of EECP in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD)-associated ED.

Main Outcome Measures: To assess the effect of risk factors on EECP efficacy and satisfaction rate, we compared the pre- and post-EECP responses to erectile function domain, Q3, and Q4 in patients with and without risk factors.

Pattern of medical diseases and determinants of prognosis of hospitalization during 2005 Muslim pilgrimage Hajj in a tertiary care hospital. A prospective cohort study.

Objective: To document the pattern of medical diseases necessitating admission in a tertiary care hospital during Muslim pilgrimage (Hajj). To assess the risk factors associated with mortality during hospitalization.

Methods: The study was conducted at Al Noor Specialist Hospital, a 550-bed tertiary care teaching hospital, in Makkah, KSA.

Outpatient Services during (1423h) Hajj Season.

Objective: To analyse the pattern of patients attending the Out Patient Department (OPD) during the Hajj season 1423H with respect to their age, sex, nationality, services provided to them, and most importantly the disease trends and the medication given.

Method: A descriptive study was done at the OPD department in Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Holy Makkah for the 15 days period of the Hajj, i.e.

Prevalence of Peyronie's disease among patients with erectile dysfunction.

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of Peyronie's disease (PD) among patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).

Materials And Methods: A total of 1,440 male patients with ED were enrolled in this study. Patients were interviewed for ED using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF).

Spontaneous cholecystocutaneous fistula.

We report a case of cholecystocutaneous fistula in a 90 years old female as a complication of gallstone disease. Patient presented with necrotizing fasciitis of anterior abdominal wall and cholecystocutaneous fistula. She was bedridden for the last 3 years due to cerebral vascular accident.

Initial experience with Swedish adjustable gastric band at Al-noor hospital.

Background: The aim of this 4-year study is to give an initial account of the weight loss and complications after applying the Swedish adjustable gastric band (SAGB) at Al-Noor Specialist Hospital-Makkah.

Materials And Methods: 97 morbidly obese patients underwent SAGB.

Results: 94 patients benefited by losing weight.

Sexual dysfunction in Saudi depressed male patients.

INTRODUCTION Sexual dysfunction is common among depressed male patients; however, its causes are complex and multifactorial. The aim of this study is to identify risk factors for sexual dysfunction associated with depression. METHODS One hundred and twenty-five consecutive depressed male patients were interviewed at Jeddah Psychiatric Hospital.

Erectile dysfunction risk factors in noninsulin dependent diabetic Saudi patients.

Purpose: We assessed the prevalence of and analyzed risk factors for erectile dysfunction in patients with noninsulin dependent diabetes in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Materials And Methods: A total of 562 male diabetic Saudi patients were enrolled in this study. Patients were screened for erectile dysfunction using the International Index of Erectile Function.

Frequency of tracheobronchial foreign bodies in children and adolescents.

Objective: The problem of foreign body aspiration in the community has been studied and compared with other reports.

Methods: We have retrospectively studied patients who had bronchoscopy for suspected foreign bodies in the tracheobronchial tree, attending or referred to Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah over a period of 3 years from May 1996 to May 1999.

Results: The total number of patients was 94 (62 male and 32 female).

Caudal Regression Syndrome and peno-scrotal transposition.

Caudal Regression Syndrome is a rare anomaly affecting different systems in the caudal portion of the fetus. Peno-scrotal transposition is a rare condition of variable severity often associated with Caudal Regression Syndrome. We report a case of Caudal Regression Syndrome with perineal ano-rectal duplication, incomplete peno-scrotal transposition, perineal hypospadias, chordee, and thoracic hemivertebrae.

Fetus in fetu.

Fetus in fetu is an extremely uncommon cause of abdominal mass in the neonate. A case of retroperitoneal fetus in fetu in a 2 week old boy is reported, the excised mass containing a round mass, covered by hair, containing brain tissue; 2 feet and 2 arms; a cavity containing a loop of intestine of 15 centimeters length, small penis and testis.

Pattern of surgical and medical diseases among pilgrims attending Al-noor hospital makkah.

Objective: Hajj usually presents a unique medical crisis especially for the Emergency Department. This study will identify the surgical and medical cases that presented at the Emergency Department during Hajj and percentage admitted.

Design: A prospective study of the pattern of surgical and medical cases that presented at the Emergency Department of the largest tertiary care hospital in Makkah city and holy lands during Hajj.

Decortication for empyema thoracis.

Full text is available as a scanned copy of the original print version.

Popliteal vein aneurysm.

The successful management of a popliteal vein aneurysm in a 25-year-old Saudi man is described. An extensive review of the English literature revealed another 11 similar cases.

Liver enzymes and protein electrophoretic patterns in hemodialysis patients with antibodies against the hepatitis C virus.

One hundred and forty nine patients with end-stage renal disease on regular hemodialysis were screened for antibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The overall prevalence of anti-HCV was 84.6%.

Prevalence of antibodies against the hepatitis C virus among voluntary blood donors at a makkah hospital.

One thousand four hundred and thirty nine voluntary blood donors attending the blood transfusion department at Al Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah were screened for antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) by second generation enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). A total of 52 donors (3.6%) were anti-HCV positive.