Hepatitis C is a systemic disease that has many extrahepatic manifestations in addition to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, some of which may result in a poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Fatigue is perhaps the most frequent and disabling extrahepatic symptom of hepatitis C virus (HCV), reported in almost one-half of all chronically infected individuals. Many other factors are associated with a poor quality of life in patients with HCV, including a number of physical and psychological factors. The objective of this article is to review the association between HCV and impaired HRQOL due to fatigue and psychological disturbances.

Background/Aim: Acute appendicitis during pregnancy is the most common problem encountered in general surgery. However, limited data are available regarding acute appendicitis in pregnant sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. We aimed to study was the clinical presentation, management, and outcome in SCD patients who underwent appendectomy for suspected acute appendicitis during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: Between January 1998 and December 2006, 65 pregnant patients with clinically suspected appendicitis underwent surgery at our hospital of whom 11 were SCD patients. Data collected retrospectively included age, gestational stage, clinical signs and symptoms, operative findings, and complications. Results: Eleven out of 65 (16.9%) were SCD patients. The mean age in the SCD group was 22.5 years while the mean gravida and parity values were 2.0 and 1.1, respectively. The mean HbS, HbF, and HbA2 values were 71.1, 26.2, and 2.6%, respectively. Abdominal pain and vomiting were the most common presenting symptoms regardless of the gestational age. Abdominal and rebound tenderness were the most common physical signs. The mean operative time was 49 min (range: 35-125 min) and the average length of postoperative hospital stay was 4.7 days (2-8 days). There was no maternal death but one patient had spontaneous abortion during the first trimester, two days after the operation. Two patients had premature, postoperative delivery at 30 and 31 weeks of gestation. Conclusion: The clinical manifestations and diagnosis of appendicitis in sickler pregnant patients are similar to those in nonsickler pregnant patients.

Background/Aim: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2) is more common in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) in general and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in particular. We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors affecting the occurrence of DM-2 in Saudi patients with CLD. Materials and Methods: Retrospective study at the King Fahd Central Hospital (KFCH), Gizan, Saudi Arabia. A total of 277 patients with either cirrhosis (CH) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were analyzed for patient demographics, severity of liver disease, HBsAg, and anti-HCV, associated diseases including DM-2, and presence of HCC. The prevalence of DM-2 was also estimated in 400 age- and sex-matched Saudi patients admitted for various nonliver diseases (control group). Chi-square test, univariate analysis, and multivariate regression. Results: Prevalence of DM-2 in patients with CH was higher than in controls (19.2 vs. 9.2%; P = 0.001). Although those with HCC had a higher prevalence, the difference was not significant (10.9 vs. 9.2%; P = 0.5). Seventy-six percent of patients with HCC had associated CH. On multivariate analysis, age and hypertension were more common in diabetics. Although patients with HCV-related disease had a higher prevalence of DM-2 compared to HBV-related disease, the difference was not significant (26.3 vs. 15.7%; P > 0.05). Conclusions: DM-2 occurred more frequently in CLD patients, particularly in cirrhotics. Age and hypertension predicted the occurrence of DM-2. Small sample size of patients with HCV-related CH probably precluded higher prevalence of DM-2 in them.

Background/Aim: The author has published results from two series based on his new technique of inguinal hernia repair. Interrupted sutures with a nonabsorbable material were used for repairs in both theses series. The author now describes the results of repairs done with continuous absorbable sutures. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study of 229 patients having 256 hernias operated from December 2003 to December 2006. An undetached strip of the external oblique aponeurosis was sutured between the inguinal ligament and the muscle arch to form the new posterior wall. Continuous sutures were taken with absorbable suture material (Monofilament Polydioxanone Violet). Data of hospital stay, complications, ambulation, recurrences, and pain were recorded. Follow-up was done until June 2007. Results: A total of 224 (97.8%) patients were ambulatory within 6-8 h (mean: 6.42 h) and they attained free ambulation within 18-24 h (mean: 19.26 h). A total of 222 (96.4%) patients returned to work within 6-14 days (mean: 8.62 days) and 209 (91.26%) patients had one-night stays in the hospital. A total of 216 (94.3%) patients had mild pain for 2 days. There were four minor complications, but no recurrence or incidence of chronic groin pain. Patients were followed up for a mean period of 24.28 months (range: 6-42 months). Conclusions: The results of this study correlate well with the author's previous publications. Continuous suturing saves operative time and one packet of suture material. The dream of every surgeon to give recurrence-free inguinal hernia repair without leaving any foreign body inside the patient may well become a reality in future.

Background/Aim: Previous studies on "Black seed" or "Black Cumin" Nigella sativa (NS) have reported a large number of pharmacological activities including its anti-ulcer potential. These studies employed either fixed oil, volatile oil components or different solvent extracts. In folkloric practices, NS seeds are taken as such, in the form of coarse dry powder or the powdered seeds are mixed with water. This study examines the effect of NS aqueous suspension on experimentally induced gastric ulcers and basal gastric secretion in rats to rationalize its use by herbal and Unani medicine practitioners. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at the Medicinal, Aromatic and Poisonous Plants Research Center, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Acute gastric ulceration was produced by various noxious chemicals (80% ethanol, 0.2 M NaOH, 25% NaCl and indomethacin) in Wistar albino rats. Anti-secretory studies were undertaken in a separate group of rats. Gastric wall mucus contents and non-protein sulfhydryl concentration were estimated, and gastric tissue was examined histopathologically. Results: An aqueous suspension of Black seed significantly prevented gastric ulcer formation induced by necrotizing agents. It also significantly ameliorated the ulcer severity and basal gastric acid secretion in pylorus-ligated Shay rats. Moreover, the suspension significantly replenished the ethanol-induced depleted gastric wall mucus content levels and gastric mucosal non-protein sulfhydryl concentration. The anti-ulcer effect was further confirmed histopathologically. Conclusion: These findings validate the use of Black seed in gastropathies induced by necrotizing agents. The anti-ulcer effect of NS is possibly prostaglandin-mediated and/or through its antioxidant and anti-secretory activities.

Background/Aim: This study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of celiac disease (CD) in Shiraz, southern Iran. Materials and Methods: Serum samples were collected from 1440 persons (age range = 20-83 years, mean age = 45.4 years) in 2004 and screened for endomysial and tissue transglutaminase antibodies. A questionnaire was completed for all subjects in relation to gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and cases with positive serology were requested to undergo small-bowel biopsy. Results : Seven cases (0.5%) were positive for IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG), and only two (0.14%) were positive for IgA anti-endomysial antibody (anti-EMA), both of whom had highly positive anti-tTg levels (40.4 and 48.0 IU/l). The major clinical symptoms of CD, such as recurrent abdominal pain and change in bowel habits were present in all patients with positive anti-tTG assays. Only five subjects with positive serology agreed to undergo upper GI endoscopy and duodenal biopsy. Three of these cases were reported with Marsh I histologic findings, while in the two cases with positive serologic anti-EMA, more advanced forms of CD were present. Conclusion: The prevalence of CD in apparently healthy adults was lower than the reported series from northern parts of the country; therefore, we suggest a more long-term follow-up study in high-risk groups, especially in the apparently healthy subjects in our region.

Abdominal cocoon or sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction that has been described mostly in young adolescent girls. Thick fibrotic peritoneum encasing the small bowel in a small volume is a pathognomonic feature. This condition presents many difficulties in preoperative diagnosis. Early diagnosis can result in proper management, and may prevent the need for bowel resection. The author reports a case of a male patient with intermittent subacute intestinal obstruction and an abdominal cocoon encasing the small bowel secondary to abdominal tuberculosis, which was suspected preoperatively by radiology. To the best of our knowledge, this case represents one of the very few male patients with this disease entity reported in medical literature.

A ciliated hepatic foregut cyst is a rare cystic lesion of the liver. A 25-year-old man who was referred from an area endemic for hydatid cysts, presented with abdominal pain. Clinical, paraclinical, and imaging studies all suggested the presence of a hydatid cyst. Pathological studies after the resection of the cyst showed the presence of a ciliated hepatic foregut cyst.

Internal biliary fistulae are a well-recognized complication of biliary lithiasis. Among these, the cholecystoduodenal fistulae are the commonest while cholecystocolic fistulae (CCF) occur much less frequently. CCF secondary to gallbladder carcinoma is a rare occurrence and has been reported in very few studies. Here, the author reports a case of cholecystocolic fistula secondary to gallbladder carcinoma. Preoperative diagnosis of this condition requires high index of suspicion and is usually difficult. Computed tomography scan is helpful in establishing a preoperative diagnosis.

Drug-induced hematotoxicity is the most common reason for reducing the dose or withdrawing ribavirin (RBV) and interferon (IFN) therapy in chronic hepatitis C, which leads to the elimination of a possible cure for the patient. Traditionally, severe anemia and neutropenia have been considered as absolute contraindications to start antiviral therapy. This has not however, been the case since the advent of adjunct therapy with hematopoietic growth factors (erythropoietin (EPO) and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)). Some recent landmark studies have used this adjunct therapy to help avoid antiviral dose reductions. Although the addition of this adjunct therapy has been shown to significantly increase the overall cost of the treatment, this extra cost is worth bearing if the infection is cured at the end of the day. Although more studies are needed to refine the true indications of this adjunct therapy, determine the best dose regimen, quantify the average extra cost and determine whether or not the addition of this therapy increases the sustained virological response rates achieved, the initial reports are encouraging. Therefore, although not recommended on a routine basis, some selected patients may be given the benefits of these factors. This article reviews the current literature on this subject and makes a few recommendations to help develop local guidelines.

Bacterial infections of the biliary tract are often considered to be an important cause of acute cholangitis. Viral infections of the biliary tract however, are very often mistaken as viral hepatitis. This article highlights various viral causes of common biliary tract infections. Viral cholangitis is both less common and less discussed than viral hepatitis. Hepatotropic viruses (A, B, C, and E) are generally regarded as hepatocellular pathogens, yet cholangitic manifestations are now well described in association with these diseases. Systemic viral diseases also lead to cholangitis in varying proportion to hepatitis. Human immunodeficiency virus is associated with protean hepatic complications, including cholangitis due to several causes. Other systemic viruses, most notably those of the herpes virus family, also cause hepatic disease including cholangitis and possibly ductopenia in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients.