Arab journal of gastroenterology : the official publication of the Pan-Arab Association of Gastroenterology
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Arab J Gastroenterol · Sep 2020
Review Meta AnalysisStatins and risk of peptic ulcer disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders worldwide. Recent epidemiologic studies have suggested the protective effect of statins against the development of PUD although the results were inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with the aim to summarise all available data. ⋯ This systematic review and meta-analysis found that the risk of PUD was numerically lower among statin users. However, the results did not reach statistical significance. More studies are still required to further characterise this potential protective effect.
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Arab J Gastroenterol · Sep 2020
SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers of a gastroenterological service in a tertiary care facility.
Frontlines healthcare workers (HCWs) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are at increased risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2, but there are limited data on the prevalence of COVID-19 among HCWs in Egypt. This study aimed to assess SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs providing gastroenterological services. ⋯ Point prevalence of COVID-19 in gastroenterology HCWs is 13.5% by RT-PCR. Continued measures are warranted to assure HCWs safety and reduce transmission from healthcare settings to the community during COVID-19 pandemic. Presence of positive test results among asymptomatic HCWs illustrates the importance of screening all HCWs irrespective of symptoms.
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Arab J Gastroenterol · Sep 2020
The global impact of COVID-19 on gastrointestinal endoscopy units: An international survey of endoscopists.
Corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has markedly impacted routine medical services including gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. We aim to report the real-life performance in high volume GI endoscopy units during the pandemic. ⋯ Most GI endoscopy centers had a significant reduction in their volume and most procedures performed were urgent. Most centers used the recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) by GI societies however there is still a possibility of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection in GI endoscopy units.
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Arab J Gastroenterol · Jun 2020
Characteristics and outcome of patients presenting with acute Pancreatitis: A one-year descriptive study from a tertiary care center in Lebanon.
To determine the aetiology, hospital course, and outcome of patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis (AP) presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) of a tertiary care center in Lebanon. ⋯ Acute pancreatitis accounts for a relatively small number of emergency visits in Lebanon. Leading etiologies are biliary and drugs, with a low contribution of alcohol compared to the West. The economic burden of AP is important, but outcomes appear largely favorable with an overall mortality of less than 2%.