Mahmoud Al-Azab, Mohammed Safi, Elina Idiiatullina, Mohammed Al Shaikh, Abdulbaki Al-Robasi, Mohammed Awsh, Salah Adlat, Khaled Al-Moyed
{"title":"Association of Serum Complement Components (C3 and C4) with Disease Activity in Yemeni Bronchial Asthmatic Patients","authors":"Mahmoud Al-Azab, Mohammed Safi, Elina Idiiatullina, Mohammed Al Shaikh, Abdulbaki Al-Robasi, Mohammed Awsh, Salah Adlat, Khaled Al-Moyed","doi":"10.20428/yjms.14.1.a1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20428/yjms.14.1.a1","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: To assess the role of the complement components (C3 and C4) in the pathogenesis and severity of bronchial asthma (BA) among Yemeni patients. \u0000Methods: This cross-sectional, clinic-based study was conducted in Sana’a city, Yemen in the period from March to June 2012. It included 100 BA patients, where demographic and clinical data were collected using a pre-designed, structured questionnaire. Blood samples then collected by venipuncture, and sera were then separated and tested for the levels of C3 and C4 by immunoturbidimetry assay. Data were analyzed using suitable statistical tests using IBM SPSS Statistics, version \u0000Results: Of 100 patients, 53% were males and 29% were older than 40 years. The mean age of patients was 34.7± 17.5 years (range: 6–80). The majority of patients had active asthma (81.0%) and experienced asthma for more than two years (66.0%). Dyspnea (81.0%) and cough (65.0%) were the most frequent clinical features, while edema (11.0%) was the least frequent clinical feature among asthmatic patients. The mean level of serum C3 among BA patients was elevated (127.9 ± 21.3 mg/dL) and was significantly higher among females, patients aged 40 years or older and those with active BA, but there was no statistically significant difference with respect to the duration of asthma. In contrast, the mean level of serum C4 was normal (27.6 ± 8.8 mg/dL) but was significantly higher among patients aged 40 years or older and those having asthma for more than two years. Wheezing was significantly associated with the mean level of serum C3 among BA patients. Similarly, the mean level of serum C4 was significantly higher among patients having cough. \u0000Conclusions: The majority of Yemeni patients with BA have elevated levels of serum C3, which can be significantly higher in females, patients older than 40 years and those with active asthma. On the other hand, the levels of serum C4 are normal among the majority of Yemeni patients with BA, but these can be elevated among those with severe clinical features or long-term asthma. \u0000Keywords: Active asthma, Bronchial asthma, Complement, C3, C4, Yemen","PeriodicalId":32479,"journal":{"name":"Yemeni Journal for Medical Sciences","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45191043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Berberine Chloride and Hyperthermia Promote Osterix Expression and Suppress Cell Cycle Genes in Osteosarcoma Cells","authors":"M. Nashiry, A. Al-khateeb, G. Froemming","doi":"10.20428/YJMS.12.1.A5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20428/YJMS.12.1.A5","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives: The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of berberine chloride and various heat conditions on the gene expression of Osterix, RUNX-2, RANKL, CDK2, CDK4, IL-6 and IL-11. \u0000Methods: Six groups of cells were treated with hyperthermia for 1 h: Two groups at mild, two at moderate and two at severe hyperthermia (39, 43 and 45°C respectively). Berberine chloride (80 µg/mL) was selected for treating one group of mild, moderate and severe hyperthermia (combination). All treated groups were recovered at 37°C for 24 h. Another exposure for hyperthermia (1 h) and recovery for 3 h at 37°C were applied. \u0000Results: The expression of Osterix was highly upregulated in all groups except in the severe hyperthermia and mild hyperthermia with berberine groups. Only the mild hyperthermia without berberine induced a slight increase in the expression of RUNX2, whereas severe hyperthermia alone suppressed the levels on a significant manner. Berberine alone was more effective in significantly up-regulating RANKL expression. On the other hand, CDK2 mRNA was downregulated in all groups. CDK4 showed a similar regulation in the mild hyperthermia group with control, but the expression was downregulated in the other groups, especially in severe hyperthermia the expression was significantly downregulated (p<0.5). IL-6 was upregulated highly and significantly in the group of berberine and all groups of combinations, whereas mild and moderate hyperthermia stimulated significant expression of IL-11 mRNA. \u0000Conclusion: These results suggest that hyperthermia and berberine chloride can promote osteosarcoma cells differentiation and arrest cell-cycle.","PeriodicalId":32479,"journal":{"name":"Yemeni Journal for Medical Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44343953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Alhaj, Abdulhabib R. Alqubaty, Mogahid Y. Nassar, F. Al-qadasi
{"title":"Assessment of Certain Biochemical Parameters among Petrol Station Workers in Sana’a City, Yemen","authors":"A. Alhaj, Abdulhabib R. Alqubaty, Mogahid Y. Nassar, F. Al-qadasi","doi":"10.20428/YJMS.12.1.A6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20428/YJMS.12.1.A6","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: To assess hepatic and renal functions among petrol stations workers in Sana’a city, Yemen. \u0000Methods: A case-control study was carried out in Sana’a city, in the period from November 2017 to April 2018. Cases included 109 eligible petrol station workers exposed to petrol for at least six hours daily over a period of six months or more, while 109 apparently healthy office workers were recruited from the University of Science and Technology as controls. Data were collected using a pre-designed questionnaire through face-to-face interview. Then, blood samples were collected from cases and controls and tested for albumin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea and creatinine in the Laboratory Department of the University of Science and Technology Hospital. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 23.0. \u0000Results: The mean concentration of serum albumin among petrol station workers was significantly lower than the controls. In contrast, the mean level of serum ALP was significantly higher among the petrol station workers than the controls. On the other hand, there were no statistically significant differences in the mean levels of serum ALT and AST between the two groups. Although the mean concentrations of creatinine and urea were higher among the controls than the petrol station workers, the difference was only significantly higher for creatinine among office workers. \u0000Conclusions: Although no specific biochemical abnormalities exist in the hepatic and renal functions of petrol station workers in Sana’a city, these parameters may show evident effects with prolonged exposure to petrol components. Further longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes, longer durations of exposure and regular follow-up are recommended to assess the impact of long-term exposure to petrol on hepatic and renal functions.","PeriodicalId":32479,"journal":{"name":"Yemeni Journal for Medical Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44421391","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fascioliasis in Yemen: A Long Track of Neglect despite Reports of Existence","authors":"Rashad Abdul‑Ghani","doi":"10.20428/YJMS.12.1.E","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20428/YJMS.12.1.E","url":null,"abstract":"Fascioliasis is one of the most neglected tropical diseases in Yemen and is viewed as a zoonotic disease of sporadic nature. However, recent reports of human cases, well-documented published literature on animal and human fascioliasis and environmental evidence on the contamination of freshly eaten vegetables necessitate understanding of the disease eco-epidemiology in the country. To improve case detection in clinical settings, laboratory technicians should be trained well on the detection of Fasciola species. From an epidemiologic perspective, serosurveys for anti-Fasciola antibodies are recommended to map the distribution of infection among communities in suspected geographic areas. In parallel, the burden of animal fascioliasis and environmental contamination of freshly eaten vegetables and water should also be assessed. On the other hand, freshwater bodies should be surveyed for potential snail hosts. In fact, it may be premature to discuss the prevention and control strategies while the epidemiologic status of fascioliasis in the country is still unclear. \u0000Keywords: Fasciola, Neglected tropical disease, Yemen","PeriodicalId":32479,"journal":{"name":"Yemeni Journal for Medical Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43865168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L. M. Al-Zubairi, M. A. Mohanna, Tawfik Al-Bada’ani
{"title":"Prevalence of Nocturnal Enuresis among Schoolchildren in Sana’a City, Yemen","authors":"L. M. Al-Zubairi, M. A. Mohanna, Tawfik Al-Bada’ani","doi":"10.20428/YJMS.12.1.A4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20428/YJMS.12.1.A4","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: To estimate the prevalence, frequency and time of nocturnal enuresis (NE) among primary schoolchildren in Sana’a city, Yemen. \u0000Methods: This was a cross-sectional study was conducted among 2689 schoolchildren in the primary schools of four randomly selected districts in Sana’a city in the period from September 2012 to December 2013. Data about sociodemographic characteristics, frequency, time, psycho-social effects and the factors possibly associated with NE among children were collected using a pre-designed questionnaire and analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. \u0000Results: The overall prevalence of NE was 11.2%, which was significantly higher among males than females (13.0% vs. 10.0%, respectively; P = 0.044) and decreased significantly with increasing age (P <0.001). More than half of children (55.3%) in Sana’a city had the habits of drinking excess fluids and tea at night and/or deep sleeping. Of physical and health disorders, difficulty in breathing and urinary tract infections were the two most frequent conditions among children with NE, being observed among 29.6% and 23.9% of cases, respectively. However, urogenital anomalies and mental retardation were the least frequent conditions in children with NE, being observed among 5.8% and 1.3% of cases, respectively. On the other hand, marital problems (24.8%) and arrival of a new baby (17.9%) were the most frequently observed social conditions among children with NE, while death in the family (8.5%) and parental separation (6.0%) were the least frequently observed conditions. \u0000Conclusions: NE is prevalent among 11.2% of schoolchildren in Sana’a city with a significantly higher, though slight, rate among males. This rate is lower than the rates reported from Aden and Mukalla cities in the country and from Saudi Arabia and Turkey. However, it is higher than those reported from Iran and Malaysia. About a third of children experience nightly NE, whereas the lowest proportion of children experience NE twice a month. The habits of drinking excess fluid and tea at night and/or deep sleeping, the disorders of difficulty in breathing and urinary tract infections and the social conditions of marital problems and arrival of a new baby are the most frequent observations among children with NE in Sana’a city.","PeriodicalId":32479,"journal":{"name":"Yemeni Journal for Medical Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46688990","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Antibiotic Resistance Trends of Gram-negative Bacteria Most Frequently Isolated from Inpatients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Sana'a, Yemen","authors":"M. Kubas, A. Zabad, Dalal Alqadhi, M. Al-Azab","doi":"10.20428/YJMS.12.1.A3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20428/YJMS.12.1.A3","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: To determine the trends of antibiotic resistance of Gram-negative bacteria, most frequently isolated from inpatients at the University of Science and Technology Hospital (USTH) in Sana'a, Yemen. \u0000Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study on the antibiotic resistance of Gram-negative bacteria most frequently isolated from respiratory tract, pus, urine, blood and other types of specimens from inpatients admitted to the USTH. Data were retrieved from the hospital records of culture-positive inpatients in the period from January 2006 to December 2013, and annual trends of resistance were compared using chi-square test for trends at P values < 0.05. \u0000Results: Of 2005 Gram-negative bacterial isolates in the period from 2006 to 2013, the most frequently isolated species were Escherichia coli (41.6%), Acinetobacter species (26.7%), Klebsiella species (21.0%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.6%). Amikacin and carbapenems were the most active drugs against E. coli, with a decrease in the susceptibility of this species to the third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins and a variable resistance rate to quinolones that significantly increased in 2013. Acinetobacter species susceptibility to most antibiotics decreased significantly over the years of the study, where polymyxin B was the only one found to be effective against this species. On the other hand, the trend of Klebsiella species resistance to imipenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, cefepime, ceftazidime increased over the years of the study. Susceptibility of Klebsiella species to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and moxifloxacin showed fluctuations, while the susceptibility of aminoglycosides (amikacin and gentamicin) and ampicillin-sulbactam showed no difference. The resistance of P. aeruginosa to the majority of antibiotics was not dramatically changed over the years of the study period, but gentamicin resistance rate was considerably dropped from 77.8% in 2008 to 25.9% in 2013. \u0000Conclusions: Of the most frequently isolated Gram-negative bacteria in Sana'a, Acinetobacter species has the highest resistance rate to the most commonly used antibiotics, where only polymyxin B is effective against this species. P. aeruginosa shows an unchanging rate of resistance to antibiotics in the USTH despite being quite resistant to antibiotics on a global scale, which could be attributed to the smaller number of P. aeruginosa isolates tested over the study period. Further large-scale studies on the trends of antibiotic resistance rates in hospital-based settings and the best ways to counteract such resistance in Yemen are recommended. \u0000 ","PeriodicalId":32479,"journal":{"name":"Yemeni Journal for Medical Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44128512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Awareness of Bacterial Resistance to Antibiotics among Healthcare Providers in Sana’a City, Yemen","authors":"Abdulsalam M. Halboup, K. Alzoubi, G. Othman","doi":"10.20428/yjms.12.1.a2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20428/yjms.12.1.a2","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives: To assess the awareness of healthcare providers in Sana’a city of the most frequently antibiotic-resistant bacterial isolates encountered in clinical settings, the factors associated with the emergence of such resistance and the strategies to counteract antibiotic resistance. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 416 healthcare providers; namely, 167 physicians, 61 pharmacists and 188 nurses, from four public and two private hospitals in Sana’a. Data about demographics, awareness of the most frequently isolated antibiotic-resistant bacteria in clinical settings, the factors possibly associated with such resistance and the best strategies to counteract antibiotic resistance were collected using a pre-designed questionnaire. Data were then analyzed using suitable statistical tests. Results: The majority of healthcare providers were aware of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as the two most frequently encountered bacterial species in clinical practice, with non-statistically significant differences in the awareness level among physicians, pharmacists and nurses. However, a statistically significant difference was found among healthcare providers regarding their awareness of the most possible factors contributing to antibiotic resistance. In this regard, pharmacists were significantly more aware of the contribution of the extensive use of newer generations of antibiotics (P = 0.030), inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics (P = 0.010) and use of antibiotics without prescription (P = 0.045) to the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance than physicians and nurses. On the other hand, physicians and nurses were significantly more aware of the role of reducing the length of hospital stay (P = 0.005), limiting the use of medical instrumentation (P = 0.036), use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics (P = 0.005), surveillance for antibiotic resistance (P = 0.004), development of infection control policies and procedures (P <0.001) and consultation with infectious disease specialists (P = 0.010) as key strategies to minimize the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria compared to pharmacists. Moreover, nurses showed significantly higher awareness of the use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics (P = 0.005) and surveillance of antibiotic resistance (P = 0.003) as key strategies to reduce the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance. Conclusions: There is a discrepancy in the awareness of Yemeni healthcare providers’ of the most frequently encountered antibiotic-resistant bacteria in clinical practice, the factors possibly contributing to such resistance and the key strategies to counteract it. Therefore, continuing medical education of physicians, pharmacists and nurses is recommended to keep them updated on antibiotic resistance and the best strategies and approaches to its containment. In addition, there is a need for the development of infectious disease protocols for hospitals to optimize the select","PeriodicalId":32479,"journal":{"name":"Yemeni Journal for Medical Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47620491","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abdullah A. Al-Mikhlafy, M. Abdul-Aziz, A. Shamsher
{"title":"Cervical Cytological Findings among Women Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Sana’a, Yemen","authors":"Abdullah A. Al-Mikhlafy, M. Abdul-Aziz, A. Shamsher","doi":"10.20428/YJMS.12.1.A1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20428/YJMS.12.1.A1","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: To determine the frequency and pattern of abnormal cervical smear findings among women attending the University of Science and Technology Hospital (USTH) in Sana'a city. \u0000Methods: This study is a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Records of women examined by conventional Pap smears in the Histopathology Laboratory of USTH over a 4-year period (from January 2013 to December 2016) were retrieved and analyzed for abnormalities according to the Bethesda system. \u0000Results: Of 688 cases, 599 with satisfactory records were analyzed. The mean age of the cases was 39.18±10.23 years (range: 19–75). Epithelial cell abnormalities (ECAs) were found in 47 cases (7.8%), and these were categorized as follows: ASCUS in 4.5% (27/599) of cases followed by atypical glandular cells (AGC) (2.2%; 13/599) and LSIL (0.5%; 3/599), while ASCH and HSIL abnormalities were equally observed among 0.3% (2/599 each) of cases. Of patients positive Pap smear findings, ASCUS was the most frequent type of ECA (57.4%; 27/47) followed by AGC (27.7%; 13/47) and LSIL (6.4%; 3/47), while ASCH and HSIL were the least frequent ECAs among Yemeni patients. ECAs were significantly more prevalent among women aged >40 years (10.8%) compared with those aged <40 years (5.5%). \u0000Conclusions: Cervical cytological abnormalities are not uncommon among women in Yemen, where the AGC is frequent among about a third of women with abnormal Pap smear findings and affects women of different ages. This requires more attention and training of doctors to master good sample taking, preparation and diagnosis with a focus on glandular changes.","PeriodicalId":32479,"journal":{"name":"Yemeni Journal for Medical Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49460968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Quality Assessment of Seven Brands of Albendazole Tablets Marketed in Yemen","authors":"G. Othman","doi":"10.20428/yjms.11.1.7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20428/yjms.11.1.7","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: To assess certain quality control parameters for seven brands of albendazole tablets obtained from different retail pharmacies. \u0000Methods: The physicochemical properties and active ingredientsofseven randomly selectedbrands of albendazole tablets were assessed weight uniformity, hardness, friability, disintegration and dissolution \u0000Results: All seven albendazole brands met the British Pharmacopeia (BP) quality control standards of weight uniformity, friability and the active ingredient content. Five brands met the BP disintegration criterion,whereas only two brands complied with the BP quality control parameters of the dissolution specifications. \u0000Conclusions: Out of the seven brands of albendazole (400 mg) tablets, only two fulfillthe BP quality control standards and show physicochemicalquivalence. This emphasizes the need for regular assessment of marketed drugs to assure equivalenceof these drugs to their innovators.","PeriodicalId":32479,"journal":{"name":"Yemeni Journal for Medical Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49016131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Stomach Cancer among Patients Admitted to the Surgical Departments of Teaching Hospitals in Sana'a, Yemen","authors":"Waleed Gilan, M. A. Al-Katta, Taha Boutage","doi":"10.20428/yjms.11.1.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.20428/yjms.11.1.6","url":null,"abstract":"Objective: To describe the characteristics of stomach cancer among patients admitted to the surgical departments of teaching hospitals in Sana’a city, Yemen. \u0000Methods: This retrospective, descriptive study was conducted to identify the characteristics of stomach cancer among patients admitted to the surgical departments of two major teaching hospitals in Sana’a; namely, Kuwait University Hospital of Sana’a University and University of Science & Technology Hospital, in the period from January 2011 to June 2015. Sociodemographic and clinical data in addition to the characteristics of stomach cancer among 106 documented cases admitted over the study period were retrieved from the medical records and analyzed. \u0000Results: Of the stomach cancer patients admitted over the study period, 55.7% were males and 52.8% were aged 50–70 years old. The most frequent symptom was dyspepsia (96.2%) followed by weight loss (88.7%) and loss of appetite (81.1%). Dysphagia was present in 56.6% of the patients, while upper and lower gastrointestinal bleedings were present in 15.1% and 6.0% of the patients, respectively. Palpable masses were present among 35.8% of the patients, being most frequently observed in the pylorus and antrum (22.1%) and the body of the stomach (18.9%) as revealed by abdominal computed tomography. Regarding the histopathologic findings of endoscopic biopsies, tumors were well-differentiated in 32.1% and moderately or poorly differentiated in 26.4% of the patients each. However, moderately-to-poorly differentiated and lymphoma were less frequent (5.7%, each) and the gastrointestinal stromal tumor was observed in 1.9% of the patients. \u0000Conclusions: Clinicopathologic characteristics of stomach cancer among Yemeni patients are consistent with those documented internationally.","PeriodicalId":32479,"journal":{"name":"Yemeni Journal for Medical Sciences","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43414230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}