RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: There is a close association between intestinal metaplasia (IM) and the development of gastric cancer as well as a relationship between Helicobacter pylori, IM, and gastric cancer. Our aim was to study the frequency and subtypes of IM in a Saudi population with dyspepsia, a population with a low prevalence of gastric cancer. METHODS: Endoscopic antral biopsy specimens were histologically studied for the presence of IM and H. pylori in consecutive patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for evaluation of dyspepsia. Hematoxylin and eosin and Giemsa stain were used to study IM, inflammation, and H. pylori, whereas Alcian blue, pH 2.5/periodic acid-Schiff and high iron diamine/Alcian blue, pH 2.5, were used to study IM subtypes. RESULTS: Seven hundred and seventy-eight consecutive patients were recruited in this study, 415 men and 363 women, with a mean age of 43 +/- 17.6 years. Of the 778 patients, IM was identified in 118 (15.2%). The mean ages of patients with IM (48.8 +/- 18.7) and without IM (41.9 +/- 17.4) were statistically significant (P < 0.0001), whereas the patients' sex did not influence the presence of IM. Most had type-I IM (59.3%), whereas 26.3% and 14.4% had types II and III, respectively. The overall rate of infection with H. pylori was 75.4%. There was no difference in the frequency of IM in patients with or without H. pylori (15.5% versus 14.1%; P = 0.65). Of the 118 patients with IM, the 91 patients (77.1%) who also had H. pylori were older (55 +/- 23 years) than those without H. pylori (47 +/- 17 years, P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study has documented mainly that the prevalence of IM and IM subtype III is low in our population. Furthermore, we found no significant relationship between a high rate of H. pylori infection with either IM in general or with IM subtype III in particular, possibly accounting for a low incidence of gastric cancer in the Saudi population.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por Helicobacter/epidemiología , Helicobacter pylori/aislamiento & purificación , Antro Pilórico/microbiología , Antro Pilórico/patología , Adolescente , Adulto , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Biopsia , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Metaplasia/epidemiología , Metaplasia/patología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Arabia SauditaRESUMEN
A one-day antismoking programme was conducted for 289 students in a male secondary school in Abha, Saudi Arabia. The one-group pretest/post-test design to evaluate the programme was based on an Arabic version of the WHO standard questionnaire for young people. The results showed that the prevalence rate of regular smoking was 14.5%. The students showed marked variability in correct responses to various factual items. The programme had a significant impact on nonsmokers [P < 0.01] and prespecialty students [P < 0.01]. With the exception of smokers, the students showed an overall positive attitude towards public action, but the impact of the one-day programme was less than satisfactory
Asunto(s)
Causas de Muerte , Tabaquismo , Promoción de la Salud , Cese del Hábito de Fumar , Educación en Salud , FumarRESUMEN
Prevalence of hypertension was surveyed in south-western Saudi Arabia. Hypertension was ascertained by measuring blood pressure under standard conditions and by interview for positive history. The overall prevalence was 11.1%, and the age-adjusted prevalence was 10.6% in men and 11.4% in women. Prevalence increased significantly by age. Among previously known cases, 76% were receiving treatment, but only 20% were found controlled. It is concluded that hypertension affects a sizeable proportion of Saudi communities. Further efforts are needed to improve control of the disease