Ramadan Fasting Increases Socialization in Patients Who Underwent Sleeve Gastrectomy: An Observational Study

Purpose The prevalence of obesity is increasing along with the number of sleeve gastrectomies. Patients' mental health and social life, along with their physical health, should be considered. Their cultural and religious values are an important part of treatment. Fasting is an important act of worship in all religions. Ramadan fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting on quality of life in patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy. Materials and Methods Data regarding the demographic characteristics, weight, the time elapsed after surgery, and the amount of liquid and solid food consumed during fasting were collected with two surveys, one of which was carried out at the beginning and the other at the end of Ramadan. In addition, the SF-36 health survey questionnaire was administered to evaluate the impact of Ramadan fasting on patients' quality of life. Results Fifty-one people participated in the first survey, but the second survey included 19 of them. While the median weight of the patients was 86.52 +/- 17.78 kg before fasting, the median weight after 25 days of fasting was 83.31 +/- 17.06 kg. A significant decrease was observed in weight after 25 days of fasting (p < 0.001). A comparison of the SF-36 scores for quality of life revealed a significant increase in the social functioning (p = 0.032). Conclusion Ramadan fasting caused significant weight loss in patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy. Besides, it did not adversely affect the quality of life, but rather increased social functioning

An Unusual Presentation of Polyarteritis Nodosa: A Case Report

Polyarteritis nodosa with gallbladder involvement is a rare condition. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is also a rare condition and rarely complicated. We describe an extremely rare case of Polyarteritis nodosa, involving gallblader and ureter without obstruction, in a patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, such a case has not been reported previously. "Una Manifestación poco usual de la Poliarteritis Nodosa Reporte de un Caso" La periarteritis nodosa con compromiso de la vesícula es una condición rara. La enfermedad poliquística renal autosómica dominante es también una condición rara y raramente complicada. Describimos un caso extremadamente raro de poliarteritis nodosa, con compromiso de la vesícula y el uréter sin obstrucción, en un caso de enfermedad poliquística renal autosómica dominante. Al leal saber y entender de los autores, no ha sido reportado antes un caso como éste

Sporadic incidence of Fascioliasis detected during Hepatobiliary procedures: A study of 18 patients from Sulaimaniyah governorate

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Fascioliasis is an often-neglected zoonotic disease and currently is an emerging infection in Iraq. Fascioliasis has two distinct phases, an acute phase, exhibiting the hepatic migratory stage of the fluke’s life cycle, and a chronic biliary phase manifested with the presence of the parasite in the bile ducts through hepatic tissue. The incidence of Fascioliasis in Sulaimaniyah governorate was unexpected observation. We believe that shedding light on this disease in our locality will increase our physician awareness and experience in early detection, treatment in order to avoid unnecessary surgeries.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>We retrospectively evaluated this disease in terms of the demographic features, clinical presentations, and managements by reviewing the medical records of 18 patients, who were admitted to the Sulaimani Teaching Hospital and Kurdistan Centre for Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Patients were complained from hepatobiliary and/or upper gastrointestinal symptoms and diagnosed accidentally with Fascioliasis during hepatobiliary surgeries and ERCP by direct visualization of the flukes and stone analysis. Elevated liver enzymes, white blood cells count and eosinophilia were notable laboratory indices. The dilated CBD, gallstones, liver cysts and abscess were found common in radiological images. Fascioliasis diagnosed during conventional surgical CBD exploration and choledochodoudenostomy, open cholecystectomy, surgical drainage of liver abscess, ERCP and during gallstone analysis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Fascioliasis is indeed an emerging disease in our locality, but it is often underestimated and ignored. We recommend the differential diagnosis of patients suffering from Rt. Hypochondrial pain, fever and eosinophilia. The watercress ingestion was a common factor in patient’s history.</p