Biochemical parameters among type 2 diabetic patients complaining of erectile dysfunction

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) have more disturbances of sexual and reproductive functions. The consequences of type 2 DM may include dyslipidemia, insulin resistance (IR), cardiovascular disease (CVD) and low testosterone level. The main objective of this study is to determine the value of various biochemical parameters in relation to erectile dysfunction (ED) in type 2 DM patients in Gaza city, Palestine. A total of 160 males between the age of 35–60 years were recruited; 80 type 2 DM patients and 80 as controls. Anthropometric, demographic, sexual and clinical data were obtained by questionnaire. Increased prevalence of high BMI and HOMA-IR were observed among type 2 DM patients, while high incidence of low testosterone was found in the same group (p< 0.05). Testosterone was correlated negatively and significantly with BMI and duration of type 2 DM (p< 0.05). ED was correlated significantly and directionally with dyslipidemia, duration of type 2 DM, and complications of diabetes mainly retinopathy (p< 0.05). While, nocturnal/early morning erection (NEME) was correlated significantly but inversely with duration of type 2 DM (p< 0.05). In addition, fasting blood glucose (FBG), duration of type 2 DM and low level of testosterone were predictor factors associated with ED (p< 0.05), while increased BMI was a predictor factor associated with low testosterone level (p< 0.05). In the present study, high incidence of low testosterone and increased prevalence of ED among type 2 DM patients could be attributed to uncontrolled type 2 DM, obesity, IR, dyslipidemia, long duration of type 2 DM and its complications

Efficacy of diphtheria and tetanus vaccination in Gaza, Palestine.

This study evaluated the effectiveness and usefulness of vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus in different age groups in Gaza, Palestine. Blood samples were collected from 180 children aged< 12 years, 90 males and 90 females. Using ELISA methods, the efficacy of vaccination was estimated at 87.8% for diphtheria and 98.3% for tetanus. Mean serum titres varied significantly by age group: for diphtheria 0.24 IU/mL at age 2–4 years, 0.63 IU/mL at 7–8 years and 0.46 IU/mL at 11–12 years, and for tetanus 1.01 IU/mL, 2.63 IU/mL and 1.20 IU/mL respectively. The relatively low antibody titres, especially for diphtheria, suggest the need for a booster dose

Biochemical parameters among type 2 diabetic patients complaining of erectile dysfunction

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) have more disturbances of sexual and reproductive functions. The consequences of type 2 DM may include dyslipidemia, insulin resistance (IR), cardiovascular disease (CVD) and low testosterone level. The main objective of this study is to determine the value of various biochemical parameters in relation to erectile dysfunction (ED) in type 2 DM patients in Gaza city, Palestine. A total of 160 males between the age of 35 -60 years were recruited; 80 type 2 DM patients and 80 as controls. Anthropometric, demographic, sexual and clinical data were obtained by questionnaire. Increased prevalence of high BMI and HOMA-IR were observed among type 2 DM patients, while high incidence of low testosterone was found in the same group (p &lt; 0.05). Testosterone was correlated negatively and significantly with BMI and duration of type 2 DM (p &lt; 0.05). ED was correlated significantly and directionally with dyslipidemia, duration of type 2 DM, and complications of diabetes mainly retinopathy (p &lt; 0.05). While, nocturnal/early morning erection (NEME) was correlated significantly but inversely with duration of type 2 DM (p &lt; 0.05). In addition, fasting blood glucose (FBG), duration of type 2 DM and low level of testosterone were predictor factors associated with ED (p &lt; 0.05), while increased BMI was a predictor factor associated with low testosterone level (p &lt; 0.05). In the present study, high incidence of low testosterone and increased prevalence of ED among type 2 DM patients could be attributed to uncontrolled type 2 DM, obesity, IR, dyslipidemia, long duration of type 2 DM and its complications

Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma hominis, genitalium and Ureaplasma urealyticum by polymerase chain reaction in patients with sterile pyuria

Purpose: Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Ureaplasma urealyticum are associated with various diseases of the urogenital tract, but they are usually not detected by routine microbiological diagnosis

Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis among women attending gynecology and infertility clinics in Gaza, Palestine

SummaryBackgroundChlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium characterized by a biphasic developmental cycle of replication. The organism is recognized as one of the major causes of sexually transmissible human bacterial infection throughout the world. Since there have been no previous studies dealing with chlamydial diagnosis in Palestine, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of C. trachomatis infection among women attending gynecology and infertility clinics.MethodsEndocervical swabs were collected from 109 women, aged 18–52 years (median 29 years), attending gynecology and infertility clinics in Gaza. These specimens were processed using molecular (polymerase chain reaction, PCR) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA; IDEIA™ PCE Chlamydia) techniques.ResultsThe results obtained show that the overall prevalence rate of C. trachomatis was 20.2%. The sensitivity was 73% for the EIA, 86% for the MOMP (major outer membrane protein gene)-based PCR, and 100% for the plasmid-based PCR. Meanwhile the specificity was 94% for the EIA, 98% for the plasmid-based PCR, and 100% for the MOMP-based PCR. In multivariate analysis, only cervical discharge was significantly associated with positivity for C. trachomatis (adjusted odds ratio 5.6, 95% confidence interval 2.0–15.5; p=0.001).ConclusionsThe study revealed that a significant proportion of Palestinian women expressed evidence of exposure to C. trachomatis. Women with cervicitis are more likely to have been previously infected or exposed to Chlamydia infection. Furthermore, PCR proved to be superior and more efficient in the diagnosis of C. trachomatis than EIA

Serum magnesium levels and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a retrospective study

A decrease in serum Mg+ 2 is associated with airway hyper-reactivity and impaired pulmonary function. The purpose of this study was to determine if decreased serum Mg+ 2 levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with acute exacerbations. In a retrospective study, the charted serum Mg+ 2 levels in 100 COPD patients were examined. These included 50 patients who presented with an acute exacerbation of COPD and 50 stable patients. Chart review was sequential within both groups. Serum Mg 2+ levels in the stable COPD patients averaged 0.91±0.10 mmol/L (mean±SD) with a 95% CI of 0.88–0.94 mmol/L. Patients undergoing an exacerbation had significantly lower serum Mg+ 2 levels (0.77±0.10 mmol/L; CI, 0.74–0.79; p< 0.0001). Logistic regression of the dichotomous outcomes as a function of serum Mg+ 2 concentration demonstrated a highly significant

Clinical Significance of G6PD Variants among Palestinians

Conclusion: We conclude that children with G6PD A-deficiency are also susceptible to AHA, but demonstrate in direct comparison within this same population that G6PD Mediterranean and G6PD Cairo are more severe forms of deficiency than G6PD A‐. Further, we show that the heretofore poorly studied G6PD Cairo may be associated with low‐level, chronic hemolysis. This study illustrates favism is a significant public health problem in Gaza due to fava beans as a staple in the diet and the coexistence of polymorphic G6PD deficiency variants in the society. Favism is an easily preventable and manageable genetic disorder with the proper awareness, intervention and education programs

Comments on: iron deficiency anemia among kindergarten children living in the marginalized areas of Gaza Strip, Palestine

Hemoterapia included a scientific report presented by Sirdah et al. 1 which focuses on the occurrence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) among less-fortunate children living in marginalized areas of the Gaza Strip in Palestine. Successive reports from international organizations interested in the health and well-being of people, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), still consider iron deficiency and its related anemia as a challenging nutritional health problem that significantly afflicts individuals of all ages and economic groups in developing as well as in developed countries. 2, 3 However, the magnitude of the problem is intensified when the risk factors for developing IDA coexist in vulnerable populations like those living in remote and marginalized areas4, 5 where health related services are limited or totally absent6 and the economic situation is not satisfactory. 7 The study of Sirdah et at. aimed to estimate the prevalence and identify possible risk factors of IDA among kindergarten children living in the marginalized areas of the Gaza Strip, and to evaluate the effectiveness of supplementation with an oral iron formula. The authors randomly screened 745 kindergarten children (384 male and 351 female) living in nine areas classified by the local organizations as marginalized and less fortunate for development. The authors used univariate analysis and constructed a multiple logistic regression model in order to identify potential risk factors for developing IDA in the children. The screening stage of the study stressed the occurrence; one-third of kindergarten children of the marginalized