University location: Baghdad

First pages:

Abstract: Background : Ankylosing Spondylitis belongs to a family of rheumatic diseases known as spondyloarthritides that characteristically cause spinal joint inflammation and bony fusion of the spine. Ankylosing spondylitis is the prototype of the Spondyloarthritides and is typified by ankylosis of the axial skeleton.There is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis, although treatments and medications are available to reduce joints pain and stiffness with subsequent improvement in quality of life.Adalimumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody of the Immunoglobulin G1isotype that neutralizes the biological function of tumor necrosis factor - α, has been used as effective treatment in ankylosing spondylitis in the last years.Objective : To assess the efficacy and safety of laboratory changes of Adalimumab in treatment of patients with active ankylosing spondylitis, as well as to assess the predictors of response to Adalimumab in treatment of patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.Patients and methods : An open labeled single group prospective study that was conducted over 17 months period on 61 Iraqi patients with ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed according to Modified New York criteria (1984) for diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis and ASAS classification criteria for axial SpA .All the patients included in the study were given Adalimumab vial at a dose of 40 mg by subcutaneous injection every other week. Each patient was followed at regular intervals of baseline, 3 months and 6 months for disease activity including Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and functional assessment including Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index and for laboratory changes in hemoglobin, white blood cell count, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea and serum creatinine . In addition, the study assessed eight different patients’ characteristics : age, gender, disease duration, human leukocyte antigensubtype B27, smoking, using steroids, using disease - modifying antirheumatic drugs (methotrexate, sulfasalazine), and drug history of using of other biological drugs (Etanercept, Infliximab) as predictors of response to Adalimumab treatment.Results : Data analysis showed that Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index 50% response rate was 59% after three month of treatment and reached to 85.6% after six months of treatment, the analysis also showed that the age and a positive history of using other biologic agents as apart from ( gender, disease duration, human leukocyte antigensubtype B27, smoking status , using steroids, and disease - modifying anti rheumatic drugs ) had a statistically significant association with reduced response to treatment, for each one year increase in age, the risk of being a respondent is decreased by 4% (P=0.026), and a positive history of using biologic agents is associated with decrease in the risk of being a respondent by 2.5 times (P=0.016) , all the variables were statistically significant effect on treatment and were evaluated as a strong effect (Cohen’s d>0.8). In Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index ≥5 group, data analysis showed that their is statistically significant reduction by a mean of 2 units after three months of treatment and reached to a mean of 2.5 units after six months of treatment, the data analysis showed that increase age and a positive human leukocyte antigen - subtype B27 had a statistically significant association with reduced response to treatment, all the variables were statistically significant effects on treatment and were evaluated as a strong effect (Cohen’s d>0.8).In Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index ˂5 group, data analysis showed that their is statistically insignificant reduction in the score of by a mean of 0.5 units after three months, and 0.6 units after six months of treatment, all the variables were statistically insignificant effects on treatment and were evaluated as a weak to moderate effect.The treatment effect of Adalimumab was evaluated as a moderately strong reduction in white blood cell count (Cohen’s d=0.43). While treatment effect on (hemoglobin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea and serum creatinine) was evaluated as week effects (Cohen’s d<0.3).Conclusion : Adalimumab drug is effective and relatively safe in treatment of patients with active ankylosing spondylitis. Increase in age, positive history of using of other biological drugs (Etanercept, Infliximab) and positive human leukocyte antigen - subtype B27 had significant correlation with reduced response to treatment.

جدوى قياس سرعة الانتشار في الشريان الابهر النازل كمعيار تنبؤي لامراض الشرايين التاجيه في اثنين من مراكز القلب في بغداد == The Value of Measuring Propagation Velocity Of The Descending Aorta as Predictor of Coronary Artery Disease in Two Cardiac Centers in Baghdad

Author name: دنيا حامد كاظم

Supervisor name: امال نوري المراياتي

General topic: Medicine

Specific topic: Echocardiography

Degree: Higher Diploma

University: University of Baghdad - Faculty Of Medicine

Language: English

University location: Baghdad

First pages:

Abstract: Background : Elastic properties of the aorta affect the left ventricular function and epicardial arteries blood flow. Thats why several parameters are used to assess those properties in order to predict the likelihood of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Those parameters include aortic strain, aortic distensibility and early diastolic velocity of the anterior aortic wall.Objectives : Testing the value of aortic propagation velocity as a parameter of aortic stiffness in predicting coronary artery disease. The strength of this parameter in predicting the number of affected coronary arteries is also assessed.st of August 2015 to the 1 st Study population and methodology : From the 1 of July 2016, and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 120 patients were included in this comparative multi - center study. They were assessed for demographic criteria and risk factor profiles. Trans thoracic echocardiographic examination was done, all the needed measurements were obtained as well as measuring the carotid intima media thickness by Doppler, then the results of their coronary angiography were revised, 60 patients were included in the coronary artery disease group and another 60 in the non - coronary artery disease group.Results : Aortic propagation velocity was found to be related to the aortic distensibility, strain, early diastolic anterior aortic wall velocity and the overall carotid intima media thickness to a statistically significant level (r=+0.481, p<0.001; r=+0.548, p<0.001; r=+0.595, p<0.001; r= - 0.361, p<o.oo1 respectively). It was found that aortic propagation velocity predicts coronary artery disease (p<0.001) and correlates with the number of affected coronary arteries (r= - 0.711, p<0.001).Conclusion : Aortic propagation velocity is an easily applied echocardiographic parameter of aortic stiffness that can predict coronary artery disease caused by vascular atherosclerosis in a non - invasive way. It also correlates with the number of the affected coronary arteries.

المعلمات اللتي تزيد من خطر الاصابه بامراض الرئه الخلاليه في مريض التهاب المفاصل الرثياني == Parameters that Increase Risk of Interstitial Lung Disease in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient

Author name: زينب عزيز

Supervisor name: عدنان الجبوري

General topic: Medicine

Specific topic: Diseases - Thoracic

Degree: Higher Diploma

University: University of Baghdad - Faculty Of Medicine

Language: English

University location: Baghdad

First pages:

Abstract: Background : Several studies have been focused on interstitial lung disease among patients with established rheumatoid arthritis, with fluctuating incidence and prevalence depending on the methods used.Objective : This study has been carried out to determine the risk of developing of interstitial lung disease according patients’ socio - demographic characteristics and other study variables.Patients and Methods : A case - control study design was used in this study performed on 100 cases with RA (50 cases with ILD). Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version18. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages. Continuous variables were presented as means with their 95% confidence interval (CI) and standard deviation. The Pearson's chi - square test (x2) was used to determine the associations between categorical variables. A p - value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results : The overall mean age patients with rheumatoid arthritis were (49.65±11.94) years old and majority (54.0%) and (58.0%) of rheumatoid arthritis patients with and without interstitial lung disease were between 41 - 60 years, respectively. Female gender with rheumatoid arthritis patients about (66%) without interstitial lung disease & only (50.0%) of rheumatoid arthritis patients with interstitial lung disease are female. There was significant association between rheumatoid arthritis patients with and without interstitial lung disease with residence, rheumatoid arthritis patients who lived away from generators and factories areas were 15 times more likely to be without interstitial lung disease.Conclusion : The present study finding was reported significant higher rate 15 times of interstitial lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients who live near area of generators and or factories, as well as, current smokers in present study were two times higher in presenting interstitial lung disease among rheumatoid arthritis patients as well as non - smokers were three times higher to be without interstitial lung disease.

Author name: افيل نديم كاظم

Supervisor name: خضير جاسم صبيح الرواق

General topic: Medicine

Specific topic: Diagnostic Radiology

Degree: Higher Diploma

University: University of Baghdad - Faculty Of Medicine

Language: English

University location: Baghdad

First pages:

دراسة معدل انتشار التدرن الكامن في سجن اصلاح الكبار في محافظة بابل == Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis in Hilla Male Prison

Author name: مرتضى نجاح جواد

Supervisor name: قاسم محمد سلطان

General topic: Medicine

Specific topic: Diseases - Thoracic

Degree: Higher Diploma

University: University of Baghdad - Faculty Of Medicine

Language: English

University location: Baghdad

First pages:

Abstract: Background : Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the oldest diseases known toaffect humans, it caused by infection with Mycobacterium Tuberculosis(M.TB). M.TB is most commonly transmitted from a patient withinfectious pulmonary TB to other person by droplet nuclei .prisoners areexposed to a variety of infections, including TB. the standard test fordetecting Latent TB infection (LTBI) is tuberculin skin test (TST).Objectives : determination the prevalence of latent tuberculosis amongAL - Hilla male prisoners .and Assessing its correlations with various riskfactors.Methods : A stratified random sampling technique was used to select asample of 120 male prisoners aged >20years old from the AL - Hillaprison. The selected inmates were interviewed using a structured pretestedquestionnaire,5 units of PPD(0.1mL) had been injectedintradermally to the volar surface of forearm to be seen within 48 - 72hours. The test was considered positive if ( >=10mm induration)developed.Results : The study shows the rate of tuberculin reactivity amongprisoners is 23.3% (28/120). A significant relationship between age ofprisoner, mean area of accommodation per prisoner in the prison and TSTpositivity. The overall mean age of prisoners was (34.43± 12.70) yearsold and (47.5%) of the prisoners was aged between 20 - 30 years. Majority(77.5%) of the prisoners were living in urban area. (57.5%) of theprisoners were married. The alliterated prisoners were(53.3%). selfemployedprisoners were(61.7%). (53.3%) of prisoners had monthlyincome between 500 000 - 1 Million IQD. (39.2%) of prisoners spent oneyear of their prison period .The prevalence of smokers were(76.7%) andVIIonly (14.2%) of prisoners had contact with TB patients, meanwhile,(6.7%) of prisoners had contact with TB patients in prisons. Theprisoners had BCG vaccine signs were (74.2%).the prisoners who did notshare their house holding were (57.5%). The overall mean prisoners BMIwas (22.21± 3.19) kg/m2. The mean space of each cell in prison was(120.67± 85.38) m2, meanwhile the mean prisoners per each cell was(43.07± 17.72).So space of each prisoner approximately is : 2.8 m2 .Conclusion : significant relationship between age, area of accommodationfor each prisoner inside cell and positivity of TST.

Author name: سارة محمد نجيب

Supervisor name: محمد هادي العصامي

General topic: Medicine

Specific topic: Diseases - Joints

Degree: Higher Diploma

University: University of Baghdad - Faculty Of Medicine

Language: English

University location: Baghdad

First pages:

دراسة فاعلية وسلامة التغيرات المختبرية ومعلمات التنبؤ للاستجابه لعقار الادالموماب في علاج عينة من المرضى العراقيين المصايين بمرض التهاب المفاصل الرماتويدي == Efficacy, Safety of Laboratory Changes and Predictors of Response to Adalimumab in Treatment of Patients with Active Rheumatoid Arthritis

Author name: خالد عبد الحسن غضبان

Supervisor name: خضير زغير معيوف البدري

General topic: Medicine

Specific topic: Diseases - Joints

Degree: Higher Diploma

University: University of Baghdad - Faculty Of Medicine

Language: English

University location: Baghdad

First pages:

Abstract: Background : Advances in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in recent years have profoundly muted the destructive potential of this disease. The safety profile of methotrexate has made earlier treatment possible, and biologic therapies have opened the door to combination rather than sequential therapy, with the result that treatment recommendations now aim for disease remission Objective : To evaluate the safety and efficacy and predictors of response to Adalimumab in the treatment of rhueumatoid arthritis.Patients and methods : Open labeled single group clinical trial was conducted on patients with an established diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis who visited the Rheumatology Clinic in Baghdad Teaching Hospital from Oct. 2014 to March 2016 (17 months period).To be included, the patient should meet the 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria for the classification of RA and the revised 2010 ACR criteria and the patients should have DAS28 score greater than or equal to 3.3(moderate - severe disease acvtivity).111 patients with RA were identified. However, only 64 patients met the inclusion/ exclusion criteria. Patients were given adalimumab (40mg) subcutaneously every other week from the start of the study to its end. For each patient, baseline data were collected during the first visit and all the participants werefollowed for six months, during which each patient was seen at monthly intervals. Demographic and clinical data were collected including age, sex, smoking history, duration of disease, history of steroids , DMARDS or other biologic treatment.Results : The age ranged between 20 and 62 years. Females constituted 87.5% of the study sample with a 7 to 1 female to male ratio. Only 4.7% were current smokers.One third (34.4%) of study subjects gave a history of past use of biologic agents, Another third (31.3%) used DMARDS &steroids were used by 67.2% of study participants. 3/4 of study subjects were classified as highly active disease (DAS28>5.1), while The remainingsubjects were classified as moderate disease activity (DAS28 3.3 to 5.1). At the end of 6 months of treatment, only 20% remained in the highly active disease category. (60%) of study subjects has shifted to the moderate disease activity category. A small proportion of study subjects (12%) are now classified as low disease activity and another 8% are in remission. (73.3%) experienced a significant reduction in DAS28 score (1.2 units or more). Another 5% experienced a smaller magnitude of treatment response, which was classified as moderate improvement. The remaining 21.7% of the treated cohort showed no improvement in DAS28 score compared to its pretreatment level (<0.6 units of reduction). Male gender, steroids and DMARDS increase the chance of having favorable response to treatment and achieving low disease activity while only steroids use have this favorable effect on achieving remission as a target and no factor affect the outcome of having significant reduction in DAS28.Hemoglobin and WBC count showed a statistically significant decrease after the full six months of treatment. Hb reduced by a mean of 0.8 gm/dl and the WBC count experienced a mean reduction of 939 x 106/mm3. In addition, both serum AST and ALT showed a statistically significant increase by a mean of 6.5 and 4.4 U/L respectively after six months of treatment. The remaining renal function tests parameters showed no important or statistically significant change after the full six months of treatment.Conclusions : Adalimumab is effective and relatively safe and well tolerated in treatment of RA patients.Male gender, steroids And DMARDS increase the chance of having favorable response to treatment and achieving low disease activity while only steroids use have this favorable effect on achieving remission as a target and no factor affect the outcome of having significant reduction in DAS28

انواع الرضاعة والاستجابة للعلاج الضوئي كعلاج للاطفال حديثي الولادة المصابين بمرض اليرقان الغير مباشر في المستشفيات التعليمية في بغداد == Types of Infant Feeding and Response to Phototherapy as a Treatment for Fullterm Newborns with Neonatal Indirect Hyperbilirubinemia in Tertiary Teaching Hospitals in Baghdad

Author name: شيماء خضير عباس

Supervisor name: احمد سمير النعيمي

General topic: Medicine

Specific topic: Family Medicine

Degree: Higher Diploma

University: University of Baghdad - Faculty Of Medicine

Language: English

University location: Baghdad

First pages:

Abstract: Background : Neonatal jaundice remains the most common and the most controversial problem in full - term newborns during the immediate postnatal period.Aim of the study : To assess the association between types of feeding and response to phototherapy in full - term infants with indirect hyperbilirubinemia.Method : In the period from the 25th of January to the 22th of July 2016, 120 full - term newborns admitted to the neonatal care unit in Tertiary Teaching Hospitals (Pediatric Teaching Hospital in medical city, AI - Imamein Al - Kadhimein medical city and Child Center Teaching Hospital) were studied by cohort study. The newborns diagnosed by pediatrician as cases of indirect hyperbilirubinemia and phototherapy started when TSB level>14.9 mg/dl. TSB was measured twice daily and phototherapy terminated when TSB level< 10.8 mg/dl. All infants were weighed at start and end of phototherapy. The duration of phototherapy had been recorded.Results : The infants divided into three groups according to type of feeding; group1, Breast - fed infants (n=37); group2, Formula - fed infants (n=51); group3, Mixed - fed infants (n=32).Phototherapy was highly effective in reducing serum bilirubin concentration in all of three groups but with a significant less efficacy for breast - fed neonates ( mean duration of phototherapy 32.2± 2.1 hrs) in comparison to mix - fed neonates (30.4 ± 2.5 hrs) and formula - fed neonates (29.9± 2.7 hrs).There was a weight loss during phototherapy. There was significant difference in the weight loss in the three groups, the more weight loss in breast - fed neonates than mixed - fed and formula - fed neonates. Conclusion and recommendations : Phototherapy had effectively reduced bilirubin levels in breast - fed newborns with hyperbilirubinemia, but these patients showed a significantly slower response to this modality of treatment than mixed and formula - fed newborns. Therefore; in breast - fed infants with severe jaundice that requires phototherapy, the addition of formula - feeding will enhance the response to phototherapy without any interruption of breastfeeding.