These data confirm that the intrafamilial clustering of H pylori infection in Saudi Arabia occurs in a similar pattern to that described in the developed countries, and that living conditions and social conditions lead to person to person transmission of H pylori infection.

Hypertension has become a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in both the developed and the developing nations. In a cross-sectional study we assessed the state of blood pressure (BP) control and the pattern of target organ complications in 198 Sudanese patients treated in a teaching hospital in Kassala town in Eastern Sudan, (mean age 53 years, 76% women). Excellent BP control (BP Ͻ140/90 mm Hg) was achieved in 46% of the patients. Stage 2 or Stage 3 target organ involvement, particularly albuminuria and ischaemic heart disease, were detected in one-third of

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Due to their high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing HP-associated DU and gastritis, serum and saliva antibody testing seems to offer a valuable alternative to invasive procedures especially in areas of high HP prevalence such as ours; saliva antibody testing is simple and practical especially in children and in difficult patients who resent venipuncture.