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Background and Objective Recent advances in hepatitis C virus (HCV) diagnostic testing methods allow for a one-stop simplified ‘test and cure’ approach. The cost effectiveness of incorporating this simplified approach into HCV screening in Iraq remains uncertain. This study aimed to compare the cost effectiveness of different HCV testing and diagnostic approaches, and screening strategies in Iraq from a health service perspective. Methods A cost-effectiveness analysis was undertaken using a hybrid model comprising a screening decision tree linked to a lifetime Markov model to estimate outcomes in HCV-infected people. Cost and utility estimates were sourced from the published literature and expert guidance provided by clinicians and policy makers in Iraq. Cost estimates were reported in 2019 USD or 2019 Iraqi Dinar and both costs and benefits were discounted at 3.5% annually. Results Strategies using a simplified approach were found to be cost saving in addition to improving patient outcomes when compared with a standard testing and diagnostic approach. When considering risk-based screening, a simplified approach was associated with a total cost saving of Iraqi Dinar 4375 billion (USD 3.7 billion) and per patient life-year and quality-adjusted life-year gains of 0.30 and 0.55, compared with a standard approach. Benefits and cost savings were driven by a 32.2% and 23.6% reduction in the incidence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, respectively. Estimated benefits and cost savings increased under total population screening. All screening and testing and diagnostic approaches were cost effective compared with a no screening scenario. Conclusions Improvements in the detection of HCV combined with a simplified one-stop testing and diagnostic approach represents an opportunity to reduce the burden of HCV in Iraq and may play a significant role in meeting World Health Organisation HCV elimination targets. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40273-021-01064-z.

BACKGROUND: Enteric fever caused by Salmonella Typhi is an endemic disease in Iraq. Variations in presentations make it a diagnostic challenge. If untreated or treated inappropriately then it is a serious disease with potentially life-threatening complications. The recent emergence of drug resistant strains of S. Typhi is a rising public health problem and a clinical concern to the physician. AIM: The objectives of the study were to assess and describe the patterns of antimicrobial resistance, clinical characteristics, epidemiological distribution, and complications of typhoid fever. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty cases of typhoid fever (culture proven) were collected during the period from February 2019 to November 2019 in the medical wards of Baghdad Teaching Hospital. Detailed history, physical examination, and laboratory investigations were conducted and statistical analysis of the results was done, prospective observational study was conducted. RESULTS: During the study period, 50 cases of typhoid fever were documented, mean age of presentation was 30.7 ± 12.8, 60% of the cases were male gender, gastrointestinal complications were the most common (90%) followed by hematological complications (71%). Mortality of typhoid fever in our study was 2%. High percentage of resistance to third generation cephalosporins, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin was found (96%, 56%, and 56%, respectively) while good sensitivity to trimethoprim and meropenem was found (94% and 76%, respectively). Significant association was also found between the development of typhoid fever complications and the presence of anemia, thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, and eosinopenia. Significant association was also found between the complications and the infection with strains resistant to cephalosporins, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin. CONCLUSIONS: There is a concerning increase in resistance toward cephalosporins, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin while meropenem and trimethoprim are emerging as effective drugs. There was high incidence of complications found (84%).Lymphopenia, anemia, eosinopenia, and thrombocytopenia are independent risk factors for the development of complications of typhoid fever.

Background: five clinical phases were described in patients with chronic (HBV) infection: HBeAg- positive HBV infection, HBeAg- positive CHB, HBeAg negative HBV infection, HBeAg-negative CHB and occult HBV infection. Aim: This study aimed to determine the incidence of the unclassified phase (gray zone) in chronic hepatitis B patients and its significant in the clinical practice.  Patients and methods: The study was conducted retrospectively on 109 patients' who have HBsAg positive for more than 6 months. The data recorded include; HbeAg and anti-HBe Ab, ultrasound of the abdomen, HBV DNA load and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), accordingly; we classify the patients to known clinical phases. Patients who were unfit one of these phases considered to be in the gray zone and subsequently sent for liver fibroscan to determine the fibrosis stage.  Results: The mean age of our patients was 34.25 (±13.9) years with 54.12% being males. The mean viral load was 5,885,490 IU/ml and mean ALT was 56.22 (±89.88) U/L. eight  patients (7.3%) were in the HBeAg+ve HBV infection, 13 patients (11.9%) were in HBeAg+ve CHB . Thirty four patients (31.1%) were in the HBeAg-ve HBV infection and 23 (21.1%) were in HBeAg-ve CHB phase, both were showed a significant statistical relationship with age> 35 years. Thirty one (28.4%) further patients failed to identify with any of the four phases (normal ALT with HBV load > 2000 IU/ml), this group also showed significant relation to age above 35 years and 12 patients (38.8%) had significant fibrosis on fibroscan. Conclusions: A considerable number of patients with chronic HBV infection have persistently normal ALT levels, despite elevated levels of viral load; this is known as the "grey zone" phase. These patients merit close follow up with short-interval measurement of liver enzymes, liver fibroscan and biopsy may be considered.

Background: Endoscopic treatment is widely accepted as the most effective method for controlling acute ulcer bleeding and preventing ulcer rebleeding. Objective: is to compare efficacy and safety of local endoscopic injection of adrenaline to normal saline in bleeding peptic ulcers and to identify the risk of rebleeding after successful endoscopic hemostasis. Patients and methods: This is a prospective study of 77 patients with bleeding peptic ulcers were treated by local endoscopic injection of adrenaline or NS. Patients who succeeded initial hemostasis were admitted and followed for rebleeding events. Rebleeding was confirmed by urgent endoscopy followed by referral to urgent surgery. Outcome was measured directly by rebleeding rate, need for surgery, and the mortality rate and indirectly by the number of blood transfusion units and days of hospitalization. All clinical and endoscopic data of patients were collected to stratify the risk of rebleeding.Results: The rebleeding rates (17.9% for NS group vs. 11.4% for adrenaline group), the need for emergency operation (10.2% vs. 5.7%), blood transfusion (3.2 units vs. 2.4 units), hospital stay (2.8 days vs. 2.7 days) and in-hospital mortality (5.6% vs. 5.7%) were not significantly different in both groups. Clinical and endoscopic analysis revealed that presence of shock, coexisting disease, large ulcer size (>2cm) and active bleeding were independent factors predicting rebleeding. Conclusion: local endoscopic injection of NS and adrenaline are equally safe and effective in stopping ulcer bleeding and rebleeding. Severe bleeding, comorbidities, large ulcer size, active bleeding all are predictors of rebleeding.