Objective: We examine obese and non-obese patients with respect to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) positive-infection (HPPI) and associated factors, specifically body mass index (BMI). Methods: This study took place in the Department of Endoscopy of a central hospital in the Najran region of Saudi Arabia (SA). A total of 340 obese Saudi patients (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) who had undergone diagnostic upper endoscopy before sleeve gastrectomy, were compared with 340 age and gender-matched control patients (BMI < 30 kg/m2) who had undergone diagnostic upper endoscopy for other reasons. Data collected included diagnosis of HPPI. Descriptive and multivariable binary logistic regression was conducted. Results: Mean patient age was 31.22 ± 8.10 years, and 65% were males. The total prevalence of HPPI was 58% (95% CI = 54–61%) with obese patients presenting significantly more HPPI than non-obese patients (66% vs. 50%, OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.45–2.70, p < 0.0005). Age and gender did not associate significantly with HPPI (p = 0.659, 0.200, respectively) and increases in BMI associated significantly with increases in HPPI (p < 0.0005). BMI remained a significant factor in HPPI when modelled with both age and gender (OR = 1.022, 95% CI = 1.01–1.03, p < 0.0005). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, the significance of HPPI in obese Saudi patients residing in the Najran region in SA was demonstrated alongside the significance role of BMI in HPPI.

A 45-year-old man of Middle Eastern origin, morbid obese, with a body mass index of 39 had an intra-gastric balloon, filled with 500 mL of saline/methylene blue and intended as definite therapy, inserted some 8 wk previously. He was admitted to the emergency department with abdominal cramps. An ultrasound of the abdomen was performed in ER which confirmed the balloon to be in place without any abnormality. He was discharged home on symptomatic medication. Patient remains symptomatic therefore he reported back to ER 2 d later. Computed tomography scan was performed this time for further evaluation which revealed a metallic ring present in the small bowel while the intra-gastric balloon was in its proper position. There was no clinical or radiological sign of intestinal obstruction. Patient was hospitalized for observation and conservative management. The following night, patient experienced sudden and severe abdominal pain, therefore an X-ray of the abdomen in erect position was done, which showed free air under the right dome of diaphragm. Patient was transferred to O.R for emergency laparotomy. There were two small perforations identified at the site of the metallic ring entrapment. The ring was removed and the perforations were repaired. Due to increasing prevalence of obesity and advances in modalities for its management, physicians should be aware of treatment options, their benefits, complications and clinical presentation of the known complications. Physicians need to be updated to approach these complications within time, to avoid life-threatening situations caused by these appliances.

Patient: Male, 24-year-old Final Diagnosis: Large rectal polyps secondary to Schistosoma infection • Unusual colonic polyp caused by Schistoma infection Symptoms: Abdominal pain • bleeding per rectum Medication: During the procedure: Xylocaine local gel • Midazolam inj • Fentanyl inj; For the disease: Praziquantel tab Clinical Procedure: Colonoscopy with endoscopic submucosal resection (EMR) • endoscopic submucosal resection (EMR) Specialty: Gastroenterology and Hepatology • Endoscopy Objective: Report of misleading rare disease to avoid an unnecessary invasive intervention Background: Although reports of bilharizial colonic polyps are very rare in the literature, we report a case of a large rectal polyp as a manifestation of chronic intestinal bilharzia. A high index of suspicion in an endemic area is the key factor to avoid unnecessary medical interventions. Case Report: We report a case of a 24-year-old male patient who was married, born in Taiz North Yemen, and worked as a military soldier. He presented to our clinic with a complaint concerning intermittent lower abdominal pain and several months of rectal bleeding. A colonoscopy was performed at the Endoscopy Unit of King Khalid Hospital, Najran, Saudi Arabia on September 23, 2019 and results showed 2 large rectal polyps, (measuring 4×3 and 2×3 cm), located 10 cm from the anal verge, having wide bases and irregular surfaces that mimicked dysplastic polyps. Both polyps became elevated after a normal saline/methylene blue injection. An endoscopic mucosal resection was successfully performed with no immediate complications. The histopathology showed benign polyps due to Schistosoma -induced colonic infection. Conclusions: It is very difficult and challenging to differentiate Schistosoma -induced colonic polyps from other colonic polyps even with an endoscopic evaluation; thus, a high index of clinical suspicion is required mainly in an endemic area, which may prevent the physician from ordering unnecessary interventions and thus avoid severe complications.

Although sedation and analgesia for patients undergoing colonoscopy are the standard practice in western countries, non-sedated colonoscopy is still in practice in Europe and the Far East. This variation in sedation practice relies on the different cultural attitudes of both patients and endoscopists across these countries. Data from the literature consistently report that, in non-sedated patients, the use of alternative techniques, such as water irrigation or carbon dioxide insufflation, can allow a high-quality and well-tolerated examination. We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected performance improvement in endoscopy unit at King Khalid Hospital, Najran, Saudi Arabia. The tolerance of colonoscopy without sedation in terms of patient's ability to return to routine work and drive if necessary on the same day of procedure was evaluated. A total of 538 patients who underwent a colonoscopy at King Khalid Hospital endoscopy unit (Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) were reviewed from September 2011 to November 2013. All of the procedures were performed by two expert endoscopists, assisted by well-trained nursing staff. Insertion of the colonoscope was aided by insufflations of air, and in a few instances, by water through the colonoscope to minimize air insufflations. IV sedatives were administered upon the judgment of the physician when patient was unable to tolerate the procedure. Of 538 patients who underwent a colonoscopy, 79 patients required sedation. Forty-seven during the procedure and 32 requested pre-procedure sedation, most of them below 20 years of age. Thirty-two who requested pre-procedure sedation were excluded from our statistics. Of the remaining 506 cases, 47 (9.3 %) required sedation during procedure while 459 (90.7 %) tolerated the procedure without sedation. This shortened the hospital stay time, improved the ability to return to work much earlier, and undertake daily activities such as driving. It is also cost effective. The approach of non-sedative colonoscopy and use of sedation on-demand with minimal air insufflation or water infusion when needed during the procedure were well tolerated by approximately 91 % of patients at a single center in Saudi Arabia.

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Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection that was first reported in Wuhan, China on 31 December 2019. This study aimed to clarify the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of 500 first COVID-19 in the Najran region, Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: A multi-center retrospective study design was employed to study the first 500 confirmed COVID-19 positive cases in Najran province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Data were collected from 1 March 2020 until 1 July 2020 and provided by the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) department from the hospitals. Included cases were confirmed using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Demographic, vital signs, symptoms, incubation period, travel or exposure history medical history, and comorbidities were collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association between potential risk factors associated with symptoms occurrence of COVID-19. Results: The median age of 500 COVID-19 patients was 31 years; 333 (66.6%) males. A total of 34 (6.8%) were Healthcare Workers (HCWs). Out of the 500 patients, 180 (36%) had at least one comorbid disease. The most common symptoms on admission were fever 281 (56.2%), cough 266 (53.2%), shortness of breath 166 (33.2%), and malaise 113 (22.6%). Most of the patients presented with mild disease severity 310 (62%).