The diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders is usually based on invasive techniques such as endoscopy. A key important factor in GI cancer is early diagnosis which warrants development of non-or lessinvasive diagnostic techniques. In addition, monitoring and surveillance are other important parts in the management of GI diseases. Metabolomics studies with nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry can measure the concentration of more than 3000 chemical compounds in the urine providing possible chemical signature in different diseases and during health. In this review, we discuss the urinary metabolomics signature of different GI diseases including GI cancer and elaborate on how these biomarkers could be used for the classification, early diagnosis and the monitoring of the patients. Moreover, we discuss future directions of this still evolving field of research. Core tip: Scientists are always searching for new disease biomarkers. An acceptable biomarker could help us in early diagnosis and classification of the diseases as well as the prediction of disease outcome. The diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases is usually based on techniques such as upper or lower GI endoscopy, while highly sensitive and specific non-invasive diagnostic or screening tools are usually lacking. In this review, we have discussed the potentials of urinary metabolomics study as a future tool for the screening, diagnosis, classification and surveillance of GI diseases including inflammatory bowel disease and cancer.
BackgroundDue to a paucity of research on the profile of kidney diseases among refugee populations, specifically Afghan refugees in Iran, this study aimed to illustrate the pattern of kidney disease among Afghan refugees in Iran and create a database for evaluating the performance of future health services.Material/MethodsThis was a retrospective cross sectional study, in which we collected the demographics and profile of kidney diseases among Afghan refugees between 2005 and 2010 from referrals to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) offices in Iran.ResultsThe total number of referrals in this group of diseases was 3193 out of 23 152 with 41.5% female and 58.5% male. Regarding age distribution, 10.5% were 0–14 years of age, 78% were 15–59, and 11.5% were ≥60. The most common health referral for females and males (0–14) was end-stage renal disease (ESRD), accounting for 34.6%. This was also the main reason of referrals for females and males aged 15–59, accounting for 73.5% and 66.6%, respectively, and in both sexes in the ≥60 age range it was 63.1%.ConclusionsThe pattern of our renal clinic referrals may gradually change to ESRD, which is associated with a huge economic burden. The need to provide health insurance to everyone or reform the health care system to provide coverage for more of the population can be justified and would improve cost effectiveness.
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