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Biomedical subjects

H Ben Romdhane

Publications and source records attributed to H Ben Romdhane.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

[The first Tunisian cardiovascular diseases register: processes and results].

BACKGROUND: In Tunisia, cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death (30%) and a few studies conducted in the population have demonstrated that the level of their risk factors is increasing. For policy makers, the health system impact of these diseases is currently a crucial issue. The National Public Health Institute has identified the implementation of a morbidity register as a priority. METHODS: A CVD morbidity register is implemented since 2001, in 3 different geographical populations having contrasted levels of health status (Tunis, Ariana and Ben Arous). The 3 regions are covering about 2 millions inhabitants which is the fifth of the overall Tunisian population. All coronary heart events occurring among adults 25 years old and above in the 3 populations are recorded. The diagnosis of events, case fatality and classification are defined according to MONICA criteria. The data are recorded from public and private hospitals, death certificates and autopsies. RESULTS: During the year 2001, the total number of myocardial infarction events was estimated at 942: in men, the age-standardized rates were 163.8/100000 in Tunis population vs. 161.9 in Ariana and 170.5 in Ben Arous. In women, the rates were respectively 43.4, 61.1 and 44.6. Medical causes of death registration was the most crucial problem in spite of the implementation of the death certificate designed according to WHO model. Specific surveys for clinical assessment and surveillance of risk factors were conducted in the register populations. CONCLUSION: It is the first time that data on coronary heart disease incidence and fatality are available in Tunisia through this experience which highlights the practical difficulties experienced in registering and coding coronary events in a developing country. The data source quality should be improved and the register should be integrated in the local health system.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Epidemiology and prevention of smoking in Tunisia: current situation and perspectives].

This paper describes the trends in tobacco sales and smoking prevalence in the Tunisian population, estimates the consequences of smoking on mortality of this population, and discusses anti-tobacco actions: educational actions, legislative measures and price increases. Sales Data were collected from the Tunisia tobacco company. Smoking prevalence data from surveys, conducted by several institutes, and numbers of deaths by causes have been estimated from WHO for the year 1998. Tobacco sales increased from 4.96 g per adult per day in 1981, to 6.3 g, in 1993, then decreased widely. The proportion of smokers was 30% in 1996. 55% among men versus 5.6% among women. Among 17 to 24 years old young adults, the proportion of smokers was 29.2% in 1994 (50% among men versus 3.9%, among women). Mortality attributable to tobacco in Tunisia has been estimated to 6430 deaths in 1997 (5580 among men versus 850 among women). These deaths represent 22% of the total male deaths and 4% of the female ones. Anti-tobacco measures have been reinforced by the enactment of anti-tobacco law. Proportion of young smokers remaining elevated, it is expected that consequences of the tobacco addiction in Tunisia, in term of mortality, will be even heavier in the next two decades, if efficient anti-tobacco actions are not implemented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Trends in tobacco consumption in Tunisia].

Because tobacco-related diseases are a growing health problem, we assessed tobacco smoking in Tunisia since 1970 using different sources. The average consumption of tobacco calculated over the period of 10 years (1981-90) was 1493 g per person and per year; equivalent of 75 packets of cigarettes. Cigarettes are the most popular form of tobacco smoking. Cigarette smoking increased from 1981 to 1993 but since has decreased slightly. According to a national study of respiratory diseases conducted in 1996, the current prevalence of tobacco smoking is 30.4% for both sexes: around 52% for males and 6% for females. Average consumption is 17.7 cigarettes/day, irrespective of sex. For young people, the prevalence is 29.21%: 50% for males and 3.9% for females. Young people who attend school smoke less than those who do not (18.1% versus 38.4%). Most started smoking between 14 years and 18 years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Pulmonary tuberculosis: comparison of CT findings in HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative patients.

PURPOSE: To determine the differences in the computed tomographic (CT) appearance of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) between patients with and patients without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT scans and chest radiographs of 42 HIV-seropositive and 42 HIV-seronegative patients with pulmonary TB were reviewed. CD4 T-lymphocyte counts, measured in 40 seropositive patients, were at least 200 cells per microliter in 10 patients and were less that 200 cells per microliter in 30. RESULTS: Seropositive patients had a higher prevalence of lymphadenopathy at chest radiography (P< .05). The seropositive patients had a lower prevalence of consolidation (P< .05), cavitation (P< .01), and postprimary pattern (P< .05) at CT. HIV-seropositive patients had a higher frequency of miliary (P< .01) and extrapulmonary disease (P< .001). Similar features of pulmonary TB were observed in seropositive patients with mild and severe immunosuppression. CONCLUSION: HIV-seropositive patients had a lower prevalence of localized parenchymal disease and a higher prevalence of disseminated disease at CT.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1995

[Preoperative diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis].

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) is a benign chronic inflammation of the gallbladder, rarely described in the radiologic literature. Like xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, it can clinically and radiologically mimic carcinoma. This unusual entity is characterized morphologically by a broad spectrum of xanthogranulomatous changes seen from a small limited focus within yellow nodule in the gallbladder wall, to diffuse involvement of the entire gallbladder with extension of the fibrosis into surrounding tissues. It is clear that recurrent inflammation and calculi are important for the pathogenesis, which is not well understood. The clinical presentation and radiologic findings of XGC are non specific. Irregular thickening of the gallbladder wall and local extension of the process can mimic carcinoma. Diagnosis of XGC is always established by histological examination, characterized by the infiltration of round cells, lipid laden histocytes and multinucleated giant cells in the muscle layer. We report a case of 76-year-old woman who had an episode of epigastric and right upper quadrant pain, 4 months before admission. Physical examination demonstrated a palpable mass in gallbladder region. Echography and computed tomography showed a large gallbladder, a thickened wall and an infiltration of the adjacent liver. The relatively well defined gallbladder internal border and the absence of biliary tract's dilatation allowed us to suggest the diagnosis of XGC, which was confirmed intraoperatively by frozen section histology. Once the diagnosis was established, cholecystectomy was performed. Occasionally, the inflammatory reaction is so severe that a subtotal cholecystectomy is required. Postoperative recovery was, as usually, uneventful. Although a rare entity, XGC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of complex right upper quadrant masses, as well as neoplastic gallbladder disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

[Emphysematous pyelonephritis. Apropos of a case diagnosed by ultrasonography].

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a severe infection of the Kidney observed mainly in diabetic patients. The disease is characterized by the production of intra-renal and occasionally perirenal gas. Because of the high mortality associated with this fulminant septic infection, it is imperative to establish a prompt diagnosis and start an appropriate therapy early in the course of the disease. We report a case of emphysematous pyelonephritis diagnosed by sonography: sonographic features consist of multiple high amplitude echoes within the renal parenchyma, renal sinus and perirenal space associated with distal shadows containing low level echoes. We discuss the value of the radiologic imaging methods.

Diabetic Nephropathies↗