Epidemiology of diabetes mellitus in Oman results from two decades of research

This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of diabetes mellitus over the past two decades in Oman, particularly in terms of its prevalence and incidence. In addition, the study sought to estimate the future incidence of diabetes in Oman. Three national and three regional surveys conducted between 1991 and 2010 were analysed to obtain the age-adjusted prevalence and undiagnosed proportion of type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] among Omani subjects aged >/=20 years. Diabetes mellitus registers and published studies were used to determine incidence rates of both type 1 diabetes mellitus [T1DM] and T2DM in Oman. Linear regression was used to determine trends and projections for diabetes in 2050. The age-adjusted prevalence of T2DM in Oman varied from 10.4% to 21.1%, while the highest prevalence of impaired fasting glucose was found in males [35.1%]. In comparison to men, higher incidence rates of T2DM were found in women [2.7 cases compared to 2.3 cases per 1,000 person-years, respectively]. No significant trends were observed for the prevalence or incidence of T2DM in both genders. Undiagnosed T2DM was more common in men [range: 33-68%] than women [range: 27-53%]. The results of this study show that by 2050, there will be an estimated 350,000 people with T2DM living in Oman [a 174% increase compared to estimates for 2015]. Health authorities need to prioritise diabetes prevention and control in order to prevent or delay long-term complications and avert a potential epidemic of diabetes in Oman

Incidence of cancer in Gulf Cooperation Council countries, 1998-2001

We describe the patterns of cancer incidence for common cancers in Gulf Cooperation Council countries during 1998-2001. A total of 32 291 cases of cancer were diagnosed [16 342 in males; 15 949 in females]. Male preponderance was observed only in Saudi Arabia and Oman. The age-standardized incidence of all malignancies per 100 000 in both sexes was highest in Qatar followed by Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, UAE and Saudi Arabia. Paediatric cancer ranged from 9.5% of total cancers in Saudi Arabia and UAE to 4.0% in Bahrain. In all countries, the mean age at diagnosis was higher in males than females; cancer of the lung and prostate were commonest among males, and cancer of breast and thyroid among females. Lung cancer ranked second among Bahraini women

Psychological morbidity in primary health care in Oman. A preliminary study

To study the applicability of simple field measurements of physical fitness in a sample of Omani boys and their relationships to selected variables. Two field measures of physical fitness-the time to complete 1.6-km run/walk and the sum of 5 skin fold thicknesses-were correlated with personal and family physical activity-related and other variables in a sample of 109 Omani boys aged 9-11 years. Obesity in parents, especially in the mother, showed significant correlation with both fitness measures. The waist/buttocks ratio showed no significant correlation with the 1.6-km time. The number of siblings and siblings sharing a room, number of T.V-watching hours and the number of servants in the family showed no correlation with the chosen fitness indices. The results of this pilot study indicate that simple field fitness tests can be used in children and they can yield valuable information related to physical fitness. The same protocol used in this study could be applied to a national study in Oman