Underlying factors behind the low prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in Oman sociocultural perspective

Epidemiological surveys from various countries indicate an increased prevalence of autism spectrum disorders [ASD], leading researchers to debate whether there are now 'more affected' or 'more detected'. The epidemiology of ASD in developing countries, such as Oman, has generally indicated a lower prevalence compared to developed countries in the West. In Oman, the prevalence is low; however, this article highlights some of the factors that could contribute to the appearance of a low ASD rate: cross-cultural variations in the presentation of distress; a lack of reliable biological markers for diagnosing ASD, and a lack of health services for children with ASD, thus limiting the number of participants in epidemiological surveys. While the defining features of ASD have yet to be established, pilot studies in Oman indicate a substantial number of children with these disorders. Therefore, it is important that these discrepancies be addressed and the need for appropriate services for this patient population in Oman be highlighted

Clinical and histological profile of surgically managed benign adnexal masses

To study the clinical and histological nature of benign adnexal masses managed surgically. A retrospective descriptive study in a teaching hospital in Oman of all the women who had surgical management of benign adnexal masses from January 2008 to May 2012. Data pertaining to age, parity, presenting symptoms, imaging and tumor markers performed and the surgical intervention done on those women with benign adnexal masses was collected from the electronic health records of the patients. There were 198 women during this period operated for benign adnexal masses. The most common benign neoplasm was mature teratoma of the ovary followed by endometriosis. Conservative surgery in the form of ovarian cystectomy was necessary in three fourths of women and in about just less than 50% of women, the procedure was completed laparoscopically. The most common benign tumor was teratoma but laparoscopic approach, which is the standard of care in these women, was possible only in just about 50% of the women

Pregnancy outcomes in women with homozygous beta thalassaemia: a single-centre experience from Oman

Pregnancy in women with homozygous beta thalassaemia [HBT] carries a high risk to both the mother and fetus. The aim of this study was to investigate pregnancy outcomes among this group at a single tertiary centre. This retrospective descriptive study was conducted between January 2006 and December 2012 on all women with HBT who received prenatal care and subsequently delivered at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman. Women who delivered elsewhere and women with the beta thalassaemia trait were excluded. Ten women with HBT were studied with a total of 15 pregnancies and 14 live births. The mean maternal age +/- standard deviation [SD] was 27.9 +/- 3.7 years, with a range of 24-35 years. There were 14 spontaneous pregnancies and one pregnancy following hormone treatment. Eight women had been on chelation therapy before pregnancy, one of whom needed chelation during late pregnancy. Of the pregnancies, 93% had a successful outcome with a mean +/- SD gestational age at delivery of 38.6 +/- 0.9 weeks, with a range of 37-40 weeks. Eight babies [57%] were delivered by Caesarean section. The mean +/- SD birth weight was 2.6 +/- 0.2 kg, with a range of 1.9-3.0 kg. Three babies [21%] were born with low birth weights. Pregnancy is safe and usually has a favourable outcome in patients with HBT, provided that a multidisciplinary team is available. This is the first study of Omani patients with HBT whose pregnancies have resulted in a successful outcome

Prevalence of tubal obstruction in the hysterosalpingogram of women with primary and secondary infertility

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fallopian tube of women with infertility and to observe whether there are any significant differences in the Hysterosalpingogram findings with regard to prevalence of tubal block in women with primary and secondary infertility. A retrospective study of unilateral and bilateral tubal obstruction in Hysterosalpingogram of women with primary and secondary infertility was carried out. The frequencies of tubal obstruction were about 19% in women with primary infertility and 29% in secondary infertility. Chlamydia antigen positivity rate was similar in both groups. Ectopic pregnancy [p<0.01] and previous pelvic surgery [p<0.001] were higher in women with secondary infertility. Tubal obstruction is a cause of female infertility according to this study. Bilateral tubal obstruction was similar in primary and secondary infertility groups and previous pelvic surgery may be the cause of tubal obstruction in the secondary infertility group

Technicity as a quality indicator of excellence in gynaecology

The objective of this study was to calculate the technicity index [TI] for hysterectomies at a tertiary care university hospital in Oman. This is a retrospective chart review of patients who had hysterectomies at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital [SQUH], a tertiary care university hospital. Profiles were reviewed for all patients who had hysterectomies at SQUH in the period 2003-2009. The cumulative frequencies for all types of hysterectomies were tallied and the year-specific TI was calculated. Overall, we enumerated a total of 258 hysterectomies, of which 6 [2.3%] were laparoscopic assisted hysterectomies, 42 [16.3%] vaginal hysterectomies, and 208 [80.6%] total abdominal hysterectomies. The average TI was 19% [48/258], and it ranged from 11% to 24%. The trend of change fluctuated over the years starting with 16% [2003] and increasing gradually during 2004-2006, but then declining again during 2007-2008 [trend P value 0.02]. This low and fluctuating trend was mainly attributed to the inconsistency in the availability of trained surgeons and laparoscopic equipment. TI at our institution can be improved by increasing the number of minimally invasive hysterectomies through providing more trained surgeons and laparoscopic equipment