Assessment of some cardiovascular risk factors during the pre-Haj medical examinations in Oman

Hospital-based data in Oman reveal that ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases alone account for 30% of hospital deaths in the age group 15 years and above. Very few community-based data are available on the subject, hence a multicentre cardiovascular screening study was undertaken during the pre-Haj medical examination in May 1991, in which 1749 Omanis were screened. Blood pressure levels, body-mass index, serum cholesterol and sugar were recorded and analysed. The results of this study indicate that major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are prevalent in the community, hence further epidemiological studies should be undertaken, and strategies formulated for the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases before they emerge as a public health problem in Oman

Oral health care of Saudi leukemic patients

There is a growing demand in Saudi Arabia for better oral health care; however, the need varies from one group to another. Patients with leukemia require more dental care than do healthy subjects because of associated serious oral complications and physical disabilities in maintaining plaque-free teeth. Because of a dental manpower shortage, leukemic patients in Saudi Arabia are likely to be receiving less specialist dental care than they require. A pilot study of 30 leukemic patients from four major hospitals in Riyadh showed high indices of plaque, calculus, and gingival bleeding. While hospitalized, 54% of the patients had a plaque index of greater than 80% whereas 31% of the patients had a bleeding index of greater than 80%. All leukemic patients examined had either oral ulcerations, fungal infection, gingival enlargement, or gingival bleeding that necessitated further medical attention. This study indicates that Saudi leukemic patients desperately require better oral health care. Additional specialist dental centers staffed by appropriately trained dental personnel are urgently needed to provide oral health care for these patients