Trends in the risk for cardiovascular disease among adults with diabetes in Oman

This study aimed to investigate trends in the estimated 10-year risk for developing cardiovascular disease [CVD] among adults with diagnosed diabetes in Oman. In addition, the effect of hypothetical risk reductions in this population was examined. Data from 1,077 Omani adults aged >/=40 years with diagnosed diabetes were collected and analysed from three national surveys conducted in 1991, 2000 and 2008 across all regions of Oman. The estimated 10-year CVD risk and hypothetical risk reductions were calculated using risk prediction algorithms from the Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation [SCORE], Diabetes Epidemiology Collaborative Analysis of Diagnostic Criteria in Europe [DECODE] and World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension [WHO/ISH] risk tools. Between 1991 and 2008, the estimated 10-year risk of CVD increased significantly in the total sample and among both genders, regardless of the risk prediction algorithm that was used. Hypothetical risk reduction models for three scenarios [eliminating smoking, controlling systolic blood pressure and reducing total cholesterol] identified that reducing systolic blood pressure to

Metabolic syndrome and its components secondary analysis of the world health survey, Oman

The study aimed to describe the prevalence of metabolic syndrome [MS] and its components among Omani adults. Methods: The 2008 Oman World Health Survey dataset was used to determine the national prevalence of MS. Logistic regression using all key sociodemographic, clinical and behavioural variables was used to identify the associations of independent variables with MS. Results: The age-adjusted prevalence of MS was 23.6%. MS was significantly associated with age, marital and work status and wealth level. MS was more common for people aged 50 years and older compared to the youngest cohort [OR 3.6, CI: 2.4-5.3; P <0.001] and in people who were married or employed [OR 1.6, CI: 1.3-2.1; P <0.001 and OR 1.3, CI: 1.1-1.8; P = 0.043, respectively] compared to their unmarried and unemployed counterparts. MS was also more common in people in the second lowest wealth quintile [OR 1.6, CI: 1.2-2.2; P = 0.05] compared to the lowest quintile and in those who sat for more than six hours per day [OR 1.3, CI: 1.1-1.7; P - 0.035]. Conclusion: One in four adults had MS in Oman. This may fuel the epidemic of non-communicable diseases [NCDs] in Oman, particularly given the increasingly elderly population. Urgent action is required to ensure quality patient care at all levels of the healthcare system. Further research on behavioural risk factors is needed. Developing and implementing a multisectoral strategy to prevent NCDs should be at the top of the current health agenda for Oman

Plasma levels of TNF in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome [OSA] before and after surgical intervention

Prior studies have shown that biomarkers of inflammation, including TNF-alpha, are raised in patients with sleep apnea. TNF-alpha is one of important risk factors for atherosclerosis, stroke, and cardiovascular disease in OSA patients. To determine whether TNF-alpha blood levels are elevated in OSA syndrome and whether they are reversible after surgical intervention. Among the patients who had visited the ENT clinic for evaluation of sleep problems, 70 subjects were selected. Polysomnography [PSG] and morning venous blood serum for levels of TNF- alpha were performed in all the subjects and 35 patients were diagnosed as having OSAS. All patients with OSA had surgical intervention according to individual cases. Laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty [LAUP], extended LAUP [LAUP and laser assisted tonsillar ablation], or laser assisted uvuloplasty were done using a CO[2] laser. Sleep apnea monitoring, clinical evaluation and TNF-alpha level were then compared before and 3 months after intervention. We compared thirty five patients with OSA [21 males and 14 females], mean age [46.6 +/- 12.4], with 35 control subjects [11males and 24 females], mean age [34.2 +/- 9.6]. The mean [SD] plasma level of TNF-alpha was significantly higher in patients with OSAS than in control group [[5.77 +/- 4.04 pg/ ml vs. 2.24 +/- 1.5 pg/ml respectively, [P = 0.039]], and TNF-alpha level significantly decreased to [[3.22 +/- 3.4 pg/ml] [P = 0.001]] after treatment. In addition, TNF-alpha levels showed a statistically significant positive correlation with the AHI before treatment and with neck circumference after treatment. Our results suggest that TNF may be prognostic factors for comparing patients with OSAS before and after treatment