Guidelines for fracture risk assessment and management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men above the age of 50 in Qatar.

We present comprehensive guidelines for osteoporosis management in Qatar. Formulated by the Qatar Osteoporosis Association, the guidelines recommend the age-dependent Qatar fracture risk assessment tool for screening, emphasizing risk-based treatment strategies and discouraging routine dual-energy X-ray scans. They offer a vital resource for physicians managing osteoporosis and fragility fractures nationwide. PURPOSE: Osteoporosis and related fragility fractures are a growing public health issue with an impact on individuals and the healthcare system. We aimed to present guidelines providing unified guidance to all healthcare professionals in Qatar regarding the management of osteoporosis. METHODS: The Qatar Osteoporosis Association formulated guidelines for the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and men above the age of 50. A panel of six local rheumatologists who are experts in the field of osteoporosis met together and conducted an extensive review of published articles and local and international guidelines to formulate guidance for the screening and management of postmenopausal women and men older than 50 years in Qatar. RESULTS: The guidelines emphasize the use of the age-dependent hybrid model of the Qatar fracture risk assessment tool for screening osteoporosis and risk categorization. The guidelines include screening, risk stratification, investigations, treatment, and monitoring of patients with osteoporosis. The use of a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan without any risk factors is discouraged. Treatment options are recommended based on risk stratification. CONCLUSION: Guidance is provided to all physicians across the country who are involved in the care of patients with osteoporosis and fragility fractures.

Qatar's National Mental Health Study-The World Mental Health Qatar.

BACKGROUND: We provide an overview of Qatar's first epidemiological study on prevalence, predictors, and treatment contact for mood and anxiety disorders. AIMS: We highlight the importance of the three-pronged study, its aims, and its key components. MATERIALS & METHODS: The first component comprised a probability-based representative survey of Qatari and non-Qatari (Arab) adult males and females recruited from the general population and interviewed using the International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI version 3.3). The second component, a clinical reappraisal study, assessed concordance between diagnoses based on the CIDI and independent clinical assessments conducted by trained clinical interviewers. The third component comprised a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study of healthy survey respondents who were matched to patients with psychosis. RESULTS: 5000 survey interviews provided data on prevalence and treatment of common mental disorders. Clinical re-interviews (N = 485) provided important diagnostic validity data. Finally, state-of-the art structural and functional brain markers for psychosis were also collected (N = 100). DISCUSSION: Descriptive epidemiological data were collected to inform future mental health priorities in Qatar and situates these within a global context. CONCLUSION: The study fills important gaps in regional and global estimates and establish necessary baseline to develop comprehensive risk estimates for mental health in Qatar's young population.

Qatar's National Mental Health Survey-The World Mental Health Qatar: Sampling design, instrument adaptation, quality control, and fielding procedures.

OBJECTIVES: The World Mental Health Qatar (WMHQ) study, the first national general population mental health survey in Qatar, was conducted as part of the World Health Organization (WHO) World Mental Health (WMH) Survey Initiative. It was one of the few WMH survey conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper presents the methodological advances and challenges encountered while conducting the survey by telephone during the pandemic. METHODS: Disproportionate stratified sampling using a national-level cellular telephone frame selected a representative sample of Arabic-speaking adults. Participants were initially contacted via Short Message Service text, followed by telephone interviews. WMH training materials supported a comprehensive training program, and data quality was ensured through a quality control indicator system and extensive monitoring. RESULTS: Over 234 days, 5195 interviews in Arabic were completed, averaging 77 min each. In line with Qatar's population, the majority of participants were non-Qatari residents living in Qatar (72.2%). CONCLUSIONS: A distributed remote Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing system facilitated centralized quality monitoring and data security. However, the pandemic intensified challenges such as remote management of interviewer productivity, low response rates, and rising survey costs. The findings will inform Qatar's mental health policymakers, and the strategies used to address these challenges offer valuable insights for researchers worldwide.

Feasibility of replacing face-to-face with telephone interviews for the World Mental Health Qatar survey during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the feasibility of replacing face-to-face with telephone interviews conducted as part of the World Mental Health Qatar (WMHQ) survey and discuss the main methodological changes across the two pilots that were subsequently implemented in the full-scale WMHQ telephone survey. METHODS: We assessed the net mode effect by comparing the lifetime prevalence estimates of the main mental disorder classes (mood and anxiety disorders) and a number of disorders across the two survey pilots conducted prior to and post-pandemic. RESULTS: The main differences in terms of methodology for both pilots stemmed from differences in the survey mode, including questionnaire length, study recruitment method, and fielding team size and structure. These factors influenced response rates and costs. However, the lifetime prevalence estimates and other key indicators of survey results did not differ across modes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm the comparability of data collected via telephone and face-to-face modes, supporting the adoption of telephone surveys for future mental health studies, particularly in the context of pandemics. They also confirm the feasibility of changing or mixing modes depending on field conditions in future psychiatric epidemiological research.

Twelve-month prevalence, persistence, severity, and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders in Qatar's national mental health study.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate 12-month prevalence, persistence, severity, and treatment of mental disorders and socio-demographic correlates in Qatar. METHODS: We conducted the first national population-based telephone survey of Arab adults between 2019 and 2022 using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and estimated 12-month DSM-5 mood and anxiety disorders and their persistence (the proportion of lifetime cases who continue to meet 12-month criteria). RESULTS: The 12-month prevalence of any disorder was 21.1% (10.4% mild, 38.7% moderate, and 50.9% severe) and was associated with: younger age, female, previously married, and with persistence of any disorder. Persistence was 74.7% (64.0% mood and 75.6% anxiety) and was significantly associated with secondary education or lower. Minimally adequate treatment received among those with any 12-month mental disorder was 10.6% (74.6% in healthcare and 64.6% non-healthcare sectors). Severity and the number of disorders significantly associated with each other and with treatment received (χ2 = 7.24, p = 0.027) including adequate treatment within the mental health specialty sector (χ2 = 21.42, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Multimorbidity and sociodemographics were associated with 12-month mental disorder. Treatment adequacy in Qatar are comparable to high-income countries. Low treatment contact indicate need for population-wide mental health literacy programes in addition to more accessible and effective mental health services.

Lifetime prevalence, risk, and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders in Qatar's national mental health study.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate lifetime prevalence, risk, and treatment for mental disorders and their correlates in Qatar's general population for the first time. METHODS: We conducted a national phone survey of 5,195 Qatari and Arab residents in Qatar (2019-2022) using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Version 3.3 and estimated lifetime mood and anxiety defined diagnoses. Survival-based discrete time models, lifetime morbid risk, and treatment projections were estimated. RESULTS: Lifetime prevalence of any disorder was 28.0% and was associated with younger cohorts, females, and migrants, but lower formal education. Treatment contact in the year of disorder onset were 13.5%. The median delay in receiving treatment was 5 years (IQR = 2-13). Lifetime treatment among those with a lifetime disorder were 59.9% for non-healthcare and 63.5% for healthcare; it was 68.1% for any anxiety and 80.1% for any mood disorder after 50 years of onset. Younger cohorts and later age of onset were significantly predictors of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in Qatar is comparable to other countries. Treatment is significantly delayed and delivered largely in non-healthcare sectors thus the need for increased literacy of mental illness to reduce stigma and improve earlier help-seeking in healthcare settings.

Clinical reappraisal of the composite international diagnostic interview version 3.3 in Qatar's National Mental Health Study.

OBJECTIVES: Lifetime DSM-5 diagnoses generated by the lay-administered Composite International Diagnostic Interview for DSM-5 (CIDI) in the World Mental Health Qatar (WMHQ) study were compared to diagnoses based on blinded clinician-administered reappraisal interviews. METHODS: Telephone follow-up interviews used the non-patient edition of the Structured Clinician Interview for DSM-5 (SCID) oversampling respondents who screened positive for five diagnoses in the CIDI: major depressive episode, mania/hypomania, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Concordance was also examined for a diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder based on a short-form versus full version of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). RESULTS: Initial CIDI prevalence estimates differed significantly from the SCID for most diagnoses ( χ 1 2 ${\chi }_{1}^{2}$  = 6.6-31.4, p = 0.010 < 0.001), but recalibration reduced most of these differences and led to consistent increases in individual-level concordance (AU-ROC) from 0.53-0.76 to 0.67-0.81. Recalibration of the short-form PCL-5 removed an initially significant difference in PTSD prevalence with the full PCL-5 (from χ 1 2 ${\chi }_{1}^{2}$  = 610.5, p < 0.001 to χ 1 2 ${\chi }_{1}^{2}$  = 2.5, p = 0.110) while also increasing AU-ROC from 0.76 to 0.81. CONCLUSIONS: Recalibration resulted in valid diagnoses of common mental disorders in the Qatar National Mental Health Survey, but with inflated prevalence estimates for some disorders that need to be considered when interpreting results.

Spectrum of infection and outcomes in individuals with Candida auris infection in Qatar.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the spectrum of infection and risk factors for invasive fungal disease due to Candida auris (CA) in Qatar. METHODS: We performed structured chart reviews on individuals with any positive CA culture between May 2019 and December 2022 at three tertiary care hospitals in Qatar. Invasive CA disease (ICAD) was defined as a positive sterile site culture, or any positive culture for CA with appropriate antifungal prescription. Main outcomes included proportion of individuals who developed ICAD among those with positive cultures, and 30-day/in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Among 331 eligible individuals, median age was 56 years, 83.1% were male, 70.7% were non-Qataris, and 37.5% had ≥ 3 comorbidities at baseline. Overall, 86.4% were deemed to have colonization and 13.6% developed ICAD. Those with ICAD were more likely to have invasive central venous or urinary catheterization and mechanical ventilation. Individuals with ICAD had longer prior ICU stay (16 vs 26 days, P = 0.002), and longer hospital length of stay (63 vs. 43 days; P = 0.003), and higher 30-day mortality (38% vs. 14%; P<0.001). In multivariable regression analysis, only mechanical ventilation was associated with a higher risk of ICAD (OR 3.33, 95% CI 1.09-10.17). CONCLUSION: Invasive Candida auris Disease is associated with longer hospital stay and higher mortality. Severely ill persons on mechanical ventilation should be especially monitored for development of ICAD.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses among migrant workers in Qatar.

Limited data exist on viral hepatitis among migrant populations. This study investigated the prevalence of current hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and lifetime hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among Qatar's migrant craft and manual workers (CMWs), constituting 60% of the country's population. Sera collected during a nationwide COVID-19 population-based cross-sectional survey on CMWs between July 26 and September 9, 2020, underwent testing for HBsAg and HCV antibodies. Reactive samples underwent confirmatory testing, and logistic regression analyses were employed to explore associations with HBV and HCV infections. Among 2528 specimens tested for HBV infection, 15 were reactive, with 8 subsequently confirmed positive. Three samples lacked sufficient sera for confirmatory testing but were included in the analysis through multiple imputations. Prevalence of current HBV infection was 0.4% (95% CI 0.2-0.7%). Educational attainment and occupation were significantly associated with current HBV infection. For HCV infection, out of 2607 specimens tested, 46 were reactive, and 23 were subsequently confirmed positive. Prevalence of lifetime HCV infection was 0.8% (95% CI 0.5-1.2%). Egyptians exhibited the highest prevalence at 6.5% (95% CI 3.1-13.1%), followed by Pakistanis at 3.1% (95% CI 1.1-8.0%). Nationality, geographic location, and occupation were significantly associated with lifetime HCV infection. HBV infection is relatively low among CMWs, while HCV infection falls within the intermediate range, both compared to global and regional levels.

COVID-19 testing, incidence, and positivity trends among school age children during the academic years 2020-2022 in the State of Qatar: special focus on using CDC indicators for community transmission to evaluate school attendance policies and public health response.

BACKGROUND: There exists a gap in our understanding of the age-dependent epidemiological dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 among school-age children in comparison to adults within the State of Qatar. Additionally, there has been limited assessment of the timely implementation of physical distancing interventions, notably national school closures, and their impact on infection trends. METHODS: We used the national database to capture all records of polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) testing, and rapid antigen tests (RAT) conducted at all health care venues in Qatar and administered between August 26, 2020, and August 21, 2022, across all age groups (≥ 5 years old). Study participants under 18 years old were categorized into two age brackets: (5-11) and (12-17), aligning with the Primary and Preparatory/Secondary grade levels in Qatar, respectively. We assessed age group testing rates, incidence rates, and positivity rates in relation to adults. These epidemiological metrics were compared with the CDC's thresholds for COVID-19 community transmission. RESULTS: Throughout the school years of 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, a total of 5,063,405 and 6,130,531 tests were respectively conducted. In the 2020-2021 school year, 89.6% of the tests were administered to adults, while 13.7% were conducted on children in the following year. The overall test positivity rates for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 school years were 5.8% and 8.1%, respectively. Adolescents underwent the fewest tests during the full study period compared to both adults and young children. Using the CDC indicators, we found that children and adolescents can significantly contribute to elevated infection rates, potentially driving community transmission upon relaxation of social restrictions. CONCLUSION: It is crucial to acknowledge the potential for higher transmission among youth and adolescents when formulating transmission control strategies and making decisions regarding school closures. Employing data-driven indicators and thresholds to monitor COVID-19 community levels is important for informing decision-making. These approaches also enable the prompt implementation of infection control transmission mitigation measures in future pandemics.

Epidemic preparedness and innovations in digital healthcare: enhancing post-pandemic speech-language pathology services for child and adolescent mental health in Qatar.

BACKGROUND: This paper discusses the critical importance of epidemic preparedness and innovations in digital health care by examining the transformative impact on speech-language pathology (SLP) services in a specialist outpatient child and adolescent service (CAMHS). METHOD: This retrospective review analyzes referral data from three periods: pre-pandemic (15 March 2019-14 March 2020), pandemic (15 March 2020-14 March 2021), and post-pandemic (15 March 2021-14 March 2022). Statistical analyses assess trends in referrals and diagnoses during these periods. Feedback was also obtained from Parents of children who received virtual consultations during the pandemic. RESULTS: The results reveal an increase in the demand for SLP services during and after the pandemic, with a surge in referrals (increased from 9.7 to 12.9% when compared pre-pandemic to post-pandemic periods; Chi-Square value 3.33, P = 0.068) for children with social communication challenges and autism spectrum disorder. Phone and video consultations were effectively adopted. Feedback from families shows a positive response (69%-98% of participants responded as strongly agreed and agreed on various items listed in feedback form specifically designed in line with the service objectives) to telehealth interventions, with many parents finding virtual consultations effective and helpful. CONCLUSIONS: The study emphasizes the importance of telehealth SLP services in meeting the increasing demand for mental health interventions among children and adolescents. It suggests integrating telehealth into clinical practice beyond the pandemic and highlights the need for long-term evaluation and addressing potential barriers to access.

Associations between perceived occupational stressors and symptoms severity of depression, anxiety and stress among academic faculty: First cross-sectional study from Qatar.

BACKGROUND: Mental health concerns among university faculty are on the rise, with reports of anxiety, depression, and occupational stress, impacting the higher education community. In Qatar, an assessment of faculty mental health has not been previously realized. The objectives of the current study were twofold: Firstly, to evaluate the extent of perceived occupational stress, depression, anxiety, and stress, and secondly, to assess the association among these mental health parameters. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among faculty using an online, self-administered, anonymous, voluntary survey. All faculty were included by sending the survey to their institutional emails. In addition to faculty demographics and general health status, the survey measured perceived stress due to academic job roles using the Faculty Stress Index (FSI) with its five distinct domains, and assessed faculty mental health using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 items (DASS-21). Modified Poisson regression with robust variance was used to assess how FSI influences levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. RESULTS: A total of 112 faculty responded to the survey. The highest faculty self-perceptions of mental health conditions were for anxiety (63% at least moderate), followed by depression (30% at least moderate), and least for stress (26% at least moderate). The overall mean FSI score was 48.8 ± 29.4; time constraint and rewards and recognition domains scored highest (18.5 ± 11.4 and 13.3 ± 9.3 respectively) while the departmental influence domain scored least (4.8 ± 4.4). Increased risk of at least moderate levels of self-perceived depression and stress were significantly associated with higher FSI score (p˂0.001). Increased risk of at least moderate levels of depression were less likely among faculty aged 50 years and above (p = 0.034), while increased risk of at least moderate levels of anxiety were more likely among faculty from humanities colleges (p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first investigation of university faculty mental health in Qatar, indicating multifactorial perceived occupational stress, associated with higher perceived severity of mental health conditions. These baseline results establish links between specific occupational stressors for faculty and their mental well-being. As such, assessment of mental health conditions, controlling occupational stress, and developing tailored mental health interventions for faculty, are strategic to implement and foster well-being of academics. Further research into mental health of faculty and designing effective interventions that consider their specific stressors and associated factors are warranted.

Health risk factors, status and service utilisation of adults in primary health care settings in Qatar: The HEALTHSIGHT study protocol.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has been well documented in recent literature which constitute a significant global burden of disease. Qatar which has a significantly high prevalence of NCDs with early on set. Epidemiological and health service utilization information plays a central role in facilitating informed decision making and application of the fundamental principles of PHC in planning and delivery of healthcare with aim to prevent and control NCDs. To enable this, the Department of Clinical Research at Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), Qatar's publicly funded and largest primary care provider designed the Health Assessment Linking Trends in Health Status, Risks, and Healthcare Utilization (HEALTHSIGHT) study. This paper describes the HEALTHSIGHT study protocol. METHODS: The proposed study will use a cross sectional study design involving a random sample of participants enrolled across all 31 PHCC health centers. Individuals aged 18 and above years old registered with PHCC and hold a valid health card and contact information on PHCC's electronic medical records (EMR) will be eligible for inclusion. A stratified random sample not proportional to size sampling technique will be employed to obtain a representative sample size of the PHCC population (N = 6000). Participants will be scheduled for an appointment at a PHCC health centre where a data collector will obtain informed consent, collect vital sign information and administer a questionnaire. A phlebotomist will collect a blood sample. Health service utilization data will be extracted from PHCC's EMR. DISCUSSION: Epidemiological and health service utilization information is essential to plan and monitor primary care and public health services. The HEALTHSIGHT study, with the help of a randomly selected representative sample from Qatar's primary healthcare settings, provides a unique opportunity to capture this information. This study design will closely represent a real-world understanding of the health risk, status and utilisation and is likely to provide important data to guide primary care planning and delivery in Qatar. The proposed protocol provides an example of a robust nationwide study that be undertaken in short duration using limited resource which can be undertaken in other similar settings.

The characteristics of CALR mutations in myeloproliferative neoplasms: a clinical experience from a tertiary care center in Qatar and a literature review.

BACKGROUND: Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are hematological disorders characterized by abnormal production of myeloid cells due to genetic mutations. Since 2013, researchers have identified somatic mutations in the Calreticulin (CALR) gene, primarily insertions or deletions, in two Philadelphia chromosome-negative MPNs; essential thrombocytosis (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF), and occasionally in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). This study aims to identify the various types of CALR mutations and their impact on CALR-positive MPN patients' clinical manifestations and outcomes. METHODS: A single-center retrospective study was conducted. The data was collected from pre-existing records. The study was carried out on Philadelphia-negative MPN patients who were being followed up on at the NCCCR (National Center for Cancer Care and Research) to assess the clinical manifestation and outcome of disease treatment. All patients included, were followed in our center between January 1, 2008, and November 20, 2021. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients with CALR-positive MPN were reviewed with a median follow-up of three years (1-11). This cohort included 31 (62%) patients with ET, 10 (20%) patients with PMF, and 9 (18%) patients with prefibrotic myelofibrosis (pre-MF). The study involved 38 (76%) male and 12 (24%) female patients. There were 16 (32%) patients diagnosed before the age of 40, 24 (48%) patients diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 60; and 10 (20%) patients diagnosed after the age of 60. Molecular analysis showed 24 (48%) patients with CALR type 1, 21 (42%) patients with CALR type 2, and 5 (10%) patients with none Type 1, none Type 2 CALR mutations. Two patients have double mutations; 1(2%) with none Type 1, none Type 2 CALR and JAK2 mutations, and 1(2%) with CALR type 1 and MPL mutations. The thrombotic events were 3 (6%) venous thromboembolisms, 3 (6%) abdominal veins thromboses, 2 (4%) strokes, and 4 (8%) ischemic cardiac events. Only 4 (8%) patients progressed to Myelofibrosis and were carrying CALR 1 mutations, and 1 (2%) patient progressed to AML with CALR 2 mutation. CONCLUSION: The data shows a significant rise in CALR-positive MPN diagnoses in younger people, emphasizing the need for a better assessment tool to improve disease management and reduce complications.

Effectiveness of two and three doses of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines against infection, symptoms, and severity in the pre-omicron era: A time-dependent gradient.

BACKGROUND: Vaccines were developed and deployed to combat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. This study aimed to characterize patterns in the protection provided by the BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 mRNA vaccines against a spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection symptoms and severities. METHODS: A national, matched, test-negative, case-control study was conducted in Qatar between January 1 and December 18, 2021, utilizing a sample of 238,896 PCR-positive tests and 6,533,739 PCR-negative tests. Vaccine effectiveness was estimated against asymptomatic, symptomatic, severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), critical COVID-19, and fatal COVID-19 infections. Data sources included Qatar's national databases for COVID-19 laboratory testing, vaccination, hospitalization, and death. RESULTS: Effectiveness of two-dose BNT162b2 vaccination was 75.6% (95% CI: 73.6-77.5) against asymptomatic infection and 76.5% (95% CI: 75.1-77.9) against symptomatic infection. Effectiveness against each of severe, critical, and fatal COVID-19 infections surpassed 90%. Immediately after the second dose, all categories-namely, asymptomatic, symptomatic, severe, critical, and fatal COVID-19-exhibited similarly high effectiveness. However, from 181 to 270 days post-second dose, effectiveness against asymptomatic and symptomatic infections declined to below 40%, while effectiveness against each of severe, critical, and fatal COVID-19 infections remained consistently high. However, estimates against fatal COVID-19 often had wide 95% confidence intervals. Analogous patterns were observed in three-dose BNT162b2 vaccination and two- and three-dose mRNA-1273 vaccination. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the results. CONCLUSION: A gradient in vaccine effectiveness exists and is linked to the symptoms and severity of infection, providing higher protection against more symptomatic and severe cases. This gradient intensifies over time as vaccine immunity wanes after the last vaccine dose. These patterns appear consistent irrespective of the vaccine type or whether the vaccination involves the primary series or a booster.

Early predictors of intensive care unit admission among COVID-19 patients in Qatar.

Background: COVID-19 is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to explore the early predictors of intensive care unit (ICU) admission among patients with COVID-19. Methods: This was a case-control study of adult patients with confirmed COVID-19. Cases were defined as patients admitted to ICU during the period February 29-May 29, 2020. For each case enrolled, one control was matched by age and gender. Results: A total of 1,560 patients with confirmed COVID-19 were included. Each group included 780 patients with a predominant male gender (89.7%) and a median age of 49 years (interquartile range = 18). Predictors independently associated with ICU admission were cardiovascular disease (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.64, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16-2.32, p = 0.005), diabetes (aOR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.08-2.13, p = 0.016), obesity (aOR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.03-2.08, p = 0.034), lymphopenia (aOR = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.80-4.02, p < 0.001), high AST (aOR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.53-4.36, p < 0.001), high ferritin (aOR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.40-2.74, p < 0.001), high CRP (aOR = 4.09, 95% CI: 2.81-5.96, p < 0.001), and dyspnea (aOR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.77-3.54, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Having cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, lymphopenia, dyspnea, and increased AST, ferritin, and CRP were independent predictors for ICU admission in patients with COVID-19.

Post-COVID-19 syndrome, who at risk and why: an insight from Qatar 2022.

Background: Despite the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, many people experience post-COVID-19 syndrome, which negatively impacts their health and function. This condition has become a significant public health problem that requires immediate attention. Objective: To study the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and predictors of post-COVID-19 Syndrome in Qatar during 2022. Methods: An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted among COVID-19 confirmed cases from January 2022 to July 2022 in Qatar. A simple random sample was employed to include (n = 588) participants from the list of cases and invited to participate in a telephone survey. The World Health Organization's standard case definition for PCS was adopted. Results: Out of 368, the prevalence of post-COVID-19 syndrome was 43.2% (n = 159). Most PCS cases were females (67.9%; n = 108), married (73.6%; n = 117), and university and higher educational level (83.6%; n = 133). However, 78.7% (n = 125) reported poor to moderate levels of social support. Only 30.2% (n = 48) of PCS patients had a history of chronic diseases, and 5.7% (n = 9) required hospital admission during acute illness. Among PCS cases, the most commonly reported symptoms were fatigue (75.5%), followed by anxiety (49.1%), forgetfulness (46.5%), mood alteration (45.3%), and general weakness (39.6%). The logistic regression revealed that female gender (AOR: 2.58 95%CI: 1.58-4.225, p < 0.0001), university and high educational level (AOR: 2.2, 95%CI: 1.256-3.98, p < 0.006), poor level of social support (AOR: 2.45; 95%CI: 1.55-4.13; p < 0.002), were significant predictors for PCS. Conclusion: Post-COVID-19 syndrome may go under-recognized. More efforts are needed to raise awareness and mobilize the resources to respond to this ongoing public health problem.

Glycaemic control among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: an updated review.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become a major public health concern, causing significant disability and death worldwide. Fuelled by a modern sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary practices, T2DM affects at least 10.5% of the world's population. This paper seeks to review the progress made by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) in addressing T2DM, focusing on glycaemic control proportions and comparing it with the 2015 review. The results indicate no significant improvement in glycaemic control proportions since the last review, with only 9.2% to 56.9% of patients having good control (glycosylated haemoglobin < 7%). However, there are no significant differences in glycaemic control between the GCC countries and other places worldwide despite being considered hotbeds of T2DM. Many factors contribute to poor glycaemic control. Specifically, evidence shows that being overweight or obese is the most common modifiable risk factor for T2DM incidence and poor glycaemic control. The GCC countries have higher rates of obesity. Additionally, poor glycaemic control is mainly related to a lack of adherence to insulin and medication use. Poor diet, rich in calories and low in fruits and vegetables, and a sedentary lifestyle also significantly contribute to poor glycaemic control and obesity. Therefore, to reduce the incidence of disease and improve glycaemic control in diabetic patients, educational programs promoting lifestyle changes should be implemented. Ongoing research is also necessary to assess the trend of glycaemic control and its risk factors in our region.

Genome-wide association study and trans-ethnic meta-analysis identify novel susceptibility loci for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: The genetic basis of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is under-investigated in the Middle East, despite the rapidly growing disease prevalence. We aimed to define the genetic determinants of T2D in Qatar. METHODS: Using whole genome sequencing of 11,436 participants (2765 T2D cases and 8671 controls) from the population-based Qatar Biobank (QBB), we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of T2D with and without body mass index (BMI) adjustment. RESULTS: We replicated 93 known T2D-associated loci in a BMI-unadjusted model, while 96 known loci were replicated in a BMI-adjusted model. The effect sizes and allele frequencies of replicated SNPs in the Qatari population generally concurred with those from European populations. We identified a locus specific to our cohort located between the APOBEC3H and CBX7 genes in the BMI-unadjusted model. Also, we performed a transethnic meta-analysis of our cohort with a previous GWAS on T2D in multi-ancestry individuals (180,834 T2D cases and 1,159,055 controls). One locus in DYNC2H1 gene reached genome-wide significance in the meta-analysis. Assessing polygenic risk scores derived from European- and multi-ancestries in the Qatari population showed higher predictive performance of the multi-ancestry panel compared to the European panel. CONCLUSION: Our study provides new insights into the genetic architecture of T2D in a Middle Eastern population and identifies genes that may be explored further for their involvement in T2D pathogenesis.