Outcome of occlusion treatment for strabismic amblyopia in children below 12 years old.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Amblyopia↗
Biomedical subjects
Abdulbari Bener
Publications and source records attributed to Abdulbari Bener.
Parental consanguinity and risk of breast cancer: a population-based case-control study.
BACKGROUND: An estimated 600 million people in the world have consanguineous parents. The effect of consanguinity on the risk of breast cancer is uncertain. The objective of this case-control study was to examine whether parental consanguinity and different levels of inbreeding affect the risk and pathology characteristics of breast cancer. MATERIAL/METHODS: Over a 36-month period, consecutive female breast cancer patients were recruited in the main cancer hospital in the United Arab Emirates. All were locally born Arabs with a tissue diagnosis of breast cancer. The controls were locally born Arabs without breast cancer matched to cases by sex, age, and residence. The coefficient of inbreeding (F) of both groups was determined from information they provided about their parents' kinship. RESULTS: The mean age of the 72 patients and 187 controls was 48.6 years (range: 25-86) and 48.5 years (range: 25-82), respectively (P = 0.46). Consanguinity rates of the patients and controls were 29.2% and 28.9% (P = 0.96) and the coefficients of inbreeding were 0.0117 and 0.0167 (P = 0.21), respectively. More closely inbred women (F > or = 0.0625) were less frequent among patients than controls, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.12). The rates of pathological stage of disease, tumor histologies, and tumor grades were similar between more and less inbred patients. CONCLUSIONS: Parental consanguinity in Arabs, even when a marriage is between first cousins or double first cousins, was not associated with an altered risk of breast cancer.
Adult↗
Maternal knowledge, attitude and practice on folic acid intake among Arabian Qatari women.
BACKGROUND: Periconceptional folic acid supplementation is effective in preventing primary and secondary neural tube defects (NTDs) and other congenital defects. It is important to estimate folate intake and knowledge in women of child-bearing age, in relation to risk of congenital anomalies. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge about the usefulness of periconceptional folic acid supplementation in a sample of women in the child-bearing age. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Eleven primary health care centers and women's hospital in Qatar. SUBJECTS: A multistage sampling design was used and a representative sample of 1,800 Qatari women aged between 18 and 45 years were surveyed during the period June to November 2004. One thousand four hundred and eighty women (82.2%) expressed their consent to participate in this study. METHODS: A confidential, anonymous questionnaire was completed by the selected subjects assessing folic acid awareness. Questionnaires were administered to women who were seeking routine antenatal care at health centers and Women's Hospital. Questions covered knowledge and use of folic acid supplements, pregnancy intention, and demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Factors affecting study outcomes were examined individually by computing crude odd ratios and adjusted for other covariates using unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Out of 1480 women surveyed, 53.7% of them reported that they heard of folate. Of these, only half of the subjects knew that folate was something important. Overall, 20.3% of the respondents took folic acid. The most common information sources on folate were physicians (63.4%), and newspapers/magazine/books (21.7%). From those who heard of folate, only 14% knew that it can prevent birth defects. 40.6% of the subjects who heard folate were aware that green leafy vegetables were fortified with folic acid. In univariate analysis, awareness of folic acid was significantly associated with education of mother. Again, higher educated women (41.3%) knew more about folic acid and used it more often in the periconceptional and first trimester period. CONCLUSION: Awareness and use of folic acid was less prevalent among Qatari women. Educated women were aware of the importance of the intake of folic acid. The study findings suggested possible avenue for intervention to increase awareness and intake of folic acid.
Adult↗
Bone density measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in Qatari women.
BACKGROUND: Over the past 10 years, osteoporosis has emerged as a major public health problem. It is characterized by low bone mass with micro architectural deterioration of bone tissue resulting in increase bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures. Bone mineral density measurements are widely used to diagnose osteoporosis and to assess its severity. Commercial dual-energy X-rays absorptiometry (DXA) scanners used to determine bone mineral density (BMD) contains reference data for different populations. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine reference values for Qatari female population and to compare them with values from western and other Arab countries. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 574 Qatari women aged between 20 and 69 years was carried out using DXA scan to establish reference values of bone mineral density. Measurements were taken at the lumbar spine and proximal femur. The data were compared with normative taken by Caucasians, Kuwaiti, Lebanese and Saudi women over five decades of age. RESULTS: Our results showed that the Qatari subjects showed the expected decline in BMD at spinal sites with age after peaking at 30-39 years age group, and for femoral site at 40-49 years. The BMD values of the spine of Qatari women were lower than Caucasian and Kuwaiti women but higher than the Lebanese and similar to Saudi women. The BMD values of the total femur were higher in Qatari females than Caucasians, Kuwaitis, Lebanese and Saudis in the age group of 40-59, but lower in the age group 60-69 years. Of the 147 studied Qatari women in the age group (50-69) years, the T-score was normal (>-1 S.D.) in 79 subjects (53.7%), in the osteopenic range (-1 to -2.5 S.D.) in 51 subjects (34.7%) and in the osteoporotic range (<-2.5 S.D.) in 17 subjects (11.6%). CONCLUSION: BMD value of Qatari females are lower than Caucasians and Kuwaitis at the spine, and at the total femur in the age group 60-69 years, but higher values of total femur in the age group 40-59 years. Osteoporosis is common among menopausal Qatari women and should be considered a matter of public concern.
Absorptiometry, Photon↗
Does pleural tuberculosis disease pattern differ among developed and developing countries.
BACKGROUND: A number of reports from developed countries have documented a rising age at which pleural tuberculosis occurs and increase in the frequency of reactivation disease being as the main cause of pleural involvement. OBJECTIVE: To determine the age at which pleural tuberculosis occurs, study its clinical pattern, and to determine whether pleural tuberculosis is a result of reactivation of pulmonary tuberculosis or it is a primary one comparing our findings with results from developed countries. METHOD: Retrospective study of 100 cases discharged from Hamad General Hospital with the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis from January 1996 to December 2002. RESULTS: Pleural tuberculosis tends to affect younger age groups (84% are below the age of 45 years, with mean age of 31.5). The disease tends to be mostly a primary infection. Fever is the most common symptom (90%) and the disease is usually an acute or sub acute one. Weight loss precedes other symptoms. Exudative pleural effusion with predominant lymphocytosis is characteristic. Majority of patients have no predisposing conditions for the disease. CONCLUSION: In contrast to what has been reported in some developed countries, Pleural tuberculosis tends to be a primary disease in the present study. Younger age groups are particularly affected.
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
The neglected epidemic: road traffic accidents in a developing country, State of Qatar.
The objective of the study is to explore the pattern of road traffic accidents (RTA) and their causes in the State of Qatar. A total of 52,160 RTA, 1130 injuries and 85 fatalities were registered during the year 2000. The data on RTA, injuries and fatalities was obtained from the Traffic Department of the Ministry of Interior, Supreme Council for Planning and Ministry of Public Health. The major cause of traffic accidents in Qatar was careless driving (71%). Relatively there was a more rapid increase in the number of registered vehicles (155%), but accidents were only (61%) in 2000 compared to the year 1983. The majority of victims (53%) were in the age group (10-40) "the most productive class in Society". Forty-three per cent of the total drivers who died due to RTA were in the age group (10-19) who were unlicensed drivers. In 2000, deaths due to RTA were the third leading cause of death after the diseases of the circulatory system and cancer. In conclusion, it is possible to control the epidemic of road traffic injuries through strict policy interventions, mass media and a national traffic campaign to increase the use of seat belts.
Accidents, Traffic↗
Camel racing injuries among children.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the frequency and severity of camel racing injuries among children aged 5 to 15 years during the period 1992 to 2003 in the State of Qatar. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: The study was conducted in the Hamad General Hospital, State of Qatar, from January 1992 to December 2003. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 275 subjects aged 5 to 15 years with camel racing injuries who were seen at the Accident Emergency Department, Critical Care, and Physiotherapy Departments of the Hamad General Hospital were studied. The sociodemographic information and the details of the injury of the studied subjects were collected. The Abbreviated Injury Scale system was used to determine the severity of injury. RESULTS: Overall, 275 camel racing injuries were reported among boys aged 5 to 15 years. The majority of patients were Sudanese (91.3%). The most commonly injured locations were upper limb (23.2%), lower limb (21.1%), and head (20.7%), followed by other injury locations. Seventeen patients were disabled as a result of their injury, and another 3 injuries were fatal. This study revealed that 34% of injuries were considered to be minor, 22.1% moderate, 18.1% serious, 11.6% critical, and 6.4% maximum. CONCLUSIONS: The injury severity caused by the camel racing significantly affected the length of hospital stay. At present, the government is serious about this problem, and there is a draft of proposed legislation intended to prevent the employment of children below the age of 12 as camel jockeys.
Abbreviated Injury Scale↗
Pattern of headache in school children in the State of Qatar.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence rate and impact of headache in school children on school attendance with particular attention to migraine. METHODS: A cross sectional survey was conducted among the school children ranging from 6-17 years old over a period from March 2001 to April 2003. The study was carried out in 10 primary, preparatory and secondary schools. Subjects were selected by multistage stratified sampling procedure. This involved 851 children studying in the first to tenth year of school in the State of Qatar. RESULTS: The present study showed that the prevalence rate of recurrent headache was 85% and migraine 11.9%. Comparing gender frequency of headache, it was noted that it was higher in female students (86.5%) than males (81%). In respect of age, it was observed that the oldest children had more frequent episodes of headache, the highest rate was in the age group of 11-15 years old (49%). The most common triggers were fatigue (35.8%) and lack of sleep (17.6%). The most common symptoms that occurred before headache were change in mood for female students (39.1%) and blurred vision for males (34.6%). The impact of headache on children was frequent absence from school (80%), which affected their school performance. CONCLUSION: The current study indicated the high prevalence of headache among school children in Qatar, and its effect on school attendance and performance.
Adolescent↗
Genetics and environmental risk factors associated with asthma in schoolchildren.
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic and environmental risk factors associated with asthma among Qatari school children aged 6-12 years. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was performed. The International study of asthma and allergies in childhood (ISAAC) and some additional questionnaires were used to collect the data of the school children between Feb 2003 and Feb 2004. SETTING: Government primary schools in the State of Qatar. SUBJECTS: A multistage sampling design was used and a representative sample of 3500 children were targeted for this study. Of these, 3204 parents (91.6%) of the children agreed to participate in this study. RESULTS: Of the total study sample 3204 school children living in urban and semi urban areas, 51.9% were boys and 48.1% girls. Their mean age was 8.92 +/- 1.89. The population sample had a high prevalence rate of asthma (19.8%) and allergic rhinitis 30.3%. The frequency of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema among parents reflected the same pattern as that seen in the children. Environmental risk factors associated with asthma were pets at home, allergic to certain food or medicine, smoking history among parents or elder siblings (p<0.0001). A stepwise logistic regression analysis results showed that allergic to food and medicine, history of asthma in father, mother, siblings and asthma in second degree relatives and smoking habit of father were significant predictors for asthma after adjusting age and sex and other confounding covariates in the model. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that the family history of asthma contributed more to childhood asthma than indoor and outdoor environmental factors. Boys were found more asthmatic than girls. The results of this study support the hypothesis that asthma is a multi-factorial disease related to both familial and environmental influences.
Air Pollution↗
Impact of fasting in Ramadan in patients with cardiac disease.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether Ramadan fasting has any effect on patients with heart disease. METHODS: We prospectively studied 465 outpatients with heart disease who were fasting during the month of Ramadan from October 24 to November 24, 2003. These studied subjects were from various medical centers in the Gulf region; State of Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. We performed detailed clinical assessments one month before Ramadan, during Ramadan and one month after Ramadan and analyzed predictors of outcome. RESULTS: Overall, the mean age was 55.9+/-11.3 years (age range 32-72). Of the 465 patients treated, 363 (78.1%) were males and 102 (21.9%) females. Among them, 119 (25.6%) patients had congestive heart failure, 288 (62%) patients with angina, 22 (4.7%) patients with atrial fibrillation and 11 (2.4%) patients with prosthetic metallic valves. Three hundred and seventy (79%) had prior myocardial infarction (MI), 195 (17.2%) had prior coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), and 177 (38%) had prior percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). At the time of follow-up, we found that 91.2% could fast and only 6.7% felt worse while fasting in Ramadan. Of the studied subjects, 82.8% were compliant with cardiac medications and 68.8% were compliant with dietary instructions. We hospitalized 19 patients during Ramadan for cardiac reasons (unstable angina, worsening heart failure, MI, uncontrolled hypertension, subtherapeutic anticoagulation or arrhythmias) CONCLUSION: The effects of fasting during Ramadan on stable patients with cardiac disease are minimal. Most patients with stable cardiac disease can fast.
Adult↗
Growth patterns of Qatari school children and adolescents aged 6-18 years.
The study was conducted to analyze the patterns of growth in height and weight and the prevalence of over-weight among Qatari school children aged 6-18 years. Weights and heights of a cross-sectional sample of Qatari school children were measured. These children were selected randomly, in equal proportions of age and gender, from different schools from urban and semi-urban districts. Appropriate statistical procedures were performed to produce smooth percentile curves for boys and girls using a two-stage approach. Initial curve smoothing for selected major percentiles was accomplished by various paramet-ric and non-parametric procedures. In the second stage, a normalization procedure was used for creating z-scores that closely matched the smooth percentile curves. The height and weight results were compared with the international reference values of National Center for Health Statistics/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (NCHS/CDC). The prevalence of over-weight was calculated using the new International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) reference. Of 7442 Qatari children studied, 50.3% were male and 49.7%' female. The mean values for height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) increased with the age for both boys and girls until the age of 18 years, except BMI, which stabilized at the age of 16-18 years at around 22.6 for boys and at 21.6 for girls. The growth patterns of the Qatari children, aged 6-18 years, appeared to be comparable with those of the NCHS/CDC reference. The weight-for-age centile curves of the Qatari boys tended to be superior to those of the NCHS/CDC reference until the age of 15 years, less so those of the Qatari girls. In contrast, the height-for-age centile curves of the Qatari children tended to deviate in a negative sense from the NCHS/CDC reference curves, for boys and girls from age around 11 years and 13 years respectively. The deviation of the smoothed median height-for-age curves from the reference in adolescence could most likely be attributed to a later maturation among the Qatari children. The prevalence of under-weight, over-weight, and obesity for the Qatari children was quite below the CDC and IOTF rates, except for girls aged 6-9 years. More males than females were over-weight or obese according to either the local, the CDC, or the IOTF reference, and the prevalence increased with age. A good percentage of the Qatari children was at risk of being over-weight, which needs more attention because the development of obesity results in different types of diseases associated with changes in body composition.
Adolescent↗
Clinical characteristics of Crohn s disease in Qatar.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical characteristics of Crohn's disease (CD) in Qatar. METHODS: This is a retrospective descriptive study. We studied 50 CD patients admitted to Hamad General Hospital over a period of 8 years from January 1995 to December 2002. We retrospectively collected and analyzed the demographic and clinical data. We made the diagnostic classification of definite CD in accordance with the criteria based on the International Classification of Disease ninth revision [ICD-9]. We based the obtained information on the following parameters: the age at the time of admission, gender and Crohn's risk factor profiles. RESULTS: Of the studied population, 60% were males and 40% females. Sixty-two percent were Qataris and 38% expatriates. Most of the subjects were <40 years of age (80%). Fifty-two percent had ileo-colonic disease, 24% colonic and 24% ileal disease. The majority of the Crohn's patients had the symptom of abdominal pain (84%), followed by weight loss (80%) and diarrhea (70%). Pallor sign was most frequent in patients with inflammatory CD (76.9%) and obstructive CD (66.7%), whereas we found the anal signs in patients with fistulas (84.2%). CONCLUSION: The study showed a relatively high frequency of ileo-colonic Crohn's disease compared to colonic and ileal diseases. We observed that the most frequent symptom is abdominal pain.
Adolescent↗
Association between childhood atopic disease and parental atopic disease in a population with high consanguinity.
The aim of the study was to investigate the association between asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema in Qatari schoolchildren with allergic conditions in their parents. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 3500 Qatari schoolchildren aged 6-14 years in period: February, 2003-February, 2004. A questionnaire was used to collect the clinical history of asthma and allergic rhinitis in their parents and siblings. It was found that 21.6% of asthmatic children had mothers with asthma and 18.2% fathers with asthma. This contrasted with 6.8% of non-asthmatic children who had fathers with asthma and 9.4% mothers with asthma. As for allergic rhinitis, 26.5% of asthmatic children had mothers with allergic rhinitis and 25.3% fathers with allergic rhinitis. The frequency of either parent of the asthmatic children having allergic rhinitis was 41.8% and for both parents was 10.0%. The frequency of siblings having asthma was 36.6%, allergic rhinitis 16.4%, and eczema 29.1%. The present study revealed a strong association between respiratory allergies and eczema in parents, and their asthmatic children.
Adolescent↗
Is there any association between consanguinity and hearing loss.
BACKGROUND: Hearing loss (HL) and its complications appear to be increasingly common in developing countries. Previous studies have supported the association between hearing loss and consanguinity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of hearing loss and its association with consanguinity among Qatari population. In addition, correlation between hearing loss and Rhesus (Rh) blood groups has been investigated. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study. SETTING: The study conducted at the Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation. SUBJECTS: Total sample of 2800 infants screened and 2277 subjects were eligible to be included in the study. METHODS: The neonatal screening for hearing loss was conducted from January 2003 to November 2003 among all the 2800 infants born during that period. Some of them were admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The hearing loss was screened using otoacoustic emission (Garson Stadler Incorporation, GSI-70), auditory brain stem responses (ABR) and tympanogram. RESULTS: Out of 2277 infant screened, the prevalence of hearing loss was (119/2277) 5.2%. The prevalence of HL was more common in boys (2.7%) than in girls (2.5%). We did not find any statistical significance differences between genders with the respect of HL. Parental consanguinity was more common among HL cases compared with non-HL 60.5% versus 25.3% (p < 0.0001). Family history of hearing loss did not show any differences between the two groups. 4.2% versus 4.3%. Risk factors like caesarean section, prenatal smoking and prenatal high blood pressure did not show any significant differences between the two groups. However, admission to NICU is associated with increase prevalence of HL 8.4% versus 4.4% (p = 0.043). The present study revealed that strong correlation between hearing loss, consanguineous (r = 0.217, p < 0.01), father education level illiterate (r = 0.293, p < 0.01), mothers consanguineous (r = 0.206, p < 0.01), mothers educational level illiterate (r = 0.228, p < 0.01), mother blood group positive (r = 0.476, p < 0.01), family history of HL among first or second degree of relatives (r = 0.620, p < 0.01) and father hypertension (r = 0.570, p < 0.01). Furthermore, a significant correlation between hearing loss and Rh blood groups has been discovered. CONCLUSION: The present study was directed at determining the prevalence and risk factors of HL in the infant population of Qatar. The data revealed that parental consanguinity was more common among hearing loss cases. There is a strong correlation between hearing loss and baby's age.
Cohort Studies↗
Abdominal dermolipectomy in an abdomen with pre-existing scars: a different concept.
Although abdominal dermolipectomy is a frequently performed procedure, few publications have reported on the safety of the procedure in the scarred abdomen. The aim of this study was to stress the possibility of performing a natural-looking abdominoplasty with no complication such as skin necrosis or liponecrosis in the presence of abdominal scars and to clarify that the scarred abdomen is not a great limitation for full abdominoplasty as reported in the literature. Seventy-six abdominoplasties were performed on scarred patients from July of 1997 to June of 2003. Twenty-five patients had oblique subcostal scars, six patients had median supraumbilical scars, three patients had median infraumbilical scars, 10 patients had appendectomy scars, nine patients had paramedian supraumbilical scars, eight patients had paramedian infraumbilical scars, seven patients had long transverse scars of repaired ventral hernias, and eight patients had multiple small scars after laparoscopy. In addition, there were concomitant transverse cesarean delivery scars in 40 patients. All patients underwent full abdominoplasties, plication of the musculoaponeurotic system, and liposuction assistance if required (45 patients). Of 76 subjects, three patients had very limited liponecrosis at the watershed area. Eleven patients (14.5 percent) were morbidly obese and heavy smokers. In comparisons of postabdominoplasty complications, such as liponecrosis, wound infection, and dehiscence with and without liposuction in scarred abdomen, no significant differences were found. Secondary revision was more common among abdominoplasties without liposuction [seven of 45 (15.6 percent) versus 12 of 31 (38.7 percent); p = 0.02]. In conclusion, there is no limitation or contraindication for abdominal dermolipectomy with or without liposuction assistance on the previously scarred abdomen as long as the vascular zones of the abdomen are respected. The abdominal wall dissection is limited to allow only the plication of the musculoaponeurotic system, and aggressive liposuction is avoided.
Abdominal Wall↗
Intraabdominal pressure after full abdominoplasty in obese multiparous patients.
This study measured intraabdominal pressure in morbidly obese and multiparous patients who underwent abdominoplasty with musculoaponeurotic plication. The purpose of this study was to evaluate any potential adverse effect on pulmonary function by virtue of pulmonary function tests and measurement of peak airway pressure. The study included 43 multiparous, morbidly obese women (mean body mass index, 35.8 kg/m2) with a mean age (+/- SD) of 38.6 +/- 7 years. All had full abdominoplasty and repair of the musculoaponeurotic system during the period from June of 1999 to May of 2002. Forty-three morbidly obese multiparous patients were seen over a period of 24 months. Their intraabdominal pressure was estimated by measuring the intravesical pressure before and after repair of severe diastases (divarication) of the rectus abdominis muscles with severely flaccid myofascial component before using a hydrometer connected to a Foley catheter both before and after repair. All patients had pulmonary function checked before and 2 months after the repair. The study confirmed that there are minimal changes on the intraabdominal pressure parameters compared with measurement before and after full abdominoplasty with plication of the rectus muscles, with minimal to negligible changes in the intrathoracic pressure. These changes are clinically and statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The study also recommended the safety of full abdominoplasty and repair of the musculoaponeurotic system in multiparous and morbidly obese patients. Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was found in pulmonary function parameters before and after surgery in patients with a history of bronchial asthma.
Abdominal Cavity↗
Knowledge, attitude and practice towards SARS.
The objective of the study was to explore the knowledge, attitude and practice of the population of Qatar towards severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The study took the form of a cross-sectional community-based survey in Doha International Airport and primary health care centres situated in urban and semi-urban areas of Qatar. The survey was conducted among travellers arriving at Doha International Airport and community residents visiting health centres from April to September 2003. A total of 1,800 subjects were approached for the study of which 1,386 (77.0%) responded to the questionnaire. The study showed that although 79.4% of the total subjects claimed to know about SARS, only 8.0% had accurate knowledge about all of the symptoms of SARS. The respondents' satisfaction with the preventive measures taken by the health authorities was only 66.6%. Overall, 73.0% of the total subjects knew that SARS was highly infectious; 69.9% knew that it could spread through close contact; 67.4% were aware that high fever was the early symptom; and 60.8% thought SARS could be cured. Half of the subjects said they had gained most of their knowledge on SARS through television and radio programmes (52.2%). Three-fifths (60.1%) were afraid to travel for fear of being affected by SARS. The level of awareness of SARS among Qataris was poor (31.7%) compared to that among non-Qataris (68.3%). The level of knowledge about SARS was better among educated subjects. The survey found a high level of stress and fear among the respondents. Health authorities should be on the alert and re-examine their capacity to manage an outbreak like SARS in the event that such a mishap should recur in the future.
Adult↗
The prevalence of hypertension and its associated risk factors in a newly developed country.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and its association with the sociodemographic, behavioral, and lifestyle characteristics of the adult qatari population. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, which was carried out in primary health care clinics (PHCs). The survey was conducted from January through to July 2003 among qatari nationals 25-65-years of age. Of the 1500 patients who were approached to participate in study, 1208 (80.5%) gave their consent. Face-to-face interviews were based on a questionnaire that included variables on age, sex, socioeconomic status (SES), parity, income level, cigarette smoking, physical activity, lifestyle, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure. Hypertension was defined according to the world health organization criteria as systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >90 mm Hg, or both. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of hypertension (BP >/=140 or >/=90 mm Hg, or both or known hypertensive) was 32.1% (32.6% in men and 31.7% in women). The age-standardized prevalence of hypertension (adjusted to the adult population of Qatar) was 31.1% (95% confidence interval 26.7-35.5%) in men and 30.2% in women (95% confidence interval 25.8-34.6%). The CVD risk factor of obesity was more prominent among women 528 (78.3%) than among men 334 (68.9%) (p<0.001). Physical inactivity was again predominant among women and found to be highly significant. A stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that diabetes (p<0.0001); hormonal problems (p<0.0001), consumption of animal fats (p<0.0001), risk of heart disease (p<0.0001), and BMI (p=0.0307) were all associated with hypertension. CONCLUSION: The present study was directed at determining the prevalence and risk factors of high blood pressure in the adult population of Qatar. The characterization of these factors will contribute to defining more effective and specific strategies to screen for and control hypertension and CVD.
Adult↗