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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Study of colorectal cancer in Qatar.

OBJECTIVE: To study the epidemiology of colorectal cancer in Qatar and compare it with other parts of the world. To collect demographic data on colorectal cancer in Qatar (age and sex distribution) and to collect anatomic pathology data on colorectal cancer in Qatar. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of data collected from hospital records was used to review the incidence and prevalence of colorectal cancer in Qatar. During the period 1994-1998, one hundred and twenty patients with colorectal cancer were seen at Hamad General Hospital. RESULTS: Mean annual incidence was 24 patients/year. Forty-five patients were Qataris and 75 were non Qataris. Of the Qatari patients 26 (58%) were males and 19 (42%) females, male/female ratio was 1.4:1. Nine (20%) patients were under the age of 40 years, the presenting symptoms, physical signs and the stage of the disease were similar to other studies. Descending and sigmoid colon was the most common anatomical site affected. The most common histopathological type was adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: The overall incidence of colorectal cancer in Qatar is lower than most of the industrial countries, this may be due to certain factors such as young population, high intake of fruits and vegetables and the life style of the people in Qatar. The incidence in the people below the age of 40 years is higher than industrial countries and, in males due to the demographic structure of the population in Qatar.

Adult↗

Asthma hospitalizations in the state of Qatar: an epidemiologic overview.

BACKGROUND: An increasing trend in asthma morbidity and mortality has been reported in a number of countries, including New Zealand, Great Britain, France, Italy, the United States, and Asia; however, no previous studies have evaluated the trend in admission and epidemiology of asthma in the state of Qatar. OBJECTIVE: To describe the patterns of epidemiology of asthma patients who require hospitalization in the state of Qatar. METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional analysis of discharge data for 2002 from the Hamad General Hospital, State of Qatar, for patients who were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of asthma. RESULTS: The asthma hospitalization rate was 42 per 100,000 population. The male-female ratio was 47:53. Of these patients, 35% were younger than 15 years, 60% were between 15 and 64 years, and 5% were 65 years or older. The average cost per admission was dollar 1,544. The mean length of stay was 6.4 days and was longer for females, Qatar nationals, older patients, and those with comorbid conditions. Infectious diseases were common in younger patients, whereas cardiovascular diseases and diabetes were the most common comorbidities in middle-age and elderly asthmatic patients. December was the peak month for hospitalization. The mortality rate was 1.7 per 100,000 population. CONCLUSIONS: For asthma patients in Qatar, the hospitalization rate is below the recommended Healthy People 2000 goal and the mortality rate is low.

Adolescent↗

Controlling residential water demand in Qatar: an assessment.

Qatar has serious water resource problems, following rapid socioeconomic development and massive population increase. Municipal water provision depends on costly and unsustainable desalination. There is little regulation. Native Qataris do not pay a water tariff and migrants pay a subsidized price--approximately one third of the cost of production--so there is little awareness of the true cost of water and use is profligate. This paper discusses trends in water use and identifies issues underlying sustainable water use in Qatar. A questionnaire of respondents chosen to represent Qatari social groups measured awareness and attitudes to water. The results show that previous efforts to control water demand in Qatar, using awareness campaigns, legal restrictions and tariffs, have been ineffectual. The questionnaire evaluated reactions to possible measures to limit uses by raising awareness, using legal restrictions and raising tariffs. From this, a number of policy changes can be suggested, to bring Qatar's water industry towards sustainability.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗

Imported epidemic non-A, non-B hepatitis in Qatar.

During one year, 198 patients were admitted to the Hamad General Hospital, Qatar, with acute viral hepatitis. Sera from 126 of these were tested for HBsAg, IgM anti-HBc, IgG anti-HAV, IgM anti-HAV, and delta antibody in those positive for HBsAg. Only 6% of the patients were Qatari nationals and the remainder were immigrants. Of the 126 patients tested, 7 had acute hepatitis A, 29 had acute hepatitis B (none were positive for delta antibody), and the remaining 91 were regarded as having had acute non-A, non-B hepatitis. Of this latter group, 75% were Indian immigrants of whom 59% presented within six weeks of arrival in Qatar and only 2 patients presented later than eight weeks. These patients were thought to have contracted the infection in transit camps in India before immigration to Qatar.

Adolescent↗

Hepatitis E--an important cause of imported non-A, non-B hepatitis among migrant workers in Qatar.

In 1985, Glynn et al. [Journal of Medical Virology 17:371-375] reported on epidemic viral hepatitis in Qatar and concluded that 72% (91/126) had acute enterically transmitted non-A, non-B viral hepatitis (ET-NANBH). Most of the patients (98%) presented within 8 weeks of arrival in Qatar and were migrant workers from the Indian subcontinent. The data was reanalysed for evidence of infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV). Seventy-eight of 91 (86%) of stored sera were still suitable for analysis since collection in 1981. A newly described enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for both IgG and IgM anti-HEV was used (Abbott Laboratories, Delkenheim, Germany); 59/78 (76%) were positive for either or both assays. All but two were from the Indian subcontinent. The data suggest that HEV was the major cause of ET-NANBH in Qatar in 1981, particularly among newly arrived migrant workers from the Indian subcontinent.

Adult↗

Forensic pathology services and autopsy law of Qatar.

This work presents information about the current practice of medico-legal services including forensic pathology services in the Islamic state of Qatar from the author's personal experience gained during a consultation visit to Hamad Medical Corporation Hospital of Qatar. Qatar enacted a comprehensive autopsy law (Law No. 8 of 2003) on the basis of tenets of Islam, incorporating modern trends and opinion. This deals with performance of hospital/clinical, forensic post-mortems and dissection of dead bodies for educational purposes.

Autopsy↗

Sero-epidemiology of hepatitis B infection in pregnant women in Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B 'e' antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in pregnant women in the Gulf States. METHODS: A total of 1710 pregnant women aged 15-45 years were enrolled in June-July 2000 in nine centres across Oman, Qatar and Unite Arab Emirates. The percentage of HBsAg-positive and HBeAg-positive individuals was determined. RESULTS: Serology results were available for 1694 women. A total of 7.1% of the women in Oman, 1% in Qatar and 1.5% in UAE were HBsAg-positive. Three (0.5%) women in Oman were HBeAg-positive. Risk factors identified for being HBsAg-positive were younger age, being a national (i.e. not an expatriate) and residing outside the city. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study have shown that hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence in pregnant women is of intermediate endemicity in Oman and of low endemicity in Qatar and UAE. Thus, universal vaccination of all female adolescents before potential pregnancy is recommended in Oman in order to prevent perinatal infection, as well as to minimize horizontal transmission of the HBV in the community.

Adolescent↗

Leprosy in Qatar.

Clinical and histopathologic features of 104 cases of leprosy diagnosed between 1982 and 1989 in the State of Qatar were studied. There were 88 male (84.6%) and 16 (15.4%) female patients aged 18 to 64 years. Eighty-four of the cases were diagnosed during the initial mandatory medical screening on arrival to Qatar. Almost all (103) were expatriates and only one 50-year-old woman was a Qatari. Indians formed the largest group (60.6%), followed by Bangladeshi (6.7%), Pakistani (5.8%), and others. The majority of cases were classified as lepromatous (43.3%) or tuberculoid (43.3%). Although Qatar is a relatively leprosy-free country, the influx of a large number of workers from developing countries seeking employment forms a potential public health hazard.

Adolescent↗

Basal cell carcinoma in Qatar.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and skin cancer in general among various countries, where the sun is implicated as an important causative factor. METHODS: Results of clinical and histopathologic examination and the incidence rate of BCCs were recorded over a period of 5 years at Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. RESULTS: Basal cell carcinoma is the commonest skin cancer in Qatar. The average annual incidence per 100,000 residents of working manpower, standardized to the 1986 census, is 9.9 for both sexes and at all ages. Expatriates formed the highest proportion and of these, Europeans were predominant. The tumor was more frequent in men, on sun-exposed areas, was mostly of the nodular and infiltrative type, and occurred in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th decades. As a whole, persons with relatively heavily pigmented skin constituted 66.7% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intense sunlight exposure during outdoor work and leisure activities in Qatar puts residents at increased risk for nonmelanoma skin cancer, even in persons with relatively pigmented skin.

Adult↗

Frequency of headache and migraine in Qatar.

BACKGROUND: Headache is a worldwide problem that affects all ages. To date there are no epidemiological data regarding headaches in Qatar. AIM: The aim of this study was to use the International Headache Society (IHS) diagnostic criteria to estimate the prevalence of migraine and headache in an adult population. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional population-based study. SETTING: The study was carried out at 12 Primary Health Care Centers during the period from October to December 2004 in Qatar. SUBJECTS: Of the 1,200 subjects who were approached to participate in this study, 913 gave their consent, representing a response rate of 76.1%. METHODS: Subjects were selected by a multistage stratified sampling procedure. We used the IHS criteria for migraine. Face-to-face interviews were based on a questionnaire that included variables such as age, sex, socioeconomic status, lifestyle habits, exacerbating factors, warning symptoms, associated features, family history and associated factors. RESULTS: Of the studied subjects, 54.9% were males and 45.1% females. The prevalence of headache and migraine among men was 67.9%, 7.8%, and among women 78.2%, 8.0%, respectively. Subjects aged 25-34 years had higher prevalence of headache comparing to other age groups (27.3%). Prevalence of headache was higher in women. Subjects with less than a high school education had higher frequency of headache (49.1%). The most common warning symptoms prior to headache were abnormal vision (53.0%) and weakness (30.4%). Stress (71.8%) and weather (49.5%) made headache worse in subjects. The majority of the headache sufferers looked for a dark (33.7%) and quiet place (74.5%) to rest. CONCLUSION: Headachedisorders constitute a public health problem in a newly developed Qatari society, due to fast urbanization. More women suffered from headache and migraine than men. The study revealed that there was a strong association between hemoglobin level and headache and its severity. Furthermore, the prevalence of headache and migraine in Qatar is higher than in Western and African countries.

Activities of Daily Living↗

A snapshot of nursing in Qatar.

Between September 2002 and February 2003, shortly before the military action in Iraq. Virginia Nehring served on the faculty of the College of Science in Doha, Qatar. For her second experience as a Fullbright scholar--she taught nursing in Africa in 1994--Dr. Nehring sought to experience an entirely different region of the world, one where English would be spoken and understood. When she made her decision to work in Qatar, a small peninsula nation off the coast of Saudi Arabia, the country was not well known to Americans. Now it is known as Central Command headquarters for the American military during the Iraq military action and as the home of Al Jazeera, the influential television news and opinion station for the Middle East. During her stay in Qatar, Dr. Nehring became the fourth, and only non-Egyptian, doctorally prepared faculty person in the nursing unit of the College of Science. Besides teaching courses such as ethics and issues and trends, she carefully assessed the nursing program, much as an accreditation site visitor might do, with feedback to university administration as well as the nursing unit. She left the region shortly before the military action began.

Arab World↗

Gynaecological malignancies in Qatar.

Gynaecological malignancies constitute 6.88% (144 of 2092) of all malignant lesions in Qatar over a 15 year period (1979-1993). Cancer of the cervix was the most common with 54.86% followed by ovarian cancer 22.91%, endometrium 15.97%, vulva and vagina 2.75% and 2.08% respectively. Malignancies of the corpus uteri were rare. No tumours of the Fallopian tubes were registered during the study period. Early marriage, frequent coitus started early in life and increasing number of pregnancies were predisposing factors for the genesis of cancer of the cervix. As in some other developing countries, cervical and ovarian neoplasms tend to occur in the younger age group. Germ cell and gonadal stromal tumours were rare in Qatar and this may suggest rarity of these tumours in women of Arab and Indian subcontinent descent. Increasing number of pregnancies seems to protect against ovarian cancer. Abortions and age at menarche do not influence the incidence of gynaecological malignancies. Our findings provide an adequate data base for planning of gynaecological cancer education, screening programmes and resource allocation in Qatar.

Adolescent↗

Patient satisfaction in government health facilities in the state of Qatar.

There is an increasing interest in assessing patients' satisfaction with medical care in the United States and other countries. Patient satisfaction studies have, however, received comparatively little attention in public or government-sponsored settings, and in developing countries in particular. The research reported upon here is based on a mail, self-administered survey of patients receiving care in two major government outpatient health care facilities-Hamad General Hospital and the Khalifa Town Health Center-in the State of Qatar, for the purpose of providing data to improve service delivery and the quality of primary care provided in that country. Analysis was performed on data from 444 patients on seven dimensions of patient satisfaction with medical care: general satisfaction, availability of services, convenience of services, facilities (physical environment), humaneness of doctors, quality of care, and continuity of care. The study pointed to a number of deficiencies in the availability and delivery of services in government health facilities in the State of Qatar. It also surfaced methodological issues that should be addressed in comparable studies of culturally diverse populations.

Adolescent↗

Abdominal trauma due to road traffic accidents in Qatar.

OBJECTIVES: To measure the incidence and severity of abdominal trauma due to road traffic accidents (RTA) in Qatar. PATIENT AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all patients admitted with documented abdominal trauma to the only acute General Hospital in the state of Qatar in the period 1991-1995. RESULTS: In the 5-year period, 3744 patients were admitted following an RTA. Of these, 667 (17.8%) were admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) and 84 patients had abdominal injuries, constituting 0.45% of total number and 12.6% of patients admitted to SICU. Twenty-one (25%) of patients with abdominal trauma died. However, only nine patients died from the abdominal injury. Eight patients died due to hepatic injury and one patient due to splenic injury.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Henoch-Schöenlein syndrome in Qatar: the effects of steroid therapy and paucity of renal involvement.

This is a retrospective study of 40 patients admitted to Hamad General Hospital in the state of Qatar between January 1983 and December 1987 with the diagnosis of Henoch-Schöenlein syndrome. Of the 40 patients, 25 were boys and 15 were girls, with a ratio of 1.6:1. Ages ranged from 2 years 3 months to 13 years, with a mean of 6 years. There were six episodes of recurrence in four patients. There was a clustering of cases in late summer and early winter. About half of the patients had a history of preceding upper respiratory infection. All of them had the typical skin rash. The percentages of joint, gastro-intestinal and renal manifestations were 80%, 65% and 17.39%, respectively. One patient had penile swelling which has not been reported before. Steroid therapy seemed to enhance early resolution of abdominal pain but did not affect the course of the syndrome. Sixty-seven per cent of the patients were followed up for from 4 weeks to 5 years, with a mean of 8 months. Only one patient with renal involvement continued to have proteinuria with microscopic haematuria and hypertension. The rest were normal within about 2 months. The remarkably low incidence of renal involvement in our study may be related to local variations in causative factors. Henoch-Schöenlein syndrome is a milder disease in Qatar than in other countries.

Adolescent↗

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↗

Clinical characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus infection in hospitalized healthy infants and young children in Qatar.

To evaluate seasonal trends, clinical profile, and outcome of disease in previously healthy infants and young children hospitalized for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection at Hamad Medical Corporation in the state of Qatar, we reviewed the records of 257 children admitted between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 1998. RSV epidemics occurred yearly during the winter months with peak hospitalizations occuring between November and February. Of the 257 admissions, 160 (62.3 per cent) were male and 97 (37.7 per cent) female. The mean age of all children was 5.7 months (range, 10 days to 32 months). The most common admitting diagnoses were bronchiolitis (59.9 per cent), pneumonia (17.5 per cent), bronchiolitis with pneumonia (8.9 per cent), possible sepsis (7.8 per cent), asthma (4.7 per cent) and apnea (1.2 per cent). A family history of asthma was quite common (63.8 per cent), although no statistical significant difference was noted in complication or length of stay. Treatment was supportive, the majority of the patients received oxygen therapy in 77.8 per cent of cases, bronchodilators in 85.4 per cent, and antibiotics therapy in 49.4 per cent. The median duration of hospital stay was 6 days (range, 1 to 29 days). Of the 14 (5.4 per cent) patients requiring intensive care, four (1.6 per cent) needed mechanical ventilation. No deaths were reported, but subjects aged < or = 12 months had a significantly higher oxygen requirement, intensive care unit admission, bronchodilators and antibiotics therapy than those > 12 months old. Within 1-2 years after admission with RSV infection, 63 of the 257 patients attended for recurrent episodes of wheezy chest. These results indicate that, during the season of infection, RSV is an important pathogen in infants and young children in the state of Qatar, highlighting the need for development of effective vaccines to ameliorate the impact of annual RSV epidemics in infants and young children.

Age Distribution↗

A new type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome associated with tortuous systemic arteries in a large kindred from Qatar.

AIM: To describe the clinical spectrum of anomalies of a new type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in 32 patients from a large inter-related extended family in Qatar. METHODS: Among the 32 patients (from 22 families), there were 6 affected pairs of siblings and 2 families with 3 affected siblings. The male to female ratio was 2:1, ages ranging from birth to 18 y (mean 7.4 y). RESULTS: Anomalies included a variable degree of skin hyperextensibility, hypermobility of small and large joints, and tortuous systemic arteries. Peculiar facial features included epicanthic folds, flat saggy cheeks, elongated faces and micrognathia. The combination of an elongated aortic arch and tortuous brachiocephalic arteries was seen in 30 patients (93.8%), aneurysm of the ascending aorta in 3 patients (9.4%), bifid pulmonary artery in 27 patients (84.4%) and multiple severe peripheral stenosis of the right and/or left pulmonary artery in 7 patients (21.9%). A prominent aortic knuckle was observed on the chest roentgenograms of 30 patients (93.8%); inguinal hernia in 11 patients (34%), diaphragmatic hernia and/or hiatus hernia in 7 patients (21.9%); and laryngo-tracheomalacia in 2 patients (6.3%). Generalized muscle hypotonia was found in 15 neonates (46.9%). Parental consanguinity involved in all the patients was traced to a common ancestor from a large Bedouin tribe in Qatar. These patients are at risk for potentially catastrophic arterial rupture. Linkage to the major loci involved in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and other connective tissue disorders, such as Cutis Laxa, Familial Aneurysm, and Osteogenesis imperfecta, was excluded by using specific DNA markers, confirming the uniqueness of this disorder. CONCLUSION: The study describes a large cohort of patients from the same closely related family, sharing peculiar dysmorphisim and consistent radiological and echocardiographic features different from known types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. As known loci involved in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and other connective tissue disorders were excluded by specific DNA markers, this appears to be a new type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or even a new syndrome.

Adolescent↗