SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Kuwait”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

PubMed2006

House dust as a source of human exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Kuwait.

This study reports concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in dust samples collected from 17 homes in Kuwait. PBDEs were measured in all homes investigated with mean summation operatorPBDEs concentration ranging from 1 to 393 ng g(-1), with a geometric mean of 76 ng g(-1). The dominant congener in all samples was BDE 209 constituting ca. 85% of the summationPBDEs followed by BDE 99 (5%), BDE 47 (4.5%), and BDE 183 (2%). The congener mixture in dust is dominated by those in deca and penta formulations. Using the measured concentrations and estimates of dust ingestion rates for children and adults, estimated human non-dietary exposure based on mean PBDE levels were 14.8 and 1.5 ng day(-1) for children and adults, respectively. The 10-fold difference in exposure estimates between children and adults in this study supports previous reports that children are at greater risk from pollutants that accumulate indoors. The ubiquitous distribution of these chemicals as noted in this study highlights the fact that we are continuously exposed to low doses of chemicals in the indoor environment.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗

PubMed2006

Statistical approach for evaluating the significance of generating new data to the management of the brackish groundwater fields in Kuwait.

The brackish groundwater production fields in Kuwait have been drilled intensively during the past three decades. However, poor spatial distribution of some of the measured parameters and limited measurements of others are forcing extended extrapolation during numerical simulations of management schemes. On the other hand, operational, time and budget constraints allow only limited additional field-generated data, raising the question of the significance of their impact on numerical modeling results. This study evaluates this significance by using nearest neighbor statistics and a synthesized data set to assess the impacts of a proposed field investigation on the spatial distribution and kriged values of transmissivity and storage coefficient arrays of the brackish groundwater production fields. A scale for the significance of the impacts was prepared based on the sensitivity of the aquifer system towards the studied properties. The transmissivity data array indicated a 25% reduction in the maximum distance and an 8% increase in the interquartile of the nearest neighbor analysis. The storage coefficient data arrays indicated the extension of the covered area to reach the southern boundary of the study area, which was reflected in more than doubling the maximum distance between the nearest neighbors. For the kriged values of the transmissivity, about 35% of the study area was significantly changed due to the addition of the new data points, while only 10% of the study area was significantly changed for the storage coefficient values. Overall, while the spatial distribution indicators were not conclusive, the significance of the new data was clear in the changes in the kriged values of the aquifer properties. Additionally, this approach highlights the aquifer test locations where the generated data had no impact on the kriged values, which may be utilized for optimizing the allocation and number of the aquifer tests.

Data Collection↗

PubMed2005

Oxidation states of uranium in depleted uranium particles from Kuwait.

The oxidation states of uranium in depleted uranium (DU) particles were determined by synchrotron radiation based mu-XANES, applied to individual particles isolated from selected samples collected at different sites in Kuwait. Based on scanning electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis prior to mu-XANES, DU particles ranging from submicrons to several hundred micrometers were observed. The median particle size depended on sources and sampling sites; small-sized particles (median 13 microm) were identified in swipes taken from the inside of DU penetrators holes in tanks and in sandy soil collected below DU penetrators, while larger particles (median 44 microm) were associated with fire in a DU ammunition storage facility. Furthermore, the (236)U/(235)U ratios obtained from accelerator mass spectrometry demonstrated that uranium in the DU particles originated from reprocessed fuel (about 10(-2) in DU from the ammunition facility, about 10(-3) for DU in swipes). Compared to well-defined standards, all investigated DU particles were oxidized. Uranium particles collected from swipes were characterized as UO(2), U(3)O(8) or a mixture of these oxidized forms, similar to that observed in DU affected areas in Kosovo. Uranium particles formed during fire in the DU ammunition facility were, however, present as oxidation state +5 and +6, with XANES spectra similar to solid uranyl standards. Environmental or health impact assessments for areas affected by DU munitions should therefore take into account the presence of respiratory UO(2), U(3)O(8) and even UO(3) particles, their corresponding weathering rates and the subsequent mobilisation of U from oxidized DU particles.

Kuwait↗

PubMed2004

Unmet need for contraception in Kuwait: issues for health care providers.

Based on a nationally representive household survey of Kuwaiti women held in 1999 (n = 1502) unmet need for contraception was analyzed in Kuwait, an oil-rich Muslim country. It was found that 9.7% currently married women had an unmet need for contraception. Of those, 6.1% wanted to stop child bearing, while 3.6% wanted to space their children. A bivariate comparison of the women with unmet need and current contraceptors showed that the unmet need group comprised of relatively older women with a significantly higher level of parity and ones where husband or wife disapproved of contraception. Also, larger percentages of the unmet need group belonged to relatively lower socio-economic status and were Bedouins. Among the reasons for current non-use, two-third believed that they had a low risk of pregnancy due to infrequent sexual activity or sub-fecundity, and 22% were not using a method because of health concerns. A significantly larger percentage of the unmet need group disapproved of contraception, and believed that Islam forbids family planning, compared to current users (30% and 15%, respectively). The logistic regression analysis showed that the wife's perception of the husband's disapproval of contraceptive use had the strongest negative association with unmet need. We conclude that the contraceptive needs of about 90% of all non-pregnant currently married women who wanted to delay or limit children were being met adequately despite the absence of a formal family planning program, while about 10% women had an unmet need. Issues for health care providers are discussed and family planning counseling is recommended for higher risk older women with unmet need.

Contraception↗

PubMed2001

The spread of a mupirocin-resistant/methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clone in Kuwait hospitals.

High-level mupirocin- and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from five hospitals in Kuwait were studied by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to determine their relatedness to one another and to high-level mupirocin-resistant MRSA isolated previously in a Burns Unit. The genetic location of mupirocin resistance determinant was also determined. All of the isolates were resistant to gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin, tetracycline and cadmium, and contained plasmids of 38, 26 and 2.8 kb. Two isolates contained additional 4.4-kb plasmids. Transfer experiments demonstrated that the 38-kb plasmid encoded high-level mupirocin resistance and the 4.4-kb plasmid encoded chloramphenicol resistance. PFGE typing of representative isolates from the five hospitals demonstrated that the majority of them had identical or closely related pulsed-field patterns suggesting that they had a common origin. However, they differed from high-level mupirocin-resistant MRSA isolated previously in the Burns Unit in their resistance and pulsed-field patterns. Whereas the majority of the previous isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and resistant to trimethoprim and chloramphenicol, the majority of the current isolates were susceptible to trimethoprim and chloramphenicol, and resistant to ciprofloxacin. Only one of the current isolates had identical pulsed-field pattern to the majority of isolates obtained previously in the Burns Unit. The results suggested that a previously dominant clone of high-level mupirocin-resistant MRSA has been replaced in the Burns Unit by a new clone, which also spread in four other hospitals.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2002

Determinants of glycated LDL levels in nondiabetic and diabetic hyperlipidaemic patients in Kuwait.

BACKGROUND: Glycation and oxidative modification of lipoproteins enhance the uptake of these lipids by macrophages in the early stages of atherogenesis. Measurement of blood levels of modified LDL particles could thus constitute another useful modality in identifying subjects at high risk of coronary atherosclerosis (CHD). OBJECTIVE: To measure the glycated LDL level and assess its associations with other metabolic parameters in diabetic and nondiabetic hyperlipidaemic subjects attending a Lipid Clinic in Kuwait. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-three hyperlipidaemic (HL) (72 nondiabetic (ND); 61 diabetic (D)) patients and 42 healthy control (HC) subjects had their fasting serum samples analyzed for glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), urate, HDL, LDL (by routine autoanalyzer methods), apolipoproteins A1 and B (by nephelometry), fructosamine (by spectrophotometry) and glycated LDL (gLDL) by ELISA. RESULTS: The serum gLDL level was significantly higher in HL [D+ND] than in HC (p<0.001). Within the HL group, the DHL patients had higher levels than the NDHL [p<0.001]. These differences were maintained when the gLDL level was also expressed as a percentage of the apo B concentration. The gLDL level correlated positively (p<0.01) with those of glucose, TC, TG and LDL and negatively with HDL (p<0.05) in all the subjects as a whole, healthy and hyperlipidaemia [HC+HL]. In the HL (D+ND) group as a whole, gLDL correlated significantly only with glucose [p<0.01]. In group DHL, however, gLDL correlated significantly with glucose, fructosamine and LDL [all p<0.05]. As expected, fructosamine levels were highest in the DHL group. The significant correlations established between fructosamine and the different analytes measured in the different subject groups were essentially similar to those observed for gLDL, except for the finding of persistent significant negative correlations of fructosamine with LDL in all the subject groups. CONCLUSIONS: (i) Serum gLDL levels are increased in hyperlipidaemic patients and are further increased with diabetes, suggesting that the significant glycation of LDL occurs in all hyperlipidaemic patients irrespective of their glycaemic status. (ii) The significant correlation of gLDL with glucose and fructosamine in diabetic patients would suggest its potential utility as another index of medium term glycaemic control. (iii) gLDL is easily measurable and its values could provide additional information in ascertaining an individual's aggregate CHD risk.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Soft tissue sarcoma in Kuwait: a review of 114 patients.

One hundred and fourteen patients with soft tissue sarcoma were seen in the Kuwait Cancer Control Centre over a period of 11 years. Fifty per cent were liposarcomas, fibrosarcomas and rhabdomyosarcomas. The lower extremity was the commonest site involved, followed by the trunk. Treatment was in most cases surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. The overall rate of local recurrence was 36%. Local failure was highest in abdominal tumours (66%). In extremity lesions, local recurrence was higher in proximal sites than in distal sites. Twenty-eight per cent of the patients had metastases, the lung being the commonest site (68%). The histological type had no bearing on local failure or dissemination. Histopathological grade was found to be an important prognostic indicator, both for local failure and dissemination. The rates of local recurrence and metastases were lower in low grade than in high grade tumours.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Over-the-counter use of oral contraceptives in Kuwait.

Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) are available over-the-counter (OTC) in Kuwait, and constitute a leading method for spacing and limiting children. Data from a nationally representative survey of Kuwaiti women are used to examine OTC use of OCPs. One-fourth of the women initiated use without consulting a doctor, and 50% bought OCPs from the pharmacy. No socioeconomic or demographic differences were found between those who consulted a physician, implying that women of different background have similar accessibility to the physician. Using multivariate analysis, the odds of consulting a physician were found to be significantly lower for women who first bought OCPs directly from the commercial pharmacy. The duration of first time OCP use did not differ according to physician consultation. It is concluded that OTC availability of OCPs has many advantages and prevents unwanted pregnancy. However, there is a need for better packaging and instructions that would enable high-risk women to identify themselves and to use OCPs under physician supervision.

Contraceptives, Oral↗

PubMed2004

Cysticercosis: imported and autochthonous infections in Kuwait.

Intracerebral and non-central nervous system (non-CNS) cysticercosis caused by the larval pork tapeworm Taenia solium was diagnosed in patients in an Islamic state. The mode of transmission and challenges in diagnosis are highlighted. Sixteen patients with neurocysticercosis and six with non-CNS lesions were diagnosed by imaging studies (computerized tomography [CT]/magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) and serology (ELISA and/or enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot assay [EITB]). Four of 55 family members, including servants, tested for antibodies were positive by the EITB and ELISA. Only one of these sera tested for antibodies to adult T. solium was positive: that of the cook, the probable source of the infection. We postulate a similar mode of transmission in the other Kuwaitis. Evaluation of several commercially available ELISA kits showed they were of poor specificity. Even in countries where pork consumption is proscribed by religious laws, physicians should include cysticercosis in their differential diagnosis in patients with neurological symptoms or non-CNS lesions, especially in non-endemic countries with a large expatriate population such as Kuwait. In children particularly, and in this region, suspected tuberculous lesions on CT must be investigated to rule out cysticerci by a more diligent use of the sensitive and specific EITB assay. Failure to understand the local epidemiology leads to empirical, inappropriate and prolonged therapy for chronic disease.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1976

Actinomycetes in the desert of Kuwait.

The distribution of actinomycetes in two desert localities in Kuwait was investigated. The genus Streptomyces was dominant in the two studied localities. Attempts to classify this genus in groups and species were made. Species producing straight or wavy spore chains were dominating in the two localities. Species producing oval spores and smooth spore surfaces were widely distributed. The most frequent is the cinereus series. Streptomyces aburaviensis and S. wedmorensis were more frequent in Cyperus locality, while S. calvus was the dominant one in Rhanterium locality. Each locality was characterized by different groups and species.

Actinomycetales↗

PubMed1997

Laboratory-scale bioremediation of oil-contaminated soil of Kuwait with soil amendment materials.

A huge amount of oil-contaminated soil remains unremediated in the Kuwait desert. The contaminated oil has the potentiality to cause pollution of underground water and to effect the health of people in the neighborhood. In this study, laboratory scale bioremediation experiments were carried out. Hyponex (Hyponex, Inc.) and bark manure were added as basic nutrients for microorganisms, and twelve kinds of materials (baked diatomite, microporous glass, coconut charcoal, an oil-decomposing bacterial mixture (Formula X from Oppenheimer, Inc.), and eight kinds of surfactants) were applied to accelerate the biodegradation of oil hydrocarbons. 15% to 33% of the contaminated oil was decomposed during 43 weeks' incubation. Among the materials tested, coconut charcoal enhanced the biodegradation. On the contrary, the addition of an oil-decomposing bacterial mixture impeded the biodegradation. The effects of the other materials were very slight. The toxicity of the biodegraded compounds was estimated by the Ames test and the tea pollen tube growth test. Both of the hydrophobic (dichloromethane extracts) and hydrophilic (methanol extracts) fractions showed a very slight toxicity in the Ames test. In the tea pollen tube growth test, the hydrophobic fraction was not toxic and enhanced the growth of pollen tubes.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed1997

Accumulation of copper, nickel, lead and zinc by snail, Lunella coronatus and pearl oyster, Pinctada radiata from the Kuwait coast before and after the Gulf War oil spill.

This study investigated the contribution of the 1991 oil spill to heavy metal contamination in the marine environment of the Gulf in Kuwait by analyzing moleskin organisms (gastropod snail, Lunella coronatus and bivalve Pearl oyster, Pinctada radiata) for their heavy metal contents before and after the spill. Concentrations of copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were determined in the soft tissue of both snail and oyster samples from three coastal stations during 1990 and 1994. In the 1990 samples, the metal concentrations in snail and oysters from different sampling stations were between 0.35 and 0.67; 0.11 and 2.29 micrograms/g for Cu, 1.50 and 4.50; 0.47 and 1.33 micrograms/g for Ni, 0.16 and 2.98; 0.44 and 0.69 microgram/g for Pb and 19.94 and 54.79; 247.20 and 1204.40 micrograms/g for Zn, respectively. In the 1994 samples, the metal concentrations were between 11.24 and 55.00; 28.90 and 168.43 micrograms/g for Cu, 15.33 and 16.96; 0.08 and 1.54 micrograms/g for Ni, 0.37 and 0.57 microgram/g; 0.07 and 0.44 microgram/g for Pb and 28.86 and 486.61; 17.75 and 575.00 micrograms/g for Zn respectively. The 1994 samples have significantly higher mean concentrations of Cu, Ni and Zn than the 1990 samples, except Pb in the 1994 samples, which showed a slightly lower mean concentration. The difference in patterns of metal occurrence and the significant increase in the Cu, Ni, and Zn concentrations in the 1994 snail and oyster samples were due to a contribution from the 1991 Gulf War oil spill.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Dental lead levels in residents from industrial and suburban areas of Kuwait.

The present study describes lead concentrations in whole incisor teeth (non-carious) of 216 Kuwaiti resident's aged 3-74, collected from industrial and suburban areas of Kuwait. The mean concentration of lead in all age groups (3-74) showed a significant correlation between both the sexes. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between lead levels of males compared with industrial and suburban areas. A similar correlation was also noted in the case of females supporting that industrial residents were more exposed to lead levels than those in suburban areas. A further significant correlation was noted between males and females of industrial and suburban areas which showed that males accumulate more lead concentration than females. A significant correlation was not observed when each age group was compared with that of the respective sexes representing industrial and suburban areas. However, a significant correlation was noted when lead levels in each age group was compared with that of the other age groups except in age groups ranging 35-42. The mean lead levels of 216 teeth were in the range 2.21-2.50 micrograms/g which is less than the range indicated by other investigators in the recent past.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Frequency of endodontic treatment in Kuwait: radiographic evaluation of 846 endodontically treated teeth.

A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the radiographic films of 846 endodontically treated teeth at Benied Al Ghar Dental Center in Kuwait. The most frequently treated tooth was the mandibular first molar (17.4%). The number, percentage, and distribution of the roots, root canals, and apical foramina were reported by individual tooth. The clinical findings were compared to the results of previously related in vitro and in vivo studies.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Impact of trace metals and nutrients levels on phytoplankton from the Kuwait coast.

The impact of marine pollution was estimated from seven stations of Kuwait coastal waters. The mean concentrations of all trace metals in seawater (0.07-7.04 microg/l) and in phytoplankton (14.90-52.01 microg/g) revealed less phytoplankton abundance in Stations IV VI during the four seasons. However, a relative surge in the phytoplankton abundance, with an increase in the mean concentrations of all trace metals in seawater (0.15-8.94 microg/l) and phytoplankton (22.82-61.25 microg/g), was observed in Station II. A low phytoplankton abundance was noted in Stations I, III, and VII despite low mean concentrations of all the trace metals in seawater (0.11-5.77 microg/l) and phytoplankton (1.40-20 microg/g) during the four seasons. Statistical tests revealed significant difference in Fe, Ni, and Pb between the four seasons in seawater and Fe and Co in phytoplankton. No significant difference in trace metals between locations was observed in seawater and in phytoplankton. The major nutrients in all the four seasons were found in the magnitude of SiO3 > NO3 > PO4 in all the stations, and thus, support the presence of rich diatoms and dinoflagellates than other phytoplankton groups. The seven stations also represented indicator species of oil and industrial waste pollution.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Flux of heavy metal accumulation in various organs of the intertidal marine blue crab, Portunus pelagicus (L.) from the Kuwait coast after the Gulf War.

The metal levels of arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, magnesium, manganese, selenium, vanadium, and zinc concentrations were determined in various body organs, viz., hepatopancreas, gills, gonad, gastric stomach, and muscle of the blue crab, Portunus pelagicus (Crustacea: Decapoda) to assess the bioaccumulation of metals associated with petroleum input a decade after the 1991 Gulf War oil spillage. Sample solutions prepared were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometry. High concentrations of Zn and Cu in the muscle and hepatopancreas tissues were a strong indicative of high exposure of P. pelagicus to these metals. However, muscle tissue had been found to accumulate the highest values for all metal speciations analyzed. Copper, zinc, and chromium in samples collected from Station II covering the Kuwait City area were often in excess of those present in Station I and III. Arsenic, lead, magnesium, manganese, selenium, and vanadium were greater in individuals obtained from Station I. A significant correlation was found to exist between Se and V in crab muscle with a surge in Se metal concentration, which was found to be inversely proportional to that of V metal concentration irrespective of the sex of the crab. The difference in patterns of metal occurrence and the significant increase in the Cu and Zn concentrations in various organs of the crab were largely associated with the 1991 Gulf War oil spill. Such results could be used as a baseline for the monitoring of the level of metals in marine organisms of future studies.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

High incidence of post-transplant diabetes mellitus in Kuwait.

Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) has been reported to occur in 5-15% of non-diabetic renal transplant recipients. During a 15-year period (January 1983-January 1998), 631 renal transplant recipients (TxR) were followed-up in our Centre of whom 79 (12.5%) had pre-transplant diabetes mellitus. Among the 552 TxR who were non-diabetic at pre-transplantation, 117 (21.2%) developed PTDM. The gender, native renal disease and the mode of pre-transplant dialysis did not differ in those with and without PTDM. Of the 117 TxR who developed PTDM, 63 (53.8%) were above the age of 45 years where as only 90 (20.7%) of the 435 who remained non-diabetic (NDM) were above this age (P<0.05). PTDM occurred in 115 (29.6%) recipients of Arab origin (Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis) where as only two (1.7%) non-Arabs developed it. There was no difference in the incidence of PTDM when prednisone and azathioprine (two drug regime) were used or with cyclosporine (triple drug regime). The incidence of acute rejection episodes did not differ among PTDM and NDM groups. The over all incidence of infections requiring hospitalisation was higher in PTDM group (1.8 episodes per patient) compared to NDM group (one episode per patient) during the study period (P<0.001). Coronary heart disease was also more frequent in PTDM (15 vs. 6%, P<0.05). The cumulative graft survival at 1, 5, 10 and 14 years in the PTDM (97, 92, 74 and 67%, respectively) and NDM groups (97, 91, 80 and 73%, respectively) was similar. However, an important cause of graft loss was death of the recipient in PTDM compared to NDM (10.7 vs. 3.6%). Similarly, the patient survival up to 14 years did not differ between PTDM and NDM groups (80 and 82%, respectively), although infection related deaths were more frequent in the PTDM group (65 vs. 49%) although not statistically significant. In conclusion, there is a high incidence of PTDM in Kuwait; age and race being the two important contributory factors. The overall patient and graft survival are not adversely affected by PTDM although infections and coronary heart disease are more frequently encountered in this group.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Incidence and seasonal variation of Type 1 diabetes in children in Farwania area, Kuwait (1995-1999).

The aim of our study was to confirm the continuing rise in the incidence of Type 1 diabetes among Kuwaiti children aged 0-14, and to assess the effect of seasonality on incidence. Data from all newly diagnosed diabetic children between the period of 1995 and 1999 were analyzed. A total of 129 cases of Type 1 diabetes were diagnosed during the study period, of whom 68 were Kuwaiti nationals and were included in the study. The incidence was 20.18 per 100,000 (95% CI 16.3-28.2). Incidence rates for the age-groups 0-4, 5-9 and 10-14 were 8.12, 21.07 and 34.06, respectively. There was a significant female predominance (F:M ratio was 1.4:1, P<0.05). More cases were diagnosed in the cool months (November-February) compared with the warm months (June-September, P<0.05). There was increase in incidence from 1995 to 1999, but compared with data from the 1980s on the same age group, incidence has increased. A positive family history of Type 1 diabetes in a close relative was recorded for 30% of the patients. Although, only data from one hospital were included, Kuwait is very small geographically and not likely to have differences between different areas. Stress factors, economic growth, changes in the nutritional habits and the adoption of the western lifestyle may explain some of this increase.

Adolescent↗