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PubMed1995

Towards improving care for children with diabetes in Kuwait.

Presents the results of a medical audit of the records of 199 children diagnosed as diabetic and admitted to Al-Amiri Hospital, Kuwait. Uses the measurement of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1) to indicate the levels of control achieved. Finds that the degree of glycaemic control compares favourably with studies done in other hospitals, but unfavourably with specialized diabetic clinics. Proposes that glycaemic control could be improved by provision of the services of specialized support staff such as dietitian, educator, psychologist and health visitor.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2002

Molecular fingerprinting of isoniazid-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from chest diseases hospital in Kuwait.

Touchdown double-repetitive-element-PCR (DRE-PCR) was carried out for typing 38 consecutive isoniazid-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated at Chest Diseases Hospital, Kuwait, during 1998-2000. The polymorphism at codon 463 in the katG gene was also determined and correlated with genotypic relationships among the isolates. The isolates exhibited 21 distinct patterns in DRE-PCR. Nearly half of the isolates (18 of 38) exhibited unique patterns. Majority of isolates (16 of 20) yielding multiple DNA fragments in DRE-PCR were unique strains while most of the isolates (16 of 18) yielding a single DNA fragment in DRE-PCR clustered together. The prevalence of L463 in the katG gene was much higher in isolates from Middle Eastern (mostly Kuwaiti) patients than is reported for this ethnic group. The data indicate the possibility of some strains of South Asian/Southeast Asian origin spreading among local populations.

Antitubercular Agents↗

PubMed1984

The spectrum of bronchial asthma in Kuwait.

Kuwait, situated in the north-west corner of the Arabian Gulf, has an arid climate with very hot dry summers and mild winters. Sandstorms are a regular climatic feature, occurring most frequently in summer. Before the mid-1950s allergy was not considered to be a problem. Since then it has become a major cause of morbidity; 18% of the population are reported to suffer from its manifestations. Over the past 3 years 1000 asthmatic patients attending a central clinic have been carefully studied. The present paper analyses various aspects of the asthmatic condition in this desert country.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Components of preoperative patient teaching in Kuwait.

Even before the invasion of Kuwait by the Iraqis in August 1990, the Ministry of Health (MOH) hospitals were overcrowded with patients. This overcrowding was very obvious on surgical floors. Two major reasons for the overcrowding were the high rate of admissions and the overstaying of some patients. The main reasons for overstaying were postoperative complications and patients' anxiety regarding their wounds, both of which could have been prevented or minimized through preoperative patient teaching. This study was done in order to identify the major components of a preoperative patient teaching programme as viewed by Arab and non-Arab surgical nurses and patients, which will serve as a guide in formulating a structured teaching programme for surgical patients. It will also assess the adequacy of preoperative patient teaching done by nurses.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Factors determining the performance of medical students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kuwait.

An investigation was undertaken to determine the factors influencing performance of medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kuwait. Data were collected for the first batch of 42 candidates who successfully passed the 7-year medical programme. Results showed high correlations between high-school admission grades and subsequent performance during the medical programme. Similar results were also obtained with English proficiency. A partial correlation controlling for English proficiency, however, showed a systematic decline in the magnitude of the correlations between high-school grades and performance during the medical programme. In fact the relationship between high-school GPA and clinical GPA was non-significant. A prominent influence of English proficiency on performance is indicated.

Achievement↗

PubMed1989

Comparison of performance of students from different high school systems in medical sciences at Kuwait University.

Data, although limited, question the validity of the formula applied for admission to the medical school in which high school grades are the only preselection variable applied. Comparison between two groups of students from two different high school systems in Kuwait was carried out to determine if the admission criteria used currently for entry to the medical school are equally valid for both groups. The results are based on the students' performances in the first three-semester programme of medical sciences. Subjects covered were anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and behavioural sciences. The group derived from the High School National Diploma performed significantly better with a percentage pass rate of 82% while of those who were derived from the Course Credit System only 61% passed the final examination. In addition, only one of the latter group attained total marks of more than 80% compared to 12 students from the National Diploma group. The percentage failure according to subjects was consistently higher among the Course Credit graduates in all the subjects. All differences between the two groups are statistically significant (P less than 0.001).

Achievement↗

PubMed1993

Dermatophytosis of children in Kuwait: a prospective survey.

BACKGROUND: Tinea capitis in children is widely reported, whereas there have been only isolated reports on involvement of sites other than the scalp. The purpose of this study was to examine the epidemiological features and treatment responses of dermatophytosis of children in Kuwait. METHODS: Epidemiological features and the treatment responses of 202 consecutive children with dermatophytosis were studied. RESULTS: The 202 children constituted 44% of the total dermatophytic infections seen during a period of 1 year. Tinea capitis was the most commonly encountered infection (78%), followed by tinea corporis, tinea faciei, tinea cruris and manus, respectively. Microsporum canis was the most prevalent species (96%) in this region. A history of pets at home could be elicited in 52% of the cases. A familial occurrence of similar infections was seen in 56% of the patients. In patients with tinea capitis, addition of topical clotrimazole or ketoconazole to oral griseofulvin produced better therapeutic results compared to griseofulvin alone or in combination with selenium sulfide shampoo. CONCLUSIONS: Tinea capitis is the most common dermatophytic infection in children. Thirty percent of the children may have dermatophytosis at sites other than the scalp. A combination of topical clotrimazole or ketoconazole with oral griseofulvin is superior to griseofulvin alone or in combination with selenium sulfide shampoo in the treatment of tinea capitis.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Prospective, noncomparative open study from Kuwait of the role of intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis.

BACKGROUND: High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is emerging as a promising new therapy for treating the rare but potentially fatal drug reaction toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Experimental in vitro studies support that IVIG can block the Fas-FasL-mediated apoptosis in TEN. METHODS: Twelve consecutive patients (7M, 5F) with TEN admitted over a 5-year period from January 1998 to December 2002 were treated with a dose of 0.5-1.0 g/kg/d of IVIG for 4-5 days along with standard care protocol. Clinical outcome in terms of average duration to arrest the progression, complete healing, hospital stay, side-effects and complications were determined to find the efficacy of IVIG treatment. RESULTS: Average age was 27.16 years (7-50 years). There were four children (2M, 2F) aged 7-12 years. One patient had an underlying malignancy. No patient had HIV infection. The average total body surface area involvement was 57.5% (30-90%). An IVIG infusion was started, on average, 1.58 days (1-3 days) after admission. All patients responded well to the treatment. There was no mortality. The disease progression was arrested in a mean of 2.83 days (1-5 days). Time taken for complete healing (re-epithelialization) was 7.33 days (5-13 days). The average duration of hospital stay was 12.5 days (7-21 days). No side-effects of the IVIG treatment were observed in these patients. The drugs triggering TEN in these patients were phenytoin (four patients), followed by penicillin (three), cotrimoxazole (two), phenobarbital and furosemide (one patient each), respectively. In one patient, the offending drug could not be ascertained. CONCLUSION: Our experience of treating 12 patients with TEN using IVIG, in Kuwait, confirms that it is a safe and effective treatment for these patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Spectrum of autoimmune bullous diseases in Kuwait.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune bullous diseases (ABDs) are a rare but significant group of dermatoses that pose great challenges to the treating dermatologist. Most epidemiological studies have focused on a single ABD. Few surveys have been carried out to describe the whole spectrum of ABDs in a region, and no such studies are available from the Arabian Peninsula. OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinico-epidemiological features of various ABDs in Kuwait, and to compare the results with those reported elsewhere. METHODS: A total of 128 cases of ABDs were studied over a span of 11.5 years. The diagnosis in all cases was confirmed by histopathology, and direct and indirect immunofluorescence (IMF). The diagnosis of various subepidermal ABDs was further confirmed by indirect IMF on salt-split skin (SSS) and that of pemphigus by desmoglein 1 and 3 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Eighty seven per cent of patients were of Arab ethnicity. Pemphigus was observed to be the commonest ABD (47%), followed by pemphigoid (22%), pemphigoid gestationis (PG) (19%), linear IgA bullous disease (LABD) (7%), lichen planus pemphigoides (LPP) (3%), and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) (2.3%). The minimum estimated incidence in the local population was 4.6, 2.14, 1.83, 0.69, 0.30, and 0.23 cases per million per year, respectively. Pemphigus patients were observed to have a younger age of onset (36.50 +/- 11.36 years) than reported elsewhere. BP, although the second commonest ABD, was less prevalent than in Europe and Singapore, and BP patients were observed to have a striking female predominance (85%). The prevalence of PG was much higher than that reported elsewhere. LABD was the fourth commonest ABD, and 89% of patients were children. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that similar surveys from different regions would expand our understanding of ABD.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Disease profile of 400 institutionalized mentally retarded patients in Kuwait.

In this preliminary report we summarize the results of a 4-year multidisciplinary systematic, etiological clinicogenetic survey of 400 institutionalized mentally retarded patients in Kuwait. All had an intelligence quotient below 50. A constitutional disorder, as the direct cause of the mental retardation, was found in 203 patients (50.75%)): a chromosomal abnormality in 37 (9.25%), Mendelian disorders in 137 (34.25%), MCA/MR in 22 (5.55%) and CNS malformations in 7 cases (1.75%). In 157 patients (39.35%) a pre-, peri or postnatal cause was ascertained. No etiological diagnosis was detected in 40 patients (10%). A detailed analysis of the "disease profile" is given and compared with the results of previous diagnostic genetic surveys among different institutionalized mentally retarded populations in Western and developing countries.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

PubMed1988

Type 2 diabetes in Arab patients in Kuwait.

We describe the characteristics of 75 Arab Type 2 diabetic patients in Kuwait. Their age (+/- SD) at onset was 41 +/- 10 years, and fasting serum C-peptide concentration was 0.32 +/- 0.23 nmol/l (n = 51). Fifty-three percent (37/70) possessed HLA-DR3 or -DR4 epitopes, and 64% (47/73) had a family history of diabetes. Data review suggested that they could be segregated into two groups, those under 40 years old at onset (32 +/- 6 years, n = 37), and the remainder (48 +/- 6 years, n = 38) (p less than 0.001). Those in the former group had a significantly higher frequency of a family history of diabetes than those in the latter group (92% vs 38%, p less than 0.001) suggestive of a greater genetic influence on the development of Type 2 diabetes in those with early onset disease.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Prevalence of obesity in Kuwait and its relation to sociocultural variables.

This study ascertains the prevalence of obesity and its relationship with some sociocultural characteristics in Kuwaiti society. The sample involved 212 men and 212 women, most of whom are overweight and obese. Grades 1 (body mass index [BMI] > 25-30 kg m(-2)), 2 (BMI > 30-40) and 3 (BMI > 40) of obesity characterize 71.2% of the sample. Most individuals are in grade 2 obesity, 37.2%. Grade 1 obesity is seen in 31.4% of the sample. Obesity increases with age, especially in women. The heaviest women are aged 60 years or older (mean BMI of 33.8), about the same mean as in the 50-59-year-old age group. The highest frequency of grades 1 and 2 obesity occur in women 30-39 years old. Fifty per cent of the underweight women are 20-29 years old or are over 60 years old. Most women of normal weight are 20-29 years old. For the men, 60% of the underweight sample are 50-60 years old. Male respondents between 30 and 39 years old are the heaviest; 42.7% of the sample are within grade 1 obesity and 40.7% of the sample within grade 2 obesity. The smallest percentage of men in grades 1 and 2 obesity are those 50-59 years old. An association was found between some sociocultural variables and obesity. Data show an increasing prevalence of obesity in Kuwait compared with some previous studies.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

BstB7SI (R decreases CCGGY), a thermostable isoschizomer of Cfr10I, from a strain of Bacillus stearothermophilus isolated from oil-contaminated soil in Kuwait.

Isolates of thermophilic bacteria from desert soil in Kuwait, heavily contaminated with crude oil, have been screened for the presence of restriction endonuclease activity. One of the isolates (B7S), identified as Bacillus stearothermophilus, showed a high level of restriction endonuclease activity when a cell-free extract was incubated with lambda bacteriophage DNA at 65 degrees C. A type II restriction endonuclease (BstB7SI) has been partially purified from this isolate. BstB7SI recognises the six-base sequence RCCGGY (R = A or G; Y = T or C) and hydrolyses the phosphodiester bond in both strands of the DNA substrate between the first and second bases of the recognition sequence 5'-R decreases CCGGY-3'producing four-base 5' overhangs. BstB7SI is therefore an isoschizomer of the mesophilic prototype restriction endonuclease Cfr10I. BstB7SI has a pH optimum of 9.7, requires 10 mM MgCl2 and 75 mM NaCl for maximum activity, and retains full enzyme activity when incubated for 5 min at temperatures up to 70 degrees C.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1988

Correlates of addiction-related problems in Kuwait: a cross-cultural view.

The promise of adopting a valid and reliable tool for diagnosing addiction-related problems is offered by the Addiction Severity Index (ASI). Socially determined admissions and poor treatment facilities may have biased the representativeness of our sample, though methodological difficulties were minimal. The ASI was used to evaluate 120 hospitalized addicts in Kuwait's only addiction unit, categorized according to their primary drug of abuse: 61% were alcoholics and 39% drug addicts. Examination of ASI composite scores showed no difference between the two patient groups except in their corresponding problem area of substance abuse. ASI composite scores were similar to the interviewer's severity ratings. Intercorrelations between scores for different problem areas were low. The validity of ASI in diagnosing these problems was unquestionable, but the cross-cultural significance of some problem areas is doubtful.

Alcoholism↗

PubMed1989

Some characteristics of the psychiatric population attending a primary care centre in Kuwait.

This study examined the sociodemographic correlates of psychiatric illness in a primary care centre in Kuwait. A total of 164 psychiatric patients seen over a 3-year period formed the experimental group while 165 nonpsychiatric patients attending the same centre formed the control group. Results showed significant differences in basic demographic variables of the 2 groups. The psychiatric patients were significantly more likely to be single, unskilled, young, less educated and living alone or in an overcrowded household and to report more recent life events than controls. The absence of family and social support, lacking a meaningful job and chronicity of illness were significantly correlated with poor treatment response. Possible interpretations of the results were discussed in the cultural context of our patients. The fact that 57% of the psychiatric patients had been ill for more than 6 months prior to consultation highlights the importance of orientation of primary care practitioners to the psychiatric aetiology of somatic presentation of many of their patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1978

Kawasaki disease in Kuwait. A report of two cases.

Kawasaki disease was first reported in Japan in 1967. Since then, it has been reported from the United States, South Korea, Greece, Canada, Australia, Scandinavia and Scotland. Two cases of Kawasaki disease are presented from Kuwait and believed to be the first report of the disease from the Arab world.

Child↗

PubMed2003

Supervised toothbrushing and oral health education program in Kuwait for children and young adults with Down syndrome.

The authors report on the effectiveness of a school-based, supervised toothbrushing program among a group of 112 children with Down syndrome in Kuwait. The study involved 45 boys and 67 girls, who ranged in age from 11-22 years (mean, 14.8 years). The participants had moderate mental retardation and attended one of two special needs schools. Plaque was scored according to the Silness and Löe plaque index and gingivitis according to the Löe and Silness gingival index. Supervised toothbrushing and dental health education sessions were conducted twice a week. The program was evaluated at the end of three months. The mean plaque score decreased from 1.93 to 0.95 (p < 0.001), and the mean gingival score from 2.00 to 0.83 (p < 0.001). This three-month supervised toothbrushing program was effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis scores, but the key to long-term success of the program is sustaining the children's motivation to make oral hygiene a part of their daily life.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Kuwait steps into performance improvement.

Faculty of Kuwait University have been active promotors of quality assurance in their host country, yet despite many attempts the concept has failed. Managing the change process seems to be the primary issue and may hold the key to success.

Hospitals, Teaching↗