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PubMed2002

Hormone profile of Kuwaiti women with hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence of hyperemesis gravidarum among pregnant women in Kuwait and the status of HCG, TSH, Total T4 and Free T4 in the serum of patients with hyperemesis gravidarum compared with a control group of women. METHODOLOGY: During a 6-month period all patients admitted to Maternity Hospital with features of hyperemesis gravidarum (excessive vomiting and ketonuria) were enlisted into the study. In fifty of these patients and their fifty normal controls, the status of serum total (beta)hCG, TSH, total T4 and freeT4 were evaluated with AXSYM micro particle enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: The incidence of hyperemesis in the maternity population was 45 per 1000 deliveries. Total (beta)hCG and Total T4 and FreeT4 were significantly higher in the hyperemesis patients than in the normal controls (p<0.0001, p=0.004 and p=0.01 respectively). TSH levels were significantly lower in hyperemesis patients than in their normal controls (p<0.0001). There was a strong positive correlation between the total (beta)hCG and the gestational age (r=0.8). CONCLUSION: There is a high incidence of hyperemesis gravidarum in the Kuwaiti population. Total (beta)hCG, Total T4 and Free T4 titers were significantly higher in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum, but none of the patients showed signs of hyperthyroidism.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Nephrocalcinosis and urolithiasis in carbonic anhydrase II deficiency syndrome.

We report three new Kuwaiti patients with carbonic anhydrase II deficiency (CA II) from two unrelated families. Each patient had osteopetrosis, distal renal tubular acidosis, and cerebral calcification. Patients from family 1 (a brother and a sister) had some facial anomalies and delayed development. At the age of 14 months, ultrasound studies in the girl showed medullary nephrocalcinosis which has not been previously described in association with CA II, while cerebral CT scan revealed dilated ventricles. The patient from family 2, who had two previously reported affected siblings, developed bilateral recurrent renal stones and hypercalciuria but no nephrocalcinosis. None of his affected siblings had nephrocalcinosis or urolithiasis. DNA analysis of patients from both families showed that each of them was homozygous for the "Arabic" mutation in the CA II gene. We report new features in three Arab patients with CAII deficiency. Also review all previously reported CA II cases from Kuwait in order to highlight the inter-/intra-familial variability of the disease in this part of the world despite the overwhelming prevalence of the same "Arabic" mutation among the patient population.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Deletion analysis of the SMN and NAIP genes in Kuwaiti patients with spinal muscular atrophy.

Two genes are known to be involved in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), namely, SMN (survival motor neuron) and NAIP (neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein). Deletion analysis of these genes has been reported for many ethnic groups. We have extended this analysis to include 15 Arabic patients (11 unrelated cases of type I, which represent practically all of the patients diagnosed within the last 2 years in Kuwait, and 4 type-II cases from a single kinship). Also, 41 healthy relatives (parents and sibs) and 44 control individuals of Arabic origin were analyzed. The homozygous deletions of exons 7 and 8 of the SMN gene were found in all SMA patients studied. Exon 5 of NAIP was homozygously absent in all type-I patients, but was retained in type-II cases. Among members of SMA families, one mother was found to be homozygously deleted for NAIP. All of the control individuals had both normal SMN and NAIP. Our results are in agreement with the general consensus that the incidence of NAIP deletion is higher in the more severe SMA cases. Furthermore, they suggest that SMA type-I chromosomes, with the dual deletion of the SMN and NAIP genes, are more common in Arabs than in patients of other ethnic origin.

Arabs↗

PubMed2005

Chronic renal failure in Kuwaiti children: an eight-year experience.

Over an 8-year period (January 1996 to December 2003), a total of 171 patients below the age of 15 years were diagnosed with chronic renal failure. The mean incidence rate of CRF in Kuwaiti children was found to be 38.2 per million children per year, with a peak incidence of 55 per million children per year. While the mean age at diagnosis was 33+/-12 months (range: 1 month to 15 years), the male:female ratio was 2.7:1. Etiological factors for chronic renal failure included congenital urological malformation (61.9%), chronic glomerulopathies (5.2%), hereditary nephropathies (21%), multi-system disease (0.5%), chronic pyelonephritis (without VUR) (4.6%), tumors (0.6%), ischemic renal disease (1.1%) and unknown etiology (1.7%). Thirty percent of patients reached end-stage renal disease within a mean of 18 months following diagnosis. The overall mortality before reaching ESRD was reported to be 4%. Kuwait has one of the highest incidence and prevalence rates of CRF in children. It is likely that genetic and hereditary factors are the cause of these high rates.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Impact of the 1997 American Diabetes Association criteria on classification of glucose intolerance among Kuwaitis below 50 years of age.

Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes is emerging as a leading chronic non-communicable disease among the adult Kuwaiti population. Based on the World Health Organization and similar reports the projected estimates for subjects suffering from type 2 diabetes by the years 2000 and 2010 show a striking tendency to high rates of the disease in our area. We report the prevalence rates of glucose intolerance among a relatively young adult Kuwaiti population below 50 years of age and the effect of implementing the recent 1997 American Diabetes Association diagnostic criteria on the frequency of type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose among this group. The overall prevalence rate for the three categories of glucose intolerance reached as high as 15.8% (95% CI, 14.2 to 17.4). Age, though all subjects were below 50 years, parental history of type 2 diabetes, diastolic blood pressure and serum triglycerides were found to be significant associated risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes. Obesity was an apparent significant factor associated with the three forms of glucose intolerance (p < 0.001). Obesity and physical inactivity were documented in both non-diabetic and more so in diabetic Kuwaiti adults, which should form the basis of any immediate intervention programme. An integrated approach to the prevention of the described critical risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes is highly recommended in Kuwait. Research, focused on genetics of type 2 diabetes in the highly susceptible Kuwaiti population, should be planned.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Hyperhomocysteinaemia and risk of thrombosis in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Hyperhomocysteinaemia is strongly associated with increased relative risk of occlusive vascular disease, mainly of the carotid and coronary arteries. The aim of our study was to assess whether raised plasma homocysteine is a risk factor for thrombotic events in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a condition known to be associated with premature atherothrombotic complications. The study included 34 consecutive consenting SLE patients who were seen in the Rheumatology Unit of Al-Amiri hospital, one of the main teaching hospitals in Kuwait. Twenty consenting healthy subjects were included in the control group. Twenty-four patients were grouped as SLE without thrombosis and 10 had different types of thromboses. Vitamin B(12), folate, anticardiolipin antibodies (IgG and IgM), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and total homocysteine level were measured for both patients and controls. A raised homocysteine concentration was defined as plasma homocysteine level above 9.4 mmol/l. Hyperhomocysteinaemia was found in 21 (61.8%) SLE patients. Low levels of folate and vitamin B(12) were significantly associated with high concentrations of plasma homocysteine (r = -0.35 and -0.39, respectively, P<0.01). SLE patients with elevated homocysteine concentration have a threefold increase in odds ratio of thrombotic events after adjusting for other risk factors (male sex, shortened APTT, treatment with prednisone, low folate and vitamin B(12) levels). We concluded that homocysteine is an independent risk factor for thrombosis in patients with SLE and is potentially modifiable.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Incidence of acute myocardial infarction during Islamic holiday seasons.

Some weather and holiday seasons are associated with increased incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We studied the influence of one such season, Islamic holiday season of "Eid Al-Fitr", on the incidence of AMI in a Muslim country. This was carried out by examining the admissions to the coronary care unit of a large hospital over six consecutive years (from 1997 to 2003), encompassing six consecutive holiday seasons in Kuwait. We compared the admission rates during three time intervals in each of those 6 years; the Eid holiday season, the 2 months before and the 2 months after. A total of 964 AMI admissions occurred, with a mean age of 55 years. When the admission rates were compared, the Islamic holiday seasons were associated with a significant increase in AMI admission rate (45 cases vs. 31 cases, p < 0.01). This increase occurred mainly on the second day of the 4-day holiday season. This finding was confirmed using Locally Weighted Smooth Regression (LOESS) regression models with different smoothing levels. Our finding might have potential implications for preventive health campaigns in Muslim countries.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

A study of road traffic accidents in Saudi Arabia.

In Saudi Arabia, with its rapid expansion of road construction and increase in the number of vehicles, road traffic accidents are becoming a serious public health problem. The object of this paper is to discuss the magnitude of this problem and to compare the situation with that of other rich, developing countries which have also had rapid expansion of road construction and increase in the number of vehicles. It appears that Saudi Arabia has lower accident rates but higher casualty and fatality rates than Kuwait.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed1987

External quality assessment data analysis by microcomputer.

Microcomputers are now widely used in clinical laboratories because of their low price and the availability of a wide variety of software that can be adapted to the users' requirements. The continuously increasing numbers of patients, tests and the use of automation are additional factors which emphasize the need for computers. A microcomputer software that meets the exact requirements of the Quality Control Unit was developed to evaluate laboratories participating in the Kuwait National Bacteriological Quality Assessment Scheme.

Computers↗

PubMed1988

Recognition of a category of responders to group II, slow-grower associated antigens amongst Kuwaiti senior school children, using a statistical model.

A mathematical model previously developed to test the validity of categorisation of skin test responders has been applied to data obtained from 3 age groups of Kuwaiti school children. Two specially designed sets of 4 new tuberculins were tested on senior school children to determine whether extra categories of responders might exist amongst them. Strong statistical evidence has been obtained that a proportion of the children respond to group ii, slow-grower associated antigen, creating a fourth responder category, but no evidence was found for responses to group iii, fast-grower associated antigen. The significance of group ii antigens in immune protection from tuberculosis has never been considered specifically. It is of special interest to note that responders to these antigens have been readily found in Kuwait, a country where BCG is thought to be effective, whereas no such category could be found in India or Sri Lanka, where the efficacy of the vaccine is less certain.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Immunotherapy with Mycobacterium vaccae as an adjunct to chemotherapy in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

47 patients with adult-type pulmonary tuberculosis attending the Chest Diseases Hospital in Kuwait were given a single injection of 10(9) irradiation-killed M. vaccae after 1 month of a 9-month course of chemotherapy. The patients were followed-up for 3 more months in double blind comparison with 65 patients given an injection of saline (placebo). The immunotherapeutic injection produced a small local lesion in 44/47 patients, 18 of which ulcerated and produced small scars. Immunotherapy made no measurable difference to the bacteriological, biochemical, haematological, or radiological parameters measured. However it was associated with significantly improved weight gain, reduced size of skin test response to Tuberculin, increased lymphocyte proliferation to common mycobacterial antigens, and increased antibody levels to mycobacterial antigens. The changes in skin test and LTT responses were related and occurred in 29% of patients whose recognition of common mycobacterial antigens returned to normal. The remaining patients did not differ in these respects from those receiving placebo. The proportion of patients whose responses were improved was very similar to that achieved using the same immunotherapeutic agent in a group of treated multibacillary leprosy patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Transfer of medical technology from a developed to a developing country.

Medical care is increasingly dependent on technology, but what are the problems involved in the transfer of technology from a developed to a developing country? What are the administrative, personnel and engineering problems? We address these questions in the context of our experience of transferring the medical technology and knowledge necessary for the development of nuclear medicine facilities in Kuwait.

Biomedical Engineering↗

PubMed1995

The impact of the Gulf armed conflict on the health and behaviour of Kuwaiti children.

This study deals with the psychological reactions of Kuwaiti children to war-related stresses in the early period of the Gulf crisis following the summer 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. A sample of 106 children was drawn from Kuwaiti displaced families and a comparable control sample was obtained from Saudi families in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. An interview checklist of symptoms of physical and psychological distress was administered to the index child and a female key informant in each household of cases and controls. Most Kuwaiti children were exposed to unpleasant war experiences. It was found that Kuwaiti children exhibited a substantially greater degree of dysfunctional social and emotional behaviour. The types of adverse behaviours were a function of the child's age, sex and experience of aggression. The findings support the notion that a negative relationship exists between armed conflict and the health and behaviour of the children. The complex needs of children exposed to violence require professionals to seek ways of combining psychodynamic interventions and relief programmes.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Burns during pregnancy.

Eight cases of burns during pregnancy were treated in Kuwait during the last 3 years. In all burns above 30 per cent body surface area (BSA), abortion, premature labour and intrauterine fetal death are ever-present complications and the survival of the foetus in burns above 50 per cent BSA is uncommon. Nearly all these complications occur during the first week after the burn. For patients in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy with burns above 50 per cent BSA the prognosis is usually poor unless the pregnancy is terminated within 24-48 h after the burn.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987

A cross-cultural application of a drinking behaviour questionnaire.

A British Questionnaire for Drinking Behaviour (HDBQ) measuring the severity of alcoholism was applied cross-culturally to 96 Arab-Muslim alcoholics while receiving treatment in Kuwait Psychiatric hospital. Though HDBQ proved valid in differentiating Arab alcoholics drinking categories, it gave significantly lower scores for the Arab sample when compared to scores of a British sample. Statistical analysis of the responses of various categories showed that Arab patients tended to respond in absolute negatives significantly more than the British sample did. Cultural factors underlying this tendency were discussed. Suggestions are offered for improvements of this and similar diagnostic instruments to make them more usable transculturally.

Alcoholism↗

PubMed1988

Prevalence of neutralising antibodies to Akabane virus in the Arabian peninsula.

Serum-neutralising antibodies to Akabane virus were found in a wide range of domestic animals in all countries of the Arabian Peninsula but the virus does not seem to be endemic there. Sentinel herds in Oman and N. Yemen did not detect any Akabane activity between August 1984-November 1986 and May 1983-November 1984, respectively. However, there is strong evidence to suggest that Akabane virus incursions have recently taken place in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain as neutralising antibodies were detected in 1-year-old cattle bled during 1986 in each of these countries. The possibility of windborne infected vectors, from virus-endemic areas, initiating these incursions into the Arabian Peninsula is discussed.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1995

Patterns of childhood cancer mortality: America, Asia and Oceania.

Age-standardised mortality rates for childhood cancers for the calendar period 1950-1989 were reviewed for 22 countries (Canada, U.S.A., 10 Latin American countries or territories, Egypt, seven countries or territories from Asia, Australia and New Zealand) using data from the World Health Organization database. The highest mortality rates (between 6 and 7.5/100,000 boys, between 5 and 6/10,000 girls) for all childhood neoplasms were registered in Latin American countries (Uruguay, Cuba, Argentina, Costa Rica), Kuwait, New Zealand and Singapore. Rates were low in most developed countries, such as Canada, U.S.A., Australia, Japan and Israel (3.5 to 4.5/100,000). The pattern was similar for leukaemias, which account for approximately 50% of all childhood cancer mortality. From the 1960s onwards, a 50% decline in childhood cancer mortality was observed in the U.S.A. and Canada, and substantial declines were also observed in other developed countries, such as Australia, Israel and Japan. The pattern was much less favourable for other areas of the world, including Latin America and a few countries from Asia for which there were data. These declines in childhood cancer mortality are essentially attributable to improved management of the disease. The delay observed in the decline in mortality for most developing countries emphasises the scope and the importance of extending adequate treatments for childhood cancers to these areas of the world.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Association between normative and self-perceived orthodontic treatment need among Arab high school students.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether there was an association between normative and self-perceived orthodontic treatment need, and to evaluate the influence of sex and socioeconomic background on treatment need. A total of 139 high school students, aged 14 to 18 years, from 2 districts in Kuwait were included. The study consisted of a questionnaire and a clinical examination. Normative need for treatment was assessed clinically by using the index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN). Both the dental health component (DHC) and the aesthetic component (AC) of the IOTN correlated positively with self-perceived treatment need. In 53% of the subjects, there was agreement between self-perceived treatment need and the DHC score. Between the AC component and self-perceived need, the agreement was 77%. The odds of self-perceived treatment need were 10-fold for subjects having AC scores higher than 4, indicating moderate or definite need. Sex and socioeconomic factors did not significantly affect the normative treatment need. These results suggest that the AC component of the IOTN clearly reflects the self-perceived need for treatment.

Adolescent↗