Objectives: Our study sought to investigate the relationship between sleep quality, sleep patterns, and 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among Omani adults attending primary healthcare centers in Muscat. Methods: We used a cross-sectional design to collect patient data obtained between September 2023 and September 2024. Participants who were Omani and aged 30–75 years were included in the study using convenience sampling; however, those with established cardiovascular disease or showing signs of obstructive sleep apnea were excluded. The 10-year CVD risk was calculated using the Framingham Risk Score, and sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The research explored the impact of various sleep patterns (monophasic, biphasic, polyphasic), work timings, sociodemographic factors, and body mass index on sleep quality and CVD risk. Results: A total of 400 participants were included in this study, with the majority (60.0%) being female. We observed a significant association between poor sleep quality and an increased risk of developing CVD over 10 years (odds ratio = 1.734; p = 0.032). Flexible work timings showed a protective effect against CVD (odds ratio = 0.514; p = 0.010). We found no significant difference between sleep patterns and CVD risk. Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the importance of sleep quality and work flexibility in reducing cardiovascular risk, with potential implications for public health interventions.
Keywords: Sleep Quality; Cardiovascular Diseases; Risk Assessment; Oman.
Objectives: Hydroxyurea is been recommended for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) as it reduces the complications from the disease by increasing the production of fetal hemoglobin. In Oman, hydroxyurea is not consistently prescribed to children with SCD, and limited research has compared the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among children prescribed hydroxyurea. Thus, this study evaluated HRQOL differences between children with SCD who received hydroxyurea and those who did not.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on children from a hematology clinic at a tertiary hospital in Oman. We collected the data using two questionnaires: HRQOL-SCD and HRQOL-Generic. A one-way analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 74 children (47.3% male and 52.7% female) completed the questionnaire; 33 children were on hydroxyurea and 41 were not. A significant difference in HRQOL scores was found between children receiving hydroxyurea and those not taking the drug > (1,68) = 419.4; p-value = 0.001]. Regression analysis revealed that hydroxyurea was a significant predictor of improved HRQOL among children with SCD. An R2 of 0.87 indicated that 87.0% of the variability in the child-reported HRQOL-Generic was explained by parental familiarity, self-efficacy, child age, sex, and receiving hydroxyurea [R2 = 0.87, (8,69) = 52.4; p = 0.001]. Conclusions: Hydroxyurea improved the children’s HRQOL compared to those who did not receive the drug. These findings support the use of hydroxyurea in children to improve HRQOL and reduce vaso-occlusive episodes. We recommend increasing parents’ understanding of hydroxyurea’s significance and devising strategies to promote children’s medication adherence. It is essential to modify the SCD management protocol to optimize the HRQOL among children with SCD.
Keywords: Anemia, Sickle Cell; Hydroxyurea; Quality of Life; Oman.
Objectives: The demand for procedural sedation is increasing, with propofol remaining a popular choice due to its safety and rapid recovery profile. Remimazolam presents a promising alternative, offering a rapid onset and short duration of action. Its favorable safety profile and suitability for continuous infusion make it particularly advantageous. This study aimed to evaluate recovery times following continuous infusion of remimazolam compared to propofol sedation. Methods: A single-center, prospective, observational study was conducted from February to June 2023 and was approved by the Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center Ethics Committee. Ninety American Society of Anesthesiologists II or III patients undergoing infraumbilical orthopedic, vascular, or inguinal hernia repair surgeries under spinal anesthesia were assigned to receive either remimazolam or propofol sedation. Sedation depth was assessed using bispectral index (BIS), Modified Observer’s Assessment of Awareness/Sedation Scale, and Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale. Sedation onset, duration, and recovery times were recorded, alongside dosage adjustments based on target BIS values of 60–80. Propensity score matching was employed to address confounding variables. Results: Remimazolam exhibited significantly faster recovery times, with a median time to achieve BIS > 80 of 3.0 min (IQR = 2.5), compared to 6.0 min (IQR = 3.0) for propofol, p < 0.001. Remimazolam achieved satisfactory sedative and amnestic effects at a median continuous dose of 0.2 (0.1) mg/kg/h, with comparable sedation durations. Significant differences were observed in intraoperative memory retention: 40.0% of patients in the propofol group vs. 10.0% in the remimazolam group reported memory of the event, p = 0.017. Conclusions: Remimazolam demonstrates superior recovery time and amnestic properties compared to propofol after continuous infusion sedation. Additionally, remimazolam matches or exceeds propofol in efficacy and safety for intraoperative sedation in non-healthy patients undergoing spinal anesthesia.
Keywords: Propofol; Remimazolam; Spinal, Anesthesia.
Objectives: We sought to assess the prevalence of tobacco use among adolescent males in Oman and identify sociodemographic factors influencing usage and attitudes towards tobacco products. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2024 among male adolescents in public schools (grades 9–12) in Sohar, Oman. A two-stage cluster sampling approach was employed: six schools were randomly selected proportional to enrollment size, followed by random selection of classrooms within each school. Data were collected using a validated Arabic version of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, administered in-person. Results: All participants completed the survey in classroom settings (100% response rate; n = 227). Forty participants (17.6%) reported having tried tobacco, with the age at initiation largely between 14 and 15 years. Current smoking prevalence was 7.5% (n = 17), and exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) was reported by over 40% of participants, both in enclosed and open spaces. Awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco was high, with 61.7% (n = 140) acknowledging the health risks associated with tobacco use. However, misconceptions concerning tobacco use remained prevalent, notably regarding the risks of SHS, perceived prevalence of peer smoking, and social desirability associated with smoking. Conclusions: Despite relatively high awareness of harmful effects, tobacco use among adolescents in Sohar remains an important public health concern, particularly regarding SHS exposure and social influences. Appropriate intervention strategies should target persistent misconceptions and address social influences. Strengthening public health initiatives and enforcing smoking bans in public spaces are recommended to limit tobacco exposure among Omani youth.
Keywords: Cross-sectional Studies; Adolescents; Smoking; Tobacco Use; Oman.
A 39-year-old multiparous woman underwent emergency cesarean section after pathological findings in her cardiotocograph. A biopsy taken from the peritoneal mass confirmed the diagnosis of disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis. Postoperatively, the patient developed status epilepticus. Computed tomography image of the brain with angiography revealed a right frontal meningioma. With increasing ascites, excision of the tumor and total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy were performed.
Keywords: Leiomyomatosis; Meningioma; Seizure; Status Epilepticus; Oman.
Objectives: To evaluate the maternal and perinatal outcomes of preeclampsia in accordance with the World Health Organization prematurity criteria, in a low-resource setting. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2017 to December 2019 at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. All women with preterm preeclampsia were included in the study. Cases with fetal anomalies or incomplete medical records were excluded. Participants were grouped according to gestational age at delivery, following the World Health Organization prematurity classification: (I) extremely preterm birth (EPB): 24–27+6 weeks, (II) very preterm birth (VPB): 28–31+6 weeks, and (III) moderate to late preterm birth (MLPB): 32–36+6 weeks. Data was statistically analyzed. Results: The study included 324 women who delivered at the following gestation terms: EPB = 89 (27.5%), VPB = 35 (10.8%), and MLPB = 200 (61.7%), resulting in 331 neonates. Serious maternal complications developed in 45 (13.9%) women. Intrauterine death occurred in 18 (5.6%) cases. The median birth weights were significantly lower in the EPB and VPB groups. Of the 331 neonates, 21 (6.3%) died (20 in the EPB group and one in the MLPB group). Neonatal ICU admission, ventilator support, and low Apgar scores were also significantly more frequent in the EPB group. Conclusions: Neonatal mortality rises significantly when delivery occurs before 28 weeks of gestation. Complications rise with preeclampsia before 32 weeks. Vigilant monitoring and timely referral improve outcomes, but in resource-limited settings like Pakistan, restricted access to specialized care indicate the need for targeted
healthcare investment.
Keywords: Preeclampsia; Premature Birth; Pregnancy Outcome; Perinatal Care; Infant Mortality; Pakistan.
A 24-year-old primigravida at 12 weeks of gestation, with a history of hyperemesis gravidarum, presented on an early morning with mental confusion and weakness. She was diagnosed with Wernicke encephalopathy and successfully treated with thiamine. After a full-term pregnancy, she gave birth to a healthy baby.
Keywords: Wernicke Encephalopathy; Hyperemesis Gravidarum; Thiamine; India.
ISSN:2070-5204 (Electronic)