Imatinib a Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor: a potential treatment for SARS- COV-2 induced pneumonia

Introduction: As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spreads worldwide, awaiting the development of a vaccine, researchers are looking among the arsenal of available drugs, for a potential cure or medication to improve patients’ outcome. A highly elevated levels of cytokines in COVID-19 patients requiring ICU admission, has suggested that a “cytokine storm” was associated with disease severity. Methods: We summarize published key findings about imatinib, aiming to rationalize its use as a potential pharmacologic treatment for COVID-19. Results: Data from cellular, animal models and clinical trials, showed a beneficial role of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the regulation of inflammation, the maintenance of endothelial barrier integrity, as well as the expression of antiviral properties. This data is especially derived from imatinib, the most studied Abl family kinase inhibitor, that is currently in clinical use for multiple medical conditions. Discussion: Based on this encouraging data, we hypothesize that imatinib might be beneficial for the treatment of patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, in the aim of preventing disease progression into the severe phenotype of hypoxic respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome. This concept can be considered for evaluation in a randomized controlled study

Prediabetes management in the Middle East, Africa and Russia: Current status and call for action:

Most data on the burden of diabetes and prediabetes are from countries where local infrastructure can support reliable estimates of the burden of non-communicable diseases. Countries in the Middle ..

Relation of the Mediterranean diet with the incidence of gestational diabetes

Background/objectives: Some studies document relationships of the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with individual components of the diet, but studies exploring relationships with patterns of eating are lacking. This observational study aimed to explore a possible relationship between the incidence of GDM and the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) pattern of eating. Subjects/methods: In 10 Mediterranean countries, 1076 consecutive pregnant women underwent a 75-g OGTT at the 24th-32nd week of gestation, interpreted both by the ADA-2010 and the International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG)-2012 criteria. The dietary habits were assessed by a previously validated questionnaire and a Mediterranean Diet Index (MDI) was computed, reflecting the degree of adherence to the MedDiet pattern of eating: a higher MDI denoting better adherence. Results: After adjustment for age, BMI, diabetes in the family, weight gain and energy intake, subjects with GDM, by either criterion, had lower MDI (ADA-2010, 5. 8 vs 6. 3, P=0. 028; IADPSG-2012, 5. 9 vs 6. 4, P<0. 001). Moreover, the incidence of GDM was lower in subjects with better adherence to the MedDiet (higher tertile of MDI distribution), 8. 0% vs 12. 3%, OR=0. 618, P=0. 030 by ADA-2010 and 24. 3% vs 32. 8%, OR=0. 655, P=0. 004 by IADPSG-2012 criteria. In subjects without GDM, MDI was negatively correlated with both fasting plasma glucose and AUC glucose, P<0. 001 for both. Conclusions: Adherence to a MedDiet pattern of eating is associated with lower incidence of GDM and better degree of glucose tolerance, even in women without GDM. The possibility to use MedDiet for the prevention of GDM deserves further testing with intervention studies.peer-reviewe

Registries in rheumatological and musculoskeletal conditions. Paediatric Behçet's disease: an international cohort study of 110 patients. One-year follow-up data

Objective. To set-up an international cohort of patients suspected with Behçet's disease (BD). The cohort is aimed at defining an algorithm for definition of the disease in children. Methods. International experts have defined the inclusion criteria as follows: recurrent oral aphthosis (ROA) plus one of following—genital ulceration, erythema nodosum, folliculitis, pustulous/acneiform lesions, positive pathergy test, uveitis, venous/arterial thrombosis and family history of BD. Onset of disease is <16 years, disease duration is ≤3 years, future follow-up duration is ≥4 years and informed consent is obtained. The expert committee has classified the included patients into: definite paediatric BD (PED-BD), probable PED-BD and no PED-BD. Statistical analysis is performed to compare the three groups of patients. Centres document their patients into a single database. Results. At January 2010, 110 patients (56 males/54 females) have been included. Mean age at first symptom: 8.1 years (median 8.2 years). At inclusion, 38% had only one symptom associated with ROA, 31% had two and 31% had three or more symptoms. A total of 106 first evaluations have been done. Seventeen patients underwent the first-year evaluation, and 36 had no new symptoms, 12 had one and 9 had two. Experts have examined 48 files and classified 30 as definite and 18 as probable. Twenty-six patients classified as definite fulfilled the International Study Group criteria. Seventeen patients classified as probable did not meet the international criteria. Conclusion. The expert committee has classified the majority of patients in the BD group although they presented with few symptoms independently of BD classification criteri

Socio-demographic and cardiovascular disease risk factors associated with dementia: Results of a cross-sectional study from Lebanon

Little evidence from the Arab region is available on dementia and its associated risk factors. This study is the first in Lebanon to examine the association between community older adults' socio-demographics and cardiovascular disease risk factors (CVDRF) and dementia in the aim of closing the knowledge gap. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in 2013 in Beirut and two districts of Mount Lebanon with 502 older adults (65years and above) and their informants. Data was collected on CVDRF and socio-demographics using structured questionnaires and dementia was assessed using the 10/66 Dementia Research Group validated tools. Multivariable analysis was done using a generalized estimating equation to account for cluster effect. Being older and perceiving personal income as insufficient significantly increased the odds of dementia [OR75–84years=4.00 (95%CI=1.46, 10.95); OR85+years=7.07 (1.84, 27.03); ORinsufficient income=3.90 (1.58, 9.60)]. Having uncontrolled hypertension (versus no hypertension) was the only significant CVDRF that increased the odds of dementia [OR=6.35 (1.60, 25.10)]. Interventions targeting uncontrolled hypertension that aim to increase awareness about proper management of this chronic condition would contribute to the needed preventive efforts against CVDRFs in response to dementia risk. Further research on the association between income sufficiency – one indicator of low socio-economic status – and dementia is warranted. Keywords: Dementia, CVD risk factors, Uncontrolled hypertension, Income, Lebano

A cross‐sectional study of the prevalence and clinical management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes across the Middle East and Africa ( PACT‐MEA ): Study design and rationale

© 2023 The Authors. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivs License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Aim: To investigate the epidemiology and clinical management of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (eASCVD) or high/very high ASCVD risk, defined by the 2021 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines, in seven countries in the Middle East and Africa (PACT‐MEA; NCT05317845), and to assess physicians' attitudes and the basis for their decision‐making in the management of these patients. Materials and Methods: PACT‐MEA is a cross‐sectional, observational study undertaken in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates based on a medical chart review of approximately 3700 patients with T2D in primary and secondary care settings, and a survey of approximately 400 physicians treating patients with T2D. Results: The primary and secondary objectives are to determine the prevalence of eASCVD and high/very high ASCVD risk in patients with T2D. Current treatment with cardioprotective antidiabetic medication, the proportion of patients meeting the treatment criteria for reimbursement in the study countries where there is an applicable reimbursement guideline, and physician‐reported factors in clinical decision‐making in T2D management, will also be assessed. Conclusions: This large cross‐sectional study will establish the estimated prevalence and management of eASCVD and high/very high ASCVD risk in patients with type 2 diabetes across the Middle East and Africa.Peer reviewe