Prevalence and Risk Factors of Diabetic Nephropathy in Omani Type 2 Diabetics in Al-Dakhiliyah Region

Objective: To assess the prevalence and risk factors of diabetic nephropathy among Omani type 2 diabetics in Al-Dakhiliyah region of the Sultanate of Oman.Methods: A cross-sectional and a case control study designs were used to assess the prevalence and risk factors respectively. For the prevalence study a sample of 699 diabetic subjects were selected randomly from two polyclinics in Al-Dakhiliyah region; Sumail and Nizwa polyclinics. For the case control study, a sample consisting of 215 cases and 358 controls were randomly selected from those who were included in the cross-sectional study. A well designed questionnaire has been used to collect data regarding the disease and risk factors. Data was analyzed using SPSS19 statistical program.Results: Total prevalence of diabetic nephropathy was calculated as 42.5% (95% C.I: 38.83% - 46.15%). The difference in the prevalence in the two polyclinic catchment area was not significant. The prevalence was significantly higher among males (51.6%) compared to females (36.5%). Crude analysis of the risk factors showed significant association between diabetic nephropathy and the following factors; male gender, decreased literacy, long duration of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, retinopathy, neuropathy, family history of diabetic nephropathy, poor glycemic control (high HbA1c), and hypertriglyceridemia. Multivariate analysis showed the following factors to be independent risk factors; male gender, decreased literacy, long duration of diabetes, family history of diabetic nephropathy and poor glycaemic control (high HbA1c).Conclusion: The prevalence of diabetic nephropathy in this study was 42.5% and the significant risk factors associated with it included male gender, decreased literacy, long duration of diabetes, family history of diabetic nephropathy and poor glycemic control (high HbA1c)

Prevalence and risk factors of diabetic nephropathy in Omani type 2 diabetics in Al-Dakhiliyah region

Abstract Objective: To assess the prevalence and risk factors of diabetic nephropathy among Omani type 2 diabetics in Al-Dakhiliyah region of the Sultanate of Oman. Methods: A cross-sectional and a case control study designs were used to assess the prevalence and risk factors respectively. For the prevalence study a sample of 699 diabetic subjects were selected randomly from two polyclinics in Al-Dakhiliyah region; Sumail and Nizwa polyclinics. For the case control study, a sample consisting of 215 cases and 358 controls were randomly selected from those who were included in the cross-sectional study. A well designed questionnaire has been used to collect data regarding the disease and risk factors. Data was analyzed using SPSS19 statistical program. Results: Total prevalence of diabetic nephropathy was calculated as 42.5% (95% C.I: 38.83% -46.15%). The difference in the prevalence in the two polyclinic catchment area was not significant. The prevalence was significantly higher among males (51.6%) compared to females (36.5%). Crude analysis of the risk factors showed significant association between diabetic nephropathy and the following factors; male gender, decreased literacy, long duration of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, retinopathy, neuropathy, family history of diabetic nephropathy, poor glycemic control (high HbA1c), and hypertriglyceridemia. Multivariate analysis showed the following factors to be independent risk factors; male gender, decreased literacy, long duration of diabetes, family history of diabetic nephropathy and poor glycaemic control (high HbA1c). Conclusion: The prevalence of diabetic nephropathy in this study was 42.5% and the significant risk factors associated with it included male gender, decreased literacy, long duration of diabetes, family history of diabetic nephropathy and poor glycemic control (high HbA1c)

BRIP1 overexpression is correlated with clinical features and survival outcome of luminal breast cancer subtypes

In Oman, breast cancer is most common, representing approximately more than 25% of all cancers in women. Relatively younger populations of patients (25–40 years) present surprisingly with an aggressive phenotype and advanced tumor stages. In this study, we investigated differential gene expressions in Luminal A, Luminal B, triple-negative and Her2+ breast cancer subtypes and compared data to benign tumor samples. We identified a potential candidate gene BRIP1, showing differential expression in the four breast cancer subtypes examined, suggesting that BRIP1 has the profile of a useful diagnostic marker, suitable for targeted therapeutic intervention. RT-qPCR and Western blotting analysis showed higher BRIP1 expression in luminal samples as compared to triple-negative subtype patient’s samples. We further screened BRIP1 for eventual mutations/SNPs/deletions by sequencing the entire coding region. Four previously identified polymorphisms were detected, one within the 5′-UTR region (c.141-64G > A) and three in the BRCA-binding domain (c.2755T > C, c.2647G > A and c.3411T > C). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that patients with overexpression of BRIP1 displayed a poor survival rate (P < 0.05). BRIP1 has a dual function of an oncogene and a tumor suppressor gene in addition to its role as a potential biomarker to predict survival and prognosis. Data obtained in this study suggest that BRIP1 can plausibly have an oncogenic role in sporadic cancers

Breast One Stop Clinic – Follow up Experience at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in the Sultanate of Oman

Background: The role of the breast clinics is to diagnose breast cancer and reassure patients with benign disorders. One stop clinics - same day reporting - further reduce anxiety caused by the delay in the results. The first one stop clinic was introduced in SQUH–Oman in September 2011. Methods: This retrospective analysis of 395 consecutive cases presented to Breast One Stop Clinic at SQUH was done between September 2011 and December 2013. All patients underwent triple assessment conducted by consultants. Mammography was performed for patients above 35 years with no contraindications. Ultrasound was done for all patients with palpable lesions. The reports were assigned a score (BIRADS 0-6). Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) was done for all patients with palpable abnormality or nipple discharge. An immediate report was given using the standard reporting categories: acellular/inadequate, benign, atypical, suspicious, and malignant (C1-C5). Results: Out of 395 patients, 210 were found to have palpable lesions with a mean age of 36 years (12-84 years). All patients were female. The FNAC sensitivity and specificity was 95.7% and 92.2%, respectively. Out of 210 patients, 15.3% were diagnosed with breast cancer on FNAC who were subsequently staged and discussed in the Breast Multidisciplinary Team Meeting (MDT), and 84.7% were diagnosed to have benign breast disorders who were reassured and advised to be followed up after 6 months. Conclusions: Immediate relief and reassurance to the majority of patients with benign disease obviate the need for review appointments. A reliable diagnosis can be obtained with triple assessment which can be used to avoid unnecessary core biopsy of benign lesions, if correctly done

Knowledge and Attitudes of Oman Medical Specialty Board Residents towards Evidence-Based Medicine

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) residents towards Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM). Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on all OMSB residents through a self-administered online questionnaire between October 2012 and March 2013. An electronic survey was designed to identify and determine residents' knowledge and attitudes toward the use of EBM. Results: The survey was completed by 93 (21%) OMSB residents, 76 (82%) of whom took part in continuing education courses and 50 (54%) belonged to professional practice-oriented organizations. On average, the residents were reportedly involved in patient care for approximately 70% (Standard Deviation [SD] 17%) of their time, while 14% (SD 12%) participated in research activities. The results showed that 53 respondents (57%) were competent users of medical search engines compared to 23 residents (25%) who rated their skills as neutral. Sixteen percent of the respondents strongly agreed and 46% only agreed that the facility supports the use of current research in practice. Fourteen percent strongly agreed and fifty-three percent only agreed that the foundation of EBM is part of OMSB academic preparation. On the other hand, 17% of the respondents thought that insufficient time is always a barrier against EBM, while another 27% perceived insufficient time as a usual barrier. The lack of information resources was reported to always be a barrier in 11% of the respondents while 32% thought that it usually acts as a barrier. Conclusion: Time constraints and skills in EBM were found to be the two major obstacles. This study was, however, limited by the low response rate of the survey; thus larger studies with a previously validated questionnaire should be conducted in the future