Molecular Characterization of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Abu Dhabi District, United Arab Emirates

Purpose: To investigate the frequency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) variants and their associated enzyme deficiencies among different age groups of individuals in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).Methods: A total of 15,995 patients (6302 UAE nationals and 9693 non-UAE nationals) who presented at Mafraq Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE between January 2006 and January 2009 were screened for G6PD deficiency using fluorescent spot test. Molecular analysis including polymerase chain reaction– restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and DNA sequencing were utilized to identify common mutations in individuals with G6PD deficiency.Results: The prevalence of G6PD deficiency among UAE nationals was 7.4% and non-UAE nationals 3.8%. UAE males showed prevalence of 11.6% while for UAE females it was 3.6%. The prevalence of G6PD deficiency among non-UAE nationals was 5 and 1.7% for males and females, respectively. The Mediterranean mutation, 563C→T, was predominant in non-UAE nationals.Conclusion: G6PD Mediterranean mutation is the most prevalent mutation underlying G6PD deficiency followed by Aures mutations in both UAE nationals and non-UAE nationals. On the other hand, Africa Awas found to be more in non-UAE compared with UAE nationals.Keywords: Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase deficiency, Mutation, Abu Dhabi, Polymerase chain reaction–restriction, Fragment length polymorphis

Tobacco Smoking Using Midwakh Is an Emerging Health Problem – Evidence from a Large Cross-Sectional Survey in the United Arab Emirates

INTRODUCTION: Accurate information about the prevalence and types of tobacco use is essential to deliver effective public health policy. We aimed to study the prevalence and modes of tobacco consumption in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly focusing on the use of Midwakh (Arabic traditional pipe). METHODS: We studied 170,430 UAE nationals aged ≥ 18 years (44% males and 56% females) in the Weqaya population-based screening program in Abu Dhabi residents during the period April 2008-June 2010. Self-reported smoking status, type, quantity and duration of tobacco smoked were recorded. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study findings; prevalence rates used the screened sample as the denominator. RESULT: The prevalence of smoking overall was 24.3% in males and 0.8% in females and highest in males aged 20-39. Mean age (SD) of smokers was 32.8 (11.1) years, 32.7 (11.1) in males and 35.7 (12.1) in females. Cigarette smoking was the commonest form of tobacco use (77.4% of smokers), followed by Midwakh (15.0%), shisha (waterpipe) (6.8%), and cigar (0.66%). The mean durations of smoking for cigarettes, Midwakh, shisha and cigars were 11.4, 9.3, 7.6 and 11.0 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking is most common among younger UAE national men. The use of Midwakh and the relatively young age of onset of Midwakh smokers is of particular concern as is the possibility of the habit spreading to other countries. Comprehensive tobacco control laws targeting the young and the use of Midwakh are needed