Emirati Population Research Articles

Bariatric surgery outcomes: a single-center study in the United Arab Emirates.

BackgroundBariatric surgery has become an attractive treatment for severe obesity over the last decade, due to its impacts on weight loss and remission of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. In the United Arab Emirates, a country where the rate of obesity is dramatically increasing bariatric surgery has gained popularity in recent years; however, published data on its outcomes in the Emirati population are lacking.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 95 patients who underwent bariatric surgery (ie, laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass [RYGB] or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy) at the Rashid Center for Diabetes and Research in Ajman, United Arab Emirates. Weight outcomes and metabolic marker data were abstracted at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.ResultsLaparoscopic RYGB was the main procedure performed by our bariatric unit. All variables demonstrated postoperative improvement. An average excess weight loss of 68% was observed at 12 months. Fat mass was the body component that decreased the most, with an average reduction of 46%. Additionally, lipid profiles were significantly different (P<0.01) at 12 months, with triglyceride levels improving by 27% and low-density lipoprotein levels improving by 21%. Similarly, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels decreased significantly (P<0.001) in patients with type 2 diabetes, with an average reduction of 73%.ConclusionOur results show that a substantial short-term reduction in weight and significant improvements in metabolic markers followed bariatric surgery in severely obese Emirati patients. Our results are consistent with the outcomes of other internationally published studies. Additional studies are warranted to determine whether the favorable impacts of bariatric surgery can be sustained over the long term.

The Essential Fit Between Qualitative Methodology and Emirati Population: Towards Meaningful Social Science Research in UAE

One of the most fundamental problems plaguing the state of social science research in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the lack of methodologies that appropriately respond to the cultural context of the country. Most social science research published from the region has merely transplanted Western quantitative methods and has proved ineffective as very few social problems in UAE have been appropriately responded to by social science research. This paper suggests the use of qualitative methods to make social science research in UAE more relevant and impactful. This researcher contends that qualitative methods present an epistemological framework that allows for a greater recognition of the cultural uniqueness of the country and that addresses the nuances that make UAE difficult to study under quantitative methods.

Association of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Insertion-Deletion Polymorphism with Hypertension in Emiratis with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Its Interaction with Obesity Status.

The association of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) insertion-deletion (I/D) polymorphism with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension has been extensively studied throughout various ethnic populations but largely with inconsistent findings. We investigated these associations in Emirati population and their interaction with obesity status. Saliva samples were collected from a total of 564 Emiratis (277 T2DM and 297 healthy). DNA was extracted and the samples were genotyped for ACE I/D polymorphism by a PCR based method followed by gel electrophoresis. Upon evaluation of the ACE I/D polymorphism amongst all T2DM, hypertensive patients, and respective controls regardless of obesity status, ACE DD genotype was not found to be associated with either T2DM [odds ratio (OR) = 1.34, p = 0.086] or hypertension [odd ratio (OR) = 1.02, p = 0.93]. When the genetic variants amongst the nonobese and obese population were analyzed separately, the risk genotype ACE DD conferred significantly increased risk of hypertension in nonobese population [odds ratio (OR) = 1.80, p = 0.02] but was found to be protective against the hypertension in the obese group ((OR) = 0.54, p = 0.01). However, there was no effect of obesity status on the association of ACE genotypes with T2DM. The risk of hypertension associated with ACE DD is modulated by obesity status and hence future genetic association studies should take obesity into account for the interpretation of data. We also confirmed that ACE I/D polymorphism is not associated with T2DM risk in Emirati population.

Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among Emirati Residents in Ajman, United Arab Emirates.

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus (DM), particularly type-2 is a major public health concern worldwide. Not much information is available with regard to the incidence of DM in United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aimed at determining the incidence rate of diabetes mellitus among Emirati population in Ajman, UAE. This is a retrospective cohort study.MethodsThis study was conducted in all primary health care centers and Shaikh Khalifa and GMC Hospitals, Ajman, UAE where the Emirati population primarily go for diagnosis and treatment. The incident cases of diabetes mellitus were collected during the period 2010 January to December.ResultsA total of 158 cases newly detected in 2010, 54 were among non-Emiratis and one was type-1 diabetes. Eliminating these, the remaining 101 were included in the analysis. The age of the patients ranged from 23 years to 78 years; 35 (34.7%) males and 66 (65.3%) were females. The overall incidence observed was 4.8/1,000 person-years (PY) with a female predominance of 6.3/1,000 PY against incidence among males of 3.3/1,000 PY. With regard to age specific incidence rate among males, it increases with age till 60 years and then showed a decreasing trend. Among females also the same trend was observed but not as similar to males.ConclusionThe highest incidence rate was observed in the 55-59 age group among males, 23.4/1,000 PY and females, 32.4/1,000 PY. Among males the incidence rate was much less compared to females in-the age groups older than 59 years.

Alarming trends in type 2 diabetes mellitus – from the mountains of Pakistan to the plains of the United Arab Emirates

Introduction: Few data are available on the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a population living in high Himalayan mountain villages in Pakistan. Objectives: To identify the prevalence in this population and compare it with the prevalence estimates in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Materials and methods: Population-based samples of adults aged 18 years and older from Pakistan (n =1789) and Al Ain, UAE (622), were enrolled as part of a global health project, ‘ Developed and Developing Countries Partnership for Non-communicable Disease Prevention’ , between 2013 and 2014. American Diabetes Association guidelines were used to define type 2 diabetes mellitus [fasting blood sugar (FBS) ≥ 126mg/dl] and prediabetes mellitus (FBS <126mg/dl and ≥ 100mg/dl). Body mass indices of 25.0 to 29.9 and ≥ 30.0 were used to define overweight and obesity, respectively. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity were, respectively, 27.1% and 12.5% in the mountain population and, respectively, 35.7% and 50.2% in Al Ain. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and prediabetes mellitus were 6.4% and 7.6%, respectively, in the mountain population and 18.7% and 37.7%, respectively, in Al Ain. Conclusions: Although the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is high in the Emirati population, the type 2 diabetes mellitus crisis scaling the Himalayas is alarming given the low obesity rates. Urgent strategies are needed to improve prevention, particularly focusing on prediabetes mellitus. Acknowledgements: This project is supported by BRIDGES. BRIDGES is an International Diabetes Federation programme supported by an educational grant from Lilly Diabetes.

Association of the Genetic Polymorphisms in Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors- γ 2 with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and is Interaction with Obesity Status in Emirati Population.

Background. Transcription factor 7-like 2 gene (TCF7L2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-γ2 (PPAR-γ2) have a profound effect on the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and had previously been found to be associated with T2DM risk in various ppopulations. However, studies in the Arab population are inconsistent. We conducted a case control study to confirm the association of variants rs10885409 of TCF7L2 and Pro12Ala (rs1801282) of PPAR-γ2 with risk of T2DM and related complications in Emirati population of Arab origin. We also investigated the interaction of these associations with obesity status. Methods. DNA was extracted from the saliva samples of 272 T2DM patients and 216 nondiabetic Emiratis. Genotyping for rs10885409 (TCF7L2) and rs1801282 (PPAR-γ2 P12A) variants was accomplished with a TaqMan assay. The subgroups were constituted according to obesity status. Results. In the nonobese group, the rs10885409 C allele in the recessive model was significantly associated with the incidence of T2DM (OR 1.975 [95% CI 1.127–3.461], P = 0.017), but this association was not observed in the obese group or when BMI was not considered. PPAR-γ2 risk allele Pro12 frequency (0.96) was similar in the groups tested and more than 90% population was homozygous for this allele. Conclusions. Our case-control study is the first of its kind in Emiratis which establishes TCF7L2 rs10885409 C allele as a T2DM risk factor in Emiratis and this association is modulated by obesity status. We also confirmed that Pro12Ala mutation in PPAR-γ2 is not associated with T2DM risk in this population.

Entrepreneurial activity and attitude in the United Arab Emirates

The paper provides an overview of entrepreneurial activity and attitude in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the purpose of facilitating stakeholders to create new knowledge-based activities. The paper takes a multifaceted nature of entrepreneurship to reveal the range of environmental conditions that affect the attitudes and activity of Emirati entrepreneurs. These appear to be important components in producing a dynamic economy which facilitates socially significant activity, employment and wealth. To realize this development, the paper makes a number of recommendations from building entrepreneurial readiness in schools to endorsing regulatory reform, bankruptcy laws and investor protection. Moreover, a ‘one size fit all’ approach that has been taken in the past requires re-examination to meet the requirements of regional variations and gender differences within the Emirati population.

Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Imported Malaria in the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was certified by the World Health Organization to be free of endemic malaria transmission in 2007. There continued to be, however, a substantial number of imported malaria cases. A retrospective laboratory and chart review was performed to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of imported malaria in Dubai, UAE. Laboratory records were reviewed at the largest public hospital in Dubai to identify cases of peripheral blood smear-positive malaria from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010. Predefined demographic, clinical, and laboratory information was extracted from the electronic medical record system. A total of 629 cases of malaria were identified including 493, 122, and 14 cases of Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, and mixed P. vivax/P. falciparum infections, respectively. Of these, 567 (90.1%) cases were either from India or Pakistan and 7% from sub-Saharan Africa. There were no cases among the local Emirati population. There were 162 hospitalizations, including 8 requiring intensive care support and 1 death. More than 10% of P. vivax infections required hospitalization. The interval between arrival in the UAE and diagnosis was 3 months or longer for 25% of P. vivax cases. Imported malaria remains an important cause of morbidity in the UAE. Clinicians need to be aware that P. vivax is not benign and can cause severe disease and that malaria cases may present to health facilities several months after arrival from malaria-endemic regions.

Reshaping Attitudes, Beliefs, and Opinions: The Key to Emiratization in the Private Sector

"The fastest growing economy in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—with Dubai ranked 29th in 2011 in the Global Financial Centers Index worldwide—has a private sector capable of creating tens of thousands of new jobs every year (Al Ali, 2013). Yet, many Emiratis prefer to remain unemployed rather than work in the private sector, contributing to an unemployment rate of nearly 12% (Sharif, 2013). Many Emiratis prefer to remain unemployed rather than work in the private sector because private sector salaries are perceived to be lower than public sector salaries. Sharif (2013), supported by Toledo (2013), adds that unemployment will increase as an estimated 13,000 Emirati college graduates enter the workforce each year and raise to the number of first- time Emirati job seekers to over 200,000 (nearly 25% of the entire Emirati population) within 10 years. This paper uses the findings of a recent study on family involvement in Emirati college student education to show how families contribute to the development of the attitudes, beliefs, and opinions of young people, some of which prove counter-productive in the workplace. According to Al Ali (2013), through the mid-2000s, Emiratis entering the workforce had little difficulty securing positions in the public sector, which paid high salaries and required only a basic education. However, by the late 2000s through the time of this paper, Al Ali, along with Sharif (2013) and Toledo (2013), found that in order to enter the workforce, Emiratis needed at least a college education and that there were few opportunities to work in the public sector. This paper explores the social and cultural factors that influence many young Emiratis to avoid considering positions in the private sector. The paper gives recommendations on how educational institutions and labor policy makers can join forces to reshape young Emiratis’ attitudes, opinions, and values by raising their awareness of their need to obtain higher education credentials and to work in the private sector. These institutions and policy makers can also initiate programs in the workplace and throughout the educational environment of post-secondary institutions and schools."

Vitamin D status and its relationship with metabolic markers in persons with obesity and type 2 diabetes in the UAE: a cross-sectional study.

Aim. To report vitamin D status and its impact on metabolic parameters in people in the United Arab Emirates with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methodology. This cross-sectional study included 309 individuals with obesity and T2D who were randomly selected based on study criteria. Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (s-25(OH)D), calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase, glycemic profile, and cardiometabolic parameters were assessed in fasting blood samples, and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Results. Vitamin D deficiency (s-25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) was observed in 83.2% of the participants, with a mean s-25(OH)D of 33.8 ± 20.3 nmol/L. Serum 25(OH)D correlated negatively (P < 0.01) with body mass index, fat mass, waist circumference, parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B and positively (P < 0.01) with age and calcium concentration. Waist circumference was the main predictor of s-25(OH)D status. There was no significant association between serum 25(OH)D and glycemic profile. Conclusion. There is an overwhelming prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in our sample of the Emirati population with obesity and T2D. Association of s-25(OH)D with body mass index, waist circumference, fat mass, markers of calcium homeostasis and cardiometabolic parameters suggests a role of vitamin D in the development of cardiometabolic disease-related process.

Half of the Emirati Population Has Abnormal Red Cell Parameters: Challenges for Standards and Screening Guidelines

In populations with high prevalences of iron deficiency and thalassemia trait, many apparently healthy individuals have abnormal erythroid parameters, which may cause diagnostic problems in clinical practice. We studied the prevalence and causes of red cell parameter values outside their reference ranges in 394 healthy individuals of Bedouin Arab origin, who had complete blood counts (CBCs), hemoglobin (Hb) analyses and serum ferritin tests done. Their mean age ± standard deviation (SD) was 24.8 ± 4.9 years and 51.8% were females. Overall, 53.0% (209/394) had low Hb, MCV or MCH or high RDW. Anemia was present in 27.0% (55/204) of the women and 3.0% (6/190) of the men. Overall prevalence of MCV <80.0 fL was 45.0% (176/394) and MCH <27.0 pg was 48.0% (190/394); RDW >14.0% was found in 21.0% (43/204) of women and 7.0% (14/190) of men. Of the women, 16.0% had iron deficiency anemia (33/204) and 65.0% had ferritin values of <30.0 μg/L (133/204). The estimated prevalence of α-thalassemia (α-thal) trait in men was 32.0% (60/190) and that of β-thalassemia (β-thal) trait in both sexes was 3.0% (12/394). In conclusion, half of the healthy Emirati population have abnormal CBC values. For clinical purposes, they require reference standards for red cells that are derived from their own population. Screening of women for iron deficiency is justified due to a high prevalence of iron deficiency.

English

&nbsp; Polymorphism in Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) genes have been studied extensively in various ethnic groups and largely with inconsistent findings on relationship with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this study, we investigated the association of Insertion/Deletion (I/D) polymorphism of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and -344 C/T polymorphism of aldosterone synthase [cytochrome P450 (CYP11B2)] with T2DM in an Emirati population and&nbsp;interactive effects between these two gene polymorphisms on T2DM risk.&nbsp;A total of 243 Emirati subjects (133 healthy control and 110 T2DM patients) were selected for the study. The ACE genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The CYP11B2 genotyping was performed by PCR-&nbsp;Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis(RFLP).&nbsp;ACE genotypes were not associated with T2DM&nbsp;risk.&nbsp;The frequencies of D allele were 0.68 and 0.64 in the patients and healthy group respectively and the differences were not statistically significant. For CYP11B2 -344C/T polymorphism, CC genotype was found significantly higher in healthy subjects than in T2DM patients (22.1 Vs 9.8%, p=0.016). The subjects with CC genotype were at decreased T2DM risk in the recessive model [Odd ratio 0.38 (0.17-0.84)]. &nbsp;An interactive effect on T2DM risk was found between ACE-ID and CYP11B2 -CC genotypes.&nbsp;In the subjects with combination of ID + CC genotypes, risk of T2DM was further reduced (odd ratio 0.05 vs 1.12). The association of CC with T2DM was independent of age and gender. To date, this study is the first report on association of CYP11B2 -344C/T with T2DM and its possible interaction with ACE I/D polymorphism in an Emirati population. The results suggest that ACE I/D polymorphism does not affect T2DM risk independently however, subjects with CC genotypes either alone or in combination with ACE &nbsp;I/D heterozygote would be at decreased risk of developing T2DM. &nbsp; Key words: &nbsp;Type 2 diabetes mellitus, CYP11B2, Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System, angiotensin converting enzyme, genetic polymorphism

Parental weight perceptions: a cause for concern in the prevention and management of childhood obesity in the United Arab Emirates.

Parental participation is a key factor in the prevention and management of childhood obesity, thus parental recognition of weight problems is essential. We estimated parental perceptions and their determinants in the Emirati population. We invited 1541 students (grade 1–12; 50% boys) and their parents, but only 1440 (6–19 years) and their parents consented. Of these, 945 Emirati nationals provided data for analysis. Anthropometric and demographic variables were measured by standard methods. CDC BMI percentile charts for age and sex were used to classify children’s weight. Parental perception of their children’s weight status (underweight, normal, and overweight/obese) was recorded. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors of parental perceptions of children’s weight status. Of all parents, 33.8% misclassified their children’s’ weight status; underestimating (27.4%) or overestimating (6.3%). Misclassification was highest among parents of overweight/obese children (63.5%) and underweight (55.1%) children. More importantly, parental perceptions of their children being overweight or obese, among truly overweight/obese children, i.e. correct identification of an overweight/obese child as such, were associated with the true child’s BMI percentile (CDC) with an OR of 1.313 (95% CI: 1.209–1.425; p<0.001) per percentile point, but not age, parental education, household income, and child’s sex. We conclude that the majority of parents of overweight/obese children either overestimated or, more commonly, underestimated children’s weight status. Predictors of accurate parental perception, in this population, include the true children’s BMI, but not age, household income, and sex. Thus, parents having an incorrect perception of their child’s weight status may ignore otherwise appropriate health messages.

Health system reform in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The desire to achieve the best outcomes in the provision of healthcare has driven health system reforms in many countries across the globe, including the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.As a young state (the United Arab Emirates was founded as an independent state in 1971) with a diverse (with 78% expatriates) and young population (40.23% of the national Emirati population is under 15 years of age), the government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has embarked on a journey to reform their healthcare system. This reform focuses on the redesign, financing, regulation and provision of healthcare with the aim of delivering accessible, affordable and high quality health care.We will describe and review the health system reform in Abu Dhabi to date: its background, history and characteristics. The review looks at whether the main components of the reform (mandatory health insurance; enhanced competition and a centralized regulatory system) have had the desired effects in terms of improving quality, enhancing access and ensuring affordability.Looking toward the future for the health system in Abu Dhabi we conclude that it is too early to tell whether the reform programme is having the desired effects in terms of achieving its goals of quality, access and affordability.

Negotiating weight and body image in the UAE: Strategies among young emirati women

The goal of this study was to evaluate weight, nutritional status, and attitudes toward weight and health among a cohort of young women drawn from local populations in the United Arab Emirates. This sample was composed of 103 female Emiratis, aged 18-30. Eighty of the women were students at Zayed University (ZU) in Dubai and 23 were students at UAE University (UAEU) in Al Ain. Research was divided into two phases. Methods included the collection of weight and height measurements (to analyze BMIs) and body fat percentages; 24-h food and activity recalls; semistructured, structured, and unstructured interviews; and participant observation. The distribution of BMIs in this sample was skewed toward underweight and normal weight in the ZU sample and split evenly between underweight-to-normal and overweight-to-obese in the UAEU sample, a finding that stands in contrast to the high rates of overweight and obesity reported in other age cohorts in local populations. This lower distribution of BMIs was correlated with widely expressed concern over body image, whereas reported interest in nutrition was much lower. Dietary patterns reflected attempts to manage weight. There was a marked trend toward nutritionally poor diets and sedentary living. Obesity and overweight among young women in the Emirati population do not appear to be as significant a problem as they are in older populations. However, several other health-related causes for concern emerged in this study, including extreme dieting strategies, insufficient micronutrient and protein intake, and widespread inactivity.

The suitability and attraction of the population of the United Arab Emirates for the study of genetic inheritance in scoliosis

Background Recently, significant advances have been made in understanding the aetiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) in the area of genetic inheritance. Essential to the success of these studies is the finding of large families with several cases of AIS from which blood samples can be collected and analysed. The emirati culture is unique and encourages large families with many children, often several wives with the same husband, and many cases of consanguinity especially among first cousins. This complex family structure might very well be suited to provide more appropriate examples for the study of genetic heritage in AIS than the more typical western family. Material and methods The genealogical history of 15 extended emirati families was collected for 4 generations which would approximate that required for the study of AIS. The number of children in each family and the incidence of consanguinity among first cousins were calculated. These data were compared with similar, published data for western families. Results The average number of children per family among the emirati population was 6.29 (often >10), approximately 3x that of the average western family. In each family there were several examples of multiple wives and first cousin marriages. Two families were found in which at least one person had AIS. Conclusions These results suggest that the unique, well controlled structure of the emirati families lend themselves to being excellent for extensive study of the genetic inheritance aspects of the aetiology of AIS because of the greater familial component.

Emiratizing the education sector in the UAE: contextualization and challenges

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss issues and imbalances in the workforce in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that result from the nation's relatively recent emergence as a powerful economy in the world. A federal initiative entitled Emiratization is addressed that is intended to improve employment amongst the local Emirati population who, at present, make up a minority of the working population. The role that one federal tertiary education system, the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), contributes to this process is discussed with specific implications and challenges for Emiratizing the education system.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on secondary research concerning employment statistics and policy in the UAE and observations of HCT, specifically the BEd program within the colleges.FindingsThree main challenges facing HCT in its attempt to train Emiratis for employment in the education sector in the UAE are discussed in the paper.Practical implicationsThere are practical implications and suggestions discussed for improving the Emiratization of the teaching sector in the UAE. This sector is highlighted as a core area for the Emiratization initiative by the paper.Originality/valueThe UAE represents a unique cultural context, a blending of languages, religion, politics and ethics, with calls for rapid modernization of its government schools. This paper maps out the growing pains and so is of value to both educators and policy makers in similar settings.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

A survey of prevalence of intestinal parasites among the expatriates and native Emirati people attending Ministry of Health hospitals in Sharjah, United Arab Emirate was performed during the year 2008 and 2009. Stool examination from 10,514 patients (64% expatriates and 36% native Emiratis) was performed. Eight hundred fourteen specimens of the 10,514 examined were found to be positive for intestinal parasites. The infection rates were 15.7% and 3.2% among the native and expatriate population respectively (odds ratio = 5.5). The rate of infection in males (58%) was higher than in females (42%). Overall, protozoa infections (92.2%) were higher than the helminth infections (7.8%). Entamoeba histolytica (71.8%) and Giardia lamblia (17.5%) were the commonest intestinal parasites identified. Among the helminths, Ancylostoma dudenale and Ascaris lumbricoides were the common ones. In comparison to helminthic infestations, protozoa infections were more common among the native Emirati population than the expatriate population. The high prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infections among the local Emirati people clearly indicates that there is continuous ongoing transmission of various parasitic infections in the community.

Strong Association of a Renin Intronic Dimorphism with Essential Hypertension

The objectives of this project were two-fold: to identify the genetic mutation that has been detected as an MboI dimorphism in intron 9 of the human renin (REN) gene and to confirm a previously reported, putative association between the REN MboI dimorphism and clinical diagnosis of essential hypertension (EHT) in a population of Gulf Arabs from the United Arab Emirates. Sequencing of the MboI dimorphic site was carried out on DNA of randomly chosen cases and controls. A retrospective case-control study was carried out in 689 unrelated subjects (326 first-time, clinically diagnosed hypertensives and 363 age- and gender-matched normotensive subjects), selected from the resident population of the Abu Dhabi Emirate. A polymerase chain reaction/MboI-RFLP based method was employed to compare genotype and allele distributions. Nucleotide sequences at the MboI site of the cut and uncut alleles were determined to be GATC and GGTC, respectively. This A>G mutation is located 10,631 base pairs (bp) 3' to the start of the REN gene, and 79 bp 3' to the end of exon 9. The genotype distributions of the REN 10631A>G dimorphism were found to be significantly different between hypertensive and normotensive subjects (x2= 42.29, df=2, p<0.001). Frequencies of A alleles were 0.54 in EHT vs. 0.37 in normotensive subjects, which is even more demarcated than what was found previously. The frequency of AA genotypes was higher in the hypertensive group than in the normotensive group (34.7% vs. 14.0%). The quantification of the association of A alleles with increased risk of EHT was assessed with corresponding odds ratios (OR), which gave the following values: OR of GG vs. AG genotypes, 1.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.90-1.88); OR of GG vs. AA, 3.75 (95% CI: 2.41-5.86). In conclusion, REN 10631A alleles are significantly associated with EHT in the Emirati population. This has now been found in two different and therefore independent sample populations from the Abu Dhabi Emirate. Moreover, this genetic effect seems to be acting in a recessive fashion. Hence, either the REN gene itself, or another gene that is in linkage disequilibrium with REN 10631A>G, is implicated in the pathogenesis of EHT in Emirati.

Prevalence of overweight among adolescent females in the United Arab Emirates.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence of overweight in adolescent females in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A total of 898 females, ages 11-18 years, were recruited from five of the seven Emirates with the highest resident Emirati population. Height, weight, triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), and mid-upper-arm circumference were measured in each subject. Reference data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) were used for comparison. At risk for overweight or overweight were defined as a body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)) >or=85-95th percentile and >or=95th percentile, respectively. Mean values for BMI and TSF at all ages were higher than the 50th percentile (median) of the NHANES reference data. Using the BMI classification, 14% and 9% of all subjects were classified as at risk for overweight or overweight, respectively. The proportion of subjects at risk for overweight ranged between 7-19% and the prevalence of overweight ranged between 6-15%. The proportion of subjects with a BMI >or=85 percentile ranged from 15% at age 17 years to 33% at age 11 years. Furthermore, 27% and 28% of subjects ages 11 and 12 years, respectively, were above the TSF 90th percentile. These two age groups also showed a high prevalence of overweight using the BMI classification. In conclusion, the findings from our study suggest that a high proportion of adolescent females in the UAE are overweight or at risk for overweight. The consequences of this are a serious concern for public health and need to be addressed.