Omani Population Research Articles

COVID-19 epidemic monitoring after non-pharmaceutical interventions: The use of time-varying reproduction number in a country with a large migrant population

BackgroundCOVID-19’s emergence carries with it many uncertainties and challenges, including strategies to manage the epidemic. Oman has implemented non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. However, responses to NPIs may be different across different populations within a country with a large number of migrants, such as Oman. This study investigated the different responses to NPIs, and assessed the use of the time-varying reproduction number (Rt) to monitor them. MethodsPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 data for Oman, from February 24 to June 3, 2020, were used alongside demographic and epidemiological information. Data were arranged into pairs of infector–infectee, and two main libraries of R software were used to estimate reproductive number (Rt). Rt was calculated for both Omanis and non-Omanis. FindingsA total of 13,538 cases were included, 44.9% of which were Omanis. Among all these cases we identified 2769 infector–infectee pairs for calculating Rt. There was a sharp drop in Rt from 3.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.8–4.6) in mid-March to 1.4 (95% CI 1.2–1.7) in late March in response to NPIs. Rt then decreased further to 1.2 (95% CI 1.1–1.3) in late April after which it rose, corresponding to the easing of NPIs. Comparing the two groups, the response to major public health controls was more evident in Omanis in reducing Rt to 1.09 (95% CI 0.84–1.3) by the end of March. InterpretationUse of real-time estimation of Rt allowed us to follow the effects of NPIs. The migrant population responded differently than the Omani population.

Clinical and genetic characteristics of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease in Oman

BackgroundThere is a high prevalence of rare genetic disorders in the Middle East, and their study provides unique clinical and genetic insights. Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is one of the leading causes of kidney and liver-associated morbidity and mortality in Oman. We describe the clinical and genetic profile of cohort of ARPKD patients.MethodsWe studied patients with a clinical diagnosis of ARPKD (n = 40) and their relatives (parents (n = 24) and unaffected siblings (n = 10)) from 32 apparently unrelated families, who were referred to the National Genetic Centre in Oman between January 2015 and December 2018. Genetic analysis of PKHD1 if not previously known was performed using targeted exon PCR of known disease alleles and Sanger sequencing.ResultsA clinical diagnosis of ARPKD was made prenatally in 8 patients, 21 were diagnosed during infancy (0–1 year), 9 during early childhood (2–8 years) and 2 at later ages (9–13 years). Clinical phenotypes included polycystic kidneys, hypertension, hepatic fibrosis and splenomegaly. Twenty-four patients had documented chronic kidney disease (median age 3 years). Twenty-four out of the 32 families had a family history suggesting an autosomal recessive pattern of inherited kidney disease, and there was known consanguinity in 21 families (66%). A molecular genetic diagnosis with biallelic PKHD1 mutations was known in 18 patients and newly identified in 20 other patients, totalling 38 patients from 30 different families. Two unrelated patients remained genetically unsolved. The different PKHD1 missense pathogenic variants were: c.107C > T, p.(Thr36Met); c.406A > G, p.(Thr136Ala); c.4870C > T, p.(Arg1624Trp) and c.9370C > T, p.(His3124Tyr) located in exons 3, 6, 32 and 58, respectively. The c.406A > G, p.(Thr136Ala) missense mutation was detected homozygously in one family and heterozygously with a c.107C > T, p.(Thr36Met) allele in 5 other families. Overall, the most commonly detected pathogenic allele was c.107C > T; (Thr36Met), which was seen in 24 families.ConclusionsMolecular genetic screening of PKHD1 in clinically suspected ARPKD cases produced a high diagnostic rate. The limited number of PKHD1 missense variants identified in ARPKD cases suggests these may be common founder alleles in the Omani population. Cost effective targeted PCR analysis of these specific alleles can be a useful diagnostic tool for future cases of suspected ARPKD in Oman.

May Measurement Month 2018: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Oman.

As per WHO estimates, around 17% of the adult Omani population are hypertensive. However, people with hypertension are often unaware of the diagnosis, and so the May Measurement Month (MMM) programme was set up to raise awareness of the importance of blood pressure (BP) screening. A cross-sectional screening of BP of subjects aged 18 years or more was carried out in May 2018 at various sites in Muscat, Oman. Screening sites were set up at the reception areas of participating hospitals, and at a few public areas such as shopping malls and workplaces of the volunteers. Blood pressure was measured according to a standardized protocol, and hypertension was defined as per the 2018 European Society of Hypertension guidelines. The data were analysed centrally by the MMM project team. A total of 12 689 individuals (mean age 40.6 ± 12.5 years, 72% male) were screened. The crude mean BP of the second and third readings (where three readings were taken, n = 4 738) was 127.1/79.2 mmHg. After multiple imputations, the average age and sex standardized BP was 127.3/80.2 mmHg. Of all participants, 29.8% had hypertension. There were 1 983 patients with a previous diagnosis of hypertension, of whom 1 810 were on antihypertensive medication. A further 1 973 subjects were newly diagnosed with hypertension. Of those on antihypertensive medication, 34.9% had uncontrolled BP readings. Screening programmes such as MMM are useful to identify persons with undiagnosed hypertension. However, more educational activities are required to increase the public awareness regarding the dangers of hypertension.

Awareness of the Dangers of High Salt Intake among the Urban Omani Population.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the general public in Oman regarding the dangers of high salt intake.MethodsThis cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among the urban population in Oman. Individuals aged ≥18 were invited to join the study.ResultsA total of 1,214 respondents (mean age 34 ± 10 years) answered the questionnaire. The majority were male (65.8%), employed (69.4%) and some were hypertensive (14.3%). Most (90.9%) were aware that excess salt can cause diseases such as hypertension and that it is either somewhat important (51.2%) or very important (42.9%) to reduce salt in the diet. However, only 42.2% said that they actively try to reduce salt in their diet.ConclusionAlthough most people in urban areas of Oman appear to be aware of the dangers of high salt intake, only a few are actively trying to reduce it. More educational activities are required to improve awareness.

0396 Prevalence of Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DPSP) Among Omani People

Abstract Introduction Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder with a definition of delayed night sleep by two or more hours beyond the socially acceptable or conventional bedtime. The general reported prevalence of DSPS is 7% to 16%. However, there is no previous study which assess DSPS prevalence in Oman or nearby regions. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of DSPS among Omani population and to establish a connection between demographics and DSPS. Methods This community-based study included 186 subjects aged from 18 to 64 who had one week of actigraphy records along with their demographical data in Sultan Qaboos University hospital. Results Among the 186, 19 (10.2%) subjects were identified of having DSPS in weekdays, and 15 (11.4%) subjects have DSPS in weekends. The results indicated that marital status had significant relation (P=0.02) more with unmarried group (62.50%, N=10). No significant relationship was found between DSPS and age, gender, BMI, education and employment status in either weekdays or weekends (P>0.05) Conclusion A consistent rates of DSPS was found among Omanis which are 10.2% in weekdays and 11.4% in weekends. Also, DSPS have significantly higher rates among unmarried subjects in weekdays. Further studies in DSPS are needed to assess risk factors and possible health impacts. Support The research Council of Oman

SAT-436 CLINICAL AND GENETIC CHARACTERISTICS OF AUTOSOMAL RECESSIVE POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE (ARPKD) PATIENTS FROM OMAN AND PKHD1 FOUNDER MUTATIONS

The Omani population has a high prevalence of rare genetic disorders, and their study provides unique clinical and genetic insights. Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is one of the leading causes of kidney and liver-associated morbidity and mortality in the country. We aimed to describe the clinical and genetic profile of ARPKD patients from Oman. A group of 75 patients and relatives (40 males and 35 females) from apparently 33 unrelated families, who were referred to the National Genetic Centre in Oman between January 2015 and December 2018, were studied. This included 41 patients with a clinical diagnosis of ARPKD, their parents (n=24) and siblings or relatives (n=10). Genetic analysis of PKHD1 was performed through next generation sequencing (NGS) and Sanger sequencing. A clinical diagnosis was made in 5 patients prenatally, 24 were diagnosed during the infancy period (0-1 year), nine during early childhood (2-8 years) and 3 at later ages (9-13 years). The main clinical features of patients included hypertension, hepatic fibrosis and splenomegaly. 25 patients had documented chronic renal failure at a median age of 3 years. 24 out of 33 families had a family history suggesting an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance, and there was known consanguinity in 22 families (67%). A molecular genetic diagnosis of ARPKD with biallelic PKHD1 mutations was confirmed in 30 families (n= 38 patients), giving a detection rate of 91%. Three families remained genetically unsolved. In total, only four different PKHD1 missense pathogenic mutations were identified: c.107C>T; (Thr36Met), c.406A>G; (Thr136Ala), c.4870C>T; (Arg1624Trp) and c.9370C>T; (His3124Tyr) located in exons 3, 6, 32 and 58, respectively. The c.406A>G; (Thr136Ala) is a novel missense mutation that was detected homozygously in one family and heterozygously with c.107C>T; (Thr36Met) allele in 5 other families. Overall, the most commonly detected pathogenic allele was c.107C>T; (Thr36Met), which was seen in 24 families. All four PKHD1 mutations were detected in patients from all governorates of the country except, Musandam, Al Wusta and Dhofar. Molecular genetic screening of suspected ARPKD cases produces a highly yield of genetic diagnosis. The four PKHD1 missense mutations may suggest common founder alleles in Omani population and allow cost effective targeted PCR analysis of these specific alleles to be a useful diagnostic tool.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Common Eye Diseases among the Omani Population: How Far Have We Come?

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Common Eye Diseases among the Omani Population: How Far Have We Come?

Immune-mediated Skin Disorders and their Oral Manifestations in the Omani Population: A Hospital-based Study.

ObjectivesWe sought to determine the prevalence of immune-mediated skin disorders (IMDs), their oral manifestations, and the related comorbidity among Omani patients with IMDs attending the outpatient Department of Dermatology and Dental Clinic at Al Nahdha Hospital, Muscat.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of 236 newly-diagnosed patients with IMDs who attended the outpatient clinic between September 2014 and September 2017. Data, such as age, sex, investigations, diagnosis, comorbidity, and associated oral manifestations of the affected individuals, were collected from the hospital health information system.ResultsOf the 236 diagnosed cases of IMD, lichen planus substantially comprised over half of the total cases (59.7%). This was followed by relatively fewer cases of discoid lupus erythematosus (11.0%), systemic lupus erythematosus (10.2%), and erythema multiforme (8.1%). Pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigus comprised only 3.0% and 4.2% of the total studied cases, respectively. The other less common disorders found in our study were toxic epidermal necrolysis (1.7%), pemphigus foliaceus (1.3%), and gestational pemphigoid (0.8%). Oral mucosal involvement was seen more commonly with lichen planus (78.7%), pemphigus vulgaris (71.4%), and erythema multiforme (75.0%), while systemic lupus erythematosus and discoid lupus erythematosus were shown to appear with more comorbidities compared to the other skin disorders studied.ConclusionsSeveral IMDs have considerable oral involvement. These oral manifestations of the diseases may be overlooked by other specialists leading to a delay in the diagnosis and its management. In order to circumvent this delay, the analysis and evaluation of a disease need to be done by a team comprising of a dental surgeon, dermatologist, and an oral medicine specialist.

Diabetic retinopathy-related knowledge level among the omani population

Background: An annual report published by the Ministry of Oman stated the diabetes mellitus (DM) prevalence of 15.7% among the patients attending a nutritional clinic. This estimate is higher than the prevalence rate of 12.3% that was reported in the national survey done in 2008. The Omani population having sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (DR) ranges from 14.5% to 42.2%. Many factors can lead to the burden of DR, such as nonawareness or nonserious approach toward eye care. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study included 232 participants through a convenient sampling technique. It used a semi-structured interview method to secure the participant responses for evaluating their DR-related knowledge. Statistical Analysis Used: The significance of the association for knowledge among the different study variables was analyzed by applying the Chi-square test and Fisher exact test. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the knowledge level between participants with different sociodemographic backgrounds. Results: 91.4% of the study population with nonmedical background are aware of ocular complication of diabetes. Condition-linked knowledge adequacy was associated with gender (P Conclusions: Majority of the study participants are aware of ocular complications due to DM. However, variations were observed for the condition-related knowledge level, its prevention, diagnostic treatment, and managerial options in case of visual impairment.

Incidence and Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in the Sultanate of Oman: A Hospital Based Study

The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) is changing globally. In this study, we aim to estimate the incidence and prevalence of MS in Oman over the period from 2006-2019. This is a retrospective observational hospital-based study. Omani patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are fWe recruited MS patients from the two major referral Neurology centres in Oman viz. Sultan Qaboos University Hospital and Khoula Hospital for this observational study. All Omani adult patients who were diagnosed with MS based on the revised McDonald criteria over the period from January 2006 to May 2019 were included. The total population of Oman as of June 2019 was obtained from the national census data. We retrieved the following data from the electronic case records: age at disease onset, gender and the year of diagnosis. Based on the national census data, the total Omani population was 2,652,199 (as of June 2019). Four hundred and twenty-two (422) patients were diagnosed with MS during the study period. The estimated crude prevalence was 15.9 per 100000, with a female to male ratio of 2.2:1 and with the initial MS symptoms occurring at a mean age of 27.3 years (S.D: 7.7 years; range: 9-59 years). Eighty three percent of the patients had the disease onset between the age of 19-40 years and 9% had the initial manifestation at less than 19 years of age. The annual incidence had increased from 1.00 case per 100000 in 2015 to 1.37 cases per 100000 in 2018. MS prevalence in Omani population has increased from 4 per 100000 in 2000 (based on the previously published hospital-based study from Oman) to 15.9 per 100000 in the current study. Oman should be considered as medium risk zone for MS. It is to be noted that the MS prevalence in Oman is the lowest among the Arabian Gulf countries. The increase in MS annual incidence rate in Oman is similar to what has been observed globally. Further studies are needed to assess the specific risks for MS in our population.

Clinical and laboratory parameters, risk factors predisposing to the development of priapism in sickle cell patients.

Although sickle cell disease is very common in Oman, priapism is a relatively rare complication of this disease. This study was aimed to identify the clinical and laboratory risk factors that predispose sickle cell disease patients to priapism. In a retrospective, case-control study, data on 21 male sickle cell disease patients, with priapism, were compared to 20 age and sex-matched sickle cell disease patients without priapism from the hospital medical records. Specifically, the demographical, hematological, biochemical, and clinical parameters including complications attributable to priapism were studied. Means for continuous measures and independent t-test were used to evaluate the association between the parameter studied and the occurrence of priapism. Priapism occurrence was associated with low basal hemoglobin (Hb), along with an increase in other parameters such as white blood cell count (WBC) ( P = 0.010), platelet count ( P = 0.001), reticulocyte count ( P < 0.001), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) ( P < 0.001), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) ( P < 0.001). Biochemical laboratory parameters revealed an association with an increased total bilirubin ( P < 0.001). Patients with priapism were more likely to have acute chest syndrome, stroke, pulmonary hypertension, asplenia ( P = 0.006), gallbladder stones, and consequently cholecystectomy. Blood exchange and Penile aspiration were the most frequent medical therapies ( P = 0.010 and P < 0.001 respectively). Patients with sickle cell disease who presented with priapism were young adults with low Hb, high WBC’s, platelets, reticulocytes, MCV, MCH, bilirubin, and LDH. These findings suggest an association of priapism with increased hemolysis. Impact statement Sickle cell disease is prevalent throughout the world with a 5.8% incidence of sickle cell trait among the Omani population, yet priapism was a relatively rare complication. Penile erection and detumescence are complex physiological processes, which require a delicate neurohormonal and cardiovascular response. In this cohort, young SCD patients developed priapism with a low incidence of complications. These patients had high WBCs, platelets, bilirubin, LDH, and reticulocytes with low hemoglobin as compared to controls, suggesting an increased hemolytic process. Favorable outcome was dependent on early intervention, with almost half of these patients needing surgical intervention.

Prevalence of Red Blood Cell Major Blood Group Antigens and Phenotypes among Omani Blood Donors.

ObjectivesMost literature on the frequencies of red blood cell (RBC) phenotypes are published in Europeans and Africans countries, with the frequencies in the Omani population unknown. We sought to determine the prevalence of RBC blood group phenotypes among Omani blood donors.MethodsBlood group ABO, RhD type, and phenotyping were performed for 21 blood group antigens on enrolled blood donors. The following antigens were assessed serologically: Rh (C, c, E, e), Kell (K, k, Kpa, Kpb), Kidd (Jka, Jkb), Duffy (Fya, Fyb), Lewis (Lea, Leb), Lutheran (Lua, Lub), MNS (M, N, S, s), and P1.ResultsA total of 337 Omani blood donors were tested. The most common blood group was O+ (44.9%). Among the tested blood donors studied, 89.3% were RhD positive with R1r being the most common Rh phenotype. The k antigen was found at a frequency of 99.4%, while 4.5% of the blood donors studied were K+. The most common phenotype in the Duffy blood group system was Fy(a-b-), while the most common phenotypes in the Kidd and MNS blood group systems were Jk(a+b+) and M+N-S+s+ at 47.0% and 22.6%, respectively. The Le(a+) and Le(b+) antigens were found in 21.7% and 67.3% of the blood donors, respectively. One Jk(a-b-), one Le(a+b+), and two Lu(a-b-) individuals were identified.ConclusionThis is the first study to examine the frequencies of RBC phenotypes among the Omani blood donors. The study’s results show Duffy blood group frequencies that resemble what has been reported in the African population, and higher frequencies of the rare null phenotypes compared to European populations.

Does gender have a significant effect on normal nerve conduction studies values?

Background: nerve conduction study (NCS) is a neurophysiologic medical diagnostic test used commonly to evaluate the function of the peripheral nerves. It is an extension to the clinical examination and extremely useful to diagnose and document a peripheral nerve disorder, localize the lesion, and to establish underlying pathophysiology. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of gender on nerve conduction study values and to generate reference nerve conduction studies (NCS) data for the commonly tested nerves among healthy adults in Oman. Subjects and methods: This study was conducted in the Neurology Department at the Royal Hospital, a tertiary care hospital in Muscat-Oman, for a period of four years (from March 2015 until May 2019) which included a total of 143 (80 females and 63 males) healthy Omani subjects. Sensory and motor nerve conduction studies were performed to the Median, Ulnar, Peroneal and Tibial nerves to establish the normative data. Statistical analysis was performed using Minitab comparing the mean values of all NCS parameters for both genders. Results: Gender comparison concluded that Omani males have longer distal motor latencies for all of the tested nerves and slower motor conduction velocities for the lower limbs’ nerves (p <0.005) than the females. While sensory latencies were significantly delayed in males as compared to Omani females for the upper limbs’ nerves and the ensory nerve potential amplitudes in the upper limbs were greater in females (p<0.0001) than males. A normative data for distal latencies, conduction velocities and responses amplitudes for motor and sensory nerves were sat up for the first time for normal adult Omani population. Conclusion: Gender has a significant influence on distal latencies and conduction velocities of some peripheral nerves in healthy Omani adult subjects, suggesting that different cut-off values for the two genders may be needed for interpreting such studies. These differences could be related to anatomical (height and limbs’ length gender differences) and/or physiological factors. Our normative data for nerve conduction study values are comparable to other published studies in the literature.

LITERATE LIFE EXPECTANCY AND ITS GENDER DIFFERENTIALS IN OMAN

Measuring human quality and well-being by the human development index (HDI) is very challenging as it is a composite index of many socio-economic variables. However, a simple index called literate life expectancy (LLE) by combining life expectancy and literacy only can be used as an alternative measure, which is less data intensive than HDI. LLE is the average life expectancy that a person lives under literate state. Length of life in literate state has many positive implications on social, economic and political aspects of life. In this paper an attempt has been made to construct LLE for Omani population with its gender differentials. The data for the study were extracted from the 2015 Statistical Year Book and the 2010 Population and Census report of Oman published by the National Centre for Statistics & Information. Despite socioeconomic progress, levels of education among women in Oman are not the same as men. The analysis shows the remarkable differences in the LLE between men and women for almost all age groups. The Omani female population is much lag behind in literate life expectancy than the Omani male population. The results underscore the need to take necessary steps for reducing gender gap in LLE in Oman.

PS1574 HLA‐DRB1∗15 INCREASES THE RISK OF RED BLOOD CELLS ALLOANTIBODIES IN PATIENTS WITH BETA THALASSEMIA MAJOR

Background:The cornerstone of the management of Beta Thalassemia Major (B‐TM) is lifelong Red Blood Cells (RBC) transfusion. This is associated with the development of RBCs alloantibodies. Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) is considered a risk factor for a number of autoimmune disorders. We hypothesized that HLA impacts the rate of alloantibody formation in patients with B‐TM.Aims:To assess the impact of HLA alleles on the risk of RBC alloimmunization in patients with B‐TM.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with B‐TM managed at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) between January 1996 till December 2016. All adult and paediatric patients with B‐TM with available HLA typing results were included. Patients with missing data were excluded. Chi‐squared test was used to assess the impact of HLA alleles on alloimmunization and the effect size was estimated using odd ratio (OR). HLA testing was performed using polymerase chain reaction – specific sequence of oligonucleotides (PCR‐SSO). Gel card technique (BIORAD ID‐System; DiaClon, Bio‐Rad, DiaMed GmbH, Switzerland) was used to screen for the RBC alloantibodies.Results:One hundred and sixty‐five patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria without missing information. The median age of all patients was 14 years. Females constituted 48% of the sample and 45% of patients were O RhD positive. The median RBC transfusion was 17 times per year. Patients were first detected to have RBC alloantibody at a median age of 16 years. The commonest RBC alloantibodies found in these patients were anti‐K (50%) and anti‐E (58%). The commonest HLA allele in loci A, B, C, DQ and DRB1 were HLA‐A∗02 (21%), HLA‐B∗51 (14%), HLA‐C∗7 (18%), HLA‐DQ∗05 (47%) and HLA‐DRB1∗16 (32%) respectively. HLA‐DRB1∗15 and HLA‐DQ∗6 were associated with a higher risk of RBC alloantibody formation (HLA‐DRB1∗15: OR 3.57, P = 0.047; HLA‐DQ∗06: OR 4.37, P = 0.025). None of the remaining common alleles (>5%) in Omani population were associated with the risk of alloantibody formation (p values >0.05).Summary/Conclusion:HLA‐DRB1∗15 and HLA‐DQ∗06 increases the risk of RBC alloantibody formation in patients with B‐TM. We recommend extended RBC phenotyping and extended antigen matched blood transfusion in patients carrying these two alleles. These findings will need to be confirmed in a larger multicenter study.

THE PREVALENCE OF DYSPLASIA IN COLORECTAL SERRATED/HYPERPLASTIC POLYPS IN OMANI POPULATION

Purpose: Serrated/hyperplastic polyps (SPs) are characterised histologically by sawtooth architecture. Historically, these polyps were considered benign, without malignant potential and thus clinically unimportant. At present, the WHO defines serrated/hyperplastic lesions as heterogeneous group, which include hyperplastic polyps (HP), sessile serrated adenoma (SSA)/polyp and traditional serrated adenoma (TSA). These can have malignant potential. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of dysplastic changes in SP of colon and rectum of Omani population reported at a tertiary care centre.Methods: The study was conducted in the pathology department of a tertiary care centre including endoscopic polypectomies from colon and rectum of Omani patients presenting to gastroenterology clinic reported between 2014 and 2016, and these were analysed retrospectively for dysplastic changes and their association with different clinical parameters.Results: Dysplasia was seen in 32 of 146 cases (21.9%) and 114 (78.1%) were without dysplasia. Of these dysplastic, biopsies’ only two cases (1.4%) showed high-grade dysplasia and rest 30 (20.5%) low-grade dysplasia. According to the type of polyp, dysplasia was found in TSA 8/21 cases (46.7%) and SSA 9/17 cases (53.3%). Association of dysplasia was more common in the age group of > 50 (15.07%) and male patients (62.5%).Conclusion: SPs are now common findings that a gastroenterologist faces in their daily practice. In our study of Omani population, the prevalence of dysplasia is associated with older age group, male gender, SSA/polyp and traditional serrated adenoma.Key words: Dysplasia. colorectal, polyps

School Gardening in Early Childhood Education in Oman: A pilot project with Grade 2 students

While school gardens are familiar in many Western contexts and research has reported significant pedagogical and affective is correct benefits of these resources, there is limited reporting of their use in non-western contexts. A pilot school gardening project involving a quasi-experimental mixed method design was undertaken in the Sultanate of Oman with several Grade 2 and Grade 7 classes to determine if this resource might provide benefits in this particular context. This paper reports on the findings for the Grade 2 cohort. While these findings were somewhat mixed and need to be treated tentatively given that the study was a pilot, they do suggest that school gardens in Oman could provide affective and possible health benefits for students. The potential health benefits could be particularly significant because the Omani population is beginning to exhibit a rapid increase in “lifestyle diseases,” most notably diabetes and cardiovascular illnesses. These illnesses appear to be linked to poor dietary habits and a more sedentary lifestyle among the younger generation.

Attitude and practice toward diabetic retinopathy among omani population

Background: Poor patient compliances toward diabetic retinopathy (DR)-related care are associated with the barriers at a personal, interpersonal, societal, organizational, or a policy level. The personal factors contributing to noncompliance are linked with their negative attitude toward the disease management. Materials and Methods: It is a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based, prospective study. The study involved 232 participants from different provinces in Oman and with different socioeconomic and educational levels through a convenient sampling method. Participants' attitude toward DR was assessed using the responses for the provided statement related to the condition through a self-designed and validated questionnaire. Statistical Analysis Used: The Shapiro–Wilk normality test was applied and observed the nonnormal distribution of the attitude scores. Hence, the nonparametric Mann–Whitney U test was applied to compare the percentage score with the independent groups of the study. Practicing pattern of the participants having a personal or family history of diabetes mellitus was evaluated using descriptive statistics. Results: Two hundred and thirty-two participants having mean age of 31.12 (standard deviation [SD] = 12.02) years responded to the questionnaire, of which 39.22% were male and 60.78% were female. The mean percentage attitude score was 83.09 (SD = 12.90, 24.44–100). About 82% of the study participants had a very positive attitude. Very few (12.73%) were noncompliant toward routine ocular examination. 82% of the study participants had a positive attitude and 87.27% were positively following eye care visits. Conclusions: Majority of the study participants have positive attitude toward the management of DR and practice for follow-up eye care visits as recommended by their eye care practitioners. DR-related health promotional activities within the population having lower educational status can support in improving their compliance.

Demographic, Clinical and Immunological Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus among Omani Population Single Tertiary Care Experience

Demographic, Clinical and Immunological Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus among Omani Population Single Tertiary Care Experience

Cephalometric Norms in an Omani Adult Population of Arab Descent.

This study aimed to establish cephalometric norms for an Omani population of Arab descent and to compare these with established cephalometric values for Caucasians. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Military Dental Centre and Oman Dental College in Muscat, Oman, between May 2014 and October 2016. A total of 150 Omani patients between 20-29 years old seeking orthodontic treatment were included. All participants had a symmetrical face, class I molar and canine relationships, proper intercuspation, a normal overjet/overbite (<3 mm) and mild spacing/crowding of the teeth (≤3 mm). Lateral cephalography was performed in centric occlusion with the lips relaxed and the head in a natural position. Cephalometric measurements were then compared with Eastman Standard norms. The Omani subjects were found to have a slightly retrusive maxilla, an increased angle between the maxillary and mandibular planes and shorter facial heights in comparison to the Eastman Standard norms. Furthermore, incisor relations were edge-to-edge in nature and the interincisal angle was reduced, suggesting that the Omani subjects had more proclined incisors. In addition, the lips were more protrusive and the nasolabial angle was more obtuse. In the Omani sample, increased proclination of the incisors was observed in comparison to Eastman Standard norms. As such, slightly more proclined incisors should be considered acceptable and natural among Omani patients of Arab descent. The cephalometric findings of this study may be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment planning of orthodontic problems among Omanis of Arab descent.