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Simple Summary: In this review, the authors collected and demonstrated evidence concerning the effect of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and its treatment options on fertility in male patients. This became increasingly important as we began observing this disease in younger adults. We provide an overview and draw conclusions regarding different medications and treatment options and how these may affect the ability to conceive. This information is crucial for healthcare workers and patients, as it must be disclosed to patients when starting them on one of these agents. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), while traditionally a disease of the elderly, has recently risen in incidence among younger patients. Hence, fertility concerns have emerged considering the disease process and treatments, especially with the current scarce and conflicting recommendations. This review explores the impact of CML treatments including the first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and other treatments on male fertility in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. The aim of this review was to compile the available evidence on male fertility to ultimately tailor treatment plans for male CML patients for whom fertility and future chances for conception pose a concern. The data available on the conventional and newer TKIs to address fertility concerns were reviewed, particularly the potential long- and short-term effects. Also, the possible side effects on subsequent generations were a crucial focus point of this review to reach a more comprehensive CML management approach. We found and compared the evidence on TKIs approved to treat CML. We also reported the effects of hydroxyurea, interferon, and transplantation, which are considered second-line treatments. Our findings suggest that these drugs might have an undiscovered effect on fertility. More research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is essential to solidify our understanding of these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This review explores the use of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as a treatment option for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. While CML treatment has greatly improved with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), some patients do not respond well or reach advanced disease stages. The goal now is to achieve treatment-free remission (TFR). Although discontinuing TKIs shows promise, relapse risk is high. This review discusses recent advances in HSCT and its role in CML treatment, suggesting it should be considered early in disease management to enhance the chances of achieving TFR alongside TKIs. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients has transitioned from the standard of care to a treatment option limited to those with unsatisfactory tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) responses and advanced disease stages. In recent years, the threshold for undergoing HSCT has increased. Most CML patients now have life expectancies comparable to the general population, and therefore, the goal of therapy is shifting toward achieving treatment-free remission (TFR). While TKI discontinuation trials in CML show potential for achieving TFR, relapse risk is high, affirming allogeneic HSCT as the sole curative treatment. HSCT should be incorporated into treatment algorithms from the time of diagnosis and, in some patients, evaluated as soon as possible. In this review, we will look at some of the recent advances in HSCT, as well as its indication in the era of aiming for TFR in the presence of TKIs in CML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objectives of this study were to investigate associations between micronutrient levels and diabetes and to explore the association in individuals with controlled and uncontrolled diabetes. Methods: A case–control study, matched on age and gender, was performed on participants with (cases) and without diabetes (controls), who were Qatari or long-term residents (≥15 years of residence). Participants with diabetes were divided into those with controlled and uncontrolled diabetes using an HbA1c cutoff of 7%. Levels of micronutrients were measured from serum and categorized into normal and abnormal levels. Results: A total of 1118 participants (374 cases and 744 controls) were included with a mean age of 41.7 years (SD 9.9), of whom 53.9% were female. Of those with diabetes, 229 had controlled diabetes and 145 had uncontrolled diabetes. Compared to those without diabetes, participants with diabetes had significantly lower mean magnesium (0.80 mmol/L (SD 0.07) vs. 0.84 mmol/L (SD 0.06), respectively, p < 0.001). Lower magnesium and iron were observed in participants with uncontrolled compared to participants with controlled diabetes. After multivariable logistic regression, diabetes was associated with hypomagnesemia (OR 3.2, 95% CI 3.4–213.9) and low iron (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.03–2.15). Uncontrolled diabetes showed stronger odds of association with hypomagnesemia (OR 5.57, 95% CI 3.65–8.52). Conclusion: In an affluent setting in the MENA region, diabetes was associated with low magnesium and low iron, and this association was stronger in individuals with uncontrolled diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the association between multimorbidity and mortality from COVID-19 in the Middle East and North Africa region, where such data are scarce. We conducted a cross-sectional study using data of all cases with COVID-19 reported to the Ministry of Public Health of Qatar from March to September 2020. Data on pre-existing comorbidities were collected using a questionnaire and multimorbidity was defined as having at least two comorbidities. Proportions of deaths were compared by comorbidity and multimorbidity status and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out. A total of 92,426 participants with a mean age of 37.0 years (SD 11.0) were included. Mortality due to COVID-19 was associated with gastrointestinal diseases (aOR 3.1, 95% CI 1.16–8.30), respiratory diseases (aOR 2.9, 95% CI 1.57–5.26), neurological diseases (aOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.19–5.54), diabetes (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.24–2.61), and CVD (aOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.03–2.22). COVID-19 mortality was strongly associated with increasing multimorbidity; one comorbidity (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.28–3.12), two comorbidities (aOR 2.8, 95% CI 1.79–4.38), three comorbidities (aOR 6.0, 95% 3.34–10.86) and four or more comorbidities (aOR 4.15, 95% 1.3–12.88). This study demonstrates a strong association between COVID-19 mortality and multimorbidity in Qatar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]