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Objectives: Identification of the high risk alleles, genotypes and haplotypes of the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) in different populations is beneficial for understanding their roles in type 1 diabetes (T1D) pathogenesis and intervention practices. This study aimed to identify T1D-associated HLA gene alleles in the Omani population. Methods: The present case-control study included 73 diabetic seropositive children (mean age 9.08 ± 3.27 years) attending the paediatric clinic at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman, and 110 healthy controls. HLA–A, -B, -C, -DRB1 and -DQB1 genes were genotyped using a sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR). Results: Two HLA class I alleles (B*08, B*58) and three class II alleles (DQB1*02, DRB1*03 and DRB1*04) were associated with T1D susceptibility, while one class I (B*51) and three class II (DQB1*05, DQB1*06 and DRB1*16) alleles were associated with T1D protection. HLA-DRB1*03 and DQB1*02 alleles showed the strongest risk association among all alleles. Six DRB1 residues (E9, S11, S13, Y30, V70 and K71) were significantly associated with T1D susceptibility. Heterozygous genotypes, HLA-DRB1*03/*04 and DQB1*02/*03 were significantly associated with T1D susceptibility (P

Sanjad Sakati syndrome (SSS) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by mutation in TBCE (tubulin folding cofactor E) gene. Reported cases were almost exclusively of Middle-Eastern and Arabian children of consanguineous parents. We report the clinical manifestations, outcome, and an observed new association of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) among children with Sanjad Sakati syndrome. Clinical and routine laboratory data of SSS cases attending Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman, were collected from the electronic patient records or through direct clinic interviews. In-lab polysomnography (PSG) and echocardiography were carried out for all the cases. SDB diagnosis was based on the guidelines of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Of 12 patients with SSS, 5 males (42%), all of them (100%) had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and 4 of them (33%) had additional significant central apnea and sleep-related hypoventilation. Eight patients (67%) had severe SDB with mean apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) of 26.5 events/h. Age at time of diagnosis with SDB ranged from 2 to 17 years with mean of 8.9 $$\pm 4.7\mathrm{ years}.$$ Two patients had severe pulmonary hypertension as a complication of severe SDB and died from type 2 respiratory failure. Sleep-disordered breathing is prevalent among children with SSS, especially OSA. This is the first study to report SDB in a large cohort of patients with this extremely rare syndrome. The study results encourage the importance of screening affected patients with SSS for sleep-disordered breathing early before developing severe morbidities such as pulmonary hypertension that further compromise their quality of life.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess patient perceptions of the use of the EasyPod™ growth hormone delivery device and its association with compliance.MethodsThis cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted in six centers from three countries (United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia,) between March 2020 and June 2020. Children and adolescents aged 3–18 years, diagnosed with growth disorders and receiving rhGH through the EasyPod™ device were enrolled. Patients and caregivers were given a pre-set questionnaire that evaluated patient satisfaction, preference for technical and personalized features, and device drawbacks. The results were analyzed using independent measures of analysis of variance to evaluate the association of higher satisfaction with device features and better compliance.ResultsA total of 186 patients were enrolled in the study. Of these, 45.7% had GH deficiency. The mean age (±SD) of patients was 11.8 (±2.76) years; 117 (62.90%) were males. Average compliance was 87%. One hundred patients (53.76%) had injection compliance of ≥90%. Amongst these patients, 74%, 68%, and 77% top-scored (5/5) the technical features of hidden needle, skin sensor, and pre-set dosing, respectively, compared to top scores by 39%, 34%, and 51% patients in the p-value p-value p-value ConclusionOur study showed that there is a statistically significant association between better perception of device features and higher compliance.

Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is the most common cause of persistent hypoglycemia in infancy. CHI is a challenging disease to diagnose and manage. Moreover, complicating the course of the disease with another metabolic disease like Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) adds more challenges to the already complex management. We report a term neonate who developed symptomatic non-ketotic hypoglycemia with a blood glucose (BG) level of 1.9 mmol/L at 21-hours of life. A critical sample at that time showed high serum insulin and C-peptide levels confirming the diagnosis of CHI. Tandem mass spectrometry done at the same time was suggestive of MSUD which was confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The diagnosis of both conditions was subsequently confirmed by molecular genetic testing. His hypoglycemia was managed with high glucose infusion with medical therapy for CHI and branched chain amino acids (BCAA) restricted medical formula. At the age of four months, a near-total pancreatectomy was done due to the failure of conventional therapy. Throughout his complicated course, he required meticulous monitoring of his BG and modified plasma amino acid profile aiming to maintain the BG at ≥ 3.9 mmol/L and levels of the three BCAA at the disease therapeutic targets for his age. The patient is currently 29 months old and has normal growth and development. This patient is perhaps the only known case of the co-occurrence of CHI with MSUD. Both hypoglycemia and leucine encephalopathy can result in death or permanent neurological damage. The management of CHI and MSUD in combination is very challenging.

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to investigate the determinants of the capital structure of tourism companies in Oman. This study uses the trade-off theory and pecking order theory to postulate hypotheses related to determinants of capital structure. Methodology: In line with extant literature, size, liquidity, tangibility, growth opportunities, and risk are used as the determinants of the capital structure. The sample in this study includes nine listed tourism companies for the period 2007 to 2016, which aggregates to 90 firm-year observations. Main findings: The results show that the capital structure of tourism companies is influenced by size, growth, and risk. The trade-off theory and pecking order theory are useful for partially explaining the leverage decisions of Oman's tourism companies. Implications: The empirical findings of this research imply that tourism companies' corporate managers can make optimal capital structure decisions based on determinants. Novelty: To the best of the author's knowledge, this study is a first for examining the determinants of capital structure for Oman's tourism companies using data over ten years. It lends support to the determinants identified in prior literature for developed and developing countries.

Sanjad Sakati syndrome (SSS) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by mutation in TBCE (tubulin folding cofactor E) gene. Reported cases were almost exclusively of Middle-Eastern and Arabian children of consanguineous parents. We report the clinical manifestations, outcome, and an observed new association of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) among children with Sanjad Sakati syndrome.Clinical and routine laboratory data of SSS cases attending Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman, were collected from the electronic patient records or through direct clinic interviews. In-lab polysomnography (PSG) and echocardiography were carried out for all the cases. SDB diagnosis was based on the guidelines of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.Of 12 patients with SSS, 5 males (42%), all of them (100%) had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and 4 of them (33%) had additional significant central apnea and sleep-related hypoventilation. Eight patients (67%) had severe SDB with mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 26.5 events/h. Age at time of diagnosis with SDB ranged from 2 to 17 years with mean of 8.9 [Formula: see text] Two patients had severe pulmonary hypertension as a complication of severe SDB and died from type 2 respiratory failure.Sleep-disordered breathing is prevalent among children with SSS, especially OSA. This is the first study to report SDB in a large cohort of patients with this extremely rare syndrome. The study results encourage the importance of screening affected patients with SSS for sleep-disordered breathing early before developing severe morbidities such as pulmonary hypertension that further compromise their quality of life.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate, retrospectively, the epidemiological and clinical characteristics, laboratory results, radiologic findings and outcomes of novel coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) in patients with transfusion dependent β thalassemia (β-thalassemia major-TM), non-transfusion dependent β thalassemia (β-thalassemia intermedia -TI) and sickle cell disease (SCD). Design, setting: A total of 17 Centers, from 10 countries, following 9,499 patients with hemoglobinopathies participated in the survey. Main outcome measures: Clinical, laboratory and radiologic findings and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 were collected from medical records and summarized. Results: A total of 13 patients, 7 with TM, 3 with TI and 3 with SCD, with confirmed COVID-19, were identified from 6 Centers from different countries. The overall mean age of patients was 33.7±12.3 years (range:13-66); 9/13 (69.2%) patients were females. The commonest symptoms in the 10 symptomatic patients were: fever (80%), cough (70%), headache (60%), fatigue (60%), gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea /vomiting/abdominal pain; 50%), tachypnea/dyspnea (40%), and sore throat (40%). Six patients had pneumonia (unilateral, bilateral or multiple opacity) and 4 needed oxygen therapy. An oxygen saturation ≤ 93% was documented in 3 patients at diagnosis. 6/10 patients had an exacerbation of anemia (2 with SCD, associated with back and chest pain in 1 patient), and 3 (

Early control of glycaemia is key to reduce vascular complications in individuals with Type 1 diabetes. Therefore, encouraging children and adolescents with T1DM to take responsibility for controlling glucose levels is an important yet a challenging task. The rapid expansion of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems has allowed for more comprehensive analysis of glycaemia in T1D. Moreover, CGM devices have the ability to calculate rate of change in glucose levels and display the information as trend arrows. In turn, this can help to take evasive actions to return glucose levels to near physiological glycaemia, which can be highly motivating for young people with T1DM. In the absence of standardised, evidence-based guidance, this consensus document, generated by experts from the Arab Society of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes and international advisors, summarises recent literature on the use of trend arrows in young people with T1DM. The use of trend arrows in different CGM systems is reviewed and their clinical significance is highlighted. Adjusting insulin doses according to trend arrows is discussed while also addressing special situations, such as exercise, fasting, nocturnal hypoglycaemia and menstruation. Adequate understanding of trend arrows should facilitate optimisation of glycaemic control in the T1D population.

Data on the prevalence and type of endocrine disorders in β-thalassemia intermedia (β-TI) patients are scarce. This multicenter study was designed to determine the prevalence of endocrine complications and the associated risk factors in a large group of β-TI patients. In this cross-sectional multicenter study, 726 β-TI patients, aged 2.5–80 years, registered at 12 thalassemic centers, from nine countries, were enrolled during 2017. In a subgroup of 522 patients (mean age 30.8 ± 12.1; range: 2.5–80 years) from Qatar, Iran, Oman, Cyprus, and Jordan detailed data were available. Overall, the most prevalent complications were osteopenia/osteoporosis (22.3%), hypogonadism (10.1%), and primary hypothyroidism (5.3%). In the subgroup multivariate analysis, older age was a risk factor for osteoporosis (Odds ratio: 7.870, 95% CI: 4.729–13.099, P

The physiological actions of thyroid hormone (TH) are mediated through TH alpha and TH beta receptors. Resistance to TH (RTH) is characterized by a lack of peripheral tissues’ response to the active form of TH. TH receptor beta has been extensively studied. Mutations in this receptor were considered the main reason for TH resistance for some time up until the discovery of mutations in TH receptor alpha (TRα) that has attained more focus and interest in recent years. A 13-year-old child with classic hypothyroidism features (coarse facies, growth and developmental delay, skeletal dysplasia, generalized muscular hypertrophy, and severe constipation) associated with near-normal thyroid hormone levels, which did not support the diagnosis of hypothyroidism biochemically. Therefore, progressing with whole-exome sequencing had revealed a de novo heterozygous mutation in a gene encoding TRα that establishes a diagnosis of RTHα. This case report demonstrates a rare form of TH resistance due to mutation of TRα. It also emphasizes that THs act through distinctive receptor subtypes in different target tissues. Moreover, this report aims to raise awareness about this genetic mutation, which is thought to be more common than expected. However, due to its subtle features and insidious presentation, many cases remain undiagnosed; hence, the disorder’s exact incidence is unknown.

The MD Programme of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, has been accredited recently. The College has been preparing for this event for more than ten years and wishes to share its experience with other regional medical colleges. The process of accreditation per se took less than three years to complete and most of the time was spent to prepare for the process; to build-up capacity in addition to implementing curricular reforms and other requirements that were needed to comply with accreditation standards. In the end of this exercise, the College has earned many benefits as well as learned some lessons. This article describes the most notable activities and events and discusses how the College responded to the challenges posed.

Objectives: Structural and functional cardiovascular abnormalities have been reported in adults with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI); however, there is a lack of paediatric literature on this topic. This study aimed to investigate cardiovascular abnormalities in children with OI in comparison to a control group. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in Muscat, Oman, between May 2013 and August 2014. Data from eight patients with OI and 24 healthy controls were compared using conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE). Results: The OI group had significantly lower peak early mitral valve flow velocity ( P = 0.027), peak a-wave reversal in the pulmonary vein ( P = 0.030) and peak early diastolic velocity of the mitral valve and upper septum ( P = 0.001 each). The peak late diastolic velocities of the mitral valve ( P = 0.002) and the upper septum ( P = 0.037) were significantly higher in the OI group; however, the peak early/late diastolic velocity ratios of the mitral valve ( P = 0.002) and upper septum ( P = 0.001) were significantly lower. Left ventricular dimensions and aortic and pulmonary artery diameters were larger in the OI group when indexed for body surface area. Both groups had normal systolic cardiac function. Conclusion: Children with OI had normal systolic cardiac function. However, changes in myocardial tissue Doppler velocities were suggestive of early diastolic cardiac dysfunction. They also had increased left ventricular dimensions and greater vessel diameters. These findings indicate the need for early and detailed structural and functional echocardiographic assessment and follow-up of young patients with OI. Keywords: Children; Osteogenesis Imperfecta; Cardiovascular Abnormalities; Doppler Echocardiography.

Objectives: Optimal glycemic control is an important goal in the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Although the use of multiple daily injections (MDI) is a common regimen worldwide, its use is not yet universal in many countries. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of switching from a twice daily (BID) to a MDI insulin regimen in children and adolescents with T1DM in order to revisit its benefits in the Omani population. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children and adolescents with T1DM at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between January 2007 and June 2013. Patients using the BID regimen for more than six months who were then switched to MDI were included in the analysis. We compared glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c) before and after the regimen change. Results: Fifty-three children were eligible for the study. Ten patients were excluded for various reasons. The remaining 43 patients were 58% male and 42% female, with a mean age of 9.4±3.7 years. There was significant decrease in the overall mean HbA1c level from baseline (10.0) compared to three months after switching to MDI (9.5); p=0.023. Nevertheless, the improvement was not significant in the subsequent follow-up visits at six and nine months. The reduction in HbA1c values was observed mainly in children five to 11 years. Conclusions: Switching from a BID to MDI insulin regimen has favorable effects on the overall control of T1DM in children and adolescents, as assessed by HbA1c levels. In addition, this regimen has been proved to be safe and well tolerated by patients.

Wolcott-Rallison syndrome (WRS) is an autosomal recessive disease, characterized by neonatal or early-onset non-autoimmune insulin-dependent diabetes. WRS, although rare, is recognized to be the most frequent cause of neonatal-onset diabetes. The majority of reported patients are from consanguineous families. Several mutations with variable expression of the syndrome are reported. Here we describe a six-year-old boy with WRS who was evaluated at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital and was found to have a novel homozygous nonsense mutation in the EIF2AK3 gene. His younger sister also had WRS but with milder expression. The mutation exhibited different clinical characteristics in the siblings proving that WRS patients phenotypic variability correlates poorly to genotype. This is the first case report of two Omani children with WRS and a report of a novel mutation.

Young-onset autoimmune diabetes associated with additional autoimmunity usually reflects a polygenic predisposition, but rare cases result from monogenic autoimmunity. Diagnosing monogenic autoimmunity is crucial for patients’ prognosis and clinical management. We sought to identify novel genetic causes of autoimmunity presenting with neonatal diabetes (NDM) (diagnosis

In November 2013, The College of Medicine and Health Sciences (COMHS) at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) was “fully accredited” for a ten-year period (on its first attempt) by the Association for Medical Education in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (AMEEMR) in association with and in accordance with the standards of the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).The accreditation decision was made on the basis that the MD Programme complies with the WFME’s “Basic and Quality Development Standards”.1 It is notable that COMHS’ “Quality Development Standards” are considered by the WFME as “Best Practice” thus conferring distinguished status on the COMHS’ MD Programme. This article describes the actions taken by the COMHS which led to this success. The achievement of accreditation was neither a sudden nor an unsystematic accomplishment. It was the result of a lengthy and extensive process of continuous improvement of the COMHS’ abilities and capacities that started long before the accreditation endeavour per se began in 2008. The process began by the construction of the “new” curriculum—an exercise that was accompanied and followed by other complementary measures. Only after that was the accreditation process initiated. Before explaining the process in more detail, a description of SQU and the COMHS might be helpful.

Diabetes has become one of the most challenging chronic diseases with its prevalence increasing in most countries worldwide. The Arabian Gulf countries face a similar increasing prevalence of diabetes. Diabetes care requires not only the support of the health authorities, but the contribution of all the sectors of the community and requires good financial support. In Oman, there are many factors which affect the care of diabetes. In this article, these factors are addressed and recommended solutions discussed.

The diagnosis of beta thalassemia intermedia (BTI) is mainly based on the severity of clinical phenotype. It is associated with a wide range of specific complications including extramedullary hematopoiesis, leg ulcers, gallstones, hypercoagulable state, pulmonary hypertension (PHT), endocrine disorders and osteoporosis. The commonest endocrine complication in beta thalassemia major (TM) patients is hypogonadism followed by hypothyroidism and diabetes but the data on endocrine disorders in BTI patients are scarce. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of endocrine complications in a large series of BTI patients. Methods: In this multi-countries cross-sectional study, all BTI patients registered at 12 thalassemic treatment centers in Iran (2 Centers), Italy (2 Centers), Greece, Turkey (2 centers), Oman, Qatar, Jordan, Cyprus and United Kingdom were enrolled during 2017. Non transfusion- dependent beta-thalassemia patients or those who received blood transfusion 3-4 times or less annually, were evaluated. Required information was collected from medical records using a designed questionnaire. Demographic data, clinical characteristics and laboratory data included age, sex, splenectomy, type of treatment (blood transfusion, iron chelation, hydroxyurea), hormonal assays, bone mineral density, calcium -phosphorous metabolism, serum ferritin, liver function tests, fetal and total hemoglobin levels,, platelet and nucleated red blood cell counts, were collected. Results: A total of 721 BTI patients were enrolled in the survey from 9 countries. The most prevalent disease-related complications were osteoporosis (21.6%) and hypogonadism (12.6%) followed by: central hypothyroidism (8.3%), non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (7.8%), primary hypothyroidism (5.5%), insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (4.2%), hypoparathyroidism (2.2%), growth hormone deficiency (1.1%), adrenal mass (1%) and thyroid cancer (0.5%). Conclusion: This study evaluated the largest cohort of BTI patients with endocrine disorders. Although BTI patients are non-transfusion dependent or only occasionally transfused, iron-overload due to increased intestinal iron absorption and enhanced bone marrow activity cause endocrine disorders and osteoporosis. This study demonstrate that although endocrine complications are less common in patients with BTI compared to data reported in literature in TM patients , a regular monitoring with timely diagnosis and proper management underscoring on osteoporosis and gonadal disorders are crucial to prevent endocrine complications in these patients. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

In the article listed above, Ayla Guven, of the Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic, Goztepe Educational and Research Hospital, Istanbul, …

Objective: From a recently instituted web-based pituitary tumour registry at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman, this study explores the results of comprehensive clinical evaluation, hormonal levels, radiological evidence of pituitary mass lesion using magnetic resonance (MRI) and the different treatment modalities. Methods: All patients who were diagnosed with pituitary mass tumours in our tertiary care endocrinology clinic between January 1998 and February 2006 were registered in the Oman pituitary tumour registry. Two physicians performed hospital chart review and data entry. Results: A total of 160 entries were made into the pituitary tumour registry. The overall mean age of the cohort was 32 ±12 years (age range 8-73 years). The majority of registrations were female (n=114; 71%). There were 81 patients with non-functioning adenomas (50.6%), 59 with prolactinoma (36.9%) eight with acromegaly (5%), seven with craniopharyngioma (4.4%), four with Cushing’s disease (2.5%) and one with sarcoidosis (0.6%). Sub-group analyses were done only for the subjects with the 3 most prevalent pituitary tumours (non-functioning adenomas, prolactinomas, and acromegaly). The most prevalent symptoms are amenorrhea-galactorrhea (n=55; 37%), headache (n=31; 21%) and fatigue (n=23; 16%). The most common treatment modality was medical (n=58; 39%), followed by observation (n=56; 38%), surgery (n=31; 21%) and surgery plus medical (n=3; 2%). None of the patients in this registry are recorded to have died. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first pituitary tumour registry in the Arabian Gulf countries using a web-based programme. This tumour registry will enable us to characterize clinical and the epidemiological features of pituitary tumours in the Sultanate of Oman.

Objectives: Rigidity of the spine is common in adults but is rarely observed in children. The aim of this study was to report on rigid spine syndrome (RSS) among children in Oman. Methods: Data on children diagnosed with RSS were collected consecutively at presentation between 1996 and 2014 at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) in Muscat, Oman. A diagnosis of RSS was based on the patient’s history, clinical examination, biochemical investigations, electrophysiological findings, neuro-imaging and muscle biopsy. Atrophy of the paraspinal muscles, particularly the erector spinae , was the diagnostic feature; this was noted using magnetic resonance imaging of the spine. Children with disease onset in the paraspinal muscles were labelled as having primary RSS or rigid spinal muscular dystrophy. Secondary RSS was classified as RSS due to the late involvement of other muscle diseases. Results: Over the 18-year period, 12 children were included in the study, with a maleto-female ratio of 9:3. A total of 10 children were found to have primary RSS or rigid spinal muscular dystrophy syndrome while two had secondary RSS. Onset of the disease ranged from birth to 18 months of age. A family history was noted, with two siblings from one family and three siblings from another (n = 5). On examination, children with primary RSS had typical features of severe spine rigidity at onset, with the rest of the neurological examination being normal. Conclusion: RSS is a rare disease with only 12 reported cases found at SQUH during the study period. Cases of primary RSS should be differentiated from the secondary type. Keywords: Rigid Spine Syndrome; Rigid Spine Muscular Dystrophy; Selenoprotein; Children; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Oman.

Diabetes mellitus is currently one of the most challenging public health problems worldwide. With a marked increase in its prevalence, it is reaching epidemic proportions in many countries.1 Globally, the diabetes rate has risen by 45% over the past two decades.2 The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimated that the number of adults affected by diabetes in 2013 was 387 million, with a projected increase of up to 592 million by 2035.3 In Arab countries, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus has increased dramatically over the past 30 years.4 According to the IDF, three Arabian Gulf countries are among the top 10 countries in the world with the highest prevalence of diabetes: Saudi Arabia (24%), Kuwait (23.1%) and Qatar (22.9%).5 In the May 2015 issue of SQUMJ, Al-Lawati et al. showed that Oman is following the same trend, with diabetes age-adjusted prevalence rates varying from 10.4% to 21.1%.6 Al-Lawati et al. also estimated that the number of patients diagnosed with diabetes in Oman will rise to 350,000 by the year 2050; an increase of 174% compared to estimates for 2015.6 The study also found a remarkable proportion of undiagnosed diabetes cases in Oman; this indicates that many individuals are living without treatment.6 The implications of these alarming statistics on the healthcare system in Oman should be addressed and effective solutions to combat this trend be planned and implemented. The key risk factors for the development of diabetes include a genetic predisposition, poor dietary habits, a family history of the disease and a lack of physical activity.7 The prevalence of obesity among Arab countries has increased rapidly in the last few decades.8 Poor dietary habits and inadequate physical activity have contributed to large numbers of overweight and obese individuals, which will ultimately lead to increased cases of diabetes.9 Research conducted by Ng et al. showed that several countries in the Middle East have had the largest increase in obesity rates globally, including Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait.10 In Oman, the prevalence of overweight/obese individuals was reported to be 54% among men and 73% among women.10 Easy access to processed junk foods, cheap transportation methods and technology-based jobs that limit physical activity have resulted in a disturbance of metabolism leading to obesity and diabetes.11 It has been proposed that almost 80% of diabetes cases are preventable if individuals maintain a healthy body weight by taking part in regular physical activity and eating a well-balanced diet.12 The chronic nature of the disease, severity of its complications and means of controlling the condition makes diabetes a costly affair, not only for the affected individual and their families, but also for healthcare authorities.11 Consequently, the globally increasing prevalence of diabetes has resulted in an increase in related healthcare costs, particularly in developing countries.2 A study carried out by the American Diabetes Association estimated that the total cost of diagnosed diabetes cases in the USA had risen from USD $174 billion in 2007 to USD $245 billion in 2012, which is a 40% increase over a five-year period.13 In India, the annual healthcare cost of diabetes cases has been reported as approximately USD $2.2 billion.14 In Oman, no in-depth studies have yet evaluated the cost of diabetes to the healthcare system; however, the IDF have reported that the mean diabetes-related health expenditure per diabetes patient in Oman is approximately USD $500–1,500.5 In order to effectively control diabetes at a national level, it should be the responsibility of diabetes educators and physicians in Oman to create public awareness about basic concepts of disease management, such as glycated haemoglobin measurements, dietary control, sufficient exercise, carbohydrate counting and multiple daily injections.11 The Secretariat of Health in Mexico implemented a structured diabetes education programme which aimed to provide better healthcare and improve quality of life for diabetic patients; it was subsequently found that the programme resulted in an increased number of people with well-controlled diabetes.15 In Oman, not all primary healthcare facilities have diabetologists or the necessary equipment for the early detection of diabetes. Therefore, most cases are attended by non-specialised primary healthcare physicians which affects the quality of care received by diabetic patients.11 The Omani healthcare system needs to upgrade its existing healthcare policies to follow the current World Health Organization (WHO) chronic care model which has been implemented in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.11 There should be more resources allocated to diabetes care in Oman for better prevention, diagnostic infrastructure, convenience and affordability of treatment as well as skilled healthcare workers, as suggested by the WHO Global Strategy.16 The initiative of a National Diabetes Centre in Oman in March 2013 was the first step towards creating an organisational body for awareness and diabetic care in the country; this centre should be further strengthened and expanded to provide better diabetic healthcare. This could be achieved by establishing regional diabetes centres in each governorate of Oman. These centres should be equipped with all the necessary medications and resources needed for diabetic patients and have a diabetologist, diabetes nurse and dietician on staff. The role of these regional centres should not be limited solely to treating diabetic patients, but should also aim to prevent diabetes and its complications. This may be achieved by implementing health education campaigns in local communities and creating groups for peer support and patient empowerment. The presence of these centres in all regions of Oman would facilitate patient compliance, help in lowering the number of undiagnosed diabetes cases and prevent a further increase in diabetes prevalence. A low-cost alternative to this would be to hold outreach clinics, where diabetic experts could travel to underprivileged areas and conduct educational, diagnostic and therapeutic campaigns. Finally, the continuous training of primary healthcare professionals in diabetes care and prevention is an essential tool for improving the management of diabetes in Oman.

We report a case of bone pain associated with primary hyperparathyroidism in a patient with sickle cell disease. A 17-year-old girl with sickle cell disease (SS phenotype) was seen for bilateral knee and back pain. She had had recurrent severe vaso-occlusive crises and acute chest syndrome in the course of her disease. In the last 2 years, she had frequent visits to the emergency department for severe bone pain. She complained of long-standing fatigue and lethargy. Her physical examination was normal. Hydroxyurea treatment, as well as and long- and short-acting narcotics were given, with little improvement in symptoms. Poor compliance with medication, family dysfunction, and potential narcotic addiction were felt to be significant contributors to the patient's symptoms. She was incidentally found to have an extremely elevated total calcium level of 3.19 mmol/L (range: 2.25–2.76) with an ionized calcium level of 1.9 mmol/L (range: 1.15–1.35). Phosphorus level was 0.82 mmol/L (range: 0.90–1.50), alkaline phosphatase level was elevated at 519 U/L (range: 10–170), and parathyroid hormone level was extremely high at 1645 pg/mL (range: 10–60). Her renal function was normal. Ultrasonography of the neck and a Sestamibi scan revealed a single left inferior parathyroid adenoma adjacent to the thyroid lobe. There was no evidence of an underlying multiple endocrine neoplasia. The patient was diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism. Fluid hydration, hydrocortisone, calcitonin, and bisphosphonates were initiated for acute hypercalcemia management before surgical excision of the left parathyroid adenoma. On review of previous blood work, a borderline calcium level of 2.72 was present 18 months before this admission. Two years postsurgery, she has normal renal function, calcium, and parathyroid hormone levels. The weekly visits to the emergency department for pain episodes decreased to 1 every 2 months within the first few months after her surgery. The decrease in pain episodes, even if it coincided with the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism, may still reflect the natural evolution of sickle cell disease in this patient. However, the high morbidity associated with primary hyperparathyroidism was successfully prevented in this patient. Primary hyperparathyroidism is rare in childhood. In a recent study, it occurred more commonly in female adolescents and was because of a single adenoma, as in our patient. Significant morbidity, mainly secondary to renal dysfunction, was because of the delay in diagnosis after the onset of symptoms (2.0–4.2 years), emphasizing the need for a rapid diagnosis. Sickle cell disease affects ∼1 of every 600 blacks in North America. Acute episodes of severe vaso-occlusive crisis account for >90% of sickle cell-related hospitalizations and are a significant cause of morbidity in patients. There is no known association between sickle cell disease and primary hyperparathyroidism, and this case is most probably a random occurrence. However, as emphasized by this case report, pain may also be a harbinger of other disease processes in sickle cell disease. Because management may vary, we suggest that care providers consider the diagnosis of vaso-occlusive crisis as the diagnosis of exclusion and that other etiologies for pain be envisaged in this patient population, especially in the presence of prolonged pain or unusual clinical, radiologic, or biological findings.

BACKGROUND Neonatal severe primary hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT, MIM 239200) is most often an isolated disorder that is due to biallelic inactivating mutations in the CASR, the gene encoding the calcium sensing receptor; NSHPT is inherited from parents with familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia, each of whom has one mutated CASR allele. OBJECTIVES To report clinical and genetic findings in a brother and sister with NSHPT due to a novel mutation in the CASR transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait and to examine the functional effect of the mutation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A brother and sister with marked hypercalcemia due to NSHPT were identified; the boy also had craniosynostosis requiring surgical repair. The genotyping of the CASR in both children and their parents who were eucalcemic and normophosphatemic was undertaken. In order to examine the significance of the variant CASR identified, the CASR variant was expressed in vitro and examined by three computer computational programs [PolyPhen2, MutationTaster, Sorting Intolerant From Tolerant (SIFT)] designed to evaluate the effect of a nucleotide variant on the structure and likely functional consequence upon the protein product. RESULTS A sequence variant in the CASR was identified [G>T point mutation at nucleotide c.2303 in exon 7 (c.2303G>T) resulting in the replacement of glycine by valine at codon 768 (p.Gly768Val)]. Two copies of this CASR variant were present in the genome of the siblings while a single copy of the CASR variant was present in both of the clinically and biochemically normal parents, a pattern of transmission consistent with autosomal recessive inheritance of NSHPT in this family. When expressed in HEK293 cells in vitro, the novel Gly768Val variant did not interfere with protein generation or migration to the cell membrane in vitro. The analysis of the functional effect of the Gly768Val CASR variant by the PolyPhen2, MutationTaster, and Sorting Intolerant From Tolerant computer programs revealed that this mutation was very likely to be deleterious. CONCLUSION The NSHPT associated with biallelic Gly768Val mutations of the CASR in two siblings with severe hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism and their clinically and biochemically normal heterozygous parents was transmitted as an autosomal recessive disorder in this family.

Objective: Published studies on the prevalence of celiac disease in type 1 diabetes mellitus from the Arab World are scant. We aim to report the prevalence of celiac disease in Omani children with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Methods: Children with type 1 diabetes mellitus were prospectively screened for celiac disease, at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman over a period of one year ( June 2011 - May 2012). Serum anti tissue transglutaminase IgA, endomysial IgA antibodies and total IgA were measured for screening of celiac disease. Children with positive anti-tissue transglutaminase and/or endomysial IgA antibodies underwent endoscopy. Results: A total of 103 children with type 1 diabetes mellitus were initially included. Ten patients were lost to follow up. Ninety-three patients aged 2-17 years underwent screening for celiac disease. Sixteen patients had positive anti-tissue transglutaminase (17%). Fourteen patients underwent endoscopy with duodenal biopsies, while two were lost to follow-up. Five patients with positive antitissue transglutaminase had intestinal biopsy proven celiac disease. The prevalence of celiac disease is 5.5% in our cohort of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Conclusions: The prevalence of celiac disease in Omani children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus is similar to the World’s reported prevalence, but is less than that reported for Middle Eastern Arab children. To our knowledge, this is the first reported study on the prevalence of celiac disease in Omani children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Multi-transfused thalassemia major (TM) patients frequently develop severe endocrine complications, mainly due to iron overload, anemia and chronic liver disease, which require prompt diagnosis, treatment and follow-up by specialists. The most common endocrine complication documented is hypogonadotropic hypogonadism which increases with age and associated comorbidities. It is thus important for physicians to have a clear understanding of the pathophysiology and management of this disorder. Also to be aware of the side effects, contraindications and monitoring of sex steroid therapy. In this paper practical ICET-A recommendations for the management of hypogonadism in adult females with TM are addressed. Methods: In March 2015, the Coordinator of the International Network of Clinicians for Endocrinopathies in Thalassemia and Adolescent Medicine (ICET-A) conducted a two-step survey to assess the attitudes and practices of doctors in the ICET-A network taking care of adult female TM patients with hypogonadism. They were clinically characterized by the absence of pubertal development, or discontinuation or regression of the maturation of secondary sex characteristics, and biochemically by persistent low FSH, LH and estradiol levels. Recently a supplementary survey on adult female hypogonadism in TM was undertaken within the ICET-A network. Results: The completed questionnaires were returned by 16 of 27 specialists (59.2%) following 590 female TM patients over the age of 18 years; 315 patients (53.3%) had hypogonadism and only 245 (74.6%) were on hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Contraceptive oral pills (COC) were the first treatment choice in 11 centres (68.7%). A wide range of COCs were used with different progestin contents. In general, the patients’ compliance to treatment was reported as good in 81.2 % of centres. The frequency of required tests for follow-up HRT, in addition to the regular check-up for thalassemia, was variable in the participating centres. Conclusions: Doctors taking care of TM patients should have sound knowledge of the pathophysiology of hypogonadism in adult females with TM. They should know the potential effects of HRT including advantages and disadvantages of estrogen and progestins. Moreover, they should keep in consideration the emotional needs of these patients dreaming to attain a full pubertal development. Key words: Thalassemia, hypogonadism, hormone replacement therapy, benefits and disadvantages

Iron overload in patients with thalassemia major (TM) affects glucose regulation, and is mediated by several mechanisms. These include the oxidative damage inflicted by iron on the pancreatic ß -cells and liver cells leading to pancreatic and hepatic dysfunction and insulin resistance. These disturbances have been identified by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), euglycemic insulin clamp, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA), intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGT) and continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS). A group of endocrinologists, hematologists and paediatricians, members of the International Network of Clinicians for Endocrinopathies in Thalassemia and Adolescence Medicine (ICET-A) convened to formulate recommendations for the diagnosis and management of abnormalities of glucose homeostasis in thalassemia major patients on the basis of available evidence from clinical and laboratory data and consensus practice. The results of their work and discussions are described in this article.Key words: Thalassemia major; Glucose homeostasis; Diagnosis; Management; Guidelines

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder. Mutations have been found in at least 3 genes: the low-density lipoprotein receptor ( LDLR), apolipoprotein B ( APOB), and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 ( PCSK9). We report the first case of FH in an Omani family due to a novel mutation in the LDLR gene. A 9-year-old female was referred to our lipid clinic with eye xanthelasmata and thickening of both Achilles tendons. Evaluation of the lipid profile showed the off treatment total cholesterol of 896 mg/dL (23.2 mmol/L), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of 853 mg/dL (22.1 mmol/L), APOB of 4.5 g/L, triglyceride of 71 mg/dL (0.8 mmol/L), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of 0.74 mmol/L. Genetic analysis of the LDLR gene showed a homozygous frameshift deletion mutation (272delG) at exon 3. The female patient was treated with a combination of rosuvastatin/ezetimibe and LDL apheresis.

Background: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a useful method for evaluating multinodular goiter; however, its role is still controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of ultrasound-guided thyroid FNA in detecting malignancy in patients with multinodular goiter in Oman. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study where all patients with multinodular goiter seen at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital endocrinology clinic in Oman in 2005 were evaluated. The thyroid FNA results were grouped into either malignancy (positive result) or others (negative result). They were compared to those of final histopathological examination in order to calculate the value of the test in diagnosing malignancy. Analyses were evaluated using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 272 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 39΁13 years with an age range from 5 to 85 years. The majority of the patients were females (n=236; 87%). The results of thyroid FNA revealed that 6% (n=15) of the patients had malignancies while histopathological results showed that the proportion of subjects with malignancies was 18% (n=49). Out of the 15 cases identified to have malignances by thyroid FNA, only 53% (n=8) of the subjects were confirmed to have malignancy by biopsy. Overall, the results of the tests were poor, revealing a sensitivity of 16%, specificity of 97% and a diagnostic accuracy of 82%, with a positive predictive value of 53% and a negative predictive value of 84%. Conclusion: Thyroid FNA is not a useful test in differentiating multinodular goiter from malignancy, as more than 80% of the malignancies go unnoticed.