COVID-19 lockdown and lifestyles: A narrative review.

Background: The primary objective worldwide during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had been controlling disease transmission. However, lockdown measures used to mitigate transmission affected human behavior and altered lifestyles, with a likely impact on chronic non-communicable diseases. More than a year into the pandemic, substantial peer-reviewed literature emerged on altered lifestyles following the varying lockdown measures imposed globally to control the virus spread.

Laparoscopic repair of internal hernia in one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB): a case report.

One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB), considered an alternative to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, is becoming an increasingly common procedure. It shows excellent results in terms of weight reduction and remission of metabolic disease. Among the advantages of OAGB is the lack of internal hernia due to the absence of jejuno-jejunal anastomosis.

Increased airway resistance among exclusive waterpipe smokers detected using impulse oscillometry.

Introduction: Waterpipe smoking is increasing in popularity, yet the evidence implicating waterpipe smoking in lung disease is limited. We hypothesized that impulse oscillometry (IOS) would detect airway abnormalities in waterpipe smokers (WPS).

Methods: We studied 210 participants, 40 years or older, from the community, of whom 92 were exclusive WPS and 118 were never-smokers.

A successful endoscopic extraction of accidently ingested toothbrush in an adult: a case report.

Toothbrush ingestion is a rare phenomenon. It is usually found in psychiatric, elderly and mentally disabled patients. Foreign bodies usually pass spontaneously and uneventfully through the gastrointestinal tract.

Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke in Qatar: results from a population-based study.

Background: Tobacco use among women in Qatar is currently low. However, the risk of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke among them is a pressing concern because of the high prevalence of tobacco use by men.

Aims: To describe the prevalence and risk factors for second-hand tobacco smoke exposure at home and at workplaces, schools, cafes, and restaurants in Qatar.

Waterpipe smoking: Results from a population-based study in Qatar.

Introduction: Waterpipe smoking is common in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and is becoming more prevalent in Qatar. To better plan waterpipe smoking control strategies we aimed to: 1) determine the prevalence of waterpipe smoking and explore its patterns in Qatar; 2) describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to smoking behaviors; 3) recognize locations of waterpipe smoking and symptoms experienced during waterpipe sessions; and 4) evaluate the frequency of waterpipe smoking and the initiation age.

Methods: We analyzed the data of a 7921 population-based survey of adults aged ≥18 years (nationals and expatriates), conducted in Qatar between March and December 2019.

The association between tobacco use and COVID-19 in Qatar.

The effects of smoking on COVID-19 are controversial. Some studies show no link between smoking and severe COVID-19, whereas others demonstrate a significant link. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence of tobacco use among COVID-19 patients, examine the relationship between tobacco use and hospitalized COVID-19 (non-severe and severe), and quantify its risk factors.

Successful laparoscopic extraction of trichobezoar due to Rapunzel syndrome: first reported case in Kuwait.

Rapunzel syndrome is a rare condition typically found in young female patients with mental or psychiatric disorders. It manifests as a large trichobezoar extending beyond the pylorus into the small intestine and leads to various adverse conditions. Early diagnosis and prompt management are crucial to avoiding complications.

Swirl sign in post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients: a case series.

Bariatric surgeries have been increasing with the rising numbers of obese patients. Roux-en-Y is one of the safest and effective bariatric procedures worldwide. Internal hernia is one of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass complications.

The association of waterpipe smoking with arterial stiffness and wave reflection in a community-based sample.

Purpose: The evidence linking waterpipe smoking to cardiovascular disease is limited. We evaluated the association of waterpipe smoking (WPS) with arterial stiffness and wave reflection measured by augmentation pressure (AP), augmentation index (AIx), and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CFPWV), which are validated predictors of cardiovascular disease.

Materials And Methods: Community-based, cross-sectional study including 205 exclusive waterpipe smokers and 199 matched never-smokers aged 35 years or older (mean age 51.

Epidemiology of tobacco use in Qatar: Prevalence and its associated factors.

Tobacco use is a serious public health concern as it causes various deleterious health problems. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of tobacco use and various types of tobacco used among a population-based sample of adults 18 years and above in Qatar (residents and expatriates). The study also attempted to assess tobacco use initiation age, tobacco dependency, and to identify factors associated with current tobacco use.

Cross-sectional online survey to determine the prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practice of tobacco cessation among governmental healthcare workers in Qatar.

Objectives: One effective approach of tobacco control is to encourage the role and the participation of healthcare workers in the prevention efforts against tobacco use. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of tobacco use among governmental healthcare workers in Qatar, to assess healthcare workers' knowledge, attitude and practice of tobacco cessation and to predict factors associated with above average tobacco cessation practice scores.

Design: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted among healthcare workers working in Hamad Medical Corporation and Primary Healthcare Centres in Qatar using a self-administered online questionnaire in 2019.

Smoking cessation services in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: highlights and findings from the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2019.

The report aimed to review and assess the status of tobacco cessation services in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Nearly 70% of people in the Region have legal access to nicotine-replacement therapy but for 77% of these people the costs of the treatment are not covered. Bupropion and Varenicline are legally available in 10 and 11 EMR countries respectively.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass After Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Surgical Procedure: Analysis of 85 Consecutive Patients with Pre- and Post-Operative Endoscopy Control.

Most of the obese patients undergoing an anti-reflux operation experience recurrence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRNYGB) has been accepted as the bariatric surgery of choice for a previous GERD-operated obese patients. We present 85 consecutive patients from a single institution, previously submitted to antireflux surgery and then to LRNYGB.

Lung health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: the need to end designated smoking areas in public places (Editorial).

Tobacco use is a fatal habit that causes harm to almost all organs of the human body and kills up to half of its users. Studies have shown that tobacco contains a poisonous mix of more than 7000 chemicals that have major consequences, including heart attacks and strokes , and are considered major risk factors for many types of cancer (4) and the leading cause of lung cancer. Moreover, tobacco use dramatically affects the respiratory system, damaging its airways and alveoli, and leading to chronic obstructive lung diseases1 including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Theory-Informed School-Based Intervention to Prevent Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking: Changes in Knowledge, Attitude, and Behaviors in 6th and 7th Graders in Lebanon.

Waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) is spreading worldwide. Research has indicated health consequences of WTS similar to cigarettes. Prevalence of WTS is high among young people.

Process evaluation and challenges of implementation of a school-based waterpipe tobacco smoking prevention program for teens in Lebanon.

Introduction: Waterpipe tobacco smoking is increasing globally particularly among youth. In Lebanon, the high prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking among younger age groups calls for immediate intervention particularly given its negative health effects. To date, such interventions have rarely been implemented or evaluated.

Effectiveness of a pharmacist-delivered smoking cessation program in the State of Qatar: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Cigarette smoking is one of the major preventable causes of death and diseases in Qatar. The study objective was to test the effect of a structured smoking cessation program delivered by trained pharmacists on smoking cessation rates in Qatar.

Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted in eight ambulatory pharmacies in Qatar.

Cancer risk in waterpipe smokers: a meta-analysis.

Objectives: To quantify by meta-analysis the relationship between waterpipe smoking and cancer, including cancer of the head and neck, esophagus, stomach, lung and bladder.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature search to identify relevant studies, scored their quality, used fixed and random-effect models to estimate summary relative risks (SRR), evaluated heterogeneity and publication bias.

Results: We retrieved information from 28 published reports.

Assessing the effectiveness of a pharmacist-delivered smoking cessation program in the State of Qatar: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: It had been reported that up to 37% of the adult male population smokes cigarettes in Qatar. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey also stated that 13.4% of male school students aged 13 to 15 years in Qatar smoke cigarettes.

Secondhand smoke emission levels in waterpipe cafes in Doha, Qatar.

Background: Exposure to the emissions of a tobacco waterpipe is associated with increased health risks among its users as well as those exposed to its secondhand smoke. Waterpipe use is an emerging concern to the tobacco control community, particularly among countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. In 2002, Qatar adopted legislation that prohibited cigarette smoking inside public venues, but exempted tobacco waterpipe smoking.

Challenges to obtaining parental permission for child participation in a school-based waterpipe tobacco smoking prevention intervention in Qatar.

Background: Involving children in research studies requires obtaining parental permission. A school-based intervention to delay/prevent waterpipe use for 7th and 8th graders in Qatar was developed, and parental permission requested. Fifty three percent (2308/4314) of the parents returned permission forms; of those 19.

Strategy to improve road safety in developing countries.

Objective: To review the road safety situation in developed and developing countries compared with the Arabian Gulf countries and suggest a strategy to improve it. The role of road engineers in reducing accidents is highlighted.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of road traffic accidents (RTAS) for a period from 1988 to 1998 in Arabian Gulf Countries.