Copy-Pasting in Patients' Electronic Medical Records (EMRs): Use Judiciously and With Caution.

An electronic medical record (EMR) is an electronic, comprehensive, and up-to-date compilation of a patient's medical history and information stored in a secure digital format. It provides real-time access to patient data, enabling healthcare providers to make informed decisions quickly and accurately. EMR systems streamline a patient's healthcare journey and enable shared care across the medical practice.

COVID-19 Among Omani Pilgrim Returnees From the Ashura Mass Gathering.

Background The annual Ashura pilgrimage is a mass Islamic gathering during which millions of worshippers converge in the city of Karbala in Iraq. We report on the incidence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Omani pilgrims returning from Karbala in the month of Muharram (August) 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology This is a retrospective study using an electronic, self-completed, and Arab-language survey, composed of 17 questions, that was distributed to all pilgrims returning from Karbala.

Epidemiology of Cancer Among Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Compared to The General Population.

Background: Kidney disease has a major effect on global health, both as direct cause of morbidity and mortality and as an important factor for other comorbid diseases including malignancy. Different studies report a higher risk of cancer development in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the impact of less sever CKD on risk of cancer is uncertain. However, data concerning the cancer risk in Oman CKD including dialysis patients is scarce.

COVID-19 amongst cancer patients: An experience from Oman.

Objective: To evaluate the extent of coronavirus infection in cancer patients along with their demographics, laboratory findings and outcomes in a tertiary care setting.

Methods: The study was conducted in Muscat, Oman, from March 24 to October 23, 2020. The data was collected from the cancer registry of the Directorate-General of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, Oman.

The Troubling Link Between Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Extrahepatic Cancers (EHC).

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a fast-spreading epidemic across the globe and has serious implications far beyond that of a "benign" liver condition. It is usually an outcome of ectopic fat storage due to chronic positive energy balance leading to obesity and is associated with multiple health problems. While association with cardiovascular disease and hepatocellular cancer is well recognized, it is becoming clear the NAFLD carries with it an increased risk of cancers of extrahepatic tissues.

Clinicopathological Features and Outcomes of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours in Oman: A multi-centre study.

Objectives: This study aimed to report the clinicopathological features, management and long-term outcomes of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) in Oman.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on patients treated for GIST between January 2003 and December 2017 at three tertiary referral centres in Muscat, Oman. All patients with confirmed histopathological diagnoses of GIST and followed-up at the centres during this period were included.

Needs for Cancer Education In Oman Based on the Breast Cancer Screening Program.

Most breast cancers in Oman are diagnosed at advanced stages and therefore early detection is important. The Oman Cancer Association (OCA) initiated a mobile mammography program in 2009, but no studies have evaluated its impact. This study aimed at estimating the proportion and predictors of OCA-screened women who had repeated mammography (adherence) and the sensitivity and specificity of the program.

Diverse clinical features and diagnostic delay in monogenic inborn errors of immunity: A call for access to genetic testing.

Background: Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) are a group of conditions affecting immune system development and function. Due to their clinical heterogeneity and lack of provider awareness, patients suffer from long diagnostic delays that increase morbidity and mortality. Next-generation sequencing facilitates earlier diagnosis and treatment of IEIs, but too often patients are unable to see the benefit of this technology due to gaps in providers' knowledge regarding which patients to test and barriers to accessing sequencing.

National approaches to managing cancer care: responses of countries in the MENA region to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents serious challenges to cancer care because of the associated risks from the infection itself and the disruption of care delivery. Therefore, many professional societies have published recommendations to help manage patients with cancer during the current pandemic. The objective of our study is to assess the national responses of Middle East North Africa (MENA) countries in terms of publishing relevant guidelines and analyse various components of these guidelines.

Palisaded neutrophilic and granulomatous dermatitis following a long-standing monoclonal gammopathy: A case report.

Background: Palisaded neutrophilic granulomatous dermatitis is a rare inflammatory dermatosis with possible underlying systemic conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune connective tissue disease, and malignancies.

Case Summary: We report a case of an 84-year-old man presenting with a 3-week eruption of asymptomatic annular plaques on his neck, which progressed to involve his back and legs. Skin biopsies confirmed a diagnosis of palisaded neutrophilic granulomatous dermatitis, and he was treated with prednisone.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Oman: An analysis of 284 cases.

Objectives: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver tumour worldwide and is increasing in incidence. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of HCC among Omani patients, along with its major risk factors, outcomes and the role of surveillance.

Methods: This retrospective case-series study was conducted between January 2008 and December 2015 at the three main tertiary care hospitals in Oman.

Scurvy: An Unexpected Nutritional Complication in an Adolescent Female With Anorexia Nervosa.

Vitamin C deficiency results in the clinical presentation of scurvy, a disease that is rare among the adolescent population. Individuals with unusual dietary habits, mental illness, or physical disability are more prone to develop scurvy. We present a case report of a previously healthy 16-year-old female presented to the hospital with a 12-month history of anorexia nervosa, restrictive subtype.

Comprehensive review into the challenges of gastrointestinal tumors in the Gulf and Levant countries.

Although gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare, with an incidence of 1/100000 per year, they are the most common sarcomas in the peritoneal cavity. Despite considerable progress in the diagnosis and treatment of GIST, about half of all patients are estimated to experience recurrence. With only two drugs, sunitinib and regorafenib, approved by the Food and Drug Administration, selecting treatment options after imatinib failure and coordinating multidisciplinary care remain challenging.

Increasing Thyroid Cancer Incidence in Oman: A Joinpoint Trend Analysis.

Objectives: We sought to investigate the epidemiology of thyroid cancer and its trends in Oman over a 20-year period.

Methods: We analyzed all cases of primary thyroid cancer reported to the Oman National Cancer Registry between 1996 and 2015. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) were calculated using the World Standard Population.

Early Introduction of Dermatology Clinical Skills in Medical Training.

Background: Skin diseases are among the most common diseases encountered by healthcare professionals. Despite this, dedicated dermatology teaching is limited in most Canadian medical school training programs. This is especially true of clinical skills training.

Epidemiology of Lung Cancer in Oman: 20-Year Trends and Tumor Characteristics.

Objectives: We sought to investigate the epidemiology of lung cancer and its trends in Oman over 20 years.

Methods: We analyzed all cases of primary lung cancer reported to the Oman National Cancer Registry between 1996 and 2015. The World Standard Population was used to obtain age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) of lung cancer per 100 000.

Cross-sectional Survey of Nickel Allergy Management in the Context of Intracardiac Device Implantation.

Background: The occlusion devices used for repair of atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale commonly contain nitinol, an alloy containing nickel. There are reports of nickel allergy in the context of intracardiac device implantation. Type IV delayed-type reactions likely predominate in intracardiac metal hypersensitivity, but there are potentially other mechanisms such as cytotoxic or innate immunity.

The Need for Regulatory Reforms in the Use of Opioids for Pain Management and Palliative Care in the Middle East.

Palliative Care (PC) is an evolving oncology subspecialty in the Middle East (ME). Justified opioid use is an integral part of palliative care. Often, morphine consumption is taken as a quality indicator of palliative care services, but is it a reliable indicator to reflect the status of palliative care in current Middle East setting? We need to understand that data on morphine consumption, represent the amount distributed of morphine per person in a country and does not refer the actual justified amount utilization of opioids.

Awareness, understanding, attitude and barriers toward prescribing modern cancer immunotherapies in the Arabian Gulf countries.

Introduction: The use of modern immunotherapy has been evolving over the past few years, and various new agents have been developed for new indications at multiple primary sites in oncology. It is important for physicians who are involved in cancer care to be aware and updated about new therapeutic agents and their indications, potential benefits, and side effects.

Patients And Methods: From October to November 2017, we conducted a survey on the awareness, understanding, attitude, and barriers associated with prescribing modern cancer immunotherapies among physicians in the Arabian Gulf countries.