The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients receiving antipsychotics in Qatar: a cross sectional comparative study.

Background: Metabolic abnormalities are common in patients maintained on antipsychotics. These abnormalities increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and mortality in this population. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in subjects maintained on antipsychotics relative to controls in Qatar, and to assess the factors contributing to the development of MetS.

Serum zinc concentration in cystic fibrosis patients with CFTR I1234V mutation associated with pancreatic sufficiency.

Objective: To determine serum zinc (Zn) level among cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with homozygous CFTR I1234V mutation associated with pancreatic sufficiency (PS).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted including both pediatric and adult CF patients. Data on age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), BMI Z-score, FEV1, and chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection were collected.

Noninvasive biomarkers FibroTest and ActiTest versus liver biopsy in chronic hepatitis C patients: the Middle East experience.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare noninvasive biomarkers, FibroTest and ActiTest in predicting fibrosis stage and inflammation grade in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients with liver biopsy (LB).

Methods: In 107 patients with CHC, levels of six serum biomarkers (alanine aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, total bilirubin, haptoglobin, apolipoprotein, α-2 macroglobulin) were determined at the time of LB. LB was evaluated by Metavir score for fibrosis and inflammation.

Diagnostic value of pleural fluid interferon-gamma and adenosine deaminase in patients with pleural tuberculosis in Qatar.

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic utility of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) in tuberculous pleural effusions by determining the best cutoff levels of these two markers for pleural tuberculosis, in the context of the local epidemiological settings in Qatar.

Methods: We prospectively studied IFN-γ and ADA levels in the pleural fluid of patients presenting to Hamad General Hospital between June 1, 2009 and May 31, 2010.

Results: We studied 103 patients with pleural effusions, 72 (69.

Low vitamin d and cardiovascular risk factors in males and females from a sunny, rich country.

Background: Low serum vitamin (vit) D levels are common even in sunny countries. We assessed the prevalence and relationship of low vit D with cardiovascular risk factors in Qatar.

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from January 2008 and November 2009.

Prevalence of undernutrition in a long-term care facility in Qatar.

This study assessed the nutritional status of 130 Qatari patients aged 65 to 90 years who were residing in a long-term care facility for six months. Admission weight was not measured for 49.2% of the subjects.

Total and high molecular weight adiponectin in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Serum adiponectin inversely correlates with the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Objectives: To investigate the clinical significance of measuring high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin in addition to total adiponectin from different samples (peripheral veins and ostia of coronary arteries) in patients with CAD.

Methods: We studied 134 patients; 57 with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 44 with stable angina and 33 healthy patients.