Background Post COVID‐19 symptoms and diseases appeared on many survivors from COVID‐19 which are similar to that of the post‐severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) fatigue. Hence, the study aims to investigate and characterize the manifestations which appear after eradication of the coronavirus infection and its relation to disease severity. Method 287 survivors from COVID‐19 were included in the study, each received a questionnaire divided into three main parts starting from subjects’ demographic data, data about the COVID‐19 status and other comorbidities of the subject, and finally data about post‐COVID‐19 manifestations. Response surface plots were produced to visualize the link between several factors. Results Only 10.8 % of all subjects have no manifestation after recovery from the disease while a large percentage of subjects suffered from several symptoms and diseases. The most common symptom reported was fatigue (72.8 %), more critical manifestations like stroke, renal failure, myocarditis, and pulmonary fibrosis were reported by a few percent of the subjects. There was a relationship between the presence of other comorbidities and severity of the disease. Also, the severity of COVID‐19 was related to the severity of post‐COVID‐19 manifestations. Conclusion The post‐COVID‐19 manifestation is largely similar to the post‐SARS syndrome. All subjects recovered from COVID‐19 should undergo long‐term monitoring for evaluation and treatment of symptoms and conditions that might be precipitated with the new coronavirus infection.

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to increase anxiety levels within the community and in particular medical students who are already considered psychologically vulnerable groups. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, no study has yet estimated the effect of this pandemic on university students in the UAE or its impact on the psychological well-being of medical students. Methods and Materials We surveyed 1485 medical (comprising medical and dental) and non-medical university students across 4 emirates within the UAE. We used an online platform to assess knowledge, sources of information, changes in hygienic behavior, perceptions of fear and worry and anxiety levels using the generalized anxiety disorder 7 (GAD-7) scale. The GAD-7 score was measured at three time points: during hospital visits for medical/dental students, before the introduction of online learning and after online learning for all students. Results The majority of students demonstrated high levels of knowledge and utilized reliable sources of information. Non-medical students exercised higher compliance with social restrictions, while medical students practiced better hand hygiene. Almost half of students reported anxiety levels ranging from mild to severe with females reporting higher anxiety scores during hospital visits (OR=2.02, 95% CI, 1.41 to 2.91) and medical students reporting lower anxiety levels in comparison to dental students (OR=0.61, 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.84). Medical students reported higher levels of anxiety during their clinical rotations which decreased with the introduction of online learning, yet, non-medical students’ anxiety levels increased with online learning. Conclusion This study provides important information on the initial response and anxiety levels in university students across the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings from our study can be used to support the development of effective screening strategies and interventions to build psychological resilience among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic or any other public health emergencies in the future.

26Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to increase anxiety levels within the community 27 and in particular medical students who are already considered psychologically vulnerable groups. 28Since the COVID-19 outbreak, no study has yet estimated the effect of this pandemic on university 29 students in the UAE or its impact on the psychological well-being of medical students. 31Methods: In this study, we surveyed 1485 medical (comprising medical and dental) and non-32 medical university students across 4 emirates within the UAE. We used an online platform to 33 assess knowledge, sources of information, changes in hygienic behavior, perceptions of fear and 34 worry and anxiety levels using the generalized anxiety disorder 7 (GAD-7) scale. The GAD-7 35 score was measured at three time points; during hospital visits for medical/dental students, before 36 the introduction of online learning and after online learning for all students. 38Results: The majority of students demonstrated high levels of knowledge and utilized reliable 39 sources of information. Non-medical students exercised higher compliance with social restrictions, 40 while medical students practiced better hand hygiene. Almost half of students reported anxiety 41 levels ranging from mild to severe with females reporting higher anxiety scores during hospital 42 visits (OR=2.02, 95% CI, 1.41 to 2.91) and medical students reporting lower anxiety levels in 43 comparison to dental students (OR=0.61, 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.84). Medical students reported higher

ObjectiveTo describe current prevalence of obesity and related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in expatriates living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).MethodsWe used data from the cross-sectional UAE National Diabetes and Lifestyle Study (UAEDIAB), which surveyed adult expatriates living in the UAE for at least 4 years. We report crude prevalence of overweight and obesity, indicated by gender and ethnicity-specific body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) cut-offs, by lifestyle and biomedical characteristics, as well as age and sex-adjusted odds ratios.ResultsOut of a total of 3064 recruited expatriates (response rate 68%), 2724 had completed all stages of the UAEDIAB study. Expatriates were; 81% men, mean age 38 years (range 18–80), 71% South East Asians, and 36% university graduates. In this sample, the prevalence of overweight and obesity, by BMI, were 43.0 and 32.3%, respectively. 52.4 and 56.5% of participants were at a substantially increased risk according to WC and WHR, respectively. The prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were 15.5, 31.8, and 51.7%, respectively, with the prevalence of each being higher in those with obesity.ConclusionPrevalence of obesity and associated NCDs are extremely high in UAE expatriates. Without comprehensive prevention and management, levels of disease will continue to increase and productivity will fall.

Background The psychosocial impact of previous infectious disease outbreaks in adults has been well documented, however, there is limited information on the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults and children in the United Arab Emirate (UAE) community. The aim of this study was to explore anxiety levels among adults and children in the UAE and to identify potential risk and protective factors for well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Using a web-based cross-sectional survey we collected data from 2200 self-selected, assessed volunteers and their children. Demographic information, knowledge and beliefs about COVID-19, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) using the (GAD-7) scale, emotional problems in children using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ), worry and fear about COVID-19, coping mechanisms and general health information were collected. Descriptive analysis was carried out to summarize demographic and participant characteristics, Chi-square analysis to explore associations between categorical variables and anxiety levels and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis to determine predictors of anxiety levels in adults and emotional problems in children. Results The overall prevalence of GAD in the general population was 71% with younger people (59.8%) and females (51.7%) reporting highest levels of anxiety. Parents who were teachers reported the highest percentage of emotional problems in children (26.7%). Adjusted multivariable logistic regression for GAD-7 scores showed that being female, high levels of worry associated with COVID-19, intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine and smoking were associated with higher levels of anxiety. Adjusted multivariable logistic regression for SDQ showed that higher emotional problems were reported for children in lower and higher secondary education, and parents who had severe anxiety were seven times more likely to report emotional problems in their children. Conclusions This study reports the psychological impact of COVID-19 among adults and children in the UAE and highlights the significant association between parental and child anxiety. Findings suggest the urgency for policy makers to develop effective screening and coping strategies for parents and especially children.