IntroductionThe number of persons receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT) is estimated at more than 2.5 million worldwide, and is growing by 8% annually. Registries in the developing world are not up to standards compared to the United States Renal Data System (USRDS). Herein we examine the causes, progression, and magnitude of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) over 3 decades in Oman.MethodsWe examined ESKD data from 1983 to 2013. Data from 1998 to 2013 were obtained through an Information Management System. Data before 2008 were collected from patients’ files. A questionnaire based on USRDS form 2728 was completed by nephrologists once a citizen reached ESKD.ResultsA total of 4066 forms were completed, with a response rate of 90% (52% male). The mean (SD) age was 50.1 (14.0) years. By 31 December 2013, there were 2386 patients alive on RRT, of whom 1206 were on hemodialysis (50.5%), 1080 were living with a functioning kidney transplant (45.3%), and 100 were receiving peritoneal dialysis (4.2%). The incidence of ESKD on RRT was 21, 75, and 120 per million population in 1983, 2001, and 2013, respectively. Similarly, the prevalence of ESKD was 49, 916, and 2386 in 1983, 2001, and 2013 respectively. Among patients with ESKD on RRT, a progressive rise was seen in diabetic nephropathy, with 5.8%, 32.1%, and 46% in 1983, 2001, and 2013 respectively.DiscussionThe incidence and prevalence of ESKD has increased progressively over last 30 years. This is anticipated to continue at an even higher rate in view of the progressive rise in noncommunicable diseases. Continuous improvement in registries is required to improve capturing of ESKD patients for providing accurate data to health authorities, and enhancing public awareness of the magnitude, future trends, treatments, and outcomes regarding ESKD.

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creat ive Commo ns Attri butio n-NonCo mmerc ial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune multisystem inflammatory condition that causes microvascular inflammation with the production of various auto-antibodies that play a major role in its pathogenesis. SLE can affect both sexes, all ages, and all ethnic groups with widespread geographical and socioeconomic backgrounds. Asia encompasses people of many sociocultural backgrounds with diverse ethnic. Objective: Due to a lack of national epidemiological research, the incidence and prevalence of SLE in Middle Eastern and Arab countries, have only recently been studied. This article aims to explore the status of SLE in Oman and to record symptoms and signs of SLE at first presentation. Methodology: Medical records of all patients diagnosed with SLE at the Royal Hospital from 2006 to 2014 were reviewed for information recorded at first visit. SLE diagnosis was based on the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria; ACR97 (which includes the clinical manifestation and laboratory evidence). Patients with SLE disease manifestations extrapolated and analyzed. : There were 966 patients diagnosed with SLE during the period from 2006 to 2014. Mean (SD) age at presentations was 35.5 (11.5) years. Majority of patients were female which constitutes 88.7% of the total SLE patients with mean age 27.6 (1.4) years. Results: Constitutional symptoms were found in 48.68 of SLE population including fatigue in 35.22%, and weight changes in 13.43%. : The cutaneous manifestations that were present included malar rash 37.69%, photosensitivity 35.10%, discoid lupus 17.63%, and hair loss 39.29%. : Musculoskeletal manifestations were commonly seen among the studied population including arthralgia in 68.75%, myalgia in 55.65%, arthritis in 48.31%, whilst myositis, tendon abnormalities and avascular necrosis were found in only 2.47%, 0.31% and 1.98%. respectively. Conclusion: This is the first study of the symptoms and signs at initial clinical presentation of SLE patients compared to other studies done regionally where most have focused on clinical manifestations during the progression course of SLE. SLE manifestations may be related to the differences in the genetic make-up of the patients who come from various ethnic groups despite similar geography or sociocultural background, or to referral bias, as some studies were performed in the nephrology units and others in the rheumatology units. There is a pressing need to establish a nationwide and regional collaboration to establish LUPUS and to put forward a strategic planning with each MOH to provide an easy and efficient report of SLE cases and provide various effective management for such a debilitating syndrome.

Oman is located on the Southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, and its population has high levels of consanguinity. Human leukocytic antigen (HLA) typing analysis in human population holds unexploited potential for elucidating the genetic causes of human disease and possibly leads to personalized medicine. This is a retrospective, descriptive study evaluating HLA frequencies of Omani individuals who underwent workup for kidney transplantation at the Royal Hospital (RH) from 2005 to 2016. Data on 870 subjects were collected from the Oman kidney transplant registry at RH as well from electronic medical record system. The mean age (standard deviation) years for the cohort were 33.2 (13.0). Males constituted 56.3% (490) while females constituted 43.7% (380). Seven HLA-A alleles accounted for more than 70% of the total alleles. Of which, HLA-A2 contributed the highest frequency (24%), followed by HLA A11 (9.4%), and A32 (8.1%). Ten alleles accounted for 70% of HLA-B alleles. Of which, HLA-B51 was the most common (18.9%), followed by HLA-B-35 (13.6%), and HLA-B8 (7.9%). Seven HLA-DRB1 alleles accounted for more than 70% of the total HLA DRB1 alleles, of which HLA- DRB1*16 contributed the highest frequency (29.56%). This was followed by HLA-DRB1*03 (14.57%) and HLA-DRB1*11 (9.48%). While three alleles accounted for more than 75% of the total HLA DQB1alleles. Of which, HLA-DQB1*05 contributed the highest frequency (37.56%). This was followed by allele HLA-DQB1*02 (26.48%) and HLA-DQB1*03 (17.18%). This study showed considerable heterogeneity in both HLA Class I and Class II antigens, which reflects admixture of our population with rest of old world countries. Despite the high levels of consanguinity, this population is genetically highly heterogeneous. These findings may be useful for transplantation programs, noncommunicable diseases, epidemiology of HLA linked diseases, pharmacogenomics, and anthropology.

This is the largest single-center study on commercial RTX reporting the highest number of patients with IFI acquired over a relatively short period of time. Aspergillus spp were the main culprit fungi, with no Candida spp being isolated. A high index of suspicion might be the most reasonable means to reduce the possible very poor outcomes. Improving legal transplant programs and strengthening the associated laws could prevent commercial transplant tourism.

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