ObjectiveTo compare pregnancy outcomes in patients with early versus usual gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).DesignA retrospective cohort study.SettingsThe Women’s Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar.ParticipantsGDM women who attended and delivered in the Women’s Hospital, between January and December 2016. GDM was diagnosed based on the 2013-WHO criteria. The study included 801 patients; of which, 273 E-GDM and 528 U-GDM. Early GDM (E-GDM) and usual GDM (U-GDM) were defined as GDM detected before and after 24 weeks’ gestation, respectively.OutcomesMaternal and neonatal outcomes and the impact of timing of GDM-diagnosis on pregnancy outcomes.ResultsAt conception, E-GDM women were older (mean age 33.5±5.4 vs 32.0±5.4 years, p<0.001) and had higher body mass index (33.0±6.3 vs 31.7±6.1 kg/m2, p=0.0059) compared with U-GDM. The mean fasting, and 1-hour blood glucose levels were significantly higher in E-GDM vs U-GDM, respectively (5.3±0.7 vs 4.0±0.7 mmol/L, p<0.001 and 10.6±1.7 vs 10.3±1.6 mmol/L, p<0.001). More patients in the U-GDM were managed on diet alone compared with E-GDM (53.6% vs 27.5%, p<0.001). E-GDM subjects gained less weight per week compared with U-GDM (0.02±0.03 vs 0.12±0.03 kg/week, p=0.0274). Maternal outcomes were similar between the two groups apart from a higher incidence of preterm labour (25.5% vs 14.4%; p<0.001) and caesarean section (52.4% vs 42.8%; p=0.01) in E-GDM vs U-GDM, respectively. After correction for covariates; gestational age at which GDM was diagnosed was associated with increased risk of macrosomia (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.11; p<0.05) and neonatal hypoglycaemia (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.11; p<0.05).ConclusionOur data support the concept of early screening and treatment of GDM in high-risk patients. More data are needed to examine the optimal time for screening.

Diabetic ketoacidosis in pregnancy (DKP) is a serious complication that poses several challenges with respect to diagnosis, management and prevention. This article covers the precipitating factors for DKP in pregnancy as well as diagnosis, management and prevention of the complication. Learning objectivesTo manage the acute crisis of DKP. To increase awareness of DKP. To reduce the perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with DKP. Ethical issuesDespite adequate knowledge and care of patients with diabetes, is DKA a major cause for concern? To increase awareness, and reduce the perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with DKP.

A 35-year-old Qatari man presented to our hospital with a 4-month history of mild abdominal pain, weight loss, and jaundice. He was found to have central intra-abdominal mass and a single testis in the scrotum. His investigations showed cholestatic jaundice and very high level of β-HCG (1131379 IU/L). CT scans of the chest and abdomen showed a huge pelvic-abdominal mass with extensive retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy, in addition to liver and lung metastases. CT-guided Tru-Cut biopsy of the mass showed mixed germ cell tumor. Chemotherapy was refused by the patient and his family. In the following days, the patient bled from his liver metastases leading to hemorrhagic shock, hemorrhage from metastatic sites of choriocarcinoma containing tumors is named choriocarcinoma syndrome. He was transferred to the medical intensive care unit, where he was intubated and resuscitated. Embolization of the right hepatic artery was done, but failed to control the bleeding, which continued with development of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and a severe abdominal compartment syndrome, and eventually the patient died.

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics, coexisting conditions, causative organisms, and outcomes of all adult patients 15 years of age or older who had definite septic arthritis at Hamad General Hospital, Qatar, from 2006 to 2011. During this period, 56 patients were diagnosed with septic arthritis (mean age ± SD, 49.0 ± 16.6 years). In 53 of 56 (94.6%) patients, arthritis was diagnosed in a single joint, while polyarthritis was diagnosed in 3 of 56 (5.4%) patients; the most commonly involved joint was the knee (40 of 59 joints, 67.7%). The most frequent coexisting condition was diabetes mellitus (24 of 56 patients, 42.8%). Joint pain and restriction of movement were reported by all patients. Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 36 of all 57 (63.0%) isolated microorganisms, and Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen (20 of 57 microorganisms, 35.0%). Three cases of tuberculous arthritis were seen. The most favored antibiotic combinations were cloxacillin/ciprofloxacin, cefazolin/ciprofloxacin, and vancomycin/ciprofloxacin. Repeated needle aspiration, open joint drainage, and arthroscopic techniques were performed in 18 (32.1%), 22 (39.3%), and 11 (19.6%) of the 56 patients, respectively. The 30-day mortality was 3.6%, and the remaining patients showed clinical improvement upon discharge. In conclusion, there was no specific sign or symptom for diagnosing septic arthritis. Isolation of bacteria from the synovial fluid confirmed the diagnosis, and S. aureus and streptococci were the most common pathogens isolated. Prompt treatment with appropriate antibiotics and synovial drainage are mandatory to improve the outcome.

Graves' disease (GD) may display uncommon manifestations. We report a patient with rare complications of GD and present a comprehensive literature review. A 35-year-old woman presented with a two-week history of dyspnea, palpitations, and edema. She had a raised jugular venous pressure, goiter, and exophthalmos. Laboratory tests showed pancytopenia, a raised alkaline phosphatase level, hyperbilirubinemia (mainly direct bilirubin), and hyperthyroidism [TSH: <0.01 mIU/L (reference values: 0.45–4.5), fT4: 54.69 pmol/L (reference values: 9.0–20.0), and fT3: >46.08 pmol/L (reference values: 2.6–5.7)]. Her thyroid uptake scan indicated GD. Echocardiography showed a high right ventricular systolic pressure: 60.16 mmHg. Lugol's iodine, propranolol, cholestyramine, and dexamethasone were initiated. Hematologic investigations uncovered no reason for the pancytopenia; therefore, carbimazole was started. Workup for hepatic impairment and pulmonary hypertension (PH) was negative. The patient became euthyroid after 3 months. Leukocyte and platelet counts and bilirubin levels normalized, and her hemoglobin and alkaline phosphatase levels and right ventricular systolic pressure (52.64 mmHg) improved. This is the first reported single case of GD with the following three rare manifestations: pancytopenia, cholestatic liver injury, and PH with right-sided heart failure. With antithyroid drugs treatment, pancytopenia should resolve with euthyroidism, but PH and liver injury may take several months to resolve.