BackgroundMortality from cardiovascular disease in the Middle East is projected to increase substantially in the coming decades. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) continues to raise interest, but data from the Middle East is limited, especially in non-diabetic patients. This study was conducted to ascertain the prevalence of MS and frequency of its components, individually and in combination, in a male population presenting with ACS, but without a previous diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM).MethodsThis is a prospective study of 467 consecutive male patients hospitalized for ACS. They were categorized according to the specific criteria stated in the latest joint statement for the global definition of MS.ResultsThe mean age was (49.7±10.7 years). Of the 467 patients, 324 (69.4%) fulfilled the criteria for MS. ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) was identified in 178 patients (54.9%), and non-ST elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS) in 146 patients (45.1%). These proportions were not significantly different from those without MS (STEMI 51.7% vs. NSTE-ACS 48.3%, respectively). However, patients with MS were older (50.6±10 vs. 47.9±11 years; p=0.012), and more than half of those with MS were above 50 years. The most common abnormal metabolic components were reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c; 94.1%), elevated fasting blood glucose (FBG; 89.8%), and elevated triglycerides (81.8%), followed by increased waist circumference (61.7%) and raised blood pressure (40.4%). The majority of patients with MS had three or more metabolic components (326 patients, 69.4%), and 102 (21.8%) had two components, but only 37 (8.4%) had a single component.ConclusionsIn ACS patients, without previous history of DM, MS is highly prevalent. Reduced HDL, elevated FBG and triglycerides were the most frequent metabolic components. The majority had multiple components. These findings raise alarm and show that drug therapy alone may not be fully effective, unless the underlying risk factors causing MS, such as weight and exercise, are also tackled.

We assessed the prevalence of unrecognized diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) as determined by elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and random plasma glucose (RPG) levels. This prospective study recruited 583 patients admitted with ACS without previous diagnosis of DM during 1-year period. Glycosylated hemoglobin was checked for most patients especially those with high values of FPG and or RPG. Patients were classified according to their glycemic state into 123 (21.1%) with DM, 82 (14.1%) with prediabetes, and 57(9.8%) with stress hyperglycemia, while 321 (55%) were classified as nondiabetics. Glycosylated hemoglobin estimation in the setting of ACS was helpful in the diagnosis of DM to eliminate the effect of stress-induced hyperglycemia that might accompany this condition.

ACS patients from Middle East countries with prior CABG have adverse baseline characteristics, reported higher GRACE risk score, multivessel disease, more severe LV dysfunction, cardiogenic shock, in-hospital major bleeding, but with less incidence of STEMI with less prominent surge of cardiac biomarkers. However, there was no significant difference in mortality during hospitalization, at 30 days and at one year between ACS patients with and without prior CABG. The reasons for this 'risk-mortality' paradox need to be further evaluated.

Salmonella meningitis is an unusual complication of Salmonella sepsis that occurs almost exclusively in infants and young children. Cases that do occur in adults are associated with a high morbidity and mortality. The present study concerns a rare case of Salmonella meningitis, the first to be reported in Qatar, in a previously healthy young adult man who was admitted with fever, headache and nuchal rigidity. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture produced Salmonella paratyphi A, although cultures of blood were negative. The patient was admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) and assisted with mechanical ventilation for 1 week, then transferred to the medical ward where he exhibited progressive improvement on treatment with meropenam for 3 weeks. The patient was found to have an incidental schwannoma causing right-sided hydronephrosis, and hydroureter, treated with double J stent insertion. He was discharged in good condition without any neurological sequelae.