ObjectiveTo describe the epidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in Europe.MethodsWe systematically reviewed HSV-1 related publications, conducted various meta-analyses and meta-regressions, assessed pooled mean seroprevalence, and estimated pooled mean proportions of HSV-1 viral detection in clinically diagnosed genital ulcer disease (GUD) and in genital herpes.ResultsWe extracted, from 142 relevant records, 179 overall (622 stratified) seroprevalence measures, 4 overall proportions of HSV-1 in GUD and 64 overall (162 stratified) proportions of HSV-1 in genital herpes. Pooled mean seroprevalence was 67.4% (95% CI 65.5% to 69.3%) with 32.5% (95% CI 29.4% to 35.7%) of children and 74.4% (95% CI 72.8% to 76.0%) of adults infected. Pooled seroprevalence increased steadily with age, being lowest in those aged <20 years (39.3%, 95% CI 35.9% to 42.7%) and highest in those aged >50 years (82.9%, 95% CI 78.8% to 86.6%). Pooled seroprevalence decreased yearly by 0.99-fold (95% CI 0.99 to 1.00). Pooled mean proportion of HSV-1 detection was 13.6% (95% CI 4.1% to 27.1%) in GUD, 34.1% (95% CI 31.7% to 36.5%) in genital herpes and 49.3% (95% CI 42.2% to 56.4%) in first episode genital herpes. Pooled proportion of HSV-1 detection in genital herpes increased yearly by 1.01-fold (95% CI 1.00 to 1.02), with higher detection in women (42.0%, 95% CI 37.4% to 46.7%) than men (24.1%, 95% CI 19.8% to 28.6%).ConclusionsHSV-1 epidemiology is transitioning away from its historical pattern of oral acquisition in childhood. Every year, seroprevalence is declining by 1% and the proportion of HSV-1 in genital herpes is increasing by 1%. As many as two-thirds of children are reaching sexual debut unexposed, and at risk of HSV-1 genital acquisition in adulthood.
Objective: University students face high levels of stress-related factors, such as an unfamiliar environment, challenging workload, and uncertainty about their ability to succeed. Participants: A total of 370 students in Qatar who consented to participate between February 2017 and February 2018. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed perceived stress [using a validated 4-point perceived stress scale (PSS-4)], as well as diet, exercise, body mass index, sleep, and life satisfaction. Results: Among students aged 18-39 (mean ¼ 20.1 ± 3.0 years), PSS-4 scores varied between 0 and 16 (mean ¼ 7.4 ± 3.4). Elevated stress was significantly associated with female sex, country of origin, residing off-campus, eating when bored, lack of self-discipline, disturbed sleep, and low levels of life satisfaction. Furthermore, students with PSS-4 scores above the median level were 2.3 times likelier to report difficulty concentrating on academic work. Conclusion: Elevated stress levels are present in university students in Qatar. Strengthening coping skills may improve health and academic performance.
Artery of Percheron (AOP) is an abnormal variant of the arterial supply of the thalamus. AOP occlusion can lead to bilateral thalamic and rostral midbrain infarct presenting as memory loss, fluctuating levels of consciousness, and altered mental status. A 43-year-old woman with a history of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), managed on dabigatran, presented with acute confusion and drowsiness. She had slurred and slowed speech, disorientation in time and place, left-sided facial droop, decreased power of the left side (4/5), and was unable to walk due to generalized weakness. Labs showed a prolonged prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time, positive lupus anticoagulant, anti-cardiolipin, beta-2 glycoprotein, anti-nuclear and anti-dsDNA antibodies. Contrast-enhanced CT perfusion showed ischemic changes in the bilateral thalami, suggesting infarct along the AOP territory. AOP infarcts are scarce and the presenting complaints are unusual of cerebrovascular accidents. It requires a high index of suspicion to detect. There are no other reports in the literature of patients with
Background The parent-adolescent relationship plays a key role in adolescent development, including behaviour, physical health, and mental health outcomes. Studies on the parental factors that contribute to an adolescent’s dietary habits, exercise, mental health, physical harm and substance use are limited in the Middle East and North Africa region, with none in Oman. This study aims to investigate the association between parental involvement and adolescent well-being in Oman. Methods Cross-sectional data from the 2015 Global School Health Survey for Oman was analysed. The dataset consisted of 3468 adolescents. Adolescents reported on their parental involvement (checking to see if they did their homework, understanding their problems, knowing what they are doing in their free time and not going through their things without permission). Parental involvement was scored on a 20-point scale. Associations with the following dependent variables: nutrition, exercise, hygiene, physical harm, bullying, substance use, tobacco use and mental health well-being were done using Spearman’s correlations, linear and logistic regressions. Results The surveyed population was 48% male, 65% aged 15 to 17 years old and 5% reported that they “most of the time or always” went hungry. Parental involvement was positively correlated with each of the dependent variables. Adolescents with higher parental involvement had significantly higher odds of good nutrition (1.391), hygiene (1.823) and exercise (1.531) and lower odds of physical harm (0.648), being bullied (0.628), poor mental health (0.415), tobacco use (0.496) and substance use (0.229). Conclusions Parental involvement plays a positive role in all aspects of adolescents’ well-being in Oman. Awareness campaigns and interventions aimed to help improve the well-being of adolescents should incorporate such positive role in their designs.
Objective Pivotal clinical trials revealed good clinical efficiency of ocrelizumab while having a good safety profile in the management of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, real-world data of ocrelizumab in daily clinical practice remain scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preliminary safety profile and effectiveness of ocrelizumab treatment for MS in an Arab population in a real-world clinical setting. Methods In this retrospective single-center observational study in Qatar, we reviewed the medical records and analyzed the clinical and MRI data of all patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and active secondary progressive MS (aSPMS)—between October 2017 through December 2020—who had received at least one infusion of ocrelizumab (Q-OCRE). Results A total of 60 MS patients were included (57 with RRMS, three SPMS). The Median follow-up period was 19 months (range, 1–32). The most common reason for switching to ocrelizumab was increased disease activity and three-quarters of the patients were on a previous disease-modifying drug (DMD). No evidence of disease activity (NEDA) status at year 1 was achieved in 73% of the cohort. Mild infusion-related reactions (IRR) and infections were reported (mainly upper respiratory tract infections followed by urinary tract infection) with a declining percentage over the follow-up applications. No severe side effects were observed. Conclusion Our real-world experience confirms good efficacy, tolerability, and safety of ocrelizumab in our Arab population.
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