Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder and is associated with significant morbidity. We sought to present an updated systematic review of the literature on the accuracy of screening questionnaires for OSA against polysomnography (PSG) as the reference test. Using the main databases (including Medline, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Scopus) we used a combination of relevant keywords to filter studies published between January 2010 and April 2017. Population-based studies evaluating the accuracy of screening questionnaires for OSA against PSG were included in the review. Thirty-nine studies comprising 18 068 subjects were included. Four screening questionnaires for OSA had been validated in selected studies including the Berlin questionnaire (BQ), STOP-Bang Questionnaire (SBQ), STOP Questionnaire (SQ), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The sensitivity of SBQ in detecting mild (apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5 events/hour) and severe (AHI ≥ 30 events/hour) OSA was higher compared to other screening questionnaires (range from 81.08% to 97.55% and 69.2% to 98.7%, respectively). However, SQ had the highest sensitivity in predicting moderate OSA (AHI ≥ 15 events/hour; range = 41.3% to 100%). SQ and SBQ are reliable tools for screening OSA among sleep clinic patients. Although further validation studies on the screening abilities of these questionnaires on general populations are required.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and specific parental risk factors that may contribute to the development of ADHD in children. Methods: The study was conducted in Oman among fourth-grade students (aged nine to 10 years). A standardized Arabic version of the National Initiative for Children’s Health Quality Vanderbilt Assessment Scale (Teachers questionnaire) was used to determine the presence of ADHD. Parental factors such as socioeconomic status, education, and occupation were documented. Results: The prevalence rate of ADHD was 8.8%. Poor maternal education status, low familial socioeconomic status, and paternal occupation were significantly associated with an increased risk of ADHD. Conclusions: This was the first study that examined familial and parental characteristics of children with ADHD as potential risk factors for the condition. Such psychosocial factors could be employed to further the development of more proficient preventative measures and remedial services.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate patient safety culture across different healthcare professionals from different countries of origin working in an adult oncology department in a medical facility in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional survey of 130 healthcare staff (doctors, pharmacists, nurses) was conducted in February 2017. We used the Hospital Survey of Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC) to examine healthcare staff perceptions of safety culture. Results: A total of 127 questionnaires were returned, yielding a response rate of 97.7%. Eight out of 12 HSOPSC composites were considered areas for improvement (percent positivity < 50.0%). Significantly different mean scores were observed across the three professional groups in all 12 HSOPSC composites. Doctors tended to rate patient safety culture significantly more positively than nurses or pharmacists. Nurses scored significantly lower than pharmacists in the majority of HSOPSC composites. No significant differences in patient safety culture composite scores were observed between Saudi/Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and non-Saudi/GCC groups. Regression analysis showed that the frequency of reported events is predicted by feedback and communication about errors, and teamwork across units. Perception of patient safety is associated with respondents’ profession and teamwork across units. Conclusions: This study brings to the fore the assumption that all healthcare professionals have a shared understanding of patient safety. We urge healthcare leaders and policy makers to look at patient safety culture at this granular level in their contexts and use this information to develop strategies and training to improve patient safety culture.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the factors affecting the outcome of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) in urinary stone treatment. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 235 adult patients treated with ESWL, for radiopaque renal or ureteric stones between January 2015 and December 2016. Patient's age, sex, stone size, laterality, location, density, skin-to-stone distance (SSD), and presence of double J stent were studied as potential predictors. At the end of three months, the patients were divided into success and failure groups and the significance was determined. Results: Of the 235 patients (188 males and 47 females) analyzed, ESWL was successful in 79.1%. Univariate analysis of both groups revealed no significant difference in patient’s age and stone laterality. Statistically significant differences in gender, stone size, stone site, stone density, SSD, and patients with stents were observed. Statistically significant factors in multivariate logistic regression analysis were sex and stent. Females had three-times higher risk for ESWL failure than males (odds ratio (OR) = 3.213; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.194–8.645; p = 0.021) and a higher failure rate when a stent was used (OR = 6.358; 95% CI: 2.228–18.143; p = 0.001). Conclusions: This study revealed that ESWL can treat renal and ureteric stones successfully with an inverse association between outcome and predictors such as stone size and density, SSD, and stent presence. These factors can help us in improving patient selection and ensure better results at lower cost.

Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most prevalent infectious diseases and can lead to a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The emergence of multiple-drug resistant strains, particularly extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) producing strains, has become a global healthcare concern. Our study sought to investigate the antimicrobial resistance pattern and presence of integrons and fimH determinants among uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) isolates obtained from hospitalized Iranian patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 121 E. coli isolates recovered from patients with clinical symptoms of UTIs, referred to Shiraz Nemazee Hospital, in 2016–17. The isolates were identified by standard microbiologic tests and confirmed by API 20E strip. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was determined using the disk diffusion method. The presence of fimH and classes 1–3 integron encoding genes was determined using the polymerase chain reaction. Results: Ampicillin (9.1%) and nalidixic acid (19.0%) showed the lowest level of antibiotic susceptibility. The highest level of susceptibility was toward imipenem (77.7%). The rate of ESBL-producing isolates was 42.1%. There was a significant association between production of ESBLs and higher antibiotic resistance in the tested isolates. Of the investigated virulence and resistance genes, fimH, intI1, and intI2 were positive in 98.3%, 59.5%, and 7.4% of isolates, respectively. Conclusions: The remarkable rate of ESBL-producing UPEC isolates accompanied with the presence of integrons suggest the necessity of restricted infection control policies to prevent further dissemination of resistant strains.

Objectives: Tobacco smoking is the single most avoidable cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. Patients with psychiatric disorders tend to smoke tobacco at a higher rate than the general population, with significant adverse health consequences. This study aimed to determine the rate of tobacco smoking among psychiatric outpatients attending Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, a tertiary care hospital in Muscat, Oman. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among psychiatric outpatients attending a psychiatric clinic from 1 January to 1 August 2017. The patients’ demographic information, history of smoking, previous hospitalizations, and the number of and specific psychotropics used during treatment was documented. The degree of dependence on tobacco smoking was measured using the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence. Results: A total of 272 patients were included in this study. The overall rate of smoking among psychiatric patients was 13.6%. Patients with schizophrenia had the highest rate of smoking (22.2%), followed by those with bipolar (13.1%), and anxiety disorders (11.1%). Patients who smoked tobacco were more likely to be admitted to the psychiatric ward than non-smokers (p < 0.050). Conclusions: Tobacco smoking is common among psychiatric patients, a finding consistent with similar studies conducted in different parts of the world. Assessment of smoking status and its associated adverse health associations among patients with mental disorders is of paramount importance.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the relationship between gestational age (GA) and neonatal anthropometric parameters, namely head circumference (HC) and crown-heel length (CHL). Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a tertiary care hospital with 530 consecutively live-born newborns of 28–41 weeks gestation. Anthropometric parameters were measured after three days of life. We summarized the variables using descriptive statistics, including percentile values, and the strength of association was determined through correlation analysis. The correlation was strong for HC and CHL, and linear regression analysis was done to develop predictive equations. Results: HC and CHL correlated well with GA with r-values of 0.863 and 0.859, respectively. The regression equations derived were GA (week) = 9.2671 + [0.8616 × HC (cm)] and GA (weeks) = 7.2489 + [0.621 × CHL (cm)]. Multiple regression gave the relationship as GA (weeks) = 4.0244 + [0.4058 × HC (cm)] + [0.4249 × CHL (cm)]. Application of this multiple regression equation to a test cohort of 30 babies for prediction of GA gave a mean margin of error of 2.9%, indicating that it is a satisfactory tool for prediction. Conclusions: HC and CHL can be used as simple tools for predicting GA in babies when this is in doubt. This can help in identification of high-risk newborns at primary care level without recourse to imaging modalities.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the effect of night shift working on increasing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) using three different predictors. Methods: One hundred and forty adult Jordanian employees were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Demographic data, anthropometric parameters, and working patterns information were documented. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was diagnosed, and atherogenic index of the plasma (AIP) and Framingham risk score were calculated. Results: Night shift workers had a significantly higher AIP ratio compared to daytime workers (p = 0.024). No significant association was observed between the two groups in term of 30-year Framingham risk score (p = 0.115). However, the duration of night shifts and the number of night shifts per months were found to significantly increase the 30-year Framingham risk (p = 0.000 and 0.012, respectively). Furthermore, the incidence of MetS among night shift workers was 15.9% (13/82) compared to 10.3% (6/58) among daytime workers (p = 0.484). Conclusions: This is the first study to assess the association between night shift work and AIP as well as the 30-year Framingham risk score as predictors of CVDs. Night shift work was associated with an increase in AIP score compared to daytime work. Also, the duration of night shifts and the number of night shifts per month significantly increased the 30-year Framingham risk among night shift workers. These findings suggest an association between night shift work and the risk of CVD and atherosclerosis. Our results highlight the need for interventional strategies to diminish the risk of CVD in night shift workers.

Objectives: Gram-negative bacteria represent the most relevant reservoir of resistance to antibiotics in the environment. The natural selection of resistant clones of bacteria in the environment by antimicrobial selective pressure is a relevant mechanism for spreading antibiotic resistance traits in both the community and hospital environment. This is in scenarios where antimicrobials are used irrationally, and even in the propagation of livestock, poultry birds, and for other veterinary purposes. This study sought to detect the prevalence of FOX-1 AmpC β-lactamase genes from abattoir samples. Methods: The isolation of Escherichia coli, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and β-lactamase characterization was carried out using standard microbiology techniques. The production of AmpC β-lactamase was phenotypically carried out using the cefoxitin-cloxacillin double-disk synergy test (CC-DDST), and FOX-1 AmpC genes was detected in the E. coli isolates using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Results: Forty-eight E. coli isolates were recovered from the anal swabs of cows and 35 (72.9%) isolates were positive for the production of β-lactamase. Notably, high percentages of resistance to cefoxitin (91.7%), ceftriaxone (83.3%), imipenem (85.4%), ceftazidime (87.5%), ofloxacin (81.3%), and gentamicin (85.4%) were found. FOX-1 genes were detected in three (6.3%) of the 48 E. coli isolates phenotypically screened for AmpC enzyme production. Conclusions: Abattoirs could represent a major reservoir of resistance genes especially AmpC β-lactamase, and this could serve as a route for the dissemination of multidrug-resistant bacteria in the community. Thus, the molecular identification of drug-resistant genes is vital for a reliable epidemiological investigation and the forestalling of the emergence and spread of these organisms through the food chain in this region.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is reported virtually in every anatomic location of the body, but most cases are commonly identified in the mesentery and omentum. The etiology of this tumor is unclear with many suggestions of viral, inflammatory, or oncogenic mutational factors that establish it as a clonal neoplasm. Clinical and laboratory workup, including roentgenography, is not usually helpful to reach a pre- or intraoperative diagnosis. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of the resected specimen provides a definitive answer by the exclusion of a close clinical differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor and many lookalikes. Complete surgical excision with clear margins is the mainstay of treatment. Rare cases have been seen involving the appendix. To the best of our knowledge, only 11 confirmed cases of purely appendiceal IMT have been published in the literature to date.

Necrotizing vasculitic neuropathy in polyarteritis nodosa can rarely present acutely and may mimic acute inflammatory neuropathies. A 53-year-old male presented with an acute neurological illness characterized by paresthesia and weakness of both lower limbs lasting six-days. He also had mild paresthesia of both hands. On examination, there were confluent, purpuric, and ecchymotic patches over the extensor aspects of both lower limbs, which were palpable. Neurological examination revealed grade II/V power with hypotonia and absent reflexes in the lower limbs. All modalities of sensation were decreased below the knee. Sensory impairment was also noted on the fingertips of both hands. Nerve conduction study suggested an asymmetrical sensorimotor axonal neuropathy. Sural nerve biopsy was consistent with necrotizing vasculitis. He was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisolone and monthly cyclophosphamide injection for six-months and made a good recovery.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is a rare and benign condition predominantly seen in young males. Patients present with non-specific pleuritic chest pain, cough, and dyspnea. Hence, it is difficult to diagnose in the acute setting until other serious differential diagnoses involving the integrity of the aerodigestive tract have been excluded. This results in over investigation and overtreatment until a diagnosis has been confirmed. We report a case of a 21-year-old Omani female who presented with a complaint of cough. She was diagnosed based on clinical and radiological findings after exclusion of hollow viscous perforation to have SPM extending to the spinal canal (pneumorrhachis). Her condition improved following conservative management, and she was sent home after three days.

Intraosseous hemangiomas are rare, benign bone tumors usually affecting the bones of the axial skeleton. Its incidence in the long bones is extremely rare. We report a 19-year-old boy with solitary intraosseous hemangioma of the proximal ulna. Radiographs and computed tomography images showed a well-defined osteolytic lesion involving the right proximal ulna. Magnetic resonance imaging showed intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images with internal trabeculae and peripheral post-contrast enhancement. Postcurettage histologic diagnosis of intraosseous hemangioma was made.