Background and Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains a public health threat and a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A bidirectional relationship is found between sleep disorders and CKD worldwide. However, to our knowledge, this study is the first to assess the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to evaluate its impact on the progression of other comorbidities among Lebanese patients with CKD. Materials and Methods: The study is an observational cross‐sectional study, carried out between September and November 2021. Lebanese patients with any stage of CKD were included. Patients’ characteristics were collected via electronic health record and baseline questionnaires. We screened for obstructive sleep apnea using the STOP‐Bang questionnaire. Results: We included 168 patients. The prevalence of OSA among our patients was 47.6%. The prevalence of OSA is higher in males compared with females (81.2% vs. 18.8%, p = 0.002). Obesity was more prevalent in patients with OSA compared with patients without OSA (42.5% vs. 19.3%, p = 0.002). Among the 168 patients, 69.6% had hypertension, with a significantly higher prevalence among those with OSA compared with those without OSA (81.2% vs. 59.1%, p = 0.003). Patients with OSA reported significantly lower scores compared with those without OSA in several domains of physical and emotional health, including physical functioning (54.06 vs. 66.88, p = 0.002), role limitations due to physical health (42.19 vs. 63.07, p = 0.001), role limitations due to emotional problems (49.17 vs. 69.32, p = 0.004), pain (61.31 vs. 70.45, p = 0.019), and physical component score (52.53 vs. 69.53, p = 0.002). All the abovementioned parameters were also examined in two subpopulations: patients with CKD and ESRD. Similarly, some comorbidities and a lower physical QOL score were observed more in patients with OSA in these two subpopulations. Conclusion: Patients with OSA in our study have higher probability of being male, obese, and hypertensive as well as poorer QOL compared with their counterparts without OSA. Implementing more effective screening and treatment of OSA in CKD patients is necessary.

Background: Stroke is the third most common cause of death in Lebanon. With many preventive strategies identified, stroke remains a national burden, especially in developing countries, where risk factors and epidemiological states are understudied. This study aims to investigate the association of sociodemographic factors and health-related risk factors with age at first ischemic stroke and its recurrence in the Lebanese population. Methods: A retrospective study including 214 ischemic stroke cases was carried out. Sociodemographic characteristics and health-related risk factors were assessed, in addition to disability levels (modified Rankin score (mRS)), age at first ischemic stroke incidence, and number of ischemic strokes. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 25, including descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses. Results: This study showed that stressful factors were significantly associated with a younger age at first ischemic stroke, such as having no partner (p < 0.001), having employment (p < 0.001), and having migraines (p < 0.001). However, metabolic risk factors were associated with an older age of ischemic stroke, such as hypertension (p < 0.001) and hyperlipidemia (p < 0.001). Moreover, having a partner (OR: 2.136), having a family history of stroke (OR: 2.873), having hyperlipidemia (OR: 3.71), and having atrial fibrillation (OR: 2.521) were associated with ischemic stroke recurrence. Conclusions: Many modifiable factors are associated with age at first ischemic stroke and its recurrence. This study sheds light on the necessity of increasing knowledge and awareness of well-known risk factors in the Lebanese population. These results suggest implementing targeted preventive strategies and highlight the importance of complying with early detection and follow-up measures.

: Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study is the first in Lebanon to evaluate gender- and age-related differences in the angiographic patterns and clinical characteristics of coronary artery disease (CAD). This descriptive, multicenter, cross-sectional study included Lebanese patients presenting with acute coronary symptoms and angiographically confirmed CAD who underwent coronary angiography between January 2021 and February 2022. Data were obtained through patient interviews and comprehensive review of medical records, including coronary angiography findings, echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular systolic function, and laboratory data. Patients were stratified by gender and by age into younger (≤55 years) and older (>55 years) groups. The study included 212 patients with CAD (51.4% male; mean age 60.6 years). Male patients more frequently had prior angina, myocardial infarction, and coronary revascularization and exhibited more severe coronary lesions, particularly involving the left anterior descending artery. Among patients with multivessel disease (MVD), males had a greater extent of coronary involvement. Younger patients more often reported a family history of CAD, whereas older patients had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities, prior ischemic events, coronary interventions, heart failure, and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Gender and age are associated with distinct angiographic patterns of CAD, as well as differences in related clinical characteristics. Male gender is linked to more extensive coronary disease, while older age is associated with greater comorbidity burden and impaired ventricular function. Awareness of these differences may support improved risk stratification and individualized management of CAD.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, with incidence rates in Lebanon among the highest in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Despite this, data on CRC epidemiology, tumor characteristics, and treatment outcomes in MENA populations remain limited. This study aimed to investigate these factors, with the goal of supporting early detection, guiding clinical decision-making, and informing personalized treatment strategies. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included patients diagnosed with CRC between 2019 and 2023 at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. Clinical data were retrieved from electronic health records and histopathological reports. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and multivariable Cox regression models. Results: A total of 349 patients (mean age 61 years) were included. Most tumors were low-grade adenocarcinomas (88.1%; n=306/347), and 73.3% (n=243/331) of patients presented with advanced-stage disease (Stages III/IV). Among patients with available MMR testing (n=181/349), 5.5% (n=10/181) were mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) by immunohistochemistry. Molecular testing revealed KRAS mutations in 42.9% (n=70/163 tested) and BRAF mutations in 7.0% (n=9/128 tested). Smoking (HR = 2.58, p = 0.007) and age ≥65 years (HR = 1.98, p = 0.050) were associated with reduced OS. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease had a significantly increased risk of progression (HR = 9.39, p = 0.032). Left-sided tumors were associated with improved OS (HR = 0.42, p = 0.018). Conclusions: This study identifies key risk factors, including tumor location, age, IBD, and smoking, influencing survival outcomes in Lebanese patients with CRC. Findings support implementation of risk-adapted screening strategies and population-specific therapeutic approaches in Middle Eastern settings.