Al-Rawi NH, et al. Imaging Sci Dent. 2019 Mar;49(1):45-51. https://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.1.45

To support the deployment of serology assays for population screening during the COVID-19 pandemic, we compared the performance of three fully automated SARS-CoV-2 IgG assays: Mindray CL-900i^® (target: spike [S] and nucleocapsid [N]), BioMérieux VIDAS^®3 (target: receptor-binding domain [RBD]) and Diasorin LIAISON^®XL (target: S1 and S2 subunits). A total of 111 SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR- positive samples collected at ≥ 21 days post symptom onset, and 127 pre-pandemic control samples were included. Diagnostic performance was assessed in correlation to RT-PCR and a surrogate virus-neutralizing test (sVNT). Moreover, cross-reactivity with other viral antibodies was investigated. Compared to RT-PCR, LIAISON^®XL showed the highest overall specificity (100%), followed by VIDAS^®3 (98.4%) and CL-900i^® (95.3%). The highest sensitivity was demonstrated by CL-900i^® (90.1%), followed by VIDAS^®3 (88.3%) and LIAISON^®XL (85.6%). The sensitivity of all assays was higher in symptomatic patients (91.1–98.2%) compared to asymptomatic patients (78.4–80.4%). In correlation to sVNT, all assays showed excellent sensitivities (92.2–96.1%). In addition, VIDAS^®3 demonstrated the best correlation (r = 0.75) with the sVNT. The present study provides insights on the performance of three fully automated assays, which could help diagnostic laboratories in the choice of a particular assay according to the intended use.

Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic inflammatory arthropathy of unknown etiology. Trace elements have a great role in a number of biological processes. The aim of this study was to assess the serum element boron in a sample of Iraqi patients with RA and to evaluate its relationship if present with disease activity, functional class of the disease, and rheumatoid factor (RF). Methods: A cross sectional study enrolled 107 RA patients and 214 controls matched in age and sex. The American College of Rheumatology 1987 revised criteria was used for diagnosis of RA. Disease Activity Score index of 28 joints (DAS28), functional class of RA patients, RF, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured in patients’ group; serum boron levels were measured using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer in both patients and controls groups. Results: RA patients had significantly lower serum boron level than controls (P < 0.001). Serum boron level was significantly negatively correlated with RF titer in RA patients (r = –0.22, P = 0.001). No significant correlation was found between serum boron with DAS28, disease functional class, and ESR (P > 0.05). Also, RF titer was a significant predictor of low serum boron level (P = 0.023, OR = –0.07, 95%CI –0.13-(–0.01)). Conclusions: There was a significant low serum boron level in RA patients. RF titer was significant predictor of low serum boron level. This may suggest that boron element may play a role in pathophysiology of RA and its severity. Supplementation with boron element and diets rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and pulses may be useful. [J Exp Integr Med 2013; 3(1): 9-15

Background: Tobacco dependence is a chronic disease that often requires repeated interventions and multiple attempts to quit. Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of mortality. Globally, an estimated 1.3 billion people smoke. In Qatar, Smoking cessation services (SCSs) are provided free of charge to citizens and at a minimal cost to non-citizens. This study aimed to measure the effectiveness of the smoking cessation program adopted by the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) of Qatar. This was achieved through calculating the percentage of smoking cessation service users (survival probabilities) who maintained the non-smoking status after selected follow up periods. Moreover, the study highlighted the possible association of selected explanatory variables with smoking cessation survival probabilities. Methods: In this historical cohort study 490 participants were recruited by simple random sampling who attended the smoking cessation clinics (SCCs) in PHCC prior to 30/06/2021. The participants were contacted by phone and invited to participate in the study. The participants who agreed to participate in the study were interviewed utilizing a structured questionnaire. Results: Initially 311 (63.5%) of the participants quitted smoking after receiving SCSs. There were statistically significant differences between quitting smoking and the nationality and the educational level of participants (p ≤ 0.001 and 0.02 respectively). About one fourth (23.3%) of individuals who initially quitted smoking relapsed and resumed smoking as early as 6 months after completing their SCC visits. This relapse rate increased to 38.7, 47.2 and 51.1% after 12, 24 and 36 months respectively. Less than a half (45.8%) maintained the non-smoking status after 42 months from their initially quitting. Conclusion and recommendations: The findings of the study substantiate the effectiveness of SCSs designed within PHCC both in short- and long-term basis. Younger individuals, smokers with Arab ethnicity, smokers falling within high income and education groups were identified as high-risk groups and need highest focus. The accessibility to the service among the local population can be increased by upscaling the advertisement of the existing services.

Childhood asthma is a growing clinical problem and a burden on the health care system due to repetitive visits to children’s emergency departments and frequent hospital admissions where it is poorly controlled. Due to lack of reliable baseline information on its prevalence among children in Qatar and the extent of their utilization of primary health care services, we sought to analyse electronic medical records data for children aged 5–12 years. Our primary objective was to establish point prevalence over the period 2016–2017. Furthermore, we wanted to assess the frequency and pattern of use of the primary care services including any demographic and seasonal variations, the types of clinical encounter and treatment received. A cross sectional study on 54,704 clinical encounters of electronic health records for children aged 5 to 12 years in which a diagnosis of Asthma was tagged during a two years period. The prevalence rate of Asthma out of total registered clients in the specified pediatric age group (196,557) is 6.1%. The rate was highest (10.2%) in youngest age group (5–6 years old) and lowest (4.1%) in teenagers (10–12 years old). An obvious peak of clinical encounters of Asthma cases was observed in Oct and Nov. The work load in PHCC clinics for Asthma clinical encounters is increased by more than 50% compared to the average monthly count of 4556.Moreover, the rate was higher in males (7.6%) compared to females (4.6%). The most frequently prescribed medication group was antihistamine (57.8%) followed by adrenergic bronchodilators (33.9%). Asthma constitutes an important part (8.5%) of the total primary care clinic work load among children aged 5–12 years in Qatar. A guideline need to encourage physician to use preventive Asthma strategies including steroid medications to provide continuity of care for Asthma cases.

Objective:To identify the flexion type of hangman's fracture on imaging studies.Methods:38 cases of hangman's fracture were retrospectively studied and categorized into flexion and non-flexion groups. Plain radiograph, CT and MRI of these patients were evaluated; 13 radiological parameters that might define flexion injuries were measured. The data were statistically analyzed to identify good criteria and to rank them according to their importance in predicting flexion.Results:Seven radiological criteria that have the highest correlation with flexion injury were identified. These are C2–3 lower end-plate angle, C2–3 posterior body angle, interspinous angle, disc disruption (MRI), widening of interspinous distance, disruption of the posterior ligamentous complex (MRI) and angle at the fracture site. Scoring 1 point for each positive criterion, a total score of 4 predicts flexion injury with 100% sensitivity and 96.9% specificity. Score of 5 has 83.3% sensitivity and 100% specificity.Conclusion:Flexion hangm...