Common Indications for Referral to the Healthcare system for COVID-19 recovered patients versus Qatar Biobank study population: A descriptive analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: Qatar Biobank (QBB) is actively acquiring data on the range of short- and long-term health impacts associated with COVID-19. This is performed through the COVID-19 biorepository National project. In this report, we describe the most common indications for the referral to Qatar's healthcare system of COVID-19 biorepository participants in comparison with the Qatar Biobank (QBB) general population study. Methods Patients with a laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19, who were Qatar residents that could communicate in Arabic, English, Hindi and Urdu were eligible to participate in the COVID-19 biorepository project. Biological samples of Consented participants were collected on a weekly basis until recovery, and then monthly for a year. Participants were also offered a bone density scan three months after recovery and non-contrast MRI brain and whole-body scan six months after recovery. Number of participants requiring referral for medical follow up after recovery for any abnormal clinically significant findings were recorded and statistically compared to general population referred participants Results: The majority of referrals for the general population study was for osteopenia versus diabetes for the COVID-19 biorepository project Conclusion Descriptive analysis of the referral data of the COVID-19 participants and QBB general population (not previously affected by the virus) shows a clear difference between the two populations' reasons for referrals. Diabetes for COVID 19 recovered participants versus osteopenia for general population Keywords: COVID19, Reason for Referrals, Diabetes, Qatar biobank.

The Effect of Obesity on Pregnancy and its Outcome in the Population of Oman, Seeb Province.

OBJECTIVES: The World Health Organization estimated that in 2011 worldwide 1.6 billion adults were overweight, and 400 million were obese. The obesity epidemic is a documented phenomenon and Oman is no exception. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of obesity on pregnancy and its prenatal and neonatal outcomes. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was carried out among pregnant Omani women attending antenatal clinics in their first trimester in the Seeb province of Muscat, Oman. RESULTS: A total of 700 pregnant women were enrolled in the study and were categorized according to their body mass index: 245 (35%) were normal weight, 217 (31%) were overweight, and 238 (34%) were obese. The relative risk (RR) of cesarean section among obese women compared to women of normal weight was 2.1 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-3.2) and of overweight women was 1.4 (95% CI 0.9-2.3). The risk of elective cesarean section increased to 7.5 (95% CI 1.7-32.8) in obese women and was statistically significant in the obese group. In this study, 100 women (15.7%) developed gestational diabetes (11.8% of normal weight women, 17.8% of overweight women, and 17.9% of obese women). Miscarriages were more common among obese women 11.9% (n = 27) compared to the normal weight and overweight groups (6.7% and 9.4%, respectively). There was a weak yet statistically significant correlation between birth weight and body mass index. The risk of macrosomia was significantly higher in obese women compared to normal weight women. To evaluate the sensitivity of the oral glucose challenge test (OGCT), the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was measured in 203 participants (29%) who had a normal OGCT result. It was found that 14.5% of overweight women and 13.5% of normal weight women had an abnormal OGTT result even when their OGCT result was normal. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of cesarean section (especially elective cesarean), gestational hypertension, macrosomia, and miscarriage. It also increases the risk of gestational diabetes.