- Dr. Salim Al-Huseini. MD.Psychiatry risedent at Oman Medical Specialty Board, Psychiatry program.edit
PurposeThis cross-sectional online survey in Oman in April 2021 aimed to assess university students' resilience, stress levels and meaning during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify characteristic profiles.Design/methodology/approachA... more
PurposeThis cross-sectional online survey in Oman in April 2021 aimed to assess university students' resilience, stress levels and meaning during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify characteristic profiles.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from full-time students at one University in Oman. Outcomes included sociodemographic information, the brief resilience scale, the perceived stress scale-4 and the meaning in life questionnaire to explore the students' profiles.FindingsA total of 964 students participated (response rate = 34.8%), of which 35% had low resilience scores. The average perceived stress, presence of meaning in life and search for meaning in life scores were 7.9 ± 2.3, 24.2 ± 6.9 and 24.9 ± 7.7, respectively. Cluster analysis identified three groups: low-risk and fewer impacts (cluster A, n = 503, 523%), moderate-risk and moderate impacts (cluster B, n = 160, 16.6%) and high-risk and more impacts (cluster C, n = 30...
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The current literature, mostly Euro-American based, indicates that the presence of meaning in life (MIL) improves resilience and lowers stress. However, the differential mediating roles of resilience in the relationship between the search... more
The current literature, mostly Euro-American based, indicates that the presence of meaning in life (MIL) improves resilience and lowers stress. However, the differential mediating roles of resilience in the relationship between the search for and presence of MIL, and stress have not been explored. This study aimed to investigate the differential mediating roles of resilience in the relationship between the presence of and search for MIL, and stress among Omani college students amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study consisted of the Brief Resilience Scale, Perceived Stress Scale 4, and Meaning in Life Questionnaire, as well as socio-demographic questions. A path analysis model was used to examine the hypothesis. A total of 970 Omani college students responded to the questionnaire. Findings indicate that searching for MIL was significantly associated with a high level of stress directly (β = 0.023; p < 0.001) and indirectly, through a negative effect on resilience (...
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PurposeEmotional intelligence (EI) can improve patient–doctor relationships, foster empathy, develop teamwork in the workplace, and boost communication skills. This study aims to determine whether a cohort of residents has different... more
PurposeEmotional intelligence (EI) can improve patient–doctor relationships, foster empathy, develop teamwork in the workplace, and boost communication skills. This study aims to determine whether a cohort of residents has different profiles to their demographic and EI.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2017–2018 (n = 440). The Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire was used to measure EI. Cluster analysis was used to identify different profile groups.FindingsCluster analysis identified three clusters with different profiles. The residents in cluster A (n = 146, 33.2%) were older, more males, studying in their final year, and perceived lower EI. Cluster B (n = 184, 41.8%) were predominantly young females, more single, studying in year one, and perceived moderate EI. Cluster C (n = 110, 25.0%) were predominantly married females studying their year 1 in surgical and perceived higher EI.Research limitations/implicationsStudy limitations include respondent honesty, cross-sectional design, and lack of a comparison site. Including EI education can improve emotional regulation, well-being, and sociability and should be assessed as part of residents' development.Practical implicationsMedical residents differ in emotional profiles, with higher EI improving coping and problem-solving skills. EI training should be integrated into the medical curriculum, particularly given the high-stress levels and unique stressors of hospital practicums.Originality/valueThe study suggested that three groups of residents exist, and they differ in demographic, EI, and subscale levels. This study recommended that residents be taught EI-related concepts to help them develop their EI through training on emotionality, self-control, well-being, and sociability.
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Depressive illnesses in non-Western societies are often masked by somatic attributes that are sometimes impervious to pharmacological agents. This study explores the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for... more
Depressive illnesses in non-Western societies are often masked by somatic attributes that are sometimes impervious to pharmacological agents. This study explores the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for people experiencing treatment-resistant depression (TRD) accompanied by physical symptoms. Data were obtained from a prospective study conducted among patients with TRD and some somatic manifestations who underwent 20 sessions of rTMS intervention from January to June 2020. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) was used for clinical evaluation. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential techniques (multiple logistic regression) in SPSS. Among the 49 participants (mean age: 42.5 ± 13.3), there was a significant reduction in posttreatment HAMD scores compared to baseline (t = 10.819, p < 0.0001, and 95% CI = 8.574–12.488), indicating a clinical response. Approximately 37% of the patients responded to treatment, with higher resp...
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Background Existing literature that examines the Hikikomori-like idiom of distress (HLID) initially labelled this phenomenon as a culture-bound syndrome. However, the increasing number of reports from other parts of the world suggest that... more
Background Existing literature that examines the Hikikomori-like idiom of distress (HLID) initially labelled this phenomenon as a culture-bound syndrome. However, the increasing number of reports from other parts of the world suggest that HLID could instead be a culture-reactive idiom of distress, originating from biopsychosocial disequilibrium and cultural upheaval. The impact of imposed social withdrawal due to the Coronavirus 2 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic on the growing prevalence of HLID has not yet been adequately explored. Aims: The first objective is to examine the factorial validity of the 25-item Hikikomori Questionnaire (HQ-25) in Oman. Second, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of HLID following the lifting of SARS-COV-2 restrictions in the Arabian Gulf country of Oman. The third related objective is to examine factors associated with the variation of HLID. Methods This cross-sectional online survey was widely distributed across the diverse...
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Objective: This study examined the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of individuals who attended the emergency department of a tertiary care center in Muscat, Oman following a suicide attempt. Methods: A retrospective study... more
Objective: This study examined the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of individuals who attended the emergency department of a tertiary care center in Muscat, Oman following a suicide attempt. Methods: A retrospective study (N=154) was conducted between January 2015 and June 2018. Information that was collected included sociodemographic variables (age, nationality, sex, marital status, and occupation), risk (medical comorbidities, psychiatric history, substance misuse, alcohol misuse, and previous history of suicide attempts), and precipitating factors, as well as the chosen methods for the suicide attempts. Results: In all, 83.1% of the sample were Omanis, and women constituted 69.5%. The mean age of the sample was 27 years; 30% were students, 42% were unemployed, and 40.9% had a history of psychiatric disorders. Family conflict, suffering from chronic illness, and having social problems were the most common precipitating factors for the suicide attempt. The most common...
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During COVID19 Pandemic, mandatory quarantine has interrupted normal social life, leaving many individuals feeling confined and lonely, with increased rates of suicide and suicidal behavior. We report a case of a 52-years-old male with no... more
During COVID19 Pandemic, mandatory quarantine has interrupted normal social life, leaving many individuals feeling confined and lonely, with increased rates of suicide and suicidal behavior. We report a case of a 52-years-old male with no significant medical and psychiatric history who was admitted to the hospital after attempting suicide by self-inflicted total amputation of the external genitalia associated due to fear of COVID-19 infection. The diathesis-stress linked with the tribulation of the current pandemic was highlighted as well as other possible contributory factors for his presentation.
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Objective: Studies from the past decades have shown that mood disorders are common during childhood and adolescence. This study aimed to estimate the point prevalence of depression in Omani children and adolescents during social... more
Objective: Studies from the past decades have shown that mood disorders are common during childhood and adolescence. This study aimed to estimate the point prevalence of depression in Omani children and adolescents during social distancing and lockdown and identify the risk factors for developing depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study conducted in May 2020, in which all young Omani people attending a mainstream school aged 8–18 years old were eligible to participate. Parents were asked to complete the online survey, which consisted of the parent version of the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ-Parent). In addition, the option of a self-reported version (MFQ-Self) was provided in cases where children preferred to fill out the survey themselves. Logistic regression was used to identify the contributing socio-demographic variables associated with depressive symptoms.Results: A total of 445 participants completed the MFQ,...
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Objectives: This study investigated parental attitudes towards psychotropic drugs for children's mental disorders. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to parents of children attending a child psychiatry clinic at a tertiary... more
Objectives: This study investigated parental attitudes towards psychotropic drugs for children's mental disorders. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to parents of children attending a child psychiatry clinic at a tertiary hospital in Muscat, Oman. Similarly, in a small proportion, other caregivers filled out the questionnaire in case the child attended with them. The questionnaire comprised questions regarding parents' opinions, and attitudes about psychotropic medications use. The logistic regression model was used to identify the risk factors associated with parents who prefer to consult a folk healer (FH) for children with mental disorders. Results: A total of 299 parents agreed to participate in the study. The majority of them (81.6%, n=244) agreed that they would give their child psychotropic medications if necessary, but 25.4% of them (n=76) would consult a FH before consulting a psychiatrist if their child experienced psychiatric symptoms. Married parents were ...
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Background Anxiety disorders are a significant factor associated with physician burnout and poor patient care, reported to have a significant frequency among the youth in the Middle East. However, to date, no study has explored the... more
Background Anxiety disorders are a significant factor associated with physician burnout and poor patient care, reported to have a significant frequency among the youth in the Middle East. However, to date, no study has explored the prevalence of anxiety among resident physicians in the Arabian Gulf country of Oman. This cross-sectional study, conducted among a random sample of residents affiliated with the Oman Medical Specialty Board, aimed to examine the frequency and factors associated with anxiety symptoms among them. Participants were asked to complete the General Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) to assess anxiety, as well as a socio-demographic questionnaire. Results In a total of 251 residents, the prevalence of anxiety was 14.7% (GAD-7 cut-off score ≥ 10). More than 60% of the respondents were female (68.9%). The age breakdown ranged from 25 to 30 years old (66.5%) and the majority were married (64.9%). More than 70% of respondents attended at least 5 shifts in their week...
Background Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is among the most common anxiety disorders worldwide with data largely emerging from the Euro-American and Pacific Rim populations. In contrast, there is a dearth of studies among the populations... more
Background Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is among the most common anxiety disorders worldwide with data largely emerging from the Euro-American and Pacific Rim populations. In contrast, there is a dearth of studies among the populations of Arabian Gulf countries including Oman. This study has two interrelated aims: (i) to explore the prevalence of SAD among Omani adults, and (ii) to tease out the links between socio-demographic factors and SAD in Oman. Methods A cross-sectional study via an online survey was conducted among 1019 adult Omani nationals residing in Oman. The presence of SAD was assessed using the Arabic version of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Results Nearly half the participants (45.9%, n = 468) exhibited “caseness” for SAD as defined by LSAS. In the multivariate logistic analysis, participants below 40 years of age were 1.6 times (OR = 1.568, p = .026) more likely to have caseness for SAD than those who were 40 and older. Women were 1.3 times (OR = 1.348...
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Objective. This study aimed at examining the effectiveness of treating children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who present with irritability, aggression, and disruptive behavior at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) in... more
Objective. This study aimed at examining the effectiveness of treating children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who present with irritability, aggression, and disruptive behavior at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) in Muscat, Oman, with risperidone, and to note any sex-based differences among this cohort. Method. This was a retrospective study conducted at the Department of Behavioral Medicine at SQUH over two years from January 2017 to December 2018. This study included all children aged 3 to 18 years attending the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) outpatient clinic with a diagnosis of ASD, based on the DSM-5 criteria, and comorbid disruptive behavior, who had been prescribed risperidone. Result. This study identified 95 ASD patients (72 males). Male patients’ BMI score after 12 months of risperidone treatment showed an increase by 0.62 (1.57 SD; P = 0.001 ); however, there was no significant change among female patients. Somnolence was noted in 69....
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BACKGROUND: Reports from different parts of the world suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown and social distancing measures have heralded unprecedented mental health challenges among children and adolescents. To... more
BACKGROUND: Reports from different parts of the world suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown and social distancing measures have heralded unprecedented mental health challenges among children and adolescents. To date, there is a dearth of studies emerging from the Arabian Gulf, where the majority of its population are children and adolescents. The study aims to examine the prevalence of anxiety-related disorders and their covariates among children and adolescents in an Arabian Gulf country, Oman. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analytic study carried out over two weeks (1st to 15th of August 2020) during the COVID-19 pandemic across Oman. Parents were asked to complete the online survey, which consisted of the parent version of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED-41) scale and questions regarding basic socio-demographic information. Logistic regression was used to identify the contributing variables associated with anxiety-related disorde...
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Objectives: To examine the prescribing patterns of antidepressants among a sample of psychiatrists working in Oman and to compare these practices to the current evidence for prescribing specific antidepressant in particular clinical... more
Objectives: To examine the prescribing patterns of antidepressants among a sample of psychiatrists working in Oman and to compare these practices to the current evidence for prescribing specific antidepressant in particular clinical situations. Methods: This retrospective cross sectional study. Massachusetts General Hospital Psychopharmacology Questionnaire, a 10-item questionnaire listing factors that might have influenced the choice of antidepressant medication, was sent to 83 psychiatrists working in governmental health sectors in Oman. The study was done from March to July 2019. Results: A total number of 78 psychiatrists responded to the questionnaire. Of these, 44 of the psychiatrists (56.4%) believed that one type of antidepressant is more efficacious than others, while 74 psychiatrists (94.9%) indicated that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were their first-line treatment preference. Mirtazapine was chosen as the most likely antidepressant to cause weight gain...
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Background: One of the many repercussions from the COVID-19 pandemic has been stress The death toll from the pandemic, as well as sleep loss, have been noted to be the root causes of COVID-19 related stress and distress among students in... more
Background: One of the many repercussions from the COVID-19 pandemic has been stress The death toll from the pandemic, as well as sleep loss, have been noted to be the root causes of COVID-19 related stress and distress among students in the Arabian Gulf countries Aims: This study aimed to examine the relationship between self-reported sleeping problems and the socio-demographic, clinical and lifestyle factors among quarantined Omani students arriving from abroad Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, from April 1-10 2020 The participants were all Omani students who had arrived from abroad during the pandemic The outcome measures consisted of the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder -7 (GAD-7), as well as relevant socio-demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors Result: A total of 376 participants were included in this study with 49 5% (n = 186) noted to be suffering from insomnia Multivariate logist...
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Objective: To investigate whether electroencephalogram (EEG) requests at a psychiatric tertiary care center in urban Oman are being made according to guidelines for best practice. Methods: This study was carried out at a psychiatry... more
Objective: To investigate whether electroencephalogram (EEG) requests at a psychiatric tertiary care center in urban Oman are being made according to guidelines for best practice. Methods: This study was carried out at a psychiatry tertiary care hospital in Muscat providing the most comprehensive psychiatric service in the country. Cases were examined retrospectively for11months from January to December 2018. Relevant information was recorded on a proforma prepared for this study. The request was judged as being appropriate or otherwise according to international best practice. Results: During the study period, 421 patients were referred to the EEG laboratory. Approximately 71% of them were males and 29% were females. Approximately 94% of EEG results were deemed as being normal. In terms of appropriateness of requesting EEG, only 5% of the requests were considered “appropriate” according to the guidelines. The factors associated with the appropriateness of requests included age, abn...
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Objectives:Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in children and comorbid depression is common. This study aimed to assess the frequency of depressive symptoms along with demographic and clinical factors in children diagnosed... more
Objectives:Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in children and comorbid depression is common. This study aimed to assess the frequency of depressive symptoms along with demographic and clinical factors in children diagnosed with epilepsy in a tertiary care institution in Oman. Methods:This cross-sectionalstudy was conducted between June 2016 and August 2018 and constituted children (n=75) with age group from 6 to 12 years old, attending the epilepsy clinic at a tertiary care center during the study period. The cohort constituted of children with epilepsy (CWE) following up at a dedicated unit. The instrument, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for Children (CESDC),was utilized to assess the presence of depressive symptoms. Associated factors including history of seizure in the last three months, compliance with antiepileptic medications,and type of epilepsy were also examined. Results:Depressive symptoms were endorsed in 52%of CWE and 96% of them were co...
Neurobehavioral impairment associated with COVID-19 infection has been recently documented in the literature. COVID-19 infection has also been associated with an increased risk for developing psychiatric symptoms, including rare reports... more
Neurobehavioral impairment associated with COVID-19 infection has been recently documented in the literature. COVID-19 infection has also been associated with an increased risk for developing psychiatric symptoms, including rare reports on psychosis. We report a case of a 46-year-old male with no significant medical, family, and psychiatric history admitted to the hospital with COVID-19-related psychosis. Possible contributory factors for his condition are discussed, including the relationship between infections and the brain circuitry, inadvertent iatrogenic effects of pharmaceuticals used to manage COVID-19, as well as diathesis-stress associated with the tribulation of the prevailing pandemic.
ABSTRACT This cross-sectional study examined the factors associated with depression among people with chronic pain (PwCP) attending specialized pain clinics in Muscat, Oman. Two-hundred eighty-seven participants were recruited for the... more
ABSTRACT This cross-sectional study examined the factors associated with depression among people with chronic pain (PwCP) attending specialized pain clinics in Muscat, Oman. Two-hundred eighty-seven participants were recruited for the study, and univariate analyses were used to investigate the difference between individuals who scored above/below the cutoff points for depressive symptoms. A multiple regression analysis was used to detect the independent predictors. Twenty-six percent of participants scored above the cutoff point. Further analysis indicated that unstable family relationships pre-existing depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR], 2.86; p = 0.044), a family history of depression (OR, 4.75; p = 0.019), severe pain (OR, 4.21; p < 0.006), having fibromyalgia (OR, 28.29; p = 0.005), and lumbago/truck (OR, 2.41; p = 0.039) were independent predictors of depressive symptoms. This study indicates that one in four patients with chronic pain also presents with depressive symptoms. However, the role of culture needs to be taken into consideration when interpreting these findings and when building on these data.
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Background:Existing literature is replete of the magnitude of occupational burnout among physicians and the role of emotional intelligence in moderating poor coping among physicians. However, these domains have not been explored in... more
Background:Existing literature is replete of the magnitude of occupational burnout among physicians and the role of emotional intelligence in moderating poor coping among physicians. However, these domains have not been explored in physicians in the Arabian Gulf countries. The study aims to quantify the rate of the presence of occupational burnout and trait emotional intelligence, the relationship between trait emotional intelligence and domains of occupational burnout, and demographic factors associated with occupational burnout.Methods:This was a cross-sectional, observational study conducted between June to August 2018 among first-year residents in Oman. The outcome measure included indices of composite and subscale (emotional exhaustion-EE, depersonalization -DP and personal accomplishment -PA) of Abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory (aMBI) and a composite score of Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (TEI) and its subscales (Self-control, Sociability, and Emotionality).R...
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Background: Mandatory quarantine during COVID-19 has disrupted normal social and economic life and many people became trapped and isolated with increasing levels of anxiety and financial difficulties. Especially for vulnerable people,... more
Background: Mandatory quarantine during COVID-19 has disrupted normal social and economic life and many people became trapped and isolated with increasing levels of anxiety and financial difficulties. Especially for vulnerable people, COVID-19 pandemic had shown by many studies to increase the depressive and anxiety symptoms as well as suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts. Increased suicidal attempts had been associated with the increased burden of the health and economic impacts of the pandemic.Cases Presentation: Here, we report four cases of suicidal attempts during the COVID 19 outbreak due to the lockdown and related economic difficulties. Those cases were admitted in a general hospital from the period April 2020 to June 2020.All patients were males, tested negative for corona virus and used violent methods of suicide. After receiving the appropriate treatment, all cases were discharged from hospital.Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic and its economic and social impacts could...
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Objective: This study aimed to decipher the socio-demographic factors associated with the perception towards mental health problems among residents belonging to Oman Medical Specialty Board. Method: A cross sectional correlative study was... more
Objective: This study aimed to decipher the socio-demographic factors associated with the perception towards mental health problems among residents belonging to Oman Medical Specialty Board. Method: A cross sectional correlative study was conducted among a stratified random sample of residents. Attitude towards mental health problems (ATMHP) questionnaire was used to solicit the attitude of the residents. A non-parametric test (Manny-Whitney test) was employed to explore the association between resident's socio-demographic factors and the ATMHP scale. Results: A total of 170 participants consented, with a response rate of 94%. (Community Attitudes, Family Attitudes and reflected shame in selfsubscales;(Mean rank) of 6.94, p-value 0.010; 4.02, p-value 0.006 and 5.17, p-value 0.029, respectively), and the contract with a mentally ill(subscale of Community Attitudes; (Mean rank) 6.89, p-value 0.026. ) were found to correlate with higher scores on ATMHP subscales, signifying a negat...
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Objectives: Although typically considered a condition affecting children, scientific evidence has shown that 30–50% of those diagnosed with ADHD in childhood continue to suffer from this condition after the age of 18. This study sought to... more
Objectives: Although typically considered a condition affecting children, scientific evidence has shown that 30–50% of those diagnosed with ADHD in childhood continue to suffer from this condition after the age of 18. This study sought to address the gap in the literature, and to describe the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of ADHD patients in a sample of adult patients attending an outpatient clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Oman, and to evaluate their association with the different subtypes of the disorder. Methods: Data from adult patients with ADHD from the outpatient clinic at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Muscat, Oman, were retrospectively collected from medical records from January 2018 to April 2020. Socio-demographic characteristics, clinical profiles and psychiatric co morbidities were examined. Results: This study included 100 adults who fulfilled the standard diagnosis of ADHD, with 54% (n=54), and 46% (n=46) from the inattentive and combi...
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ABSTRACT This cross-sectional study examined the factors associated with depression among people with chronic pain (PwCP) attending specialized pain clinics in Muscat, Oman. Two-hundred eighty-seven participants were recruited for the... more
ABSTRACT This cross-sectional study examined the factors associated with depression among people with chronic pain (PwCP) attending specialized pain clinics in Muscat, Oman. Two-hundred eighty-seven participants were recruited for the study, and univariate analyses were used to investigate the difference between individuals who scored above/below the cutoff points for depressive symptoms. A multiple regression analysis was used to detect the independent predictors. Twenty-six percent of participants scored above the cutoff point. Further analysis indicated that unstable family relationships pre-existing depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR], 2.86; p = 0.044), a family history of depression (OR, 4.75; p = 0.019), severe pain (OR, 4.21; p < 0.006), having fibromyalgia (OR, 28.29; p = 0.005), and lumbago/truck (OR, 2.41; p = 0.039) were independent predictors of depressive symptoms. This study indicates that one in four patients with chronic pain also presents with depressive symptoms. However, the role of culture needs to be taken into consideration when interpreting these findings and when building on these data.
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Objectives: Many studies suggest that depression is prevalent among patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Notably, both depression and IBD have a... more
Objectives: Many studies suggest that depression is prevalent among patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Notably, both depression and IBD have a significant disease burden. However, these studies have mostly been conducted among European and American populations; there is a paucity of these studies from Arabic countries. This study aimed to examine the prevalence and predictors of depressive symptoms among adult IBD patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Muscat, Oman. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted among a random sample of patient's aged18 years and older who attended the gastroenterology clinic at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman between June 2018, and January 2019. Participants were asked to complete the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to assess depression, as well as a sociodemographic survey. Logistic regression analysis was used to identi...
Background: Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is among the most common anxiety disorders worldwide with data largely emerging from the Euro-American and Pacific Rim populations. In contrast, there is a dearth of studies among the populations... more
Background: Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is among the most common anxiety disorders worldwide with data largely emerging from the Euro-American and Pacific Rim populations. In contrast, there is a dearth of studies among the populations of Arabian Gulf countries including Oman. This study has two interrelated aims: (i) to explore the prevalence of SAD among Omani adults, and (ii) to tease out the links between sociodemographic factors and SAD in Oman. Methods: A cross-sectional study via an online survey was conducted among 1019 adult Omani nationals residing in Oman. The presence of SAD was assessed using the Arabic version of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Result: Nearly half the participants (45.9%, n=468) endorsed themselves as having features of SAD as defined by LSAS. In the multivariate logistic analysis, participants below 40 years of age were 1.6 times (OR=1.568, p=0.026) more likely to have SAD than those who were 40 and older. Women were 1.3 times (OR=1.348, ...
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Background As part of the globalization of medical education, residency programs in Oman have adopted competency-based standards by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education International (ACGME-I). Correctly perceiving the... more
Background As part of the globalization of medical education, residency programs in Oman have adopted competency-based standards by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education International (ACGME-I). Correctly perceiving the emotions of others and managing one's own emotions are essential to high-quality patient care. Objective We tested the reliability and construct validity of the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire–Short Form (TEIQue-SF), and assessed trait Emotional Intelligence (EI) in Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) residents in multiple specialties. We explored for correlations with trainees' sociodemographic background data. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional, observational study between February and August 2017. Participants were OMSB residents. We administered the TEIQue-SF and collected sociodemographic data from participants. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of trait EI. Results The ...
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Research Interests: Cognitive Science, Depression, Acculturation, Adolescent, Comorbidity, and 15 moreChild, African American, Adolescence, Alcohol Drinking, Crack Cocaine, Clinical Sciences, Aged, Adult, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Age Factors, Asian Continental Ancestry Group, Alcohol Use, Cross Sectional Studies, Cohort Studies, and Brain injuries
Background: Most documented cases of menstrual psychosis have been from Euro-American populations with reports from cross-cultural populations being only few in number. Objective: To determine whether the cyclical/episodic nature of... more
Background: Most documented cases of menstrual psychosis have been from Euro-American populations with reports from cross-cultural populations being only few in number. Objective: To determine whether the cyclical/episodic nature of menstrual psychosis among case series observed at a tertiary care unit in Oman fulfills the diagnosis criteria of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and diverge into Brockington’s sub-types (World Psychiatry. 2005;4(1):9-17.). Related aims were to solicit measures of psychometric functioning of those with menstrual psychosis and narrated idioms of distress. Results: The spectrum of distress menstrual psychosis covers does fit into existing psychiatric nosology. Evaluations revealed that a majority of the participants displayed something akin to morbid phenomenon related manic and psychotic symptoms or, in parlance of Omani society, spirit possession. In terms of classification by timing within the menstrual cycle as expounded by Brocki...