Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and secondary polycythemia occasionally occur together, but their relationship remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of OSA among patients with secondary polycythemia in our local population. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we screened 524 adult patients with polycythemia who attended the hematology clinic at a major tertiary hospital in Muscat during 2013–2023. Our goal was to identify patients with OSA and secondary polycythemia who also underwent sleep studies and analyzed their data. Results: Out of 524 polycythemia patients, we identified N = 44 patients (8.4%) who had both OSA and secondary polycythemia. The vast majority were male (42/44; 95.5%). Participants’ mean age was 40.7 years, with a body mass index of 31.7 kg/m2, hemoglobin level of 16.5 g/dL, and hematocrit level of 0.5 L/L. The mean apnea/hypopnea index was 33.3, and the mean desaturation index was 20.3. More than half of the patients (23; 52.3%) had severe OSA (apnea/hypopnea index > 30). Conclusions: The majority of patients with secondary polycythemia had severe OSA. It is likely that OSA may contribute to secondary polycythemia, warranting further investigation.

Keywords:Polycythemia; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Hematocrit; Hypoxia; Oman.

Objectives: In Arab cultures, significant social stigma impedes the disclosure of mental illness and seeking professional help. To date, no validated Arabic tool exists to assess these perceived barriers. Therefore, we aimed to translate the Coming Out with Mental Illness Scale (COMIS) into Arabic and validate it for Arabic-speaking populations.
Methods: We generated an Arabic translation of COMIS (COMIS-Ar) using standard forward–backward translation procedures. The instrument was tested via a cross-sectional online survey among Arabic-speaking participants. Internal consistency, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and model fit indices were assessed. Results: A total of 420 Arabic-speaking adults of median age of 23 years (range 18–60) completed the survey; 73.3% were female. The COMIS-Ar showed overall good internal reliability; Cronbach’s alpha (α) = 0.89; McDonald’s omega (ω) = 0.90. Factor 1 on ‘Benefits of being out’ showed good reliability (α = 0.88; ω = 0.88), while Factor 2 on ‘Benefits of remaining in’ achieved ‘excellent’ reliability (α = 0.94; ω = 0.94). The overall CFA indicated a structural validity of comparative fit index = 0.83 with a root mean square error of approximation of 0.11, suggesting scope for further refinement. Conclusions: The COMIS-Ar is a reliable and potentially valid instrument, albeit with limitations, to assess mental health disclosure-related barriers among Arabic speakers. As a preliminary model with limited testing, its cautious use may aid clinicians to identify the obstacles, including self-stigma in this population and plan targeted interventions, in addition to enhancing public awareness of mental health stigma. Additional psychometric studies are required to enhance the scale.

Keywords:Mental Health; Disclosure; Psychometrics; Personal Autonomy; Surveys.

Encysted hydroceles are often considered rare. We report three cases of Ghanaian boys who presented with left scrotal swellings at a primary care center. This paper emphasizes the importance of primary care practitioners considering a possible clinical diagnosis of encysted spermatic cord hydroceles in new-onset scrotal swellings in children and adolescents, as such cases may not be as rare as previously thought.

Keywords:Scrotal Hydrocelesg; Surgery; Primary Care; Ghana.

Melioidosis, an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is endemic in tropical regions, including the Indian subcontinent. It can affect several systems in the body and has high mortality and morbidity. Neuromelioidosis is a rare central nervous system manifestation of melioidosis. We report a case of a 37-year-old man who had disseminated melioidosis with severe central nervous system involvement, with radiological demonstration of spread along white matter tracts. Our report emphasizes the importance of prolonged intensive phase therapy in achieving clinical remission and preventing relapse.

Keywords:Melioidosis; Burkholderia pseudomallei; India.

Abstract

Isolated tubal torsion is a rare diagnosis that can be easily missed due to nonspecific clinical and imaging features. To diagnose preoperatively, a high level of suspicion is required for this condition. We present a case where ultrasonography initially indicated salpingitis, but intraoperatively revealed tubal torsion with an interesting etiology.

Keywords:Sterilization; Tubal; Ovarian Torsion; Adnexa Uteri.

Mucormycosis is a rare and opportunistic fungal infection caused by the order Mucorales. The emergence of COVID-19 has led to a resurgence of this opportunistic infection. COVID-19 and its management protocols have been implicated in causing this surge due to sequential impaired immunity in affected patients. A high index of suspicion, along with prompt evaluation and management, is advisable for the best clinical outcome.

Keywords:COVID-19; Mucormycosis, Gastrointestinal.

Carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase deficiency with SLC25A20 c.199-10T>G variation is a rare condition, typically associated with severe neonatal outcomes. Recently, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) has emerged as a screening test applicable to embryos produced through in vitro fertilization for genetic analysis before transfer. Thus, PGT allows for the identification and elimination of embryos carrying inherited genetic diseases. This case report aims to present data from PGT on intervention in the management of SLC25A20 c.199-10T>G variation, particularly in middle-income countries. A 26-year-old woman with a high-risk term pregnancy and a history of two sudden neonatal deaths underwent parental carrier testing, revealing heterozygous SLC25A20 c.199-10T>G variation in both parents. The subsequent pregnancy, identified as a homozygous for SLC25A20 c.199-10T>G mutation, was terminated at 20 weeks. The current pregnancy was successfully managed by in vitro fertilization-selective embryo transfer. Carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase deficiency owing to SLC25A20 c.199-10T>G variation can result in sudden neonatal collapse. Obstetricians should maintain a high index of suspicion in recurrent cases of unexplained early neonatal death. Parental carrier testing is crucial for prenatal management, and selective embryo transfer is a core treatment for heterozygous SLC25A20 gene carriers in this highly lethal disorder.

Keywords:Carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase; Pregnancy, High-Risk; Perinatal Death; Preimplantation Diagnosis; SLC25A20 Protein, Human; Fertilization in Vitro.