Objective: The aims of the study were to compare obesity and its association with risk factors of atherosclerosis in Arabs and South Asians in Kuwait and to define which of the anthropometric parameters is best suited for clinical purposes in general. Subjects and Methods: Two hundred eighty adults, patients of Al-Rashid Hospital, a private general hospital in Kuwait, were enrolled in the study. Of the 280 patients, 144 were Arab and 136 were South Asian. Basic anthropometric parameters for obesity, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) were determined. The relationship between anthropometric variables and relevant metabolic variables, as well as a comparison between the different groups, was estimated using standard statistical methods. Results: Arabs were not only more obese [in males, p < 0.001 for body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) and p = 0.001 for waist-to-hip ratio (WHR); in females, p < 0.001 for BMI, p = 0.004 for WC and p = 0.041 for HC], but also developed obesity at a younger age than did South Asians, even though, in South Asians, all anthropometric parameters were positively correlated with age (p = 0.004 for BMI, p = 0.001 for HC and p < 0.001 for WC and WHR). South Asians, however, were more prone to develop adverse effects in both lipid and glucose metabolism than Arabs were. In South Asian males, ethnicity was an independent predictor of triglycerides, according to the multiple linear regression analysis. The WHR appeared to be the most suitable predictor of dyslipidemia and impaired glucose metabolism. Conclusion: The degree of adiposity was different between Arabs and South Asians in Kuwait. Abdominal obesity had a different impact on cardiovascular risk factors in these two ethnic groups in Kuwait.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD) and the significance of some risk factors, such as obesity and glucose metabolism impairment, for two major ethnic groups of Kuwait: Arabs and South Asians. Subjects and Methods: 143 adults (Arab: n = 81; South Asian: n = 62) were enrolled in the study. Anthropometric measurements including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and waist-to-hip ratio were performed along with abdominal ultrasonography. The prevalence of liver steatosis was assessed; its relation to glucose metabolism impairment, obesity, age and gender was compared in the two ethnic groups. Results: Except for waist-to-hip ratio, the anthropometric parameters were higher in Arabs than South Asians. The respective parameters in Arabs and South Asians were: BMI: 30.9 ± 6.6 versus 27.0 ± 4.5, p < 0.001; WC: 101.5 ± 16.4 versus 94.0 ± 12.2, p = 0.002; HC: 106.6 ± 12.4 versus 99.2 ± 9.9, p < 0.001. Although Arabs were more obese, they did not exhibit a higher prevalence of steatosis (33.3 vs. 29.0%, p = 0.583). According to multivariate analysis, only gender (odds ratio 3.93, p = 0.005), glucose metabolism impairment (odds ratio 4.94, p = 0.003) and WC (odds ratio 4.75, p = 0.012) remained significantly associated with steatosis. Conclusion: No significant difference in NAFLD prevalence was found between Arabs and South Asians. Only gender, history of impaired glucose metabolism and abdominal obesity expressed by WC had an independent predictive value for developing liver steatosis.

Microparticles (MPs) are phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous population of microvesicles. Although MP formation represents a physiological phenomenon. A multitude of pathologies, including inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, atherosclerosis, and malignancies, are associated with a considerable increase in circulating MPs. Elevated levels of platelet-, endothelial cell-, and monocyte-derived MPs have been documented in a number of clinical conditions in which vascular dysfunction and inflammation are important pathophysiological mechanisms (e.g., coronary artery disease or thrombotic microangiopathies). Knowledge of the functional properties of MPs will contribute to a better understanding of the pathological mechanisms of communication between cells and of the causes of various diseases.

Fifty-three cases of staphylococcal endocarditis from a national endocarditis survey were analyzed for risk factors and outcome. Thirty of 53 patients had predisposing heart disease (39.6% rheumatic fever) but only 3 were on dialysis, only 2 had central venous catheter, only 2 intravenous drug abuse but 7 had prior cardiosurgery. Mortality was 39.6%. In analyzing risk factors for death, attributable mortality was significantly associated with skin infections (P < 0.05), embolization (P < 0.02), inappropriate therapy (P < 0.005) either because of too short therapy (P < 0.003) or wrong antibiotic combination (P < 0.01). Surgical therapy was associated with better outcome (4.8% deaths vs. 31.2% survivors, P < 0.04).

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