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.

SUMMARYBackground: Beta-thalassaemia is a congenital disorder caused by point mutations in a haemoglobin beta-globin chain. The heterozygous form produces microcytosis and normal iron levels, however, haemoglobin electrophoresis shows elevated amounts of haemoglobin A 2 and eventually foetal haemoglobin F as well.Methods: Between 2005-2011, in three centres in Slovakia, carriers of beta-thalassaemic genes or other haemoglobinopathies were searched for. Diagnosis was performed by haematologists whereby the family history was evaluated, together with the overall clinical condition, blood count and blood smear, iron parameters, haemolysis and haemoglobin electrophoresis testing. A proportion of patients was examined by molecular genetic methods.Results: A clinical suspicion of the heterozygous form of beta-thalassaemia was documented in 402 patients (21.9%) out of a total of 1,834 examinations. From these patients, 87 underwent molecular genetic testing and mutations of beta globin genes were identified in 70 of them, where the most frequent mutations were IVS 2.1 (28.5%), IVS 1.110 (25.6%) and IVS 1.1 (11.3%). Evidence of haemoglobin S (sickle cell anaemia) was also notable in one case (patient of African origin). Unusually high levels of haemoglobin F (6-21%) were found in 23 adult subjects.Conclusion: The study showed that there is a higher number of heterozygotes for beta-thalassaemia and rarely haemoglobinopathies. It is necessary to continue in search of pathological gene carriers in Slovakia.