Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the Sultanate of Oman

Abstract

The Sultanate of Oman is one of the Arabian Gulf countries with a total population of 4,414,051 as of mid 2016, of which 2,427,825 are Omanis. The gross national income per capita was 7327.7 RO (Omani rial; equivalent to US$19,033) in 2014. There are two hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) centers in Oman: the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH; allogeneic and autologous) and the Royal Hospital (RH; autologous). HSCT activity in Oman started in 1995 at the SQUH center, which had only one bed, and four cases were performed in that year. The number of allogeneic HSCTs at the SQUH ranged between four and 29 cases per year, of which malignancy was the main indication for transplantation (47%). Most of the transplants were performed from identical sibling donor. T-deplete haploidentical and recently T-replete haploidentical HSCT were also performed at the SQUH center. In the allogeneic HSCT cohort transplanted at the SQUH, the risk of acute graft-versus-host disease (Grades II-IV) was 18%, whereas the risk of extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease was 8%. The HSCT unit at the RH, which started in 2014, performs autologous HSCT procedures only. The number of autologous HSCT cases at the RH ranged between three and 16 cases per year. Limited bed availability is a frequent obstacle to HSCT in Oman. Construction of a much larger national HSCT center is about to be completed, which will likely improve access to transplant services in Oman.

Impact of Home-to-Centre Distance on Bone Marrow Transplantation Outcomes

“…No significant relationship was found between the area of residence and OS as assessed by the Cox regression analysis. Additionally, Omani patients receiving HSCT are generally younger than those reported in studies from Europe and North America 8. Therefore, the association between DTC and OS may not be as strong in younger patients when compared to older patients.…”

“…Furthermore, data suggests that an increase in DTC is not associated with the development of aGvHD ( P = 0.918). Al-Khabori et al .’s study showed that the incidence of aGvHD in patients transplanted at SQUH was 32% while the incidence of chronic GvHD was 16% 8. Similar reasons as for the OS outcome could also be applicable for the aGvHD outcome.…”

“…Therefore, the association between DTC and OS may not be as strong in younger patients when compared to older patients. Finally, many of the patients who received HSCT in the present study were transplanted for benign conditions that generally have a better prognosis than patients transplanted for malignant conditions 8…”

Inhaled Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids in the Management of Bronchiolitis Obliterans due to Allogenic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

“… 2 In Oman, nearly half of the cases that require transplantation are inherited. 3 Following the worldwide trend, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is being increasingly preferred in Oman and its neighboring countries, due to a greater likelihood of cure.…”

Hematopoietic cell transplants in Jordan: different indications from the US and EU

“…About 2/3rd are allotransplants and 1/3rd is autotransplants. The combined rate of 2-2.5/10 × 10E + 5 population is like other Arab countries in the Middle East but about fivefold lower than the EU and US [4][5][6][7][8][9]. Adjusting for the high proportion of allotransplants to autotransplants the respective rates are about three to tenfold lower than the US and EU.…”