METHODS: A total of 600 infertile male patients from a single center in Kuwait city were asked to fulfill an internet-based survey. The survey encompassed data about the cost of different investigations and treatments of male infertility. Patients were also asked about the preference of covering their condition either through government or by private insurance.
RESULTS: A total of 145 patients responded to the survey. Most of the patients earned 3295 United States Dollar (USD) to 6590 USD per month. The cost of the outpatient visit ranged from 131.7 to 263.4 USD. The cost of each hormonal test was 164.5 USD while the average cost of each imaging study was 131.8-164.7 USD. Most of the patients (62.8%) received medical therapy with an expense of >988.74 USD. Varicocelectomy cost ranged from 3295 to 6590 USD while the cost of testicular sperm extraction ranged from 1644 to 3294 USD. Most patients (96.3%) did not have health insurance coverage of infertility. On average, patients spent around 18% of their annual income on infertility care, excluding major surgeries.
CONCLUSION: Male infertility is a worrisome medical condition that causes a huge burden on the Kuwait community. Effective management necessitates insurance coverage and public health support owing to the huge financial burden on the patients and their partners. Thus, policymakers should re-evaluate their protocols of spending on male infertility care.
METHODS: From March 2000 to December 2013, 1777 patients underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer. None received neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy. One hundred and forty-six patients experienced BCR (range 3 months-10 years). Using D'Amico classification, 146 matched controls without BCR were compared. Liu cut-point analysis was used to identify TVP with optimal sensitivity and specificity. Single and composite BCR risk predictors were analyzed using Cox hazards regression in cases and controls.
RESULTS: Median TVP was 10% (range 1-90%). Most of BCR peaked after 3 years of follow-up. TVP ≥8% was an independent predictor of BCR with HR 1.6 (p= 0.001, 95% CI= 1.11-2.48). TVP of 8% was associated with the highest accuracy: sensitivity 74% and specificity 53% (ROC curve= 0.7). At TVP ≥8%, pathological stage pT3 was associated with 1.7-fold higher risk of BCR compared to T2. Lymph node invasion was associated with 1.4-fold higher risk of BCR compared to no invasion. Combining TVP ≥8%, pT3 and lymph node invasion, HR jumped to 3.73 (p< 0.001, 95% CI= 2.27-6.14), whereas combining TVP ≥8%, positive surgical margin and lymph node invasion, HR was 2.68 (p= 001, 95% CI= 1.50-4.77).
CONCLUSION: TVP can be used as an independent predictor of BCR after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. TVP cut-point of ≥8% allows the best discrimination. TVP should be considered in combination with other clinico-pathological factors to improve prediction of long-term oncological outcomes and to stratify BCR risk.
METHODS: We analyzed data from patients with AMICS presenting to multiple centers across the Gulf region between January 2020 and December 2022. Patients were grouped according to SCAI-Cardiogenic Shock Working Group classification: group 1 (SCAI shock stages B/C) and group 2 (SCAI shock stages D/E). Primary end points were survival at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Both univariate and multivariate statistical methods were employed in the analysis.
RESULTS: A total of 1513 patients from the Gulf Cardiogenic Shock registry, were included with 31.1% in group 1 and 68.9% in group 2. The median follow-up was 6 months. Survival rates in group 1 were 87%, 72%, 56%, and 48% at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively, whereas group 2 exhibited survival rates of 66%, 29%, 14%, and 4%, respectively, over the same periods. Survival progressively declined with advancing SCAI shock stages, with stage B having the highest survival rates and stage E the lowest (P < .001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified higher SCAI stages as strong predictors of increased mortality, with patients in group 2 having a more than 3-fold higher risk of mortality compared to those in group 1 (hazard ratio, 3.13; 95% CI, 2.40-4.07; P < .001). Additionally, lower left ventricular ejection fraction, advanced age, and the presence of tachyarrhythmias were associated with increased mortality risk.
CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to validate SCAI-Cardiogenic Shock Working Group stages in a large cohort of patients with AMICS. The SCAI shock staging classification was significantly associated with higher short- and long-term mortality in this cohort, with patients in more advanced stages (D/E) experiencing markedly worse survival outcomes. These findings underscore the utility of SCAI staging in stratifying long-term risk among AMICS patients in the Gulf region. Identification of cardiogenic shock patients at SCAI stages D and E with early hemodynamic monitoring and treating them aggressively with newer mechanical circulatory support in the early stages may improve patient survival.
METHODS: Data from the Gulf Cardiogenic Shock (Gulf-CS) registry-a multicenter registry of CS-AMI patients from six Gulf countries-were analyzed to compare in-hospital and long-term outcomes for patients with and without RVD. RVD was defined by echocardiographic criteria: TAPSE <17 mm, S' wave <12 cm/s, and TAPSE/PASP ratio < 0.34. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression models were used to identify in-hospital and follow-up mortality predictors.
RESULTS: Among 1,513 CS-AMI patients, RVD was independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality (55.87% vs. 42.89%, p < 0.001) and lower survival at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months (58%, 35%, 18%, and 6% vs. 73%, 53%, 38%, and 30%; p < 0.001). Predictors of in-hospital mortality included advanced SCAI shock stage, cardiac arrest, age, NSTEMI, number of vessels affected, and elevated creatinine, while follow-up mortality was associated with advanced SCAI stage, reduced LVEF, elevated BUN, history of CABG and comorbidities including COPD and prior CVA.
CONCLUSION: RVD is a significant independent predictor of both in-hospital and long-term mortality in CS-AMI, highlighting the need for early RVD assessment and specific interventions. This study's findings support the integration of RV-focused management strategies to improve survival outcomes in this high-risk population.
METHODS: The Gulf-CS registry included 1,513 patients with AMI-CS diagnosed between January 2020 and December 2022.
RESULTS: The incidence of AMI-CS was 4.1% (1513/37379). The median age was 60 years. The most common presentation was ST-elevation MI (73.83%). In-hospital mortality was 45.5%. Majority of patients were in SCAI stage D and E (68.94%). Factors associated with hospital mortality were previous coronary artery bypass graft (OR:2.49; 95%CI: 1.321-4.693), cerebrovascular accident (OR:1.621, 95%CI: 1.032-2.547), chronic kidney disease (OR:1.572; 95%CI1.158-2.136), non-ST-elevation MI (OR:1.744; 95%CI: 1.058-2.873), cardiac arrest (OR:5.702; 95%CI: 3.640-8.933), SCAI stage D and E (OR:19.146; 95CI%: 9.902-37.017), prolonged QRS (OR:10.012; 95%CI: 1.006-1.019), right ventricular dysfunction (OR:1.679; 95%CI: 1.267-2.226) and ventricular septal rupture (OR:6.008; 95%CI: 2.256-15.998). Forty percent had invasive hemodynamic monitoring, 90.02% underwent revascularization, and 45.80% received mechanical circulatory support (41.31% had Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump and 14.21% had Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation/Impella devices). Survival at 12 months was 51.49% (95% CI: 46.44- 56.29%).
CONCLUSIONS: The study highlighted the significant burden of AMI-CS in this region, with high in-hospital mortality. The study identified several key risk factors associated with increased hospital mortality. Despite the utilization of invasive hemodynamic monitoring, revascularization, and mechanical circulatory support in a substantial proportion of patients, the 12-month survival rate remained relatively low.