Doha

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma DLBCL is the most common and aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with rapid tumor growth and symptoms varying by tumor location. The disease is classified using advanced methods like immunohistochemistry and molecular testing to guide prognosis and personalized treatment. Despite standard immunochemotherapy curing 60-70% of patients, many experience treatment failure or relapse, and options after second-line therapies remain limited. This observational study examines treatment patterns, demographic, and clinical characteristics of DLBCL patients in the Middle East and Africa. It includes two patient groups those newly diagnosed and eligible for treatment, and those with relapsed or refractory DLBCL who have failed previous therapies. The study aims to explore access to novel therapies and understand real-world treatment approaches in these regions. Participants will be observed over 22 months, during which researchers will document treatment regimens, patient risk profiles, and access to new treatments. Data collection includes patient demographics, disease characteristics, and treatment outcomes. The study does not involve experimental treatments but gathers detailed information to inform future care strategies for DLBCL patients.

Researchers are evaluating the efficacy and safety of pegtibatinase treatment compared with placebo in people aged 12 to 65 years who have classical homocystinuria HCU due to cystathionine beta synthase deficiency. This phase 3, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study includes participants who continue to have elevated total homocysteine tHcy levels despite receiving standard care. The goal is to better understand the impact of pegtibatinase on reducing tHcy levels in this population. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either pegtibatinase or a placebo administered subcutaneously twice weekly during a 24-week blinded treatment period. Before treatment, participants undergo a screening process lasting up to 10 weeks, including an initial screening and a pre-treatment diet standardization period of up to 6 weeks to stabilize protein intake and supplement use. After the treatment period, a 4-week safety follow-up is conducted for those not continuing in the long-term extension study. During the study, participants diet and compliance with HCU-related treatments are closely monitored using a specialized diet tool. Study visits, including some home visits for drug administration and possible remote visits, occur regularly. The primary measurement is the change in plasma tHcy levels from baseline during weeks 6 to 12, with secondary measurements extending to weeks 16 to 24. Safety and treatment adherence are continually assessed throughout the study duration, which can last up to 38 weeks in total.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of using portable air cleaners at home to reduce exposure to fine particulate air pollution PM2.5 and its impact on blood pressure and biochemical markers in adults with metabolic syndrome in Qatar. The study focuses on understanding whether lowering PM2.5 exposure can provide lasting improvements in systolic blood pressure and metabolic health over a period of four weeks. This research addresses the environmental factors contributing to chronic cardio-metabolic diseases like hypertension and diabetes, which significantly affect global health. Participants will be randomly assigned to use portable air cleaners at home for four weeks, with one group receiving devices equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air HEPA filters and the other group receiving similar devices without HEPA filters. The trial involves a triple-masked design to compare the effects of the active and sham air cleaners. The study monitors changes during the 4-week intervention and continues assessments up to 10 weeks. During the study, participants will have their systolic blood pressure measured at weeks 4 and 10. Additional assessments include fasting blood sugar levels and insulin resistance index at the same time points. Researchers will also evaluate adherence and safety throughout the trial. The total participation involves initial screening, 4 weeks of intervention, and follow-up assessments to track any persistent changes in cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Researchers are evaluating an online physical activity coaching program called Engage-Qatar PD designed for people with Parkinsons disease PD in Qatar. The study aims to develop and culturally adapt this program for online delivery, focusing on empowering individuals to overcome common barriers to exercise and improve their function and quality of life. This project builds on previous coaching interventions used in people with Huntingtons disease and PD, with a pilot randomized controlled trial planned to assess feasibility, acceptability, and potential benefits. Participants in the study will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group will receive an 8-week personalized self-management program including one face-to-face coaching session and seven remote online sessions, supported by an online forum and a wearable smart watch for activity monitoring. The control group will receive standard physical activity recommendations for PD and a Fitbit watch for basic activity monitoring, but will not have access to the coaching or online forum. Both groups are encouraged, but not required, to wear their activity monitors during the intervention. During the study, participants will be assessed using various physical activity and health-related tests, including objective 7-day physical activity measurement, questionnaires on activity and symptoms, motor and cognitive function tests, and quality of life assessments. Researchers will monitor progress through wearable devices and regular coaching sessions. The study will last at least 8 weeks, with data collected on physical activity levels and other health outcomes to evaluate the programs impact and potential for wider implementation.

Researchers are studying real-world treatment patterns, patient characteristics, survival outcomes, and safety of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan T-DXd in women with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer mBC that is HER2-low or HER2-ultralow. This study focuses on patients previously treated with endocrine therapy and aims to provide data from Gulf Cooperation Council countries to improve treatment strategies and clinical guidelines for mBC in the region. This observational study monitors patients who have initiated T-DXd treatment as part of routine care, including those who started the drug up to 30 days before consenting to participate. It includes women aged 18 years or older with confirmed HR-positive, HER2-low or ultralow metastatic breast cancer who have not received chemotherapy in the metastatic setting. The study collects data over 18 months on treatment patterns, safety, and progression-free survival. Participants are observed while receiving their usual medical care with T-DXd, without additional intervention by the study team. Researchers collect information on patient characteristics, treatment details, safety events, and time to next treatment. The main outcome measured is real-world progression-free survival at 18 months, along with safety profiles and treatment patterns. The study is expected to last until March 2029, supporting improved outcomes through real-world evidence.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia BPH is a common condition affecting many men as they age, often leading to lower urinary tract symptoms LUTS. Due to a growing and aging population, the number of men diagnosed with BPH continues to rise, making treatment for this condition one of the most performed surgical procedures in urology. This research aims to establish a global, ongoing registry that collects detailed demographic and clinical data on men undergoing medical or surgical treatments for BPH to better understand treatment patterns and outcomes worldwide. The registry records information from men aged 18 and older with a primary diagnosis of BPH and LUTS who are receiving either medication or surgical intervention. Data collected includes baseline demographics, peri-operative details, and follow-up outcomes with no actual interventions performed by the registry team. The study uses validated patient-reported outcome measures like the International Prostate Symptom Score IPSS, Sexual Health Inventory for Men SHIM, and Male Sexual Health Questionnaire for Ejaculatory Dysfunction MSHQ-EjD, along with clinical data such as quality of life, urine flow rates, prostate-specific antigen levels, and complications related to treatment. Participants provide data over a period of three years with ongoing follow-up and no fixed end date, allowing for long-term observation of treatment effectiveness and safety. The registry also ensures data security and quality through encryption, user access controls, and regular audits. Researchers will analyze outcomes including symptom scores, quality of life, post-void residual urine, and complications like incontinence, bleeding, urinary tract infections, and erectile dysfunction, aiming to inform future BPH management and research.

Researchers are comparing the effects of bio-ceramic sealers and resin-based sealers on the intensity and occurrence of postoperative pain following root canal treatment in adults with single-rooted teeth diagnosed with asymptomatic apical periodontitis. The study follows randomized controlled trial methods and aims to understand how these sealers influence pain and healing after endodontic procedures. Participants will receive root canal treatment using either a resin-based sealer AH plus sealer or a bio-ceramic sealer during the obturation process. Each sealer will be randomly assigned to patients treated at the Endodontic clinic of PHCC Qatar. The study observes the effects of these sealers on postoperative pain, analgesic intake, and any complications. Participants will be monitored for pain occurrence and intensity at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days after treatment using a visual analog scale VAS and a postoperative pain questionnaire. Researchers will analyze pain intensity and analgesic use to compare outcomes between groups. The total participation involves these follow-up assessments to evaluate postoperative discomfort and treatment effects.

Chronic Kidney Disease CKD is a major global health problem linked to cardiovascular issues, infections, cognitive decline, and increased death rates. In Qatar, about 13% of people have CKD, often facing challenges from taking many medications, which can reduce quality of life and cause negative health and financial effects. This research aims to create and test a multidisciplinary deprescribing program to manage medication use in CKD patients and improve their clinical and economic outcomes through a randomized controlled trial in Qatar. The study involves developing a deprescribing team and program to carefully review and adjust medications for patients with advanced CKD experiencing inappropriate polypharmacy. Patients will be randomized to either receive usual care or a structured deprescribing intervention provided by a multidisciplinary team. The intervention includes medication review by pharmacists and nephrologists, medication plan adjustments, follow-up calls by specialist nurses, and coordination with primary care providers. The study is conducted in three phases preparation, intervention, and post-intervention economic assessment. Participants will be monitored at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months for medication appropriateness, pill burden, quality of life, treatment burden, adherence, emergency visits, hospitalizations, adverse effects, and cost savings. Follow-up calls help identify withdrawal symptoms or concerns. The study evaluates the impact of deprescribing on health outcomes and healthcare costs over six months, aiming to support wider adoption of deprescribing programs in Qatars healthcare system.

This research aims to evaluate the effects of Pelvic External Myofascial Mobilisation PEMM combined with core strengthening exercises on disability, pain, and mental health in women who have both chronic low back pain CLBP and urinary incontinence UI. These conditions often occur together and can reduce quality of life by causing physical and mental difficulties. The study focuses on the role of musculoskeletal and fascial restrictions as contributing factors and explores whether PEMM can help reduce these issues. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group will receive PEMM treatment using a Theragun device along with strengthening exercises over a six-week period, with one treatment session per week. The control group will receive symptomatic pain treatment involving TENS and hot pack therapy plus strengthening exercises for the same duration and frequency. After six weeks of treatment, all participants will be given a home exercise program to continue independently. Throughout the study, participants will complete self-reported questionnaires assessing pain, disability, urinary incontinence, and quality of life at the start and after eight weeks. Assessments include the Visual Analog Scale for pain, Oswestry Disability Index, and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire. Compliance with the home exercise program will be monitored, and participants will be evaluated by a urologist before randomization. The study is single blinded with assessors unaware of group assignment and aims to enroll 130 women aged 18 to 65 years.

Researchers are studying urinary incontinence that can occur after radical prostatectomy, a common surgery for prostate cancer. This randomized controlled trial compares the effects of extracorporeal magnetic stimulation alone, pelvic floor muscle exercise alone, and the combination of both treatments on managing urinary incontinence following surgery. The study is expected to last seven years and involves male patients preparing for radical prostatectomy at Hamad General Hospitals urology department. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups. Group A will receive 20 sessions of extracorporeal magnetic stimulation using the Magneto STYM device, with each session lasting 20 minutes, three times a week starting one month after catheter removal. Group B will receive the same magnetic stimulation sessions plus pelvic floor muscle training guided by a therapist. Group C will only perform pelvic floor muscle exercises as instructed by a therapist. The pelvic floor exercises involve contracting the anal sphincter muscles repeatedly. Participants will be followed for 18 months to monitor urinary incontinence symptoms. Researchers will measure outcomes using a one-hour pad test, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form ICIQ-SF, urodynamic leak point pressure measured once six weeks after starting rehabilitation, and a quality of life score related to incontinence. The trial aims to provide strong evidence about the effectiveness of extracorporeal magnetic stimulation in managing post-surgery urinary incontinence.