Laith Al-Ameri | University of Baghdad (original) (raw)

Papers by Laith Al-Ameri

Research paper thumbnail of Surrogates Markers of Insulin Resistance

مجله كليه طب الكندي, May 5, 2022

Insulin resistance (IR) is a fundamental feature of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease... more Insulin resistance (IR) is a fundamental feature of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases and contributes to many of the metabolic syndrome's abnormalities. It is defined as a subnormal reaction to normal insulin concentrations or a situation where greater than normal insulin concentrations are necessary for a normal response. Turner RC et al. discovered that insulin resistance was linked to diabetes mellitus as early as 1979. They discovered that the severity of hyperglycemia in diabetes corresponded to the severity of insulin resistance (1). Identifying patients with IR is critical for developing therapies and prevention measures for Insulin resistance-related chronic disorders, including obesity and type 2 diabetes, which are extremely common. Early detection of IR is critical for predicting the onset of cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, and metabolic illnesses (2). Insulin resistance can be evaluated in a variety of ways. The standard gold test is the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (HIEC). Still, it is difficult and time-consuming and necessitates insulin infusion and periodic blood samples, limiting its clinical screening uses. The homeostasis model for IR (HOMA-IR) was developed in 1985 and is widely used to estimate IR. It uses fasting blood glucose levels and insulin concentration as variables. The lack of a standard test for measuring fasting insulin levels makes it difficult to compare absolute results of plasma insulin concentrations between laboratories (3). The development of novel surrogate indicators of insulin resistance that are more relevant for clinical screening and large population-based studies is urgently needed. As a result, a variety of surrogate indices have been used to make the determination of insulin resistance easier and more accurate. Triglyceride and glucose index (TyG index), Lipid accumulation product (LAP), Visceral adiposity Index (VAI), among others, are examples of novel surrogate markers of insulin resistance (4-7). The TyG index has been linked to diabetes, hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular events. It is a non-insulin-based marker derived mathematically from a single determination of fasting blood glucose and triglycerides. Glucotoxicity and lipotoxicity have been shown to be important contributors in IR modulation. Because of its connection to lipotoxicity and glucotoxicity, the triglycerideglucose (TyG) index has been proposed as an alternative measure of IR. TyG index showed a good correlation with the standard gold method of IR determination. Both

Research paper thumbnail of Sleep quality in COVID-19 recovered patients

Research paper thumbnail of Peripheral Nerve Neurotrauma

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of Smoking, Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity associations with Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis in Elderly

International Journal of Medical Research and Health Sciences, 2018

Background: Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common condition affecting mainly old ... more Background: Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common condition affecting mainly old age group with high incidence and prevalence, and is associated with many factors. Aim: Our study aimed to evaluate smoking, diabetes mellitus and obesity associations with degenerative LSS. Patients and methods: A comparative crosssectional study with participants 60 years of age or older. Participants suffered from degenerative LSS were enrolled as the diseased group after diagnosis with MRI, healthy persons (age and gender matched) were considered as control group. Smoking, diabetes mellitus and obesity variables were collected and analyzed using chi-square and odds ratio. Results: Around 162 participants enrolled the study, 62 were considered as degenerative LSS group, whereas 100 were considered as the control group. In LSS group, a picture obtained was of 20:42 smokers to non-smoker, 22:20 diabetic to non-diabetic, 37:25 obese to non-obese. While in the controlled group a picture w...

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence of Pineal Gland and Choroid Plexus Calcification Among Iraqi Patients Attending CT Scan Units

International Journal of Morphology, 2021

Pineal gland calcification is the most common physiological intracranial calcification followed b... more Pineal gland calcification is the most common physiological intracranial calcification followed by the choroid plexus calcification. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of the pineal gland and choroid plexus calcifi cation among the Iraqi population attending computed tomography scan units in Baghdad, estimate the mean diameters of the pineal gland calcification, and to detect any correlation between these calcifications with age and sex. This multi-centric cross-sectional tudy examined 485 CT scans of Iraqi patients between the ages of 1 and 100 years attending CT scan units in the period 1 December 2018 to 1 A pril 2019. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The prevalence of pineal gland calcification was found to be 68 % with the 30-39 age group and male sex predominance. It was found to increase after the first decade of life without real consistency. The mean for pineal gland calcification anterior-posterior diameter was 4.55 ±2.13 and the me...

Research paper thumbnail of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness among Obese People at Obesity Unit, Al-Kindy Medical College, 2018

Background: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is characterized by persistent sleepiness and ofte... more Background: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is characterized by persistent sleepiness and often a general lack of energy during the day after apparently adequate or even prolonged nighttime sleep. EDS affects 12% of the normal population and reduces individual’s performance capability and the accuracy of their short-term memory, additionally, it causes learning problems and hazardous events, such as car accidents. Aim of the study: The aim of our study was to find the relationship between EDS and obesity, differences between gender with EDS, and differences between age groups and EDS. Sample and methods: The study was done at the obesity unit, Al-Kindy Medical College. Total 200 people were interviewed, 100 with body mass index equal and more than 30 were considered as an obese group, and the others with body mass index less than 25 was considered as the control group, that are similar to an obese group in the age and gender. We were based on Body mass index (BMI) for assessment ...

Research paper thumbnail of Neural Tube Defects in Iraq

List of figures ix List of tables xi Acknowledgements xiii General introduction XV Part 1 Global ... more List of figures ix List of tables xi Acknowledgements xiii General introduction XV Part 1 Global exchange rate regimes 1 1 The gold standard regime 3 2 The International Monetary Fund system 12 3 The float 4 The European Monetary System 5 The increased financial interdependence in the world economy Part II Open economy models-comparative statics analysis 51 6 The Mundell-Fleming model 7 The Mundell-Fleming model-its strengths and limitations 8 The Mundell-Fleming model with wage and price adjustment 9 Disequilibrium models of product and labour markets 106 6.1 Equilibrium in the goods, money and foreign exchange markets 6.2 Monetary policy with zero capital mobility 6.3 Monetary policy with some capital mobility 6.4 Monetary policy with perfect capital mobility 6.5 Fiscal policy with zero capital mobility 6.6 Fiscal policy and capital mobility 6.7 Fiscal policy with high capital mobility 6.8 Fiscal policy with perfect capital mobility 7.1 The Β schedule with output in the capital flow equation 8.1 The extended Mundell-Fleming model 8.2 Adjustment in regime 1 8.3 Effects of (a) monetary policies and (b) fiscal policies in regime 1 8.4 Fiscal expansion with zero capital mobility in regime 2 8.5 Fiscal expansion with perfect capital mobility in regime 2 8.6 Monetary expansion-flexible rates 8.7 Fiscal expansion-flexible rates: (a) zero capital mobility; (b) perfect capital mobility 8.8 Effects of a nominal devaluation: (a) regime 1; (b) regime 2 8.9 Unemployment in the extended Mundell-Fleming model 9.1 Classical unemployment 9.2 Keynesian unemployment 9.3 Mixed classical and Keynesian unemployment 9.4 Repressed inflation 111 9.5 The monopolist's output-pricing strategy 113 9.6 Keynesian, classical and the natural rate of unemployment 117 χ Figures 11.1 Monetary expansion in a Mundell-Fleming model with wealth 137 11.2 Fiscal expansion in a Mundell-Fleming model with wealth 13.1 Two-country model, regime 1: monetary expansion in A 154 13.2 Two-country model, regime 1: fiscal expansion in A 155 13.3 Regime 2: monetary expansion in A 159 13.4 Regime 2: fiscal expansion in A with perfect capital mobility 160 13.5 Regime 3: monetary expansion in A with zero capital mobility 167 13.6 Regime 3: monetary expansion in A with perfect capital mobility 168 13.7 Regime 3: fiscal expansion in A with perfect capital mobility 169 18.1 Paths of adjustment of prices, exchange rates and interest rates following an expansion in the money supply 19.1 Equilibrium in the bond, money and foreign asset markets 19.2 The effect of an open market purchase 19.3 The effect of a current account surplus 19.4 Branson: convergence to equilibrium following an open market purchase 20.1 Equilibrium in the goods and financial markets 20.2 The effects of a fiscal expansion 21.1 Monetary expansion under flexible rates with a J curve 21.2 Fiscal expansion with a J curve 24.1 Monetary expansion at home: (a) case 1; (b) case 2; (c) case 3; (d) case 4 24.2 Fiscal expansion at home: (a) case 1; (b) case 2; (c) case 3; (d) case 4 25.1 Inflation-unemployment: (a) 1960-7; (b) 1968-73; (c) 1974-81; (d) 1982-91 26.1 World savings and investment 26.2 Effects of a fiscal deficit in the first country 28.1 Calculating the natural rate of unemployment 33.1 The impact of shifts in S/ Υ on I/ Υ 36.1 Krugman's target zone model 38.1 Assignment for internal and external balance: (a) case 1; (b) case 2 38.2 Fiscal policy coordination to achieve interest rate and current account objectives 38.3 Conventional assignment of exchange rate and fiscal policy to external-internal balance 41.1 Targeting prices, nominal income and money Tables 2.1 International reserves, 1950-72 4.1 European countries: convergence indicators for 1991 and 1992 41 6.1 Solutions for three regimes (Mundell-Fleming model) 7.1 Flexible rates: effect of a monetary expansion of 10 per cent 7.2 Flexible rates: effect of a fiscal expansion 74 7.3 MultiMod simulations: fiscal expansion for France and Italy under narrow exchange rate bands 75 8.1 Regime 1 8.2 Regime 2 95 8.3 Regime 8.4 Effect of an exogenous devaluation 10.1 Effect of an exogenous change 12.1 IMF world trade model: price elasticities of demand for imports and exports of manufactures 13.1 Two-country model, regime 1 13.2 Two-country model, regime 2: zero capital mobility, symmetrical adjustment 13.3 Two-country model, regime 2: perfect capital mobility, symmetrical adjustment 13.4 Two-country model, regime 2: zero capital mobility, asymmetrical adjustment 13.5 Two-country model, regime 2: perfect capital mobility, asymmetrical adjustment 13.6 Two-country model, regime 3: flexible exchange rates 13.7 Hypothetical global and country effects of monetary and fiscal policies originating in A xii Tables 13.8 Impact of US macro policy on Australian output 14.1 Monetary and fiscal expansion in A and Β 15.1 Transmission of monetary and fiscal policies in a two-country world 15.2 US and Japanese fiscal shocks 15.3 Monetary expansion 17.1 The effects of monetary fiscal policies in a two-sector model 20.1 US evolution of key domestic variables, 1981-8 21.1 Short-run solutions for yr, r d , e and p for a monetary expansion with a J curve 24.1 Monetary and fiscal policies at home 28.1 Natural rate of unemployment 31.1 Inflation and exchange rates vis-à-vis the USA, 1973-89 35.1 Inflation and unemployment in sixteen industrial countries, 1960-91 39.1 Direction of change in key target variables 445 42.1 Real cycles, industrial countries, 1972-91 42.2 Key impulses driving the real economy (industrial countries) 42.3 Key economic indicators-OECD industrial countries (1967-91) 43.1 Monetary targeting-select countries 44.1 Real wage flexibility and unemployment outcomes 44.2 Public expenditure on labour market programmes as a percentage of gross domestic product, 1987-9 45.1 Deutschmark-US dollar and yen-US dollar rates 46.1 Inflation, output growth and unemployment 46.2 Productivity in the business sector 46.3

Research paper thumbnail of Serum Biomarkers are Promising Tools to Predict Traumatic Brain Injury Outcome

AL-Kindy College Medical Journal, 2021

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is still considered a worldwide leading cause of mortality and morbi... more Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is still considered a worldwide leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Within the last decades, different modalities were used to assess severity and outcome including Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), imaging modalities, and even genetic polymorphism, however, determining the prognosis of TBI victims is still challenging requiring the emerging of more accurate and more applicable tools to surrogate other old modalities

Research paper thumbnail of The Cut-off Values of Triglycerides - Glucose Index for Metabolic Syndrome Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Baghdad Science Journal, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Brain Endoscopy, a big neurosurgical revolution

AL-Kindy College Medical Journal, 2018

Endoscopy is a rapidly growing field of Neurosurgery, it is defined as the applying of endoscope ... more Endoscopy is a rapidly growing field of Neurosurgery, it is defined as the applying of endoscope to treat different conditions of brain pathology within cerebral ventricular system and beyond it, endoscopic procedures performed by using different equipment and recording system to make a better visualization enhancing the surgeon's view by increasing illumination and magnification to look around corner and to capture image on video or digital format for later studies.

Research paper thumbnail of Sleep Disorders Following Mild and Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

Brain Sciences, 2019

(1) Background: Sleeping disorders are frequently reported following traumatic brain injury (TBI)... more (1) Background: Sleeping disorders are frequently reported following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Different forms of sleeping disorders have been reported, such as sleepiness, insomnia, changes in sleeping latency, and others. (2) Methods: A case-control study with 62 patients who were victims of mild or moderate TBI with previous admissions to Iraqi tertiary neurosurgical centers were enrolled as the first group, and 158 patients with no history of trauma were considered as the control. All were 18 years of age or older, and the severity of the trauma and sleep disorders was assessed. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index was used to assess sleep disorders with average need for sleep per day and average sleep latency were assessed in both groups. Chi-square and t-test calculations were used to compare different variables. (3) Results: 39 patients (24.7%) of the controlled group experienced sleeping disorders compared to TBI group with 45 patients (72.6%), P-value < 0.00001. A total of 42 patients were diagnosed on admission as having a mild degree of TBI (mean GCS 13.22 ± 1.76) and 20 patients were diagnosed with moderate TBI (mean GCS11.05 ± 1.14. 27). A total of 27 (46.28%) patients with mild severity TBI and 18 patients (90%) of moderate severity were considered to experience sleeping disorders, P-value 0.0339. Each of the mild and moderate TBI subgroups show a P-value < 0.00001 compared to the control group. Average sleep hours needed per day for TBI and the control were 8.02 ± 1.04 h and 7.26 ± 0.58 h, respectively, P-value < 0.00001. Average sleep latency for the TBI and the control groups were 13.32 ± 3.16 min and 13.93 ± 3.07 min respectively, P-value 0.065. (4) Conclusion: Sleep disturbances are more common following mild and moderate TBI three months after the injury with more hours needed for sleep per day and no significant difference in sleep latency. Sleep disturbances increase in frequency with the increase in the severity of TBI.

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of obesity, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle associations with low back pain in young adults

AL-Kindy College Medical Journal, 2019

Background: low back pain is one of the most common public health problems and of the most common... more Background: low back pain is one of the most common public health problems and of the most common musculoskeletal complaint. Many risk factors have been considered for developing low back pain include smoking, obesity and sedentary lifestyle. Aim of study: To evaluate smoking, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle associations with low back pain in young adults aged (18 – 39 years). Methods: a comparative cross sectional study for young adults aged 18 – 39 years, participants with low back pain as a symptom constitutes the first group, others free of this symptom considered as the control group. Age and gender matched in both groups. Smoking, obesity and sedentary life style variables collected and analyzed statistically using odd ratio and chi-square Results: One hundred patients were enrolled in the study after 12 patients being removed due to our exclusion criteria. 45 patients were with low back pain, 2:1 male to female ratio, For LBP group; data show 30:15 obese to none obese ratio,...

Research paper thumbnail of Efficacy of Chlorzoxazone versus Orphenadrine in the management of pain associated with cervical spondylosis

Rawal Medical Journal, 2018

Objective: To assess and compare the efficacy of two muscle relaxants, chlorzoxazone and orphenad... more Objective: To assess and compare the efficacy of two muscle relaxants, chlorzoxazone and orphenadrine, in the management of pain associated with cervical spondylosis. Methodology: A prospective randomized clinical trial was carried out on 60 adults diagnosed with cervical spondylosis. Patients were randomly divided into two groups with 30 patients in each. The first group received chlorzoxazone 250 mg twice daily, while the second group received orphenadrine 35 mg twice daily for two weeks. Both groups received similar additional management. Pain severity was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at day zero, 7 and 14. Data were analyzed using T-test, repeated measure ANOVA and pairwise comparisons. Results: Pain score was significantly lower for both chlorzoxazone and orphenadrine group with p-value of 0.001 and 0.002, respectively. The chlorzoxazone group showed significantly lower pain score than the orphenadrine group at day 7 and 14 with p-value of 0.034 and 0.014, respective...

Research paper thumbnail of Miscellaneous Issues Related to Neurotrauma

Research paper thumbnail of Serum Biomarkers are Promising Tools to Predict Traumatic Brain Injury Outcome

ِAl-Kindy College Medical Journal, 2021

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is still considered a worldwide leading cause of mortality and morbi... more Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is still considered a worldwide leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Within the last decades, different modalities were used to assess severity and outcome including Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), imaging modalities, and even genetic polymorphism, however, determining the prognosis of TBI victims is still challenging requiring the emerging of more accurate and more applicable tools to surrogate other old modalities

Research paper thumbnail of Speculations of Immunotherapy in COVID-19 Patients with Practical Applications During Childhood and Pregnancy

AL-Kindy College Medical Journal

The rapid spread of novel coronavirus disease(COVID19) throughout the world without availablespec... more The rapid spread of novel coronavirus disease(COVID19) throughout the world without availablespecific treatment or vaccine necessitates alternativeoptions to contain the disease. Historically, childrenand pregnant women were considered high-riskpopulation of infectious diseases but rarely have beenspotlighted nowadays in the regular COVID-19updates, may be due to low global rates of incidence,morbidity, and mortality. However, complications didoccur in these subjects affected by COVID-19. Weaimed to explore the latest updates ofimmunotherapeutic perspectives of COVID-19patients in general population and some added detailsregarding pediatric and obstetrical practice.Immune system boosting strategy is one of therecently emerging issues allowing the body defensemechanism to produce virus-neutralizing antibodies tocounteract the viral impacts on multiple organdamage. Measles vaccination (which is universallyused for children in many countries, butcontraindicated during pregnancy) could ...

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence of pineal gland and choroid plexus calcification among Iraqi patients attending CT scan units

International Journal of Morphology, 2021

SUMMARY: Pineal gland calcification is the most common physiological intracranial calcification f... more SUMMARY: Pineal gland calcification is the most common physiological intracranial calcification followed by the choroid
plexus calcification. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of the pineal gland and choroid plexus calcification
among the Iraqi population attending computed tomography scan units in Baghdad, estimate the mean diameters of the pineal gland
calcification, and to detect any correlation between these calcifications with age and sex. This multi-centric cross-sectional study examined
485 CT scans of Iraqi patients between the ages of 1 and 100 years attending CT scan units in the period 1 December 2018 to 1 April
2019. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The prevalence of pineal gland calcification was found to be 68 % with the 30-39
age group and male sex predominance. It was found to increase after the first decade of life without real consistency. The mean for pineal
gland calcification anterior-posterior diameter was 4.55±2.13 and the mean of the right-left diameter was 3.95±1.54. These diameters
were found to differ according to sex and age. Choroid plexus calcification was found to have a prevalence of 53.6 %. In most cases,
choroid plexus calcification was found bilaterally (77.3 %). There was no difference in sex, but choroid plexus. In conclusion, calcification
was noticed to increase gradually according to age. Both pineal gland and choroid plexus calcification have a relatively high prevalence.
While pineal gland calcification formation was demonstrated to have a close relation to age and sex, choroid plexus calcification formation
was noticed to relate only to age.

Research paper thumbnail of Sleep Disorders Following Mild and Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

Brain Sciences, 2019

(1) Background: Sleeping disorders are frequently reported following traumatic brain injury (TBI)... more (1) Background: Sleeping disorders are frequently reported following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Different forms of sleeping disorders have been reported, such as sleepiness, insomnia, changes in sleeping latency, and others. (2) Methods: A case-control study with 62 patients who were victims of mild or moderate TBI with previous admissions to Iraqi tertiary neurosurgical centers were enrolled as the first group, and 158 patients with no history of trauma were considered as the control. All were 18 years of age or older, and the severity of the trauma and sleep disorders was assessed. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index was used to assess sleep disorders with average need for sleep per day and average sleep latency were assessed in both groups. Chi-square and t-test calculations were used to compare different variables. (3) Results: 39 patients (24.7%) of the controlled group experienced sleeping disorders compared to TBI group with 45 patients (72.6%), P-value < 0.00001. A total of 42 patients were diagnosed on admission as having a mild degree of TBI (mean GCS 13.22 ± 1.76) and 20 patients were diagnosed with moderate TBI (mean GCS11.05 ± 1.14. 27). A total of 27 (46.28%) patients with mild severity TBI and 18 patients (90%) of moderate severity were considered to experience sleeping disorders, P-value 0.0339. Each of the mild and moderate TBI subgroups show a P-value < 0.00001 compared to the control group. Average sleep hours needed per day for TBI and the control were 8.02 ± 1.04 h and 7.26 ± 0.58 h, respectively, P-value < 0.00001. Average sleep latency for the TBI and the control groups were 13.32 ± 3.16 min and 13.93 ± 3.07 min respectively, P-value 0.065. (4) Conclusion: Sleep disturbances are more common following mild and moderate TBI three months after the injury with more hours needed for sleep per day and no significant difference in sleep latency. Sleep disturbances increase in frequency with the increase in the severity of TBI.

Research paper thumbnail of Efficacy of Chlorzoxazone versus Orphenadrine in the management of pain associated with cervical spondylosis

Rawal Medical Journal, 2018

Objective: To assess and compare the efficacy of two muscle relaxants, chlorzoxazone and orphenad... more Objective: To assess and compare the efficacy of two muscle relaxants, chlorzoxazone and orphenadrine, in the management of pain associated with cervical spondylosis.
Methodology: A prospective randomized clinical trial was carried out on 60 adults diagnosed with cervical spondylosis. Patients were randomly divided into two groups with 30 patients in each. The first group received chlorzoxazone 250 mg twice daily, while the second group received orphenadrine 35 mg twice daily for two weeks. Both groups received similar additional management. Pain severity was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at day zero, 7 and 14. Data were analyzed using T-test, repeated measure ANOVA and pairwise comparisons.
Results: Pain score was significantly lower for both chlorzoxazone and orphenadrine group with p-value of 0.001 and 0.002, respectively. The chlorzoxazone group showed significantly lower pain score than the orphenadrine group at day 7 and 14 with p-value of 0.034 and 0.014, respectively. All patients showed reduction in mean of pain score (p=0.001).
Conclusion: chlorzoxazone was more effective than orphenadrine in pain management for patients with cervical spondylosis at day 14. Both showed significant pain reduction.

Key words: Cervical spondylosis, muscle relaxants, chlorzoxazone, orphenadrine

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of Smoking, Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity associations with Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis in Elderly

International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences, 2018

Background: Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common condition affecting mainly old ... more Background: Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common condition affecting mainly old age group with high incidence and prevalence, and is associated with many factors. Aim: Our study aimed to evaluate smoking, diabetes mellitus and obesity associations with degenerative LSS. Patients and methods: A comparative cross-sectional study with participants 60 years of age or older. Participants suffered from degenerative LSS were enrolled as the diseased group after diagnosis with MRI, healthy persons (age and gender matched) were considered as control group. Smoking, diabetes mellitus and obesity variables were collected and analyzed using chi-square and odds ratio. Results: Around 162 participants enrolled the study, 62 were considered as degenerative LSS group, whereas 100 were considered as the control group. In LSS group, a picture obtained was of 20:42 smokers to non-smoker, 22:20 diabetic to non-diabetic, 37:25 obese to non-obese. While in the controlled group a picture was obtained with 18:82 smokers to non-smoker, 18-82 diabetic to non-diabetic, 34:66 obese to non-obese. Chi-square p-value was of 0.037, 0.012 and 0.001 for smoking, diabetes mellitus, and obesity, respectively. The odd ratio was 2.17, 2.5 and 2.87 for smoking, diabetes mellitus, and obesity, respectively. All above results were significant. Conclusion: Each of smoking, diabetes mellitus, and obesity has a great association with the development of degenerative LSS in elderly age group. Obesity shows the highest association among them.

Research paper thumbnail of Surrogates Markers of Insulin Resistance

مجله كليه طب الكندي, May 5, 2022

Insulin resistance (IR) is a fundamental feature of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease... more Insulin resistance (IR) is a fundamental feature of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases and contributes to many of the metabolic syndrome's abnormalities. It is defined as a subnormal reaction to normal insulin concentrations or a situation where greater than normal insulin concentrations are necessary for a normal response. Turner RC et al. discovered that insulin resistance was linked to diabetes mellitus as early as 1979. They discovered that the severity of hyperglycemia in diabetes corresponded to the severity of insulin resistance (1). Identifying patients with IR is critical for developing therapies and prevention measures for Insulin resistance-related chronic disorders, including obesity and type 2 diabetes, which are extremely common. Early detection of IR is critical for predicting the onset of cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, and metabolic illnesses (2). Insulin resistance can be evaluated in a variety of ways. The standard gold test is the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (HIEC). Still, it is difficult and time-consuming and necessitates insulin infusion and periodic blood samples, limiting its clinical screening uses. The homeostasis model for IR (HOMA-IR) was developed in 1985 and is widely used to estimate IR. It uses fasting blood glucose levels and insulin concentration as variables. The lack of a standard test for measuring fasting insulin levels makes it difficult to compare absolute results of plasma insulin concentrations between laboratories (3). The development of novel surrogate indicators of insulin resistance that are more relevant for clinical screening and large population-based studies is urgently needed. As a result, a variety of surrogate indices have been used to make the determination of insulin resistance easier and more accurate. Triglyceride and glucose index (TyG index), Lipid accumulation product (LAP), Visceral adiposity Index (VAI), among others, are examples of novel surrogate markers of insulin resistance (4-7). The TyG index has been linked to diabetes, hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular events. It is a non-insulin-based marker derived mathematically from a single determination of fasting blood glucose and triglycerides. Glucotoxicity and lipotoxicity have been shown to be important contributors in IR modulation. Because of its connection to lipotoxicity and glucotoxicity, the triglycerideglucose (TyG) index has been proposed as an alternative measure of IR. TyG index showed a good correlation with the standard gold method of IR determination. Both

Research paper thumbnail of Sleep quality in COVID-19 recovered patients

Research paper thumbnail of Peripheral Nerve Neurotrauma

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of Smoking, Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity associations with Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis in Elderly

International Journal of Medical Research and Health Sciences, 2018

Background: Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common condition affecting mainly old ... more Background: Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common condition affecting mainly old age group with high incidence and prevalence, and is associated with many factors. Aim: Our study aimed to evaluate smoking, diabetes mellitus and obesity associations with degenerative LSS. Patients and methods: A comparative crosssectional study with participants 60 years of age or older. Participants suffered from degenerative LSS were enrolled as the diseased group after diagnosis with MRI, healthy persons (age and gender matched) were considered as control group. Smoking, diabetes mellitus and obesity variables were collected and analyzed using chi-square and odds ratio. Results: Around 162 participants enrolled the study, 62 were considered as degenerative LSS group, whereas 100 were considered as the control group. In LSS group, a picture obtained was of 20:42 smokers to non-smoker, 22:20 diabetic to non-diabetic, 37:25 obese to non-obese. While in the controlled group a picture w...

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence of Pineal Gland and Choroid Plexus Calcification Among Iraqi Patients Attending CT Scan Units

International Journal of Morphology, 2021

Pineal gland calcification is the most common physiological intracranial calcification followed b... more Pineal gland calcification is the most common physiological intracranial calcification followed by the choroid plexus calcification. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of the pineal gland and choroid plexus calcifi cation among the Iraqi population attending computed tomography scan units in Baghdad, estimate the mean diameters of the pineal gland calcification, and to detect any correlation between these calcifications with age and sex. This multi-centric cross-sectional tudy examined 485 CT scans of Iraqi patients between the ages of 1 and 100 years attending CT scan units in the period 1 December 2018 to 1 A pril 2019. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The prevalence of pineal gland calcification was found to be 68 % with the 30-39 age group and male sex predominance. It was found to increase after the first decade of life without real consistency. The mean for pineal gland calcification anterior-posterior diameter was 4.55 ±2.13 and the me...

Research paper thumbnail of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness among Obese People at Obesity Unit, Al-Kindy Medical College, 2018

Background: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is characterized by persistent sleepiness and ofte... more Background: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is characterized by persistent sleepiness and often a general lack of energy during the day after apparently adequate or even prolonged nighttime sleep. EDS affects 12% of the normal population and reduces individual’s performance capability and the accuracy of their short-term memory, additionally, it causes learning problems and hazardous events, such as car accidents. Aim of the study: The aim of our study was to find the relationship between EDS and obesity, differences between gender with EDS, and differences between age groups and EDS. Sample and methods: The study was done at the obesity unit, Al-Kindy Medical College. Total 200 people were interviewed, 100 with body mass index equal and more than 30 were considered as an obese group, and the others with body mass index less than 25 was considered as the control group, that are similar to an obese group in the age and gender. We were based on Body mass index (BMI) for assessment ...

Research paper thumbnail of Neural Tube Defects in Iraq

List of figures ix List of tables xi Acknowledgements xiii General introduction XV Part 1 Global ... more List of figures ix List of tables xi Acknowledgements xiii General introduction XV Part 1 Global exchange rate regimes 1 1 The gold standard regime 3 2 The International Monetary Fund system 12 3 The float 4 The European Monetary System 5 The increased financial interdependence in the world economy Part II Open economy models-comparative statics analysis 51 6 The Mundell-Fleming model 7 The Mundell-Fleming model-its strengths and limitations 8 The Mundell-Fleming model with wage and price adjustment 9 Disequilibrium models of product and labour markets 106 6.1 Equilibrium in the goods, money and foreign exchange markets 6.2 Monetary policy with zero capital mobility 6.3 Monetary policy with some capital mobility 6.4 Monetary policy with perfect capital mobility 6.5 Fiscal policy with zero capital mobility 6.6 Fiscal policy and capital mobility 6.7 Fiscal policy with high capital mobility 6.8 Fiscal policy with perfect capital mobility 7.1 The Β schedule with output in the capital flow equation 8.1 The extended Mundell-Fleming model 8.2 Adjustment in regime 1 8.3 Effects of (a) monetary policies and (b) fiscal policies in regime 1 8.4 Fiscal expansion with zero capital mobility in regime 2 8.5 Fiscal expansion with perfect capital mobility in regime 2 8.6 Monetary expansion-flexible rates 8.7 Fiscal expansion-flexible rates: (a) zero capital mobility; (b) perfect capital mobility 8.8 Effects of a nominal devaluation: (a) regime 1; (b) regime 2 8.9 Unemployment in the extended Mundell-Fleming model 9.1 Classical unemployment 9.2 Keynesian unemployment 9.3 Mixed classical and Keynesian unemployment 9.4 Repressed inflation 111 9.5 The monopolist's output-pricing strategy 113 9.6 Keynesian, classical and the natural rate of unemployment 117 χ Figures 11.1 Monetary expansion in a Mundell-Fleming model with wealth 137 11.2 Fiscal expansion in a Mundell-Fleming model with wealth 13.1 Two-country model, regime 1: monetary expansion in A 154 13.2 Two-country model, regime 1: fiscal expansion in A 155 13.3 Regime 2: monetary expansion in A 159 13.4 Regime 2: fiscal expansion in A with perfect capital mobility 160 13.5 Regime 3: monetary expansion in A with zero capital mobility 167 13.6 Regime 3: monetary expansion in A with perfect capital mobility 168 13.7 Regime 3: fiscal expansion in A with perfect capital mobility 169 18.1 Paths of adjustment of prices, exchange rates and interest rates following an expansion in the money supply 19.1 Equilibrium in the bond, money and foreign asset markets 19.2 The effect of an open market purchase 19.3 The effect of a current account surplus 19.4 Branson: convergence to equilibrium following an open market purchase 20.1 Equilibrium in the goods and financial markets 20.2 The effects of a fiscal expansion 21.1 Monetary expansion under flexible rates with a J curve 21.2 Fiscal expansion with a J curve 24.1 Monetary expansion at home: (a) case 1; (b) case 2; (c) case 3; (d) case 4 24.2 Fiscal expansion at home: (a) case 1; (b) case 2; (c) case 3; (d) case 4 25.1 Inflation-unemployment: (a) 1960-7; (b) 1968-73; (c) 1974-81; (d) 1982-91 26.1 World savings and investment 26.2 Effects of a fiscal deficit in the first country 28.1 Calculating the natural rate of unemployment 33.1 The impact of shifts in S/ Υ on I/ Υ 36.1 Krugman's target zone model 38.1 Assignment for internal and external balance: (a) case 1; (b) case 2 38.2 Fiscal policy coordination to achieve interest rate and current account objectives 38.3 Conventional assignment of exchange rate and fiscal policy to external-internal balance 41.1 Targeting prices, nominal income and money Tables 2.1 International reserves, 1950-72 4.1 European countries: convergence indicators for 1991 and 1992 41 6.1 Solutions for three regimes (Mundell-Fleming model) 7.1 Flexible rates: effect of a monetary expansion of 10 per cent 7.2 Flexible rates: effect of a fiscal expansion 74 7.3 MultiMod simulations: fiscal expansion for France and Italy under narrow exchange rate bands 75 8.1 Regime 1 8.2 Regime 2 95 8.3 Regime 8.4 Effect of an exogenous devaluation 10.1 Effect of an exogenous change 12.1 IMF world trade model: price elasticities of demand for imports and exports of manufactures 13.1 Two-country model, regime 1 13.2 Two-country model, regime 2: zero capital mobility, symmetrical adjustment 13.3 Two-country model, regime 2: perfect capital mobility, symmetrical adjustment 13.4 Two-country model, regime 2: zero capital mobility, asymmetrical adjustment 13.5 Two-country model, regime 2: perfect capital mobility, asymmetrical adjustment 13.6 Two-country model, regime 3: flexible exchange rates 13.7 Hypothetical global and country effects of monetary and fiscal policies originating in A xii Tables 13.8 Impact of US macro policy on Australian output 14.1 Monetary and fiscal expansion in A and Β 15.1 Transmission of monetary and fiscal policies in a two-country world 15.2 US and Japanese fiscal shocks 15.3 Monetary expansion 17.1 The effects of monetary fiscal policies in a two-sector model 20.1 US evolution of key domestic variables, 1981-8 21.1 Short-run solutions for yr, r d , e and p for a monetary expansion with a J curve 24.1 Monetary and fiscal policies at home 28.1 Natural rate of unemployment 31.1 Inflation and exchange rates vis-à-vis the USA, 1973-89 35.1 Inflation and unemployment in sixteen industrial countries, 1960-91 39.1 Direction of change in key target variables 445 42.1 Real cycles, industrial countries, 1972-91 42.2 Key impulses driving the real economy (industrial countries) 42.3 Key economic indicators-OECD industrial countries (1967-91) 43.1 Monetary targeting-select countries 44.1 Real wage flexibility and unemployment outcomes 44.2 Public expenditure on labour market programmes as a percentage of gross domestic product, 1987-9 45.1 Deutschmark-US dollar and yen-US dollar rates 46.1 Inflation, output growth and unemployment 46.2 Productivity in the business sector 46.3

Research paper thumbnail of Serum Biomarkers are Promising Tools to Predict Traumatic Brain Injury Outcome

AL-Kindy College Medical Journal, 2021

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is still considered a worldwide leading cause of mortality and morbi... more Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is still considered a worldwide leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Within the last decades, different modalities were used to assess severity and outcome including Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), imaging modalities, and even genetic polymorphism, however, determining the prognosis of TBI victims is still challenging requiring the emerging of more accurate and more applicable tools to surrogate other old modalities

Research paper thumbnail of The Cut-off Values of Triglycerides - Glucose Index for Metabolic Syndrome Associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Baghdad Science Journal, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Brain Endoscopy, a big neurosurgical revolution

AL-Kindy College Medical Journal, 2018

Endoscopy is a rapidly growing field of Neurosurgery, it is defined as the applying of endoscope ... more Endoscopy is a rapidly growing field of Neurosurgery, it is defined as the applying of endoscope to treat different conditions of brain pathology within cerebral ventricular system and beyond it, endoscopic procedures performed by using different equipment and recording system to make a better visualization enhancing the surgeon's view by increasing illumination and magnification to look around corner and to capture image on video or digital format for later studies.

Research paper thumbnail of Sleep Disorders Following Mild and Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

Brain Sciences, 2019

(1) Background: Sleeping disorders are frequently reported following traumatic brain injury (TBI)... more (1) Background: Sleeping disorders are frequently reported following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Different forms of sleeping disorders have been reported, such as sleepiness, insomnia, changes in sleeping latency, and others. (2) Methods: A case-control study with 62 patients who were victims of mild or moderate TBI with previous admissions to Iraqi tertiary neurosurgical centers were enrolled as the first group, and 158 patients with no history of trauma were considered as the control. All were 18 years of age or older, and the severity of the trauma and sleep disorders was assessed. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index was used to assess sleep disorders with average need for sleep per day and average sleep latency were assessed in both groups. Chi-square and t-test calculations were used to compare different variables. (3) Results: 39 patients (24.7%) of the controlled group experienced sleeping disorders compared to TBI group with 45 patients (72.6%), P-value < 0.00001. A total of 42 patients were diagnosed on admission as having a mild degree of TBI (mean GCS 13.22 ± 1.76) and 20 patients were diagnosed with moderate TBI (mean GCS11.05 ± 1.14. 27). A total of 27 (46.28%) patients with mild severity TBI and 18 patients (90%) of moderate severity were considered to experience sleeping disorders, P-value 0.0339. Each of the mild and moderate TBI subgroups show a P-value < 0.00001 compared to the control group. Average sleep hours needed per day for TBI and the control were 8.02 ± 1.04 h and 7.26 ± 0.58 h, respectively, P-value < 0.00001. Average sleep latency for the TBI and the control groups were 13.32 ± 3.16 min and 13.93 ± 3.07 min respectively, P-value 0.065. (4) Conclusion: Sleep disturbances are more common following mild and moderate TBI three months after the injury with more hours needed for sleep per day and no significant difference in sleep latency. Sleep disturbances increase in frequency with the increase in the severity of TBI.

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of obesity, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle associations with low back pain in young adults

AL-Kindy College Medical Journal, 2019

Background: low back pain is one of the most common public health problems and of the most common... more Background: low back pain is one of the most common public health problems and of the most common musculoskeletal complaint. Many risk factors have been considered for developing low back pain include smoking, obesity and sedentary lifestyle. Aim of study: To evaluate smoking, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle associations with low back pain in young adults aged (18 – 39 years). Methods: a comparative cross sectional study for young adults aged 18 – 39 years, participants with low back pain as a symptom constitutes the first group, others free of this symptom considered as the control group. Age and gender matched in both groups. Smoking, obesity and sedentary life style variables collected and analyzed statistically using odd ratio and chi-square Results: One hundred patients were enrolled in the study after 12 patients being removed due to our exclusion criteria. 45 patients were with low back pain, 2:1 male to female ratio, For LBP group; data show 30:15 obese to none obese ratio,...

Research paper thumbnail of Efficacy of Chlorzoxazone versus Orphenadrine in the management of pain associated with cervical spondylosis

Rawal Medical Journal, 2018

Objective: To assess and compare the efficacy of two muscle relaxants, chlorzoxazone and orphenad... more Objective: To assess and compare the efficacy of two muscle relaxants, chlorzoxazone and orphenadrine, in the management of pain associated with cervical spondylosis. Methodology: A prospective randomized clinical trial was carried out on 60 adults diagnosed with cervical spondylosis. Patients were randomly divided into two groups with 30 patients in each. The first group received chlorzoxazone 250 mg twice daily, while the second group received orphenadrine 35 mg twice daily for two weeks. Both groups received similar additional management. Pain severity was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at day zero, 7 and 14. Data were analyzed using T-test, repeated measure ANOVA and pairwise comparisons. Results: Pain score was significantly lower for both chlorzoxazone and orphenadrine group with p-value of 0.001 and 0.002, respectively. The chlorzoxazone group showed significantly lower pain score than the orphenadrine group at day 7 and 14 with p-value of 0.034 and 0.014, respective...

Research paper thumbnail of Miscellaneous Issues Related to Neurotrauma

Research paper thumbnail of Serum Biomarkers are Promising Tools to Predict Traumatic Brain Injury Outcome

ِAl-Kindy College Medical Journal, 2021

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is still considered a worldwide leading cause of mortality and morbi... more Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is still considered a worldwide leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Within the last decades, different modalities were used to assess severity and outcome including Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), imaging modalities, and even genetic polymorphism, however, determining the prognosis of TBI victims is still challenging requiring the emerging of more accurate and more applicable tools to surrogate other old modalities

Research paper thumbnail of Speculations of Immunotherapy in COVID-19 Patients with Practical Applications During Childhood and Pregnancy

AL-Kindy College Medical Journal

The rapid spread of novel coronavirus disease(COVID19) throughout the world without availablespec... more The rapid spread of novel coronavirus disease(COVID19) throughout the world without availablespecific treatment or vaccine necessitates alternativeoptions to contain the disease. Historically, childrenand pregnant women were considered high-riskpopulation of infectious diseases but rarely have beenspotlighted nowadays in the regular COVID-19updates, may be due to low global rates of incidence,morbidity, and mortality. However, complications didoccur in these subjects affected by COVID-19. Weaimed to explore the latest updates ofimmunotherapeutic perspectives of COVID-19patients in general population and some added detailsregarding pediatric and obstetrical practice.Immune system boosting strategy is one of therecently emerging issues allowing the body defensemechanism to produce virus-neutralizing antibodies tocounteract the viral impacts on multiple organdamage. Measles vaccination (which is universallyused for children in many countries, butcontraindicated during pregnancy) could ...

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence of pineal gland and choroid plexus calcification among Iraqi patients attending CT scan units

International Journal of Morphology, 2021

SUMMARY: Pineal gland calcification is the most common physiological intracranial calcification f... more SUMMARY: Pineal gland calcification is the most common physiological intracranial calcification followed by the choroid
plexus calcification. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of the pineal gland and choroid plexus calcification
among the Iraqi population attending computed tomography scan units in Baghdad, estimate the mean diameters of the pineal gland
calcification, and to detect any correlation between these calcifications with age and sex. This multi-centric cross-sectional study examined
485 CT scans of Iraqi patients between the ages of 1 and 100 years attending CT scan units in the period 1 December 2018 to 1 April
2019. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The prevalence of pineal gland calcification was found to be 68 % with the 30-39
age group and male sex predominance. It was found to increase after the first decade of life without real consistency. The mean for pineal
gland calcification anterior-posterior diameter was 4.55±2.13 and the mean of the right-left diameter was 3.95±1.54. These diameters
were found to differ according to sex and age. Choroid plexus calcification was found to have a prevalence of 53.6 %. In most cases,
choroid plexus calcification was found bilaterally (77.3 %). There was no difference in sex, but choroid plexus. In conclusion, calcification
was noticed to increase gradually according to age. Both pineal gland and choroid plexus calcification have a relatively high prevalence.
While pineal gland calcification formation was demonstrated to have a close relation to age and sex, choroid plexus calcification formation
was noticed to relate only to age.

Research paper thumbnail of Sleep Disorders Following Mild and Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

Brain Sciences, 2019

(1) Background: Sleeping disorders are frequently reported following traumatic brain injury (TBI)... more (1) Background: Sleeping disorders are frequently reported following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Different forms of sleeping disorders have been reported, such as sleepiness, insomnia, changes in sleeping latency, and others. (2) Methods: A case-control study with 62 patients who were victims of mild or moderate TBI with previous admissions to Iraqi tertiary neurosurgical centers were enrolled as the first group, and 158 patients with no history of trauma were considered as the control. All were 18 years of age or older, and the severity of the trauma and sleep disorders was assessed. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index was used to assess sleep disorders with average need for sleep per day and average sleep latency were assessed in both groups. Chi-square and t-test calculations were used to compare different variables. (3) Results: 39 patients (24.7%) of the controlled group experienced sleeping disorders compared to TBI group with 45 patients (72.6%), P-value < 0.00001. A total of 42 patients were diagnosed on admission as having a mild degree of TBI (mean GCS 13.22 ± 1.76) and 20 patients were diagnosed with moderate TBI (mean GCS11.05 ± 1.14. 27). A total of 27 (46.28%) patients with mild severity TBI and 18 patients (90%) of moderate severity were considered to experience sleeping disorders, P-value 0.0339. Each of the mild and moderate TBI subgroups show a P-value < 0.00001 compared to the control group. Average sleep hours needed per day for TBI and the control were 8.02 ± 1.04 h and 7.26 ± 0.58 h, respectively, P-value < 0.00001. Average sleep latency for the TBI and the control groups were 13.32 ± 3.16 min and 13.93 ± 3.07 min respectively, P-value 0.065. (4) Conclusion: Sleep disturbances are more common following mild and moderate TBI three months after the injury with more hours needed for sleep per day and no significant difference in sleep latency. Sleep disturbances increase in frequency with the increase in the severity of TBI.

Research paper thumbnail of Efficacy of Chlorzoxazone versus Orphenadrine in the management of pain associated with cervical spondylosis

Rawal Medical Journal, 2018

Objective: To assess and compare the efficacy of two muscle relaxants, chlorzoxazone and orphenad... more Objective: To assess and compare the efficacy of two muscle relaxants, chlorzoxazone and orphenadrine, in the management of pain associated with cervical spondylosis.
Methodology: A prospective randomized clinical trial was carried out on 60 adults diagnosed with cervical spondylosis. Patients were randomly divided into two groups with 30 patients in each. The first group received chlorzoxazone 250 mg twice daily, while the second group received orphenadrine 35 mg twice daily for two weeks. Both groups received similar additional management. Pain severity was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at day zero, 7 and 14. Data were analyzed using T-test, repeated measure ANOVA and pairwise comparisons.
Results: Pain score was significantly lower for both chlorzoxazone and orphenadrine group with p-value of 0.001 and 0.002, respectively. The chlorzoxazone group showed significantly lower pain score than the orphenadrine group at day 7 and 14 with p-value of 0.034 and 0.014, respectively. All patients showed reduction in mean of pain score (p=0.001).
Conclusion: chlorzoxazone was more effective than orphenadrine in pain management for patients with cervical spondylosis at day 14. Both showed significant pain reduction.

Key words: Cervical spondylosis, muscle relaxants, chlorzoxazone, orphenadrine

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of Smoking, Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity associations with Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis in Elderly

International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences, 2018

Background: Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common condition affecting mainly old ... more Background: Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common condition affecting mainly old age group with high incidence and prevalence, and is associated with many factors. Aim: Our study aimed to evaluate smoking, diabetes mellitus and obesity associations with degenerative LSS. Patients and methods: A comparative cross-sectional study with participants 60 years of age or older. Participants suffered from degenerative LSS were enrolled as the diseased group after diagnosis with MRI, healthy persons (age and gender matched) were considered as control group. Smoking, diabetes mellitus and obesity variables were collected and analyzed using chi-square and odds ratio. Results: Around 162 participants enrolled the study, 62 were considered as degenerative LSS group, whereas 100 were considered as the control group. In LSS group, a picture obtained was of 20:42 smokers to non-smoker, 22:20 diabetic to non-diabetic, 37:25 obese to non-obese. While in the controlled group a picture was obtained with 18:82 smokers to non-smoker, 18-82 diabetic to non-diabetic, 34:66 obese to non-obese. Chi-square p-value was of 0.037, 0.012 and 0.001 for smoking, diabetes mellitus, and obesity, respectively. The odd ratio was 2.17, 2.5 and 2.87 for smoking, diabetes mellitus, and obesity, respectively. All above results were significant. Conclusion: Each of smoking, diabetes mellitus, and obesity has a great association with the development of degenerative LSS in elderly age group. Obesity shows the highest association among them.