Muscat – Dr Maha al Khaduri, senior obstetrics and gynaecology consultant at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, has brought international recognition to Oman by winning the Abstract Award at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) Middle East and North Africa Conference held in Dubai from November 22 to 24.

The event, attended by over 1,300 participants from across the MENA region, Europe and North America, featured 50 expert talks and 617 research presentations. Dr Maha’s award-winning study – Association of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Candidate Gene Variants with Cardiovascular Disease – focused on the association between genetic variants and cardiovascular disease in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Explaining her research, Dr Maha said, “We investigated the role of certain gene variants in metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease among women diagnosed with PCOS. Our findings show that the LEPR and YAP1 genes are strongly linked to cardiovascular disease in these cases. Hypertension was the most common condition, with women experiencing metabolic syndrome being 3.8 times more likely to develop it.”

Dr Maha highlighted the conference’s role in advancing healthcare knowledge. “It offered a platform for exchanging expertise and addressing emerging health challenges in the region. Critical topics, including obesity, diabetes, thyroid cancer and bone metabolism, were extensively discussed by global and regional experts,” she informed.

She attributed her success to the collaborative work of her research team, which included academic colleagues, a specialist nurse, a research assistant and medical students. “This achievement would not have been possible without their support, and I am also deeply grateful to my family for their encouragement.”

Looking ahead, Dr Maha hopes her work will contribute to improving women’s health in Oman. “I strongly advocate prioritising women’s health in research funding. Addressing these challenges is vital for enhancing their quality of life.”

The AACE conference underscored the growing importance of research on women’s health in the region and the potential for studies such as Dr Maha’s driving positive change.