Abstract
Background And Objectives: Updated information on distribution of Diabetes Mellitus is needed for improvement of health services and resources allocation. This study aimed to describe the distribution of Diabetes Mellitus among the Saudi Adult Population and its associated risk factors.
Settings And Design: A cross-sectional community based study covering the whole of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The WHO STEPwise approach to Surveillance (STEPS) of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) risk factors was the basis for conducting the survey and collecting data.
Methods: 4,657 participants were included, 2312 (49.2%) males and 1345 (50.8%) females, using a multistage stratified random sample method.
Results: 712 (15.3%) reported to be known diabetics. 16% (369/2312) of males were diabetics, while 14.6 % (343/2345) of females were diabetics. 43% (231/537) among age group of 55 to 64 years were diabetics. The northern region had the highest prevalence (20.8%) compared to other regions of Saudi Arabia. About 20.1% (326/1628) of the obese people with ( Body Mass Index 30-39.9) were diabetics. 24.3% (232/956) of those with central obesity were diabetic compared to only 13.5% (455/3370) of those who did not have central obesity. 25.6% (219/857) of people with a high cholesterol level were diabetics. 180/392(45.9%) of hypertensive people were diabetics. Multivariate analysis showed that age, living in the northern region and central obesity are significant predictors for DM.
Conclusions: Diabetes Mellitus is prevalent among the Saudi adult population. It is increasing with age, family income, Body Mass Index, and central obesity, and is also correlated with a high lipid profile.