Abstract
Background: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM). in Saudi Arabia. is growing at a fast rate. About 25% of the 30 - 70 years old subjects suffer from DM; this figure is further predicted to double by the year 2030.
Aim of this study: To investigate the occurrence of DM among different age groups. and explore the determinants, risk factors and clinical aspects of DM among Saudis in Jeddah city.
Method: A cross-sectional study. which included 1.106 subjects. randomly. visiting the walk area in North of Jeddah. or one Mall in East of Jeddah city. during the study period. An interview questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants. Anthropometric measurements as well as blood pressure and capillary Random Blood Glucose (RBG) test. were assessed on each subject. Chi square test and Multinomial Logistic Regression were used to analyze the data. Odds Ratio (OR). and 95% confidence interval (95% Cl) were employed. The level of significance was 0.05.
Results: DM was prevalent among 35% of Saudi subjects. aged 60 years or older. DM was discovered accidently in 46.1% of the diabetic subjects. Hyperglycemia was found in 11.8% of subjects with no doctor having diagnosed DM. Subjects who were 40 years or more. were 7 times more at risk to develop DM (OR: 6.98; 95% Cl: 4.18. 11.66). those who lived in separate houses. were 2 times more likely to develop DM (OR: 2.207; 95% Cl: 1.195. 4.082). and subjects who have family history of DM. were 2.4 times more likely to develop DM (OR: 2.430; 95% Cl: 1.447. 4.082). Subjects who have DM. were 2.4 times more likely to develop vision problems (OR: 2.430; 95% Cl: 1.447. 4.082). were 3 times more at risk to suffer from hypertension (OR: 3.085; 95% Cl: 1.524. 6.243). and 10 times more at risk to develop foot ulcer (OR: 10.080; 95% Cl: 1.490. 68.206). These complications were significantly associated with increased duration of DM.
Conclusion: DM is a major health problem among Saudis in Jeddah city. Our results demonstrate the need for major intervention to reduce this burden and to engage other sectors of the government and the community in these efforts.