Abstract
Aim: The present study aimed at exploring the social inequalities among type II Diabetes Miletus patients in Saudi Arabia, in addition to identifying the association of these factors. Methods: Cross-sectional studies over a sample of 574 male and female DM patients were recruited in this study. To collect data, the researchers adopted a valid and reliable translated version of a questionnaire that investigated the demographic characteristics of the DM patients and the comorbidities prevalent among them. Data were collected through planned phone calls with the patients. Descriptive statistics and multivariate linear regression were used to analyze the data collected from the participating DM patients. Result: The findings showed that the odds of having nephropathy was greater among females (OR 1.64, CI 95% 1.04-4.09), or divorced or widowed patients (OR 2.77, CI 95% 2.37-3.33), or patients with secondary school education or less (OR 1.84, CI 95% 1.45-3.16), in addition, the odds of having retinopathy was greater among females (OR 2.54, CI 95% 2.01-3.16), or married patients (OR 2.48, CI 95% 1.16-3.25), or patients with secondary school education or less (OR 3.12, CI 95% 1.63-7.19). Finally, it was found that the odds of having peripheral neuropathy was greater among females (OR 2.70, CI 95% 2.09-5.27), or married patients (OR 2.94, CI 95% 150-3.61. Conclusion: The study concluded that females, lower socioeconomic determinants such as lower educational level, unemployment, poor glycemic control, higher duration of DM were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of T2DM complications.