Evaluation of capillary blood glucose versus a high-risk questionnaire for screening for undiagnosed diabetes mellitus in Eastern province, Saudi Arabia

This study compared 2 screening tests for detecting undiagnosed diabetes mellitus when applied in a mass-screening campaign in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia in 2004-05. Of 15 082 individuals screened, 65.8% were positive by the American Diabetes Association risk-score questionnaire and 71.3% by determination of capillary blood glucose [CBG] using a portable glucometer. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was confirmed in 20.3% of participants and pre-diabetes in 33.9% using fasting venous blood testing. The risk-score questionnaire did not perform well versus fasting and random CBG. Optimal cut-offs for fasting and random CBG were 120 mg/dL and 160 mg/dL respectively. Fasting CBG had higher sensitivity, specificity and discriminating ability than random CBG for detection of diabetes and pre-diabetes in this population

Heart disease risk factors: prevalence and knowledge in a primary care setting, Audi Arabia

The prevalence and knowledge of coronary heart disease risk factors among persons attending South-west Thogbah primary health care centre were assessed. A random sample of 227 male and female Saudi attendees aged > / = 18 years was assessed. The prevalent risk factors were diabetes mellitus [28.2%], obesity [37.9%] and lack of physical exercise [68.3%]. Diabetes mellitus was the most prevalent risk factor among males [55.6%], while obesity was the main one among females [42.3%]. Less than half of the sample knew about the risk factors and preventive measures. Knowledge of risk factors and prevention was significantly associated with educational level [P < 0.001]