Sexual dysfunction among Jordanian men with diabetes

To estimate the prevalence and severity of erectile dysfunction [ED] and its correlations among Jordanian men with diabetes. We conducted this study at the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics, Amman, Jordan, between January and August 2004. The study included 988 married diabetic men. Patients were interviewed by one of our medical staff based on a health care questionnaire and an Arabic translation of the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function. Scores of the questions in each of the 5 sexual function domains were summed up. Dysfunction was categorized as absent, mild, moderate or severe. The overall prevalence of ED was 62%; and we found that 30.3% had severe ED. The prevalence increased with age from 26.5% [13 out of 49] of patients <40 years of age to 91% [87 out of 96] in the age group >/= 70 years. Severity of ED increased with age as well. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified age, glycemic control, hypertension, coronary artery disease, retinopathy and neuropathy as independent risk factors of ED. Among patients with ED, 7% reported having treatment for ED. Prevalence of ED among Jordanian diabetic patients is high. It increases with age and poor glycemic control. Other independent risk factors include: hypertension, coronary artery disease, retinopathy and neuropathy.

Epidemiology and management of hypertension among Bedouins in northern Jordan

To estimate the magnitude of hypertension, and its levels of awareness and control of hypertension among a community of Jordanian aborigines in Northern Jordan; and to compare the study findings with findings from other Jordanian communities. A systematic sample of 50% of all households of Qafqafa, Northern Jordan was selected and all members of the selected households were included in the study at Qafqafa Health Center, Qafqafa, Jordan. A structured questionnaire was administered to all study participants and measurement of blood pressure was performed according to a preset criteria. Data on 366 subjects included in the sample were collected during the months of April and May 2002. A total of 40 subjects or 10.9% were suffering from hypertension. Prevalence rate of hypertension was significantly lower than the 16.1% and 16.3% prevalence rates reported from other more modernized Jordanian communities. Logistic regression analysis indicated that hypertension was positively associated with masculinity, age, illiteracy, obesity, and with positive family history of hypertension. No association was detected between hypertension and each of smoking, Diabetes mellitus, and total serum cholesterol. This study showed that one-half [47.5%] of hypertensives were unaware of their diagnosis and more than one-half [57.1%] of those aware of their diagnosis did not achieve control of their hypertension. Population of the study community has significantly lower levels of hypertension than both semi-urban and recently urbanized Jordanian communities, and much of the rise in blood pressure levels is attributed to environmental factors. Moreover, hypertension management programs in Jordan are far below the optimal standards