Geographical distribution of mortality from diabetes complications in Yazd

The purpose of this study is to present a geographical map of mortality rate due to diabetes complications in different areas of Yazd during 2001-2010. In this ecological study, a sample data of mortality due to diabetic complications in Yazd was gathered. Mortality rate calculation and geographical distribution mapping was performed then using this data. General rate of mortality from diabetic complications is higher in internal and marginal areas than high-income and new-built regions. This pattern is also consistent regardless of patients' gender. It seems that the observed pattern is due to inactivity in internal areas, as well as unawareness and lack of access to medical facilities in margins

Ankle/Brachial Index [ABI] as a predictor test for coronary artery diseases in diabetic patients: What is the best cut off point?

The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of Ankle/Brachial Index [ABI] [A sensitive and specific test for detection of PAD] to foretell the possibility of ischemic heart diseases in diabetic patients. 948 patients with confirmed diabetes since 2 or more years were enrolled in the study. 497 patients [52.4%] were women, and 451 patients [47.6%] were men. The mean age was 55.25 years. 10.2% of the patients had an ABI=<1. ABI showed a significant reduction in patients >60 years. [P value=0.02] 56% of participants had high blood pressure. The patients were divided into 3 groups: Group I: 238 patients with ABI<=1.1, [25.1%], Group II: 625 patients with ABI between 1.1 and 1.4 [65.9%], Group III: 85 patients with ABI>=1.4 [9%]. 52.8% of 125 patients in Group I, 19.6% of 107 patients in Group II, and 44.7% of 47 patients in Group III had positive exercise test. [P value I, II=0.00- P value II, III=0.05]. A total of 108 patients from among the 279 patients had positive exercise test [38%], and most of them were from groups III and I. 72.2% of group I, and 52.5% of group II had high blood pressure. [P value= 0.00]. Positive exercise test became positive significantly more in patients with ABI /= 1.4 [both hypertensive and normotensive] than those with 1.1 ABI<1.4. [P value=0.001 and 0.003]. Ankle/Brachial Index [ABI] with cut off point /= 1.4 is a predictor for coronary artery diseases in diabetic patients specially in those who are hypertensive