ABSTRACT
Objectives: Cardiovascular disease [CVD] represents the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM]. Its incidence and risk factor patterns vary widely across different diabetic populations. This study aims to assess the incidence and risk factor patterns of CVD events among Omanis with T2DM
Methods: A sample of 2 039 patients with T2DM from a primary care setting, who were free of CVD at beseline [2009-2010] were involved in a retrospective cohort study. Socio-demographic data and traditional risk factor assessments at the baseline were retrieved from medical records, after which the first CVD outcomes [coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease] were traced from the baseline to December 2015, with a median follow-up period of 5.6 years
Results: The overall cumulative incidence of CVD was 9.4% with an incidence density of 17.6 per 1000 person-years. Prevalence of poor glycemic control, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, albuminuria, and current smoking were 40.0%, 56.3%, 39.0%, 77.3%, 18.7%, and 7.8%, respectively. The univariate survival analysis showed a significant association between CVD and the following factors: age, diabetes duration, body mass index, glycemic control, hypertension, total serum cholesterol, and albuminuria
Conclusions: This study revealed high incidence of CVD and high prevalence of its traditional risk factors among Omanis with T2DM. In addition, compared to global studies, important differences in the prevalence of some risk factors and their patterns in the univariate association with the cardiovascular outcome have been observed
ABSTRACT
The use of complementary and alternative medicine [CAM] for diabetes mellitus is becoming increasingly popular; however, little is known about the prevalence of CAM use in patients with diabetes mellitus in Oman. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of use of CAM among diabetic patients in Muscat region, Oman, and to determine the types of CAM used as well as to identify the demographic features influencing the use of CAM. The study was performed from May to August 2009 on diabetic patients from 4 health centres in Muscat region. A total of 146 patients were interviewed. Information was obtained on demographics, and the prevalence and pattern of use of CAM. Sixty two [42%] of the participants used CAM for the treatment of diabetes. Thirty [48%] were satisfied about its use and 27 [43%] intend to use it again. The only types of CAM used by participants in this study were herbs [n = 49, 79%], and/or food supplements [n = 7, 11%]. Family and friends [n = 47/62, 76%] and/or traditional healers [n = 19, 31%] were the main source of information on CAM in the treatment of diabetes. There was no significant correlation between demographic characteristics and the use of CAM for diabetes. CAM is used widely for diabetes in Muscat region, Oman. Patients have strong faith in CAM in terms of effectiveness. Doctors should recognize this and be prepared to talk more freely with patients about its use and potential side effects