Dental caries. A meta analysis on a Saudi population

To determine the prevalence of caries in the primary and permanent teeth in a Saudi population. This study was conducted at the College of Dentistry, University of Dammam, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In June 2010, a literature search was started and found all studies conducted in Saudi Arabia on dental caries from 1999 to 2008. Sixty articles were found on PubMed, which had been published during the considered time period. Sixteen studies were passed through inclusion criteria and included in analysis. A 2 to 12-year-old Saudi population was included to determine the prevalence of caries in primary teeth, and for permanent teeth, the age range was 6-18 years. The prevalence of caries in primary and permanent teeth were analyzed separately. Forest plot and Chi-square test revealed considerable heterogeneity. A random effect model was used to find caries prevalence in primary and permanent teeth. The mean decayed, missing and filled teeth [dmft] was 5.38 [95% CI: 4.314 - 6.436], and in the permanent teeth the DMFT was 3.34 [95% CI: 1.97 - 4.75]. Publication bias diagnostics suggested possible overestimation of caries prevalence in permanent teeth but not in primary teeth. The results in this study present a high decayed, missing, and filled teeth score in the adult and young population of Saudi Arabia, however, more published data is required as the results obtained from this meta analysis may not give a true picture, and reality may be worse

Hypertension in Saudi Arabia

To determine the prevalence of hypertension among Saudis of both gender, between the ages of 30-70 years in rural as well as urban communities. This work is part of a major national study on Coronary Artery Disease in Saudis Study [CADISS]. This is a community-based study conducted by examining subjects in the age group of 30-70 years of selected households during a 5-year period between 1995 and 2000 in Saudi Arabia. Data were obtained from history using a validated questionnaire, and examination including measurement of blood pressure. The data were analyzed to provide prevalence of hypertension. Logistic regression was used to develop a risk assessment model for prevalence of hypertension. The total number of subjects included in the study was 17,230. The prevalence of hypertension was 26.1% in crude terms. For males, the prevalence of hypertension was 28.6%, while for females; the prevalence was significantly lower at 23.9% [p<0.001]. The urban population showed significantly higher prevalence of hypertension of 27.9%, compared to rural population's prevalence of 22.4% [p<0.001]. The prevalence of CAD among hypertensive patients was 8.2%, and 4.5% among normotensive subjects [p<0.001]. Increasing weight showed significant increase in prevalence of hypertension in a linear relationship. Hypertension is increasing in prevalence in KSA affecting more than one fourth of the adult Saudi population. We recommend aggressive management of hypertension as well as screening of adults for hypertension early to prevent its damaging consequences if left untreated. Public health awareness of simple measures, such as low salt diet, exercise, and avoiding obesity, to maintain normal arterial blood pressure need to be implemented by health care providers

Eruption time of permanent first molars and incisors among a sample of Saudi male schoolchildren

The objectives of the present study were to determine the mean eruption time of permanent first molars, central and lateral incisors and to compare the relationship of eruption time with Body Mass Index [BMI] in Saudi male preschool and primary schoolchildren of grade 1 to grade 3 [G1 to G3]. The study population comprised 716 randomly selected male preschool and primary school children from G1 to G3. The eruption time of permanent first molars, central and lateral incisors with age, height and weight were recorded. The mean age of children was 81.5 +/- 10.9 months ranging from 61 months to 111 months. The results show that, maxillary right first molar had the lowest mean eruption time of 70.2 +/- 5.3 months and the right upper lateral incisor was the last tooth to erupt with mean eruption time of 94.1 +/- 8.3 months. Furthermore, the mandibular incisors erupted significantly earlier than maxillary incisors. By the age of 88.4 months, 97% of the boys had all their first permanent molars erupted. There was no significant correlation observed between eruption times with BMI, except for tooth # 32. Nevertheless, it seems that an inverse relationship may exist between the eruption time and BMI. When comparing with the reported results of other national studies, the Saudi male children showed later eruption time than some of African countries and earlier eruption than Iranian and Australian children of permanent first molars, central and lateral incisors

Trends in dental caries and missing teeth in adult patients in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

The aim of the study was to determine dental caries prevalence and severity among adult patients attending Al-Ahsa Dental Center in Al-Ahsa Region of Saudi Arabia. A total of 544 adult patients, 42% males and 58% females with a mean age of 42.7 +/- 18.1 years, were examined for dental caries utilizing WHO criteria for diagnosis of dental caries. The caries prevalence among the sample was 89.2% with a mean DMFT score of 13.24 +/- 11.53. The mean DMFT scores of the patients from urban areas [14.03 +/- 12.11] were significantly higher than patients from rural areas [11.39 +/- 9.84] [P<0.01]. Missing teeth was the major component of the total DMFT score. About 17% of the patients were edentulous. However, more than half [56.8%] of the patients above 61 years were edentulous. In conclusion, the caries prevalence and severity were very high among the subjects studied

Metabolic syndrome in Saudi Arabia

Metabolic syndrome [MS] is a well-established risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease [CAD]. We designed this study to obtain the prevalence of MS and each of its components in Saudi Arabia. This study is part of Coronary Artery Disease in Saudi Study [CADISS]. We conducted this community-based national epidemiological health survey by examining Saudi subjects in the age group of 30-70 years of selected households over a 5-year period between 1995 and 2000 in Saudi Arabia. We interviewed all subjects, examined and took measurements of their blood pressure, weight, height, waist circumference, as well as fasting samples of plasma glucose, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol. We obtained the prevalence of MS based on the presence of at least 3 of the following: abdominal obesity [waist circumference >102 cm [40 inch] in male and >88 cm [35 inch] in female], triglycerides >=150 mg/dl [1.69 mmol/L], HDL cholesterol <40 mg/dl [1.03 mmol/L] in male and <50 mg/dl [1.29 mmol/L] in female, blood pressure >=130/85 mm Hg, fasting glucose >=110 mg/dl [6.1 mmol/L] as defined by the Adult Treatment Panel [ATP] III in 2001. We included 17,293 subjects in this survey during the study period. The overall age-adjusted prevalence of MS in Saudi Arabia obtained from this study is 39.3%. Age adjusted prevalence in males is 37.2% and crude prevalence is 40.9% [95% confidence interval [CI] 39.8-42], while females have a higher prevalence of 42% and crude prevalence of 41.9% [95% CI 40.9-42.9]. Saudi subjects from urban areas have significantly higher prevalence of 44.1% [95% CI 43.2-45] compared to those living in rural areas of 35.6% [95% CI 34.3-36.7] [p<0.0001]. Low HDL affects 81.8% of females and 74.8% of males with MS leading all other factors, and it continued to be consistent in all different age groups. Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for CAD, as the prevalence of CAD was higher among patients with MS [6.7%] compared to subjects without MS [4.6%] [p<0.0001]. The prevalence of MS is high in Saudi Arabia. Low HDL cholesterol plays a major role in the contribution to the MS in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, we recommend routine assessment for the components of MS in patients with CAD, furthermore, we encourage aggressive management of the MS for primary prevention of CAD, particularly, measures to increase HDL cholesterol

Coronary artery disease in Suadi Arabia

Coronary artery disease [CAD] is a major public health problem worldwide. To our knowledge, there is no national data available from community based studies on prevalence of CAD in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. Therefore, we designed this study with the objective to determine the prevalence of CAD among Saudis of both sexes, between the ages of 30-70-years in rural as well as urban communities. Further, to determine the prevalence and clinical pattern of the major modifiable risk factors for CAD among the same population. This work is part of a major national study on CAD in Saudis Study [CADISS]. This is a community based study conducted by examining subjects in the age group of 30-70-years of selected households during 5-year period between 1995 and 2000 in KSA. Data were obtained from history using a validated questionnaire, and electrocardiography. The data were analyzed to provide prevalence of CAD and risk assessment model. Nine hundred and forty-four subjects, out of 17232 were diagnosed to have CAD. Thus, the overall prevalence of CAD obtained from this study is 5.5% in KSA. The prevalence in males and females were 6.6% and 4.4% [P<0.0001]. Urban Saudis have a higher prevalence of 6.2% compared to rural Saudis of 4% [P<0.0001]. The following variables are found to be statistically significant risk factors in KSA: age, male gender, body mass index [BMI], hypertension, current smoking, fasting blood glucose, fasting cholesterol and triglycerides. The overall prevalence of CAD in KSA is 5.5%. A national prevention program at community level as well as high risk groups should be implemented sooner to prevent the expected epidemic of CAD that we are seeing, beginning. Measures are needed to change lifestyle and to address the management of the metabolic syndrome, to reduce modifiable risk factors for CAD. A longitudinal study is needed to demonstrate the importance of reducing modifiable risk factors for CAD in KSA

Diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabia

Diabetes mellitus [DM] is a major public health problem worldwide, and it is a known risk factor for coronary artery disease [CAD]. New recommendations for the diagnosis of diabetes have changed the epidemiology of DM. Therefore, we designed this study with the objective to determine the prevalence of DM among Saudis of both sexes, between the ages of 30-70-years in rural as well as urban communities. This work is part of a major national project: Coronary Artery Disease in Saudis study [CADISS] that is designed to look at CAD and its risk factors in Saudi population. This study is a community-based national epidemiological health survey, conducted by examining Saudi subjects in the age group of 30-70-years of selected households over a 5-year period between 1995 and 2000. Data were obtained from history, fasting plasma glucose levels, and body mass index. The data were analyzed to classify individuals as diabetic, impaired fasting glucose and normal, using 1997 American Diabetes Association [ADA] criteria, which was adopted by the World Health Organization [WHO] in 1998, to provide prevalence of DM in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. A total of 17232 Saudi subjects were selected in the study, and 16917 participated [98.2% response rate]. Four thousand and four subjects [23.7%], out of 16917 were diagnosed to have DM. Thus, the overall prevalence of DM obtained from this study is 23.7% in KSA. The prevalence in males and females were 26.2% and 21.5% [p<0.00001]. The calculated age-adjusted prevalence for Saudi population for the year 2000 is 21.9%. Diabetes mellitus was more prevalent among Saudis living in urban areas of 25.5% compared to rural Saudis of 19.5% [p<0.00001]. Despite the readily available access to healthcare facilities in KSA, a large number of diabetics 1116 [27.9%] were unaware of having DM. The overall prevalence of DM in adults in KSA is 23.7%. A national prevention program at community level targeting high risk groups should be implemented sooner to prevent DM. We further recommend a longitudinal study to demonstrate the importance of modifying risk factors for the development of DM and reducing its prevalence in KSA

Treatment needs for dental caries in schoolchildren in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, A follow-up study of the oral health survey

To determine the magnitude and severity of treatment needs for dental caries of school children of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA], 14 years after the conduct of the Oral Health Survey [Phase I] [OHS [I]] in KSA. Six hundred and two primary school first graders [primary school [PS]] [5-8 year-old] and 205 intermediate school first graders [intermediate school [IS]] [11-14 year-old] children were randomly selected, using stratified cluster r and om sampling, from schools of Riyadh, KSA during April 2001 to May 2001. All the children were examined for caries And treatment needs, using the World Health Organization criteria Ninety-three percent of PS children required some type of restoration and 36.7%needed extractions. Ninety-five of IS children required restorations and approximately one -quarter were needed extractions. Amongst male PS children approximately 7 teeth needed one or more surface fillings, whereas 6 teeth of female PS children needed the same. Of the male IS children, 6.5 teeth needed one or more surface fillings, whereas 4 teeth of female IS children needed the same. These differences were all statistically significant. On average, one tooth of male children needed extraction, whereas approximately 0.7 teeth of female children needed the same. The difference was also significant. There were significant differences between urban and rural children for various types of treatment needs. However, nationality of the children did not show any significant effects on treatment needs. The results indicate that the treatment needs for dental caries have increased in schoolchildren of Riyadh significantly 14 years after the conduct of OHS [I]

Caries prevalence among secondary school children in Riyadh and Qassim

The aim of this study was to describe the caries prevalence and severity in secondary school children in Riyadh and Qaseem regions and, to correlate caries experience with fluoride levels in the drinking water. A total of 734. 15- to 19-year-old [Mean 16.4, SD 1.2 years] secondary school children from areas of various water fluoride levels were examined in Riyadh [236 male and 193 female] and Qaseem [163 male and 142 female], utilizing the World Health Organization [WHO] criteria for the diagnosis of dental caries. Results showed the prevalence of dental caries as 91.1% in Riyadh and 90.5% in Qaseem. The mean DMFT score In Riyadh was 7.35 [SD 4.99], with D component of 6.28, M component of 0.32 and F component 010.75. The mean DMFT score in Qaseem was 7.05 [SD 4.58] with D component of 6.02, M component of 0.46 and F component of 0.56. The overall data showed no significant difference [P> 0.05] in mean DMFT scores at various fluoride levels. However, low values of DMFT were found in two fluoride zones [0.61 -0.80 ppm and 0.81 - 1.50 ppm]. It was concluded that the caries prevalence was very high among the students studied in Riyadh and Qaseem regions. However, there was no linear correlation between the caries experience and water fluoride level in both Riyadh and Qaseem regions

Treatment needs for dental caries in pre-and early-schoolchildren in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia,

To determine the magnitude and severity of treatment needs for pre- and early-schoolchildren of Al-Absa area of Saudi Arabia. Three hundred twenty-two pre-school [PS] and 457 early-school [ES] children were randomly selected, using stratified cluster sampling, from Al-Ahsa area of Saudi Arabia. Each child was examined, using WHO criteria for diagnosis of caries and treatment needs. About 77% of the children were in need of one or multiple surface fillings. PS children required significantly more fillings than ES children. There were no significant differences between males and females for any type of treatment for PS children. In contrast, almost all the treatment needs were significantly different between males and females for ES children. The magnitude and severity of treatment needs are very high as compared to other international studies, but similar to Saudi studies

Caries in primary school children: Prevalence, severity and pattern in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia

The objectives of the study were to determine the caries prevalence, severity and pattern in primary school children of Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Four hundred and fifty seven randomly selected primary school children were examined for this purpose. The result showed caries prevalence of 82.9% with a mean dmft of 4.45 [S.D. 3.76]. The mean dmft difference between male and female children was statistically significant [p<0.0001]. The mean dmft of urban children was significantly [p<0.0001] lower than that of their rural counterparts. There was no significant difference in caries severity in terms of socioeconomic status of the children [p=0.520]. Similarly, no significant caries prevalence difference was found in terms of gender. area and socioeconomic status. The teeth most affected by caries were mandibular first primary molars [46.6%]. The least affected teeth were mandibular primary central incisors [3.95%]