Prevalence of overwieght and obesity in diabetic and non-diabetic Saudis

A total of 14 660 individuals were included in the study. A fasting blood sample and 2-hour post-glucose load blood sample from each participant were analysed for blood sugar. Participants were classified as diabetic or non-diabetic and as either obese [BMI > 30 kg/m2], overweight [BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2] or normal [BMI < 25 kg/m2]. The prevalence of obesity was calculated in the total sample and separately for diabetic and non-diabetic males and females. The results showed obesity and overweight in 13.05% and 27.23% of males and 20.26% and 25.20% of females respectively. The prevalence of both obesity and overweight were significantly higher among diabetics than non-diabetics. In each province, diabetics had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity than non-diabetics. Several interprovincial variations were seen. Public education on obesity and overweight and ways to decrease them are recommended in Saudi Arabia

Appraisal of sickle-cell and thalassaemia genes in Saudi Arabia

A comprehensive national survey of the distribution of the sickle-cell [Hb S] gene and thalassaemia genes was initiated in 1982, with more than 30,055 blood samples collected. The Hb S, alpha- and beta-thalassaemia gene frequency range was 0.005-0.145, 0.01-0.40 and 0.01-0.15 respectively in various areas of Saudi Arabia. We present here an appraisal of sickle-cell and thalassaemia gene occurrence in the Saudi population, based on our studies conducted over 10 years in different regions of Saudi Arabia

Haplotypes of the beta-globin gene as prognostic factors in sickle-cell disease

We collaborated with researchers from Egypt, Syrian Arab Republic and Jordan in a study of patients with sickle-cell disease from those countries, and from various parts of Saudi Arabia, in order to investigate the influence of genetics on the clinical presentation of the disease, and to attempt to determine the origin of the sickle-cell gene in Arabs. Our results suggest that beta-globin gene haplotypes influence the clinical presentation of sickle-cell disease, and that there are at least two major foci for the origin of the sickle-cell gene, one in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia, and the other in the populations of North Africa and the north-western part of the Arabian peninsula

Pattern for alpha-thalassaemia in Yemeni sickle-cell-disease patients

A group of Yemeni patients with sickle-cell disease [SCD] and normal Hb AA individuals living in Riyadh were studied to determine the incidence of the alpha-gene molecular defect. Blood samples were obtained from 26 SCD patients and 19 controls [the Hb AA group]. In the SCD patients the frequency of single alpha-gene deletion [-alpha/alpha alpha] was 0.346, compared to 0.263 in the Hb AA group. The frequency of two gene deletion [-alpha/-alpha] was 0.231 [0.0 for the Hb AA group]. In one Hb AA case, a triple alpha-gene arrangement [alpha alpha alpha/alpha alpha] was found [frequency 0.053]. The results suggest that alpha-thalassaemia occurs frequently in Yemeni SCD patients. Further studies to determine the overall frequency of alpha-thalassaemia in the Republic of Yemen would be of value for patient management

Molecular studies on Yemeni sickle-cell-disease patients: Xmn I polymorphism

Our studies of the Saudi population have shown that in patients with mild presentation of sickle-cell disease [SCD] from Saudi Arabia's eastern region, the prevalence of polymorphic sites is high. However, the prevalence is very low in patients with severe SCD from the south-west of the country. We expanded these studies to a group of Yemeni patients with severe SCD, resident in Riyadh. We investigated a total of 60 chromosomes carrying the sickle-cell [Hb S] gene and 14 chromosomes carrying the Hb A gene. Amongst the Hb AA group, the prevalence was 42.9% and 57.1% for the presence [+] and absence [-] of Xmn I polymorphic sites. In the Hb SS individuals, the prevalence of Xmn I polymorphic sites was similar to the prevalence reported in the south-western region of Saudi Arabia

Glutathione reductase deficiency in Saudi Arabia

Glutathione reductase [GR] is a ubiquitous enzyme required for the conversion of oxidized glutathione [GSSG] to reduced glutathione [GSH] concomitantly oxidizing reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate [NADPH] in a reaction essential for the stability and integrity of red cells. Mutations in the GR gene and nutritional deficiency of riboflavin, a co-factor required for the normal functioning of GR, can cause GR deficiency. We conducted a study on 1691 Saudi individuals to determine the overall frequency of GR deficiency and to identify whether the deficiency results from genetic or acquired causes or both. The activity of GR was measured in freshly prepared red cell haemolysate in the presence and absence of flavin adenine dinucleotide [FAD] and the activity coefficient [AC] was determined. Samples with low GR activity [> 2.0 IU/g haemoglobin] both in the presence and absence of FAD and an AC between 0.9 and 1.2 were considered GR-deficient. Samples with AC >/= 1.3 were considered riboflavin-deficient. The overall frequency of partial GR deficiency was 24.5% and 20.3% in males and females respectively. In addition, 17.8% of males and 22.4% of females suffered from GR deficiency due to riboflavin deficiency. This could be easily corrected by dietary supplementation with riboflavin. No cases of severe GR deficiency were identified

Diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity-common multifactorial disorders in Saudis

Diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity are among the multifactorial disorders that occur at a higher prevalence in older age groups. Their prevalence is affected by both genetic and environmental factors. We investigated the distribution of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity in Saudi males and females by conducting a household screening survey during the period 1992-1996 of the adult population [> 14 years] in five different areas of Saudi Arabia. Height, weight, age and other essential details were recorded and diastolic and systolic blood pressures measured. Glucose levels were measured in blood taken after fasting and 2 hours after a glucose load. The data were used to classify the individuals as diabetic, glucose intolerant and normal, using WHO criteria. The individuals were further classified as type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 9.7% and 7.0%, obesity 13.05% and 20.26%, overweight 27.23% and 25.20%, and hypertension 5.39% and 3.65% in the adult male and female populations respectively. A significant increase was observed in the prevalence of diabetes, obesity and hypertension with age in both males and females. In addition, the prevalence of obesity and overweight was significantly higher in the individuals with diabetes mellitus

Prevalence of obesity in the Saudi population

Obesity, i.e., excessive deposition of fat in the body, is the most common nutritional disorder in the developed countries. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the population of Saudi Arabia living in different regions of the country. A total of 14, 660 adult Saudi males and females [>14 years of age] in 35 area were screened and information on height [m] and weight [kg] was recorded during a National Project to study various aspects of diabetes in Saudi Arabia. The Body Mass Index [MBI] was calculated and the data was used to group the females as overweight [BMI=25-29.9] and obese [BMI >/= 30]. In the total Saudi population the prevalence of overweight was 27.23% and 25.20% in the males and females respectively, while the prevalence of obesity was 13.05% and 20.26% in the males and females respectively. When separated on the basis of each region, the prevalence of obesity was highest in the females in Central Province and in the males in the Western Province, while overweight was more prevalent in both the male and female population of the Central Province. The data was further analyzed depending on each area within each province and significant differences were encountered. In general, overweight was more common in the males and obesity in the females. This high prevalence of obesity is a cause for concern, since obesity is associated with several complications which increase both morbidity and mortality. Awareness programs must be initiated and nationwide control programs need to be adopted to decrease the prevalence of obesity in the Saudi population

frequency of Hb S and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase phenotypes in relation to malaria in western Saudi Arabia

This study was conducted on 6265 Saudi males and females living in six different areas i.e. Yanbu, Makkah, AI-Qunfuda, Bisha, AI-Baha and Jaizan, in western Saudi Arabia. It was conceived to determine and relate the frequency of Hb S and of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G-6-PD] deficiency phenotypes in the different areas and to relate them to malaria endemicity. The sickle cell gene was encountered in each of the areas investigated at frequencies ranging from 0.015 in Yanbu to 0.115 in AI-Qunfuda. The normal G-6-PD in each region was G-6-PD-B+, and variants identified included G-6-PD-A+, G-6-PD-A-, G-6-PD-Mediterranean and G-6-PD-Weak. Severe G-6-PD deficiency was encountered in each region and was caused mainly by G-6-PD-Mediterranean at frequencies ranging from 0.0179 to 0.204 in the male population and 0.0064 to 0.1158 in the female population. This paper shows significant differences in the frequencies of G-6-PD phenotypes and Hb S genes within malaria endemic regions

Alpha-1-antitrypsin: frequencies of PiM subtypes in a Saudi population

The frequency of the alpha-1-antitrypsin [Alpha 1-AT] variants and PiM subtypes was investigated in the Saudi population from the central province using isoelectric focusing on immobilized gels [pH 4.0-5.0]. The PiMI, M2, MS and M4 variants were identified both in homozygous and heterozygous states. In addition, PiZ and PiS were identified in this population. The gene frequencies of PiM 1, M2, M3, M4, Z and S variants were 0.6458, 0.1750, 0.0750, 0.0208, 0.0333 and 0.050, respectively. This paper reports for the first time in Saudis, the heterogeneity of Pi alleles which suggests the desirability of further detailed investigations to identify the presence of other rare Alpha 1-AT phenotypes