ABSTRACT
Abstract Objective Sickle cell disease is characterized by clinical complications resulting in vaso-occlusive crisis with prominent attributes of oxidative stress, inflammation, and pain. Inflammation is an integral part of this disease which further exacerbates the pain during a crisis. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-aggregatory properties and assist in diminishing the slow physiological inactivation. Methods A pilot nutritional interventional study was conducted wherein forty-three children with sickle cell disease aged 5-16 years were supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids for a period of six months. Analysis of oxidative stress, as well as inflammatory parameters, was done pre and post-supplementation. Results Increased free oxygen radical transference values depicting free radical generation is enhanced in these patients along with a reduced antioxidant defense, as seen by decreased free oxygen radical defense values. Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids for a period of six months significantly reduced the inflammatory marker homocysteine in all patients, whereas high sensitive C reactive protein was significantly reduced only in females of the age group 11-16years. Simultaneously a significant reduction in oxidative stress parameters with a concomitant increase of antioxidant defense was observed in all patients. Conclusion The authors' findings suggest the regulatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids as cellular activators in alleviating the complications due to sickle cell disease. Omega-3 fatty acids hold promise as future therapeutic candidates in patients with sickle cell disease.
ABSTRACT
To determine the prevalence of controlled diabetes in registered diabetic patients with Hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] = 7 or Fasting blood Sugar = 130 mg/dl in three primary Health Care Centers of Al- Ameer Ahmad Sector of Makkah. This study was a descriptive study [cross sectional] started from 20 June 2012 to 30 September 2012. The Primary Health Care Centers randomly selected were AL-Zahir, Al-Hindavia and Kudai Al- Hijra. The sample size calculated was 320 patients with confidence level of 95% and confidence interval of 5. The cut of values adjusted for all diabetes mellitus patients was, haemogloblin A1c [HBA1c] = 7 or fasting blood sugar [FBS] = 130 mg/dl .Hypertension values were set as 140 /90 mm of Hg. Overall the age range was 25 - 87 [62] years and a mean of +/- SD of 58.66 +/- 11.97. Out of 320 diabetic patients selected [152 only diabetes + 168 patients of diabetes with hypertension] 21.25% have disease under control. Most effected age range of uncontrolled diabetes was 45-74 years. HbA1c test for study year was not done in 83.43% cases. The age and Gender difference in two groups were not significant, however the results of controlled and non-controlled diabetic patients in three Primary Health Care Centers was significant [P <0.05]. Diabetes Control programme at the level of Primary Health Centers showed a very low level of success in study groups. There is a need to reconsider the control strategy