ABSTRACT
Obesity is an increasingly metabolic disorder worldwide. Therefore, obesity comorbidities and risk factors are increasing. To assess the relationship between body mass index [BMI] and body fat percentage [BF%] in relation to metabolic risk factors [hypertension, type 2 diabetesmellitus [DM-II] and dyslipidemia]. A Cross-Sectional Study. King Fahd University Hospital, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. Seven hundred eleven individuals were assessed during 2-day campaign; age ranged from 18 to 60 years; 355 [49.9%] were males. The following data were documented: history of DM-II, hypertension and/or dyslipidemia. Measurements included body mass index [BMI], brachial blood pressure, blood glucose and BF%. The overall prevalence of obesity according to BMI [>30 kg/m2] was 344 [48%] compared to 466 [66.5%] according to BF% [>32% in females and >25% in males]. The rate of missed diagnosis of BMI for obesity is higher than BF%. When the BMI cut-off point was lowered to 27.5, the overall prevalence of obesity became 459 [64.6%], which is close to BF% result. The sensitivity and specificity of BMI 30 and BMI 27.5 in detecting the risk of DM-II, hypertension and dyslipidemia were measured. The sensitivity of BMI 27.5 was higher than that of BMI 30 which gives us a better screening tool for the co-morbidities. The choice of BF% reference is good for assessment of obesity prevalence compared to the BMI
ABSTRACT
To identify the determinants of misconceptions about diabetes in patients registered with a diabetes clinic at a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional survey was carried out at a diabetes clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Eastern Saudi Arabia, from January to December 2012. A total of 200 diabetic patients were interviewed using a questionnaire comprising 36 popular misconceptions. The total misconception score was calculated and categorized into low [0-12], moderate [13-24] and high [25-36] scores. The association of misconception score with various potential determinants was calculated using Chi-square test. Step-wise logistic regression was applied to the variables showing significant association with the misconception score in order to identify the determinants of misconceptions. The mean age was 39.62 +/- 16.7 and 112 [56%] subjects were females. Type 1 diabetics were 78 [39%], while 122 [61%] had Type 2 diabetes. Insulin was being used by 105 [52.5%], 124 [62%] were self-monitoring blood glucose and 112 [56%] were using diet control. Formal education on diabetes awareness had been received by 167 [83.5%] before the interview. The mean misconception score was 10.29 +/- 4.92 with 115 [57.5%] subjects had low misconception scores [<12/36]. On the Chi-square test, female gender, rural area of residence, little or no education, <5 or >15 years since diagnosis, no self-monitoring, no dietary control and no diabetes education were all significantly [P < 0.05] associated with higher misconception scores. Step-wise logistic regression suggested that diabetes education, gender, education and time since diagnosis were significant [P < 0.05] predictors of misconception scores. The strongest determinants of misconceptions about diabetes in our study population were female gender, rural area of residence, illiteracy or little education, <5 or >15 years since diagnosis, no self-monitoring, no diet control and no education about diabetes
ABSTRACT
Background: Blood transfusion-dependent beta Thalassemia Major [BTM] patients are at risk of hemosiderosis. Hemosiderosis of pancreas results in impaired glucose homeostasis tolerance and diabetes mellitus [DM]. Since glycosylated hemoglobin has limited role in patients with hemoglobinopathies, this study was conducted as a first attempt worldwide to understand glucose homeostasis and evaluate efficacy of Continuous Glucose Monitoring [CGM] system as a diagnostic tool of abnormal glucose homeostasis in these patients
Materials and Methods: A case series study of six non-diabetic, transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia patients aged 9-13-year-old. Clinical and laboratory data were collected on admission for their monthly transfusion. Patients were connected to CGM systems for one day
Findings: Using CGM and based on American Diabetes Association guidelines, three patients were found to have abnormal glucose levels of diabetic range. The other three showed impaired glucose tolerance. Among all patients, glycosylated hemoglobin [HbA1C] readings have an inverse relationship to CGM and calibration readings
Conclusion: CGM could be a promising tool for evaluating BTM patients. Larger studies are recommended
ABSTRACT
Interferon is being increasingly used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Several case reports have suggested an association between interferon therapy and sarcoidosis with hypercalcemia. We report a case of severe hypercalcemic crisis with bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy in a male patient who was receiving interferon therapy for hepatitis C. Gastroenterologists should be aware of this unusual but clinically important complication of interferon therapy
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Interferons/adverse effects , Interferons , Hepatitis C, Chronic , SarcoidosisABSTRACT
Metabolic syndrome is one of the most prevalent global health problems that predisposes to Type 2 diabetes. It is strongly linked to insulin resistance, which results in hyperglycemia. Over the past few years, lot of studies have been carried out on Helicobacter pylori infection and found a possible causal relationship through releasing some of the interleukins factors, which result in endothelial dysfunction. However, some studies attributed that due to coincidence were not able to establish any causal relationship. In this review, the literature has been reviewed to check this possible association