Reasons for complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus observed in United Arab Emirates: An opinion survey among practicing physicians

Objective: The present study explored factors responsible for complications of diabetes mellitus as observed in the clinical practice of doctors

Materials and Methods: One hundred and seven practicing physicians and general practitioners from clinics and hospitals, identified using a snowballing technique starting with one physician in each emirate, participated in the cross sectional survey

Results: The majority [81%] was males, and 62% were from clinics and 48% from hospitals; more than 50% had over 5 years of clinical experience in the UAE. Fifty eight percent of those practicing in clinics and 80.6% in hospitals felt they had the facilities required for monitoring DM and complications. While 22.4% felt that the complications were due to poor glycemic control, 11.2% attributed it to sedentary life-style, 10% to smoking, 9.3% each to diet and co-morbidity, and 4.7% to obesity. Poor glycemic control was considered to be mainly due to low compliance [25.2%], life-style [18.7%], lack of awareness [14%] about the silent disease and its complications, finance [5.6%] and depression [0.9%] Of the 46 who responded, 57% felt the complications were more common among Asians compared to other nationals. No age, gender or occupational difference was reported

Conclusion: One third of the respondents attributed the complications to poor glycemic control mainly due to low compliance and lack of awareness and hence mostly preventable. Health service needs to organize nationwide campaigns emphasizing diabetic care. Financial and social support are likely to enhance compliance among the victims of this fast increasing slow epidemic

Relationship between physical activity, BMI and waist hip ratio among middle aged women in a multiethnic population: a descriptive study

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the relationship between physical activity and Body Mass Index [BMI] and Waist Hip Ratio of middle aged women in a multiethnic population in Ajman, UAE

Materials and Methods: A descriptive methodology was adopted. 150 women of age group 35-59 years attending GMC Hospital, Ajman participated in this research. A self-administered questionnaire was used for subjective and objective assessment, and the waist and hip circumferences were measured using a measuring tape. BMI and waist hip ratio were calculated by standard formulas. Analysis was performed on SPSS 19 version

Results: It was observed that 96% women were involved in some kind of moderate physically activity, 8.6% were involved in vigorous activity, and4% did not perform any physical activity

There is a significant difference in BMI of subjects who participated in vigorous activity but WHR did not show much variation

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that among the middle aged women there is a relationship between physical activity, BMI and waist hip ratio

Reasons for complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus observed in Unites Arab Emirates: an opinion survey among practicing physicians

The present study explored factors responsible for complications of diabetes mellitus as observed in the clinical practice of doctors. One hundred and seven practicing physicians and general practitioners from clinics and hospitals, identified using a snowballing technique starting with one physician in each emirate, participated in the cross sectional survey. The majority [81%] was males, and 62% were from clinics and 48% from hospitals; more than 50% had over 5 years of clinical experience in the UAE. Fifty eight percent of those practicing in clinics and 80.6% in hospitals felt they had the facilities required for monitoring DM and complications. While 22.4% felt that the complications were due to poor glycemic control, 11.2% attributed it to sedentary life-style, 10% to smoking, 9.3% each to diet and co-morbidity, and 4.7% to obesity. Poor glycemic control was considered to be mainly due to low compliance [25.2%], life-style [18.7%], lack of awareness [14%] about the silent disease and its complications, finance [5.6%] and depression [0.9%]. Of the 46 who responded, 57% felt the complications were more common among Asians compared to other nationals. No age, gender or occupational difference was reported. One third of the respondents attributed the complications to poor glycemic control mainly due to low compliance and lack of awareness and hence mostly preventable. Health service needs to organize nationwide campaigns emphasizing diabetic care. Financial and social support are likely to enhance compliance among the victims of this fast increasing slow epidemic

Relationship between physical activity, BMI and waist hip ratio among middle aged women in a multiethnic population: a descriptive study

This study was conducted to assess the relationship between physical activity and Body Mass Index [BMI] and Waist Hip Ratio of middle aged women in a multiethnic population in Ajman, UAE. A descriptive methodology was adopted. 150 women of age group 35-59 years attending GMC Hospital, Ajman participated in this research. A self-administered questionnaire was used for subjective and objective assessment, and the waist and hip circumferences were measured using a measuring tape. BMI and waist hip ratio were calculated by standard formulas. Analysis was performed on SPSS 19 version. It was observed that 96% women were involved in some kind of moderate physically activity, 8.6% were involved in vigorous activity, and4% did not perform any physical activity. There is a significant difference in BMI of subjects who participated in vigorous activity but WHR did not show much variation. This study demonstrates that among the middle aged women there is a relationship between physical activity, BMI and waist hip ratio

Effectiveness of SNAGs and prescribed strengthening exercise in reduction of cervical facet pain: a case report

The objective of the study was to explore the effects of SNAG technique [Sustained Natural Apophyseal Glide] and strengthening of the deep neck muscles in patients with cervical spine facet pain. Recent evidence suggests that deficits in muscle performance of the deep neck flexor muscles play a pivotal role in cervical spine pain. A few reports in the literature states that manual therapy techniques aimed at the cervical spine used in conjunction with exercise produce superior benefits in patients with cervical pain pathology. The evidence in this area is limited and further research is warranted to determine its effect on cervical pain. A 45 year-old female was referred to physical therapy after a nine month history of neck and shoulder pain. Interventions were aimed at reducing the pain, improving the range of motion, and strengthening neck musculature. SNAG to the cervical facets joint were performed in conjunction with deep cervical muscle strengthening exercise interventions. Outcomes included changes in the VAS [visual analog pain scale], the patient rating of overall improvement. At the time of discharge, the patient had a successful outcome based on decreased pain to 2/10 on the VAS [Visual Analog scale] and increase in the strength of deep flexors. This case report indicates SNAG directed to the cervical facets joint and strengthening of deep neck muscles are useful in treatment of cervical spine facet syndrome. A detailed study has to be done to generalize its effect

Use of complementary and alternative medicine among the health care consumers of modern medicine

Complementary and Alternative Medicine is popular across the world and is widely practiced. Utilization pattern and reasons for use and non-use among patients attending tertiary care centre is assessed in this study. One hundred and twenty six patients of different nationalities, above the age 18 years, visiting various outpatient departments of Gulf Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Ajman, UAE were interviewed using an open ended structured questionnaire. In addition to socio-demographic characteristics, acceptability, utilization pattern, reasons for use and non-use were elicited from the participants after obtaining consent from them. PASW 18 version was used to perform Chi-square test and descriptive statistics. The 135 participants were 20-81 years old, with 49% being below 40 years of age. Among the Indians, who constituted 52% of the sample, 60% were males, 70% having university education, but non working in a medical field of the 29% who had 'ever used' CAM, 54% were females. Those from the Far East used CAM most [85.7%], the next highest homeopathy and the medical condition musculoskeletal problems. A greater percentage of users administered internal preparations. Physicians had advised 30% of the users whereas non-medical information was used as source by the others. A family history of CAM was observed in 13 [10%], the conditions for which it was used being gall stone, renal problems and musculoskeletal conditions and others. Around 70% reported a good outcome for themselves and family, although only 10% recommended it to others. Most of the users [75%] were not sure whether CAM was based on scientific evidence, while 18% felt it was; 46% opined it had fewer side effects, and 44% felt it had long term effect. Good previous experience and less treatment complications were the most common reasons for using CAM. Non-use was due to lack of knowledge or absence of a need

Management of subacromial impingement syndrome-a combination approach using manual therapy and therapeutic exercise in the treatment of shoulder impingement

The purpose of this case study was to compare the effectiveness of traditional physical therapy interventions combined with mobilization with movement in the treatment of shoulder impingement syndrome. A total of 5 patients diagnosed with shoulder impingement syndrome were selected from the hospital. Patients then participated in the programs, which were held twice a week for two months. Main outcome measures included 24-hour pain [VAS], shoulder active range of motion [AROM], and shoulder function [SPADI]. Repeated-measures analyses indicated significant decreases in pain, improved function, and increases in AROM. The MWM had a higher percentage of change from pre- to post-treatment on pain measures pain [VAS]: 0.6 to 0.2 following 4 session treatment, higher percentage of change on the SPADI and in AROM. This study suggests that performing glenohumeral mobilizations and MWM in combination with a supervised exercise program may result in a greater decrease in pain and improved function although studies with larger samples and discriminate sampling methods are needed

Work related low back dysfunction in the health professionals

To investigate the prevalence of low back dysfunction in health professionals, and its relation to the nature of work and identify the risk factors associated. 309 health professionals from Ajman and Fujairah participated in this study. Each subject was asked to complete a self administrated questionnaire. 192 questionnaires were returned [n=192]. Information on low back dysfunction and other factors were gathered, outcome measures of low back dysfunction were used followed by detailed physical examination of the low back in all participants. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics to estimate the prevalence of low back dysfunction in health professionals and to investigate relation between back dysfunction were used followed by detailed physical examination of the low back in all participants. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics to estimate the prevalence of low back dysfunction in health professionals and to investigate relation between back dysfunction and hospital work. It was found that health care professionals whose nature of work involves more of trunk bending and manual lifts who reported of low back dysfunction were the same compared to health care professionals whose nature of work involved sitting and its variation and standing and its variation. While some differences have been noticed, statistically significant differences in low back dysfunction were not found among gander, age and also educational opportunities availed in back care. In contrast to the information found in the literature review this finding is vital. Earlier studies have showed that professional involved in trunk bending and manual lifts were more prone to develop back dysfunction. But in this study there were no statistically significant number of individual who had reported back dysfunction due to the nature of work. The variation of such finding could be attributed to reduced work span of individuals who were involved in this study as compared to other studies. Further research with larger sample size will be required before any generalizations can be made