Diabetic neuropathy, foot ulceration, peripheral vascular disease and potential risk factors among patients with diabetes in Bahrain: a nationwide primary care diabetes clinic-based study

Although epidemiological studies have persistently shown a high prevalence of diabetes in Arabs, the control of diabetes is still poor and complications of diabetes are common. We examined the prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy [DN], neuropathic foot ulceration [FU] and peripheral vascular disease [PVD], and potential risk factors for these complications among patients attending primary care diabetes clinics in Bahrain. We studied 1477 diabetic patients [Type 2 diabetes 93%]; to, including 635 men and 842 women, with ages ranging from 18-75 years in a cross-sectional study. The main predictor variables were demographic and clinical data, including assessment of foot and blood parameters. Mean age of the patients and duration of diabetes were 57.3 +/- 6.32 and 9.5 +/- 8.4 years, respectively. DN was present in 36.6% of the population, FU in 5.9%, and PVD in 11.8%. Diabetic patients with neuropathy were older than patients without neuropathy [P=0.001] and had had diabetes longer [P=0.002]. Diabetic patients with foot ulcers had more severe neuropathy and higher vibration perception thresholds values than patients without foot ulcers [P<0.05]. Older age, poor glycemic control, longer duration of diabetes, elevated cholesterol levels, current smoking, obesity defined by body mass index, large waist circumference, elevated triglycerides levels and hypertension but not gender, were significant risk factors for DN in both the univariate and the multivariate analyses [P< 0.05]. DN and PVD also remained significant risk factors for foot ulceration in the multiple logistic regression analysis. Rates of DN and PVD are high among diabetic patients in Bahrain. Implementation of strategies for prevention, early detection, and appropriate treatment at the primary health care level are urgently needed

Obesity, physical activity and prevalence of diabetes in Bahraini Arab native population

A cross-sectional population-based study of 2128 residents aged 40-69 years was carried out in 1995 to determine the prevalence of diabetes and the association of obesity and physical activity with this disease. Subjects were invited to the clinic for interview, physical and laboratory examination. Venous blood samples were taken fasting and 2 hours after a 75 g oral glucose load. Using the 1985 WHO criteria, the overall prevalence rate of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance [IGT] were 30% and 18%, respectively. In the age group 50-59 years prevalence was 29% in men and 35% in women. Mean body mass index [BMI] was 27.3 kg/m2 in men and 28 kg/m2 in women. Only 13% of men and 1% of women walked at least 4 km/day. BMI was positively related to education and inversely related to physical activity. On average, subjects with diabetes were older, had higher monthly incomes and positive family history of diabetes. They also had higher mean BMI, waist-to-hip ratio [WHR], waist-to-height ratio [WHTR]. Multiple logistic regression analysis shows that age, BMI [or WHR, WHTR], and less physical activity are independent risk factors of NIDDM. The prevalence of diabetes in Bahrain is increasing with economic development and changes from traditional to modernized lifestyle. Therefore, Bahraini people should attempt to retain certain features of their traditional lifestyle [physical activity, healthy eating, and moderate body weight]