Diabetes mellitus among Yemeni Physicians in Sana'a

To assess the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among Yemeni physicians in Sana'a, Yemen, and the relationship between Khat chewing and diabetes mellitus. Data were collected on 332 Yemeni physicians in Sana'a [224 males and 108 females] aged 25 years and over. Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed according to the criteria of American Diabetes Association. Diabetes mellitus was prevalent among 10% of physicians. There was no significant difference between males and females [11.6%, 6.5% respectively, p = 0.14]. In both sexes, diabetes mellitus was more prevalent among older group [>/= 40]. Mean fasting blood sugar was 96.75 +/- 22.5 mg/dl among male physicians and 88.9 +/- 17.7 mg/dl among female physicians. The difference was highly significant [t = 3.13. p = 0.002]. Diabetes mellitus is prevalent among both of male and female Yemeni physicians. There was no relationship between Khat chewing and diabetes mellitus

Metabolic syndrome among Yemeni Physicians in Sana'a

To assess the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Yemeni physicians in Sana'a, Yemen. Data were collected on 332 Yemeni physicians in Sana'a [224 males and 108 females] aged 25 years and over. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to ATP-III criteria. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the study population was 23.8% [25.4% among males and 20.4% among females]. All the components of the metabolic syndrome were significantly more common in males, except low HDL-cholesterol level. Low HDL-C was the most common metabolic abnormality in both sexes. Metabolic syndrome is prevalent among Yemeni physicians in figures comparable to western populations. Low HDL was the most prevalent component

Dobutamine-transesophageal echocardiography versus dipyridamole thallium-201 scintigraphy for assessment of myocardial viability

Dipyridamole Thallium-201 scintigraphy have been widely used to differentiate between scar tissue and viable but not functioning myocardium and showed superiority over dobutamine stress echo-cardiography. The development of transesophageal echocardiogram [TEE] may overcome many of transthoracic limitations. To compare dobutamine stress TEE and Dipyridamole thallium scintigraphy in detection of myocardial viability. The study included 27 patients with coronary artery disease [CAD] and severe segmental wall motion abnormalities [SWMA] on resting echocardiogram who were scheduled for revascularization either through angioplasty or bypass surgery [CABG]. Dobutamine-TEE and dipyridamole thallium scintigraphies were done within 5 to 7 days before revascularization. Post-revascularization resting echocardiography was done 14 to 21 days to assess any improvement of SWMA as a sign of myocardial viability. Although the sensitivity of dobutamine TEE to detect myocardial viability was higher than that of thallium scintigraphy [89% vs. 72% respectively] but it did not reach statistical significance [P=0.06]. However, the specificity of TEE was significantly higher than that of scintigraphy [83% vs. 67%, P=0.04] and the total diagnostic accuracy of dobutamine TEE to detect myocardial viability was significantly higher than that of dipyridamole thallium scintigraphy [88% vs. 71% p = 0.05]. In the presence of severe SWMA, dobutamine TEE could detect myocardial viability more frequently than dipyridamole thallium scintigraphy

Changes in serum leptin concentrations during Ramadan fasting in lean and obese individuals

To test the effects of long term diurnal abstention from food and fluids followed by nocturnal gorging [Ramadan Fasting] on the serum level of leptin. Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain, During the holy month of Ramadan. The study was conducted on lean [n = l0 BMI = 242 +/- 0.8] and obese [n = 11 BMI = 31 8 +/- 1.8] healthy male volunteers Serum levels of leptin insulin and glucose as well as caloric intake and food composition were estimated at baseline [day 1] as well as in days 14 and 28 of the month of Ramadan. Results Baseline serum levels of leptin was significantly higher in obese [9 55 +/- 130 ng/dl] compared with lean subjects [3 90 +/- 0 68 ng/dl] and correlated positively with BMI [r = 0 66 p = 0.004]. Furthermore, serum leptin levels exhibited a significant progressive increase by 47% and 32% throughout the month in lean and obese subjects, respectively. No significant correlation was found between changes in serum leptin levels and changes in the measures of adiposity or serum insulin and glucose in either lean or obese groups. Compared with baseline intake, total energy intake increased at day 14 and food composition altered towards consuming more fat in both groups. Ramadan fasting is associated with a significant elevation in serum leptin. This elevation is unlikely to be mediated by changes in body adiposity or serum levels of insulin or glucose. However, altered composition of food or increased energy intake could play a role. The exact mechanism responsible for increased serum level of leptin with Ramadan fasting requires further investigation

Prediction of risk of hypertension in offspring of hypertensive subjects

The offspring of hypertensive patients has a tendency to develop hypertension, so the question of prediction of susceptible individuals is unclear. This Cross-sectional comparative study was designed to clarify some predictors of hypertension in offspring of hypertensive patients. The study included 100 subjects [12 to 18 year old, male and female]; 50 offspring of hypertensive parents [group I] and 50 offspring of normotensive parents [Group II]. They were subjected to full medical history and clinical examination including blood pressure record at rest and after exercise. Also anthropometric assessment was performed. Biochemical assessment for fasting C-peptide insulin level, and plasma level of norepinephrin [NE] were recorded. In group I. the mean resting systolic blood pressure [SBP] was 101.8 +/- 9mmHg, the mean peak SBP 197.2 +/- 27mmHg, the mean resting distolic blood pressure [DBP] was 76.5 +/- 7.5mmHg, the mean peak DBP 71 +/- 9.5mmHg. The mean resting heart rate [HR] was 83.6 +/- 8.7 Beat/min. the mean peak HR was 193.5 +/- 9.I Beat/min. The mean metabolic equivalent [METs] was 12.5 +/- 1.8 MEq. The mean body mass index [BMI] was 30 +/- 5.1 kg/m2. The mean serum insulin level was 23.5 +/- 15.7 micro U/dl and the mean serum NE level was 344.7 +/- 57.1 ng/dl. In group II, the mean resting SBP was 95.1 +/- 16.22mmHg, the mean peak SBP was 172.5 +/- 17.8mmHg; the mean resting DBP was 66.7 +/- 7.7mmHg, the mean peak DBP was 63.4 +/- 6.9mmHg. The mean resting HR was. 80.1 +/- 11.4 Beat/min, the mean peak HR was 188.7 = 6.2 Beat/min. The mean METs was 13.2 +/- 1.8 MEq. The mean BMI was 26.8 +/- 3.6 +/- 5.8 kg/m[2]. The mean serum insulin was 14.7 +/- 15.7 micro U/dl, and mean serum NE was 286.3 +/- 57.1 ng/dl. Both SBP and DBP were within normal limits but were significantly greater in group I than group II. Function capacity was significantly lesser in group I than group II. BMI was significantly greater in group 1 than group II. Serum insulin and NE were significantly increased in group I than group II. However the long-term effect of these risk factors on the cardiovascular system including the coronary arteries need more research