ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Diabetes-related amputations (DRA) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There are limited studies on the burden of this condition and its future projections in Saudi Arabia. OBJECTIVES: To estimate future forecasts in the burden of DRA (number of cases and mortalities) among adult diabetics (aged ≥20 years) in Al-Ahsa, Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia from 2022 to 2045. METHODS: A simulation epidemiological model was designed and validated. It is a simple discrete-state model composed of multiple states, in which diabetics make annual transitions to either 'Major Amputations', 'Minor Amputations', or 'No Amputations' states, and then to two states of mortalities. The data inputs required are minimal, including the total diagnosed cases of diabetes for 2022 and transition parameters obtained from recent published literature. The model used some reasonable assumptions and scenarios for testing potential uncertainties around the model outputs. Model validation was conducted by comparing its estimates with the observed local data from two main hospitals in Al-Ahsa for 2022. RESULTS: The model projected that the total number of DRA among diabetics in Al-Ahsa will increase from 129 (uncertainty interval (UI): 103-154) in 2022 to 169 (UI: 136-203) in 2030 and 227 (UI: 182-272) in 2045, assuming that the incidence rates of major and minor amputations among diabetics will remain constant. However, assuming that these incidence rates will show a gradual decline of 20% every three years, the model predicted the total number of DRA to decrease from 103 (UI: 82-124) in 2022 to 91 (UI: 73-110) in 2030 and 61 (UI: 49-74) in 2045. CONCLUSION: DRA impose a considerable burden on patients and the healthcare system, despite the possibility of a potential decrease in incidence rates.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study measured the prevalence and potential risk factors of Internet gaming disorder (IGD) among female secondary school students in Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and February 2023. A total of 400 female secondary school students in Al-Ahsa were recruited through multistage stratified cluster sampling. Data were collected by distributing a self-administered questionnaire among students. A chi-squared test was performed to compare categorical variables. The associations between IGD, depression, and anxiety scores were determined using the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Among the total sample, 282 were classified as "gamers" and included in our analysis. The prevalence of IGD was found to be 19%. We also found a statistically significant and moderately positive correlation between IGD and anxiety and depression scores. Spending more than four hours daily playing video games, starting to play video games at less than seven years of age, having depression, having anxiety, and playing an online game were found to be potential risk factors for IGD. CONCLUSION: IGD among female adolescent students in Al-Ahsa is a public health concern that requires attention from the concerned parties. Health education projects on IGD, its risk factors, and its consequences should be designed for adolescents and their families.
ABSTRACT
AIMS: To compare the estimates and projections of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) prevalence in Saudi Arabia from a validated Markov model against other modelling estimates, such as those produced by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Atlas and the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) project. METHODS: A discrete-state Markov model was developed and validated that integrates data on population, obesity and smoking prevalence trends in adult Saudis aged ≥25 years to estimate the trends in T2DM prevalence (annually from 1992 to 2022). The model was validated by comparing the age- and sex-specific prevalence estimates against a national survey conducted in 2005. RESULTS: Prevalence estimates from this new Markov model were consistent with the 2005 national survey and very similar to the GBD study estimates. Prevalence in men and women in 2000 was estimated by the GBD model respectively at 17.5% and 17.7%, compared to 17.7% and 16.4% in this study. The IDF estimates of the total diabetes prevalence were considerably lower at 16.7% in 2011 and 20.8% in 2030, compared with 29.2% in 2011 and 44.1% in 2022 in this study. CONCLUSION: In contrast to other modelling studies, both the Saudi IMPACT Diabetes Forecast Model and the GBD model directly incorporated the trends in obesity prevalence and/or body mass index (BMI) to inform T2DM prevalence estimates. It appears that such a direct incorporation of obesity trends in modelling studies results in higher estimates of the future prevalence of T2DM, at least in countries where obesity has been rapidly increasing.
