Gender-dependent associations between socioeconomic status and metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study in the adult Saudi population.

BACKGROUND: To determine the gender-dependent association of socio-economic status variables with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the adult Saudi population. METHODS: A total of 9164 adult Saudis (aged 18-70 years) were included in this cross-sectional study. Marital status, income, education, and occupation were used as socio-economic indicators while behavioral factor like physical exercise was also taken into account. MetS was defined using the criteria based from the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III). RESULTS: In males, the odds ratio (OR) of harboring MetS was higher in married [OR1.6 (Confidence Interval (CI) 1.1, 2.4); p < 0.03], and high income class [OR 2.3(CI 1.5, 3.5); p < 0.001] and lowest in retired and unemployed individuals [1.4(1.0, 1.9); p < 0.04, 0.61(0.45, 0.82); p < 0.001] respectively. In females, MetS was inversely related to high income [OR 0.70 (CI 0.46, 1.1); p < 0.09] and education level [OR 0.38 (CI 0.26, 0.56); p < 0.001], and was significantly higher in the unemployed class [OR 1.6 (CI 1.2, 2.2); p < 0.004]. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MetS is significantly high among retired, married and high-earning Saudi males while in females, high earners and high education seem to confer a protective effect against MetS.

Lower vitamin D status is more common among Saudi adults with diabetes mellitus type 1 than in non-diabetics.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency is an increasingly recognized comorbidity in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DMT1), suggesting that vitamin D deficiency might play a role in DMT1. We aimed to determine and compare the vitamin D status of Saudi adults with and without DMT1. METHODS: A total of 60 Saudi adults with DMT1 from the Diabetes Clinics and 60 non-DM, healthy controls were included in the study. The mean age for those with DMT1 was 25.9 ± 16.1 years versus 36.7 ± 3.6 years among the controls. We measured serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD), calcium, cholesterol, blood glucose, HDL, and triglycerides and compared the results between the DMT1 group and control subjects. RESULTS: Both the DMT1 and healthy groups had vitamin D deficiency. The mean levels of 25OHD were significantly lower in the DMT1 adults than in the controls (28.1 ± 1.4 nmol/L versus 33.4 ± 1.6 nmol/L). In the DMT1 adults, 66.7% were mildly, 31.7% moderately, and 3.3% severely vitamin D deficient as compared with 41.7% (mildly), 31.7% (moderately), and 5% (severely) in the control group. Overall, 100% of the DMT1 adults and 78% of the healthy children were vitamin D deficient. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among DMT1 adults was relatively high. Therefore, screening for vitamin D deficiency and supplementation for this population should be warranted.

Knowledge and attitudes of primary health care physicians towards complementary and alternative medicine in the Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) of primary health care (PHC) physicians in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A crosssectional study including all physicians working at PHC centers in the Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia, was carried out from the beginning of April 2010 to the end of June 2010. Using a self-administered questionnaire, 1,113 physicians answered questions regarding their socio-demographic data, and knowledge, attitudes and utilization of CAM. RESULTS: About 8% of the participants had attended a continuous medical education or a training activity. Most of them were unfamiliar with reflexology, energy healing, aromatherapy, ozone therapy, homeopathy, or chiropractic care (77.4, 71.3, 71.2, 67.2, 65.7, and 63.9%, respectively). On the other hand, most physicians felt that they could understand and feel comfortable about counseling patients about Ruqyah (spiritual healing), honey and bee products, dietary supplements, massage therapy, relaxation, herbal medicine, and cupping (40.3, 38.3, 34.9, 34.4, 25.8, 22.8, and 21.4%, respectively). More than half (51.7%) of the physicians used CAM for themselves or their family, but only 14.2% referred their patients to CAM practitioners. 85.1% of studied physicians agreed that physicians should have knowledge about CAM therapies commonly used in the region. 82.5% agreed that health authorities should have a role in regulating CAM, and 75.7% agreed that the physicians' knowledge about CAM practices leads to better patient outcome. CONCLUSION: There is a positive attitude regarding the concept of CAM, but there is a reluctance to refer or to initiate discussion with patients regarding CAM practices, which may be attributed to a lack of knowledge.

Severe hypovitaminosis D is widespread and more common in non-diabetics than diabetics in Saudi adults.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of hypovitaminosis D in subjects, with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and determine its association to various risk factors. METHODS: Three hundred and forty-one (177 non-diabetic, and 164 T2DM) Saudi adults were included in this cross-sectional study conducted at the Biomarkers Research Program (BRP) of King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from March to August 2009. Anthropometrics and fasting blood samples were obtained. Fasting glucose (FG) and lipid profiles were determined. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Severe hypovitaminosis D was defined as serum 25(OH)D with levels <12.5 nmol/l. RESULTS: Age was the most significant predictor of 25(OH)D in both groups, explaining 25% (p=0.0005) and 16% of variances (p=0.0005). Waist-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure and body mass index were significant predictors of 25(OH)D among non-diabetics after age adjustment, explaining 21% of variance perceived (p=0.039). Serum PTH levels were higher in non-diabetic men and women. CONCLUSION: Severe hypovitaminosis D is prevalent in both non-diabetic and diabetic Saudis, but was more common in the young and middle-aged non-diabetics. The study further underscores the need for vitamin D fortification of the Saudi diet, and the promotion of vitamin D supplementation in both groups.