ABSTRACT
Introduction: This study aimed to characterize six early clusters of COVID-19 and derive key transmission parameters from confirmed cases that were traced between April and June 2020 in Bahrain. Methods: Pairs of "infector-infectee" allowed us to map the clusters and estimate the incubation period serial interval as the secondary attack rate. The chi-squared test, with a p-value computed using the Monte Carlo test, measured associations between categorical variables. Statistical analysis was performed using R software and the "data.tree, tidyverse" libraries. Results: From 9 April to 27 June 2020, we investigated 596 individuals suspected of COVID-19, of whom 127 positive cases were confirmed by PCR and linked in six clusters. The mean age was 30.34 years (S.D. = 17.84 years). The male-to-female ratio was 0.87 (276/318), and most of the contacts were of Bahraini citizenship (511/591 = 86.5%). Exposure occurred within the family in 74.3% (411/553), and 18.9% of clusters' cases were symptomatic (23/122 = 18.9%). Mapped clusters and generations increased after 24 May 2020, corresponding to "Aid El-Fitr." The mean incubation period was 4 days, and the mean serial interval ranged from 3 to 3.31 days. The secondary attack rate was 0.21 (95% C.I.) = [0.17-0.24]. Conclusion: COVID-19 transmission was amplified due to the high number of families mixing during "Aid El Fitr" and "Ramadhan," generating important clusters. Estimated serial intervals and incubation periods support asymptomatic transmission.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , Adult , Bahrain/epidemiology , COVID-19/epidemiology , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Research Design , TreesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Obesity is a complex health problem characterized by abnormal and excessive body weight. Globally, the epidemic of obesity is escalating, and today, around one-third of the world's adult population is overweight or obese. Obesity is a risk factor and a predictor of poor outcomes of diabetes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of obesity in adults with type-2 diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted at five primary care centers in Bahrain. Obesity was assessed using body mass index, while glycemic control status was assessed using glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Means and standard deviation were computed for continuous variables, while categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages. Student's t-test and Mann-WhitneyU test, as appropriate, were performed to determine statistical significance between two continuous variables. Chi-square or Fisher's Exact test were used to test for statistical significance for categorical variables. RESULTS: A total of 732 participants were included; the mean age was 58.4 ± 11.3 years. Hypertension was the most prevalent comorbidity (63.5%), followed by hyperlipidemia (51.9%). Most participants (59.8%) had HbA1c levels of more than 7%, 20.9% had HbA1c levels between 7% and 8%, and 38.9% had HbA1c levels of more than 8%. Of the cohort, 47.5% were obese and 35.0% were overweight. Obesity was significantly higher in Bahraini patients and females (P < 0.001). Lower obesity rates were observed among patients who exercised regularly (P < 0.001) and patients who followed diet control measures (P = 0.039). In addition, we found higher obesity rates were found in patients with uncontrolled diabetes (P = 0.004), hypertension (P = 0.032), and hyperlipidemia (P = 0.048). CONCLUSION: Obesity is prevalent among type-2 diabetic patients and is associated with poor glycemic outcomes. Thus, more efforts should be taken by physicians to address obesity in diabetic patients as it negatively impacts their glycemic control.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a global health challenge that requires continuous and multidisciplinary management. Suboptimal diabetes management results in serious complications that impose a huge burden on patients and the healthcare system. This study aimed to assess the characteristics, glycemic control and outcomes of patients with type-2 diabetes attending primary healthcare centers in Bahrain according to the new American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus attending diabetic clinics in Bahrain. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted. The data collection tool consisted of three parts: baseline and sociodemographic data, the physical measures of the patients and the most recent laboratory results. An A1C of less than 7% was indicative of good glycemic control. Results: A total of 721 patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus were included with an average age of 58.4 years. Most patients were hypertensive (n = 457, 63.4%), and half of them were hyperlipidemic (n = 373, 51.7%). Around 57% (n = 402) of the patients adopted lifestyle modifications, 14.8% adopted diet control measures and around half performed weekly regular exercises. More than 92% of the cohort were on metformin, 52.0% (n = 375) were on Sulphonylurea medications and 41% (n = 298) were on insulin formulations. While only 40% of the patients had controlled diabetes (n = 283, 39.3%) and hypertension (n = 298, 41.3%), most patients achieved adequate cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels (83.2% and 76.6%, respectively). Non-Bahraini (P ≤ 0.001), young (P = 0.027) and obese patients (P = 0.003) had lower glycemic control measures. Adequate cholesterol levels were seen more in patients with a controlled glycemic index (P = 0.015). Conclusion: Considering the new glycemic targets, glycemic and hypertension control was poor among diabetic patients, especially non-Bahraini, obese and young patients. Urgent interventions by policymakers, physicians and caregivers are needed to improve the outcomes of diabetes.
