ABSTRACT
Objective: The study aims to identify the optimal body mass index (BMI) cut-off for obesity based on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes among the general population visiting primary health care in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Ahsa City, Saudi Arabia, from January to June 2022. The study included Saudi citizens aged 35 and older who had not previously or currently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Data were collected through electronic health records from 48 primary healthcare centers. The variables derived from medical records were age, gender, HbA1c, weight, and height. Results: The BMI mean among nondiabetic, prediabetic, and diabetic groups were 29.6 ± 6.2, 31.2 ± 6.6, and 31.7 ± 6.9 kg/m2, respectively. The BMI of the prediabetic and diabetic males were 30.1 ± 6.3 and 30.5 ± 6.5 kg/m2, respectively, and the BMI of the pre-diabetic and diabetic females were 31.9 ± 6.6 and 32.8 ± 7 kg/m2, respectively. Conclusion: The current study correlated the result of HbA1c levels with BMI cut-off values as a modifiable risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes among the Al-Ahsa population in Saudi Arabia. The BMI mean among nondiabetic, prediabetic, and diabetic groups were 29.6 ± 6.2, 31.2 ± 6.6, and 31.7 ± 6.9 kg/m2, respectively. This study provided a list of BMI values as cut-off points with their sensitivity and specificity measures so the policymaker could utilize them. The best cut-off point could be decided based on cost-effective analysis. Further studies in the future might help evaluate the efficacy of screening programs and the association between BMI and other types of diabetes.
ABSTRACT
Background Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common upper gastrointestinal disorder characterized by heartburn and acid regurgitation. A higher incidence is found in Arab countries. Untreated GERD has a negative impact on individuals that interfere with daily activities and impaired quality of life. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of GERD and associated risk factors in the Eastern region, Saudi Arabia. Material & Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 1517 healthy participants from the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia from May to August 2021. The sample was randomly collected through a structured self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was composed of questions related to sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics as risk factors for GERD. The existence of GERD was assessed by using GERD Questionnaire (GerdQ) for diagnosing GERD, when the score is 8 or more. Results A total of 1517 participants were included in the study: 58.8% male, 41.2% female; 9% of whom were pregnant. The age of participants ranged from 18 to 58 with a mean age of 27.5 ± 11.4 years old. The existence of GERD was 20.6% among the total participants, in which their GerdQ scores were 3-7 (68.9%), 8-10 (22.1%), and 8-11 (8.5%). The higher risk groups of having GERD were pregnant women, smoker, being male, regular usage of analgesia, soft drinks, and having a family history of GERD. Conclusion This study showed the prevalence of GERD among the general population of the Eastern region, Saudi Arabia was 20.6%. Several sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics were associated with the disease. Further studies are needed to explore the role of psychological factors in developing GERD.
