Diagnosis and management of vitamin D deficiency in the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) countries: an expert consensus summary statement from the GCC vitamin D advisory board.

OBJECTIVE: A summary of recommendations is given within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) setting on the assessment and management of vitamin D deficiency in the region. METHODS: An assembly of 11 regional experts gathered to formulate an all-inclusive approach to vitamin D deficiency within GCC. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Several gaps were identified before regional guidelines could be developed. These include adequacy and standardization of vitamin D testing, frequency of repeated testing and reference ranges, distinguishing prevention from the treatment of vitamin D deficiency, quality assurance of vitamin D products sold within GCC including contents and origins of products, and cut-points for vitamin D levels in local populations. A platform is created that can be further developed for overall regional implementation.

The Efficacy of Adding Electromagnetic Therapy or Laser Therapy to Medications in Patients With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common disease with a highly significant burden among the Saudi population. This study aimed to investigate the effects of adding either magnetic or laser therapy to medications in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods: Seventy-one medically controlled diabetic patients were randomly assigned to 1) Magnetic group: 26 patients were exposed to magnetic therapy for 20 minutes/session, 2 sessions/week, for 3 months 2) Laser group: 25 patients were exposed to laser therapy with intensity 5.7 J/cm2 for 30 minutes/session, 2 times/week, for 3 months. 3) Drug group: 20 patients received only the regular medications for diabetic control and pain analgesia. Pain and neuropathy were assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Toronto Clinical Neuropath Scoring System (TRCNSS). Conduction velocities and amplitudes of peroneal and sural nerves were measured by electromyography. Results: The results showed significant increases in conduction velocities and amplitudes in both magnetic and laser groups in parallel with significant reductions in TRCNSS. Non-significant changes were obtained only after using only medications (P >0.05). The mean values of VAS reduced significantly in the three groups. The least significant differences showed significant changes among the three groups, whereas non-significant differences were obtained between both magnetic and laser groups. Conclusion: There were non-significant differences between both magnetic and laser therapy groups. Addition of either magnetic or laser therapy to medications could bring extra positive benefits to patients with DPN. Both magnetic and laser therapy can be applied with medications for the treatment of patients with DPN.