ObjectiveTo describe current prevalence of obesity and related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in expatriates living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).MethodsWe used data from the cross-sectional UAE National Diabetes and Lifestyle Study (UAEDIAB), which surveyed adult expatriates living in the UAE for at least 4 years. We report crude prevalence of overweight and obesity, indicated by gender and ethnicity-specific body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) cut-offs, by lifestyle and biomedical characteristics, as well as age and sex-adjusted odds ratios.ResultsOut of a total of 3064 recruited expatriates (response rate 68%), 2724 had completed all stages of the UAEDIAB study. Expatriates were; 81% men, mean age 38 years (range 18–80), 71% South East Asians, and 36% university graduates. In this sample, the prevalence of overweight and obesity, by BMI, were 43.0 and 32.3%, respectively. 52.4 and 56.5% of participants were at a substantially increased risk according to WC and WHR, respectively. The prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were 15.5, 31.8, and 51.7%, respectively, with the prevalence of each being higher in those with obesity.ConclusionPrevalence of obesity and associated NCDs are extremely high in UAE expatriates. Without comprehensive prevention and management, levels of disease will continue to increase and productivity will fall.

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The use of insulin in combination with SGLT2-I increases the risk of hypoglycemia during Ramadan. Hypoglycemic events were mild and did not require hospital admission. However, careful monitoring during prolonged fasting is warranted. No significant harmful effects on renal function result from treatment with SGLT2-I during Ramadan.

Rapid urbanisation and socioeconomic development in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have led to the widespread adoption of a sedentary lifestyle and Westernised diet in the local population and consequently a high prevalence of obesity and diabetes. In 2019, International Diabetes Federation statistics reported a diabetes prevalence rate of 16.3% for the adult population in the UAE. In view of the wealth of recent literature on diabetes care and new pharmacotherapeutics, the Emirates Diabetes Society convened a panel of experts to update existing local guidelines with international management recommendations. The goal is to improve the standard of care for people with diabetes through increased awareness of these management practices among healthcare providers licensed by national health authorities. These consensus guidelines address the screening, diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults including individuals at risk of developing the disease.

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The recent American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes guideline mentioned glycaemia management in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs); however, it did not cover the treatment approaches for patients with T2DM having a high risk of CVD, and treatment and screening approaches for CVDs in patients with concomitant T2DM. This consensus guideline undertakes the data obtained from all the cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) to propose approaches for the T2DM management in presence of CV comorbidities. For patients at high risk of CVD, metformin is the drug of choice to manage the T2DM to achieve a patient specific HbA1c target. In case of established CVD, a combination of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist with proven CV benefits is recommended along with metformin, while for chronic kidney disease or heart failure, a sodium–glucose transporter proteins-2 inhibitor with proven benefit is advised. This document also summarises various screening and investigational approaches for the major CV events with their accuracy and specificity along with the treatment guidance to assist the healthcare professionals in selecting the best management strategies for every individual. Since lifestyle modification and management plays an important role in maintaining the effectiveness of the pharmacological therapies, authors of this consensus recommendation have also briefed on the patient-centric non-pharmacological management of T2DM and CVD.

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Background: Diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, imposing a considerable burden on health systems and societies as it affects both individuals and their families and has a large impact on the economic and social development of a country. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to study the prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes among the Dubai population and associations with diabetes risk factors. Methodology: A cross-sectional Diabetes Household Survey was carried out in the Emirates of Dubai during 2017 as a complementary stage of the Dubai Household Survey, 2014, which was a randomly selected, multistage, stratified, cluster survey. The sampling technique was selected to assess the rates of undiagnosed diabetes as well as the rates of pre-diabetes through screening with HbA1c. The size of the 2017 survey sample was estimated at 300 individuals for Emirati and 300 for non-Emirati. An additional 200 individuals were added to address non-response cases. These were added to those who were identified as diabetics in the 2014 Household Health Survey and then weighted to give a representative sample for the Dubai population. Results: The study revealed that the prevalence of diabetes in Dubai among UAE nationals was 19%, and it was 14.7% for expats. Consequently, the overall prevalence of diabetes in Dubai is 15.2%. Undiagnosed diabetes was 10% in UAE nationals and 10.9% in expats. Pre-diabetes in UAE national males was lower than in females, although this pattern was not observed among expats. Younger age, normal weight, and exercise were associated with lower rates of diabetes and pre-diabetes in UAE nationals and expats. Hypertension was associated with higher rates of diabetes regardless of nationality. Conclusions: The study concluded that the prevalence of diabetes among the Dubai population is alarmingly high and that a large proportion of the population are not aware of their diagnosis. A higher prevalence of diabetes is associated with multiple factors, such as age, male gender, hypertension, higher BMI, lack of exercise, and lower level or no education, as well as a family history of diabetes mellitus. Many of these factors can be easily modified, which could lead to a decrease in the burden of the disease.