BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Quantifying the prevalence of diabetes mellitus is important to allow for rational planning and allocation of resources. Therefore, we designed this study to determine the prevalence of diabetes among Saudi nationals.DESIGN AND SETTING:A cross-sectional study among patients attending a primary care clinic in June 2009.PATIENTS AND METHODS:Patients were interviewed with structured questionnaires to determine the presence of diabetes by questioning for history of the disease, and charts were reviewed to document any diabetic therapies that the patients may have undergone in the past or were undergoing at that time.RESULTS:Of 6024 subjects, diabetes mellitus was present in 1792 (30%) patients. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 55.3 (13.2) years. The prevalence of diabetes was 34.1% in males and 27.6% in females (P<.0001). The mean (SD) age for onset of diabetes in males and females was 57.5 (13.1) and 53.4 (13.1) years, respectively (P<.0001). Females <50 years old had a higher prevalence than males in the corresponding age range—34.1% and 25.1%, respectively (P<.0001). The prevalence of diabetes decreased in patients older than 70 years. The prevalence of body mass index of ≥25 was 72.5%. Among patients with diabetes, the prevalence of body mass index of ≥25 was 85.7% (P<.0001). There was a higher prevalence of obesity (body mass index, ≥25) in females (87.7%) as compared to males (83.1%) (P=.008).CONCLUSION:The prevalence of diabetes is high among the Saudi population and represents a major clinical and public health problem. A national prevention program to prevent diabetes and address the modifiable risk factors at the community level, targeting high-risk groups, should be implemented soon.

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Background: Atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease is currently the leading cause of morbidity, mortality and cost burden in the medical community. New studies have found atherosclerosis to be predominantly an inflammatory reaction of vessel wall. Methodology: We conducted this review using a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE, January 1987, through February 2017. The following search terms were used: Atherosclerosis, thrombotic heart diseases, hypertriglyceridemia, dyslipidemia, pathology of atherosclerosis, treatment of atherosclerosis. Aim: In this review, we evaluated the pathogenesis, risk factors and management of atherosclerosis. Conclusion: More studies must be done to offer better management, even though massive success was achieved in the past decades. Also healthy population must be encouraged to avoid risk factors that cause such pathologies.

Objectives: To measure the prevalence and incidence of pressure ulcers, describe their complications, and identify the proportions of patients followed by the multidisciplinary clinical services at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) -Jeddah-Saudi Arabia. Methodology:A prospective cohort designed with weekly visits to all general medical and surgical units during the month of August 2016. Patients with new or preexisting pressure ulcers were included. Patients and wounds related variables were followed and recorded weekly. In addition, the clinical disciplines involved in pressure-ulcer's care and their follow-up visits were documented.Results: A total of 370 patients were admitted, and only 21 patients were found to have ulcers. During the total hospital stay for all the patients (2440 days), only 4 new ulcers were developed in the units; the rest developed either at home or in the intensive care unit. The estimated prevalence and incidence of pressure ulcers were 5.7% (95% CI 3.4 -8.0) and 1.6 ulcer/1000 patient-days (95% CI 1.1-2.1) respectively. Sixteen patients, 76%, were bedridden and with urinary catheters. Also, seven patients, 33%, received antibiotics for infected ulcers, and two of them died during the study period due to sepsis. In addition, twenty patients, 95%, were anemic, but only three of them had low body mass index. The proportion of patients, who were seen during the study by dietitians, wound care nurses, occupational therapists and plastic surgery during the study period, was 75%, 33%, 17%, and 17% respectively. Conclusion:Pressure ulcers prevalence and incidence was 5.7% and 1.6 ulcer/1000 patient-days respectively. Majority of pressure ulcer patients were anemic, bedridden, incontinent, and needed home care on hospital discharge. Further research is needed to clarify the best team approach to manage patients with pressure ulcers.

Aims/Introduction: There are studies in different countries regarding the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in non diabetic population. Few studies were done in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus. This study was conducted to determine Vitamin D Status among Saudi patients with type 1 diabetes and to correlate the associated environmental risk factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional single centre study was conducted in 221 Saudi patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. These patients were recruited through the Diabetes Centre at King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital between January 2008 and June 2009. 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, Parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase were measured. Results: There were 221 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, 92 males (42%) and 129 females (58%). The mean age was 21.3 ± 7.2 and the mean diabetes duration was 7.5 ± 5.7. The frequency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 50 nmol/l and <25 nmol/l were 97% and 60% respectively. The frequency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 25 nmol/l was significantly more frequent in female. 67% were either only exposed face or totally covered. Duration of sun exposure in 64% was less than 30 minutes per day. The area of skin exposed and duration of sunlight exposure associated significantly with Vitamin D levels (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001 respectively). Age was associated with more vitamin D < 25 nmol/l (the odds ratio (95% confidence interval); 4.8 (4.6,14.5), p = 0.005; 5.3 (1.8,15.5), p = 0.003; 3.9 (1.5,10.5), p = 0.007 for age groups 12-15, 16-19 and 20-24 years old consequently. Male gender and exposing face, arms and legs to sun were associated with vitamin D ≥ 25 nmol/l; the odds ratio (95% confidence interval); 0.27 (0.11,0.6), p = 0.001; 0.26 (0.09,0.75), p = 0.01 consequently. Conclusions: Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus is high. We recommend to create awareness to increase sunlight exposure and high intake of vitamin D rich food at mass level and starting of Vitamin D food fortification program at government level.