<p>Patient-Reported Outcomes and Impact of Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia</p>

Abstract

Background The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has the second highest prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the Middle East. There is a paucity of research on the experiences and treatment preferences of patients with T2DM in KSA. This study explored Saudi patients’ health-related quality of life, eating habits, experiences during Ramadan, and preference between two glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) treatment devices. Methods A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in three cities in KSA. Participants completed sociodemographic and clinical forms, EQ-5D-5L, Impact of Weight on Self-Perceptions, and a diabetes treatment survey. Participants also viewed instructional videos on GLP-1 RA injection devices and indicated their device preference. Results Of the 310 participants, 53% were male. The mean age was 43 years (range: 30.0–75.0), duration since diabetes diagnosis was 6.3 years (range: 0.2–27.1), the most commonly reported last HbA1c level was between ≥7.1% and 8% (45%). The mean EQ-5D-5L index score was 0.90, with some participants reporting problems with pain/discomfort (34.5%) and usual activities (33.2%). Patients reported a low-to-moderate impact of weight on self-perception. In preparation for Ramadan, participants sought physician advice on diabetes management (37%) and/or increased checks of their blood glucose (37%). After watching the videos, 89% (n=277) of participants indicated a device preference, with significantly more preferring the dulaglutide device (n=186, 67%) over the semaglutide device (n=91, 33%) (p<0.0001). Conclusion This study indicates that T2DM has a significant social, emotional, and behavioral impact on the lives of patients in KSA.

Application of the EQ-5D in the Middle East: A Systematic Review Focusing on Patients Living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…The most studied condition was diabetes mellitus (n=4), [23][24][25][26] followed by musculoskeletal disorders, back pain, and injuries (n=3). [27][28][29] The remaining articles focused either on a specific condition, such as urinary…”

“…35 The sample size of each study was related to the condition of interest. Out of a summed sample equal to 2025 patients, 36% had diabetes, [23][24][25][26] -unsurprising considering that the prevalence of diabetes in the KSA exceeds 14% of the population. 36 The second largest sample study was patients who had cardiovascular diseases, which also affect millions in the KSA.…”

Sex as a Biological Factor in the Changes in Disease Patients During Ramadan Intermittent Fasting: A Systematic Review

“…Differences between men and women in knowledge, attitude, and practice may explain part of these results during Ramadan. It has been shown that more women than men broke the fast in relation to diabetes concerns (81,82). Additionally, women changed their medications during Ramadan (81) and have lower drug adherence than men, especially for high-cost drugs (83).…”

Saudi Arabia’s Healthy Food Strategy: Progress & Hurdles in the 2030 Road

“…The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), part of the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR), is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The escalation in household income in the beginning of the 21st century was accompanied with a fast nutrition transition and an increased consumption of SSF, associated with a heavy burden of obesity, food allergies, and NCD [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. Recent data by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) revealed that KSA is among the top countries in the region and the world in the prevalence of obesity and diabetes.…”