Type Ii Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of camel milk users as a dietary adjuncttherapy in Diabetes Type 2. Study Design. A cross sectional questionnaire based survey. Period:May to August 2013. Setting: Liaquat National Hospital & Jinnah Medical College Hospital)and one public sector hospital (Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre) in Karachi. Methods:Minimum sample size using 11.1% prevalence of type II diabetes mellitus, confidence interval of95% and 5% margin of error and finite population correction for large population was calculatedto be 152. Using purposive sampling, type II diabetes patients (taking oral hypoglycemicmedication or insulin to control serum blood glucose) visiting outpatient departments fordiabetes management at two private and one public sector hospital in Karachi, were requestedto participate. After obtaining informed consent, a structured pre-coded questionnaire was filledby trained interviewer. Two laboratory assessed fasting blood (FBG) readings from previousthree months were also recorded from their files. Those who affirmed the use of camel milk wereasked further questions on reasons and consumption pattern. All responses were entered intoSPSS version 17.0 and descriptive frequencies and statistics were obtained for camel milk usersand non-users. Results: 300 patients consented to participate and filled the questionnaire. 36forms did not have two FBG lab reports from previous three months and were excluded. Inthe remaining sample size of n = 264, camel milk use frequency was 35.98% (n=95). In thepreceding three months, the median FBG of users was 121.0 mg/dl as compared to medianFBS of non-users (64.01%;n = 169) of 202.06 mg/dl. 90.5% (n=86) of all users considered oralmedications as main modality for control and only 15.8% of these patients attributed bloodglucose control solely to use of camel milk. Camel milk users were found to use more of homeremedies (13.7%, n = 13), homeopathic medicine (15.8%, n = 15) and exercise (45.3%, n=43)as adjunct modalities to control their blood glucose as compared to 6.5%, 8.9% and 31.4%of non-users. 71.6% (n= 121) of non- users used dietary modification to manage diabetesas compared to 47.4% (n = 45) users. 71% (n = 121) non-users were regularly measuringtheir blood glucose levels as compared to 56.8% (n=54) users of camel milk. Conclusions:Diabetics drinking camel milk showed a marked decrease in mean Fasting Blood Sugar valuesas compared to non-users. More experimental studies should be conducted on a larger scaleand on different regions so as to ascertain the biological plausibility.