Hyperglycaemia, hypertension and their risk factors among Palestine refugees served by UNRWA

UNRWA's noncommunicable disease screening activities were evaluated among 7762 refugees screened for hypertension and type 2 diabetes in Jordan, Syrian Arab Republic, Lebanon, Gaza Strip and West Bank in June 2007. People were referred for screening most commonly because of age [both sexes], followed by smoking [males] and family history [females]. A total of 9% of screened people were diagnosed with hypertension/diabetes. Being older than 40 years, obese or with a positive family history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease increased the risk of presenting with hypertension and/or hyperglycaemia 3.5, 1.6 and 1.2 times respectively. Differences in risk factor detection and screening outcome in relation to differences in lifestyle are discussed

Prevalence of missed hyperglycaemia among Jordan University Hospital mortality discharges, 1995-97

To study the prevalence of recognized and unrecognized hyperglycaemia [defined as fasting blood glucose >/= 140 mg/dL and/or random blood glucose >/= 200 mg/dL on two or more occasions], data were collected from Jordan University Hospital on all hospital deaths in those >/= 20 years of age, for the years 1995-97. The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes was 35.3% and 19.2% were missed cases of hyperglycaemia; of the missed cases, 65.7% had a blood glucose level > 250 mg/dL. Thus, the prevalence of missed hyperglycaemia among hospitalized patients is high, and greater vigilance needs to be exercised by physicians and other health professionals in reviewing laboratory results, especially those related to diabetes