Year-round vitamin D deficiency among Saudi female out-patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate vitamin D status among female out-patients in Saudi Arabia during the summer and winter seasons. DESIGN: Data were retrospectively collected using medical record abstraction. SETTING: A multidisciplinary hospital in Riyadh between January and December 2009. SUBJECTS: Saudi females (age ≥19 years; n 1556) attending out-patient clinics for various complaints comprised the studied population. The population was subdivided into two groups depending on the date of their visit where blood samples were collected: summer (n 659) and winter groups (n 897). The summer group was further subdivided into premenopausal (age 19-49 years; n 425) and postmenopausal subgroups (age ≥50 years; n 234). Similarly, the winter group was subdivided into premenopausal (n 543) and postmenopausal subgroups (n 354). Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) were measured using HPLC. RESULTS: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D <50 nmol/l) was high in both premenopausal and postmenopausal groups (80 % and 68 %, respectively) during the summer, as well as during the winter (85 % and 76 %, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among Saudi female out-patients was observed throughout the year despite the routine supplementation with 10-20 µg vitamin D3 for postmenopausal women. Clinicians should seriously consider determining the vitamin D status of Saudi females routinely and prescribing them proper supplementation.

The Prevalence of Associated Autoimmune Diseases Among Adults With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background The relationship between type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and other autoimmune diseases has been known; however, the actual prevalence in the adult population nor clinical symptoms has not been determined locally. Objectives We aim to determine the prevalence of associated autoimmune diseases (Hashimoto's thyroiditis, celiac disease (CD), and adrenal insufficiency (AI)) and evaluate the most reporting symptoms and glycemic control assessment, as well as microvascular complications and hypoglycemia episodes. Methods A cross-sectional study of 251 patients with T1DM at the diabetic clinic of King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh (KAMC-RD), Saudi Arabia, was conducted. Autoimmune serologies including thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody and tissue transglutaminase IgA (tTG-IgA) antibody were checked with hormonal studies such as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), morning serum cortisol, and short Synacthen test (SST) with duodenal biopsy results all were reviewed if present. Patients were directly interviewed to evaluate for the most common symptoms (including hypoglycemia episodes) for the preceding two weeks. Glycemic control was assessed by measuring glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Microvascular complications (i.e., nephropathy and retinopathy) were estimated by looking at the urine albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) besides the ophthalmology's visit notes. Results The mean age was 26.3 ± 7.7 years, and the mean duration of diabetes at the time of data collection was 12.2 ± 7.6 years, whereas the mean HbA1c was 8.9% ± 1.8%. The prevalence of hypothyroidism was 16.3%, and TPO positivity was discovered in 58.6% of the tested patients (n = 70) with equal prevalence among both genders (p = 0.685). tTG-IgA were noticed among 16.4% of the patients (n = 164) without significant difference among gender. Serum cortisol test was performed among 128 patients; 28.1% had suboptimal levels, and 5.5% were deficient. Only four patients (n = 15) had suboptimal responses after SST. Nervousness and anxiety (p < 0.001), fatigue with weakness (p = 0.018), weight gain (p = 0.017), and cold intolerance (p = 0.005) were noted, which were statistically significantly higher among females. Weight gain was statistically significantly higher among the age group of >30 years (p = 0.036). For microvascular complication screening, ACR was collected in 199 (79.2%) participants, with a mean of 27.7 ± 155.9 mg/mmol. Only 10 (5%) patients had microalbuminuria, and 16 (8%) had macroalbuminuria; it was correlated significantly with diabetes duration (p = 0.045). A total of 132 (52.8%) patients were seen by ophthalmology, 28 (21.4%) had nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), and 10 (7.6%) has proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) that significantly correlated with the duration of diabetes (p = 0.027). During patient interviews, 187 (74.5%) reported symptomatic hypoglycemia events that correlated significantly with glycemic control (p = 0.029). Conclusion Autoimmunity in Saudi adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus was significant with equal prevalence among both genders and age groups with no or slight difference. Clinical manifestations of autoimmunity were higher in women. Diabetes chronicity and poor glycemic control were the major complications; therefore, early glycemic control is advocated. Regular screening for autoimmunity and its complications is recommended for type 1 diabetic patients. Autoimmunity was found almost similar to previous literature.

Management of Diabetes and Hypertension within the Gulf Region: Updates on Treatment Practices and Therapies.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death globally, driven by the high rates of risk factors, such as diabetes and hypertension. As the prevalence of these risk factors is particularly high in the Gulf region, better diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension has the potential to dramatically reduce adverse cardiovascular outcomes for individuals in that part of the world. This article provides a summary of presentations made during the EVIDENT summit, a virtual symposium on Evidence in Diabetes and Hypertension, held in September 2021, including a review of the various guidelines for both T2D and hypertension, as well as recent findings relevant to the safety and efficacy for therapies relating to these conditions. Of relevance to the Gulf region, the risk of hypoglycaemia with sulfonylureas during Ramadan was reviewed. For the management of T2D, sulfonylureas have been a long-standing medication used to achieve glycaemic control; however, differences have emerged between early and later generations, with recent studies suggesting improvements in the safety profiles of late-generation sulfonylureas. For patients with hypertension, incremental therapy changes are recommended to reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications that are associated with increasing blood pressure. For first-line therapy, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), such as perindopril, have been demonstrated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. The addition of calcium channel blockers and diuretics to ACEi has been shown to be effective in patients with poorly controlled hypertension. The different renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors are reviewed, and the benefit of combination therapies, including amlodipine and indapamide in patients with difficult-to-control hypertension, is investigated. The benefits of lifestyle modifications for these patients are also discussed, with important clinical considerations that are expected to inform patient management in daily clinical practice.

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its associated factors in three regions of Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To measure prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Saudi Arabia, unveil the life style, nutritional habits and status, as well as identify the potential risk factors. Method: A school-based survey targeting Saudi school students and employees was conducted during the  period from 2013 to 2014 using multistage cluster random sample in Central, Western and Eastern regions. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and difference between various population subgroups were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of potential risk factors. Results: Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 49.5% in students and 44% in employees. Life style was not adequate to protect against vitamin D depletion. Unhealthy nutritional habits were widespread, some manifested in childhood while others manifested later in life. Living in the Eastern region, females, 16-19 years of age, low economic class, obese and lack of omega 3 supplements were risk factors in students. Employees living in the Eastern region, females, middle-income class, carbonated soft drink consumers, and lack of multivitamin supplements were at higher risk. Conclusion: There is a need for a health awareness program using evidence-based recommendations. Screening for early detection and correction of the condition should be proposed to be part of the national health strategy. There is need for identifying the burden of vitamin D deficiency on other diseases to control and improve the prognosis of these conditions.