Comprehension and Understanding of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Among Pregnant Women Attending Primary Health Care Facilities in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Background and objective Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy and can negatively affect both the mother and the fetus. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of GDM among pregnant women in primary care centers. By enhancing their understanding of the risks and symptoms of GDM, we can potentially mitigate adverse outcomes. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the National Guard's primary healthcare facilities in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study employed a validated 12-item questionnaire to collect data from 489 participants. The questionnaire items covered the identification of risk factors, diagnostic approach, treatment options, and complications related to GDM, considering maternal and fetal health implications. Results The study participants had a mean age of 30.9 years. Among these participants, 53.6% demonstrated a thorough understanding of GDM, 35.2% had moderate knowledge scores, and 11.2% had low knowledge scores. Higher levels of awareness were strongly associated with higher levels of education, gravidity, and prior knowledge of GDM. Conclusion The study highlights the importance of early detection and management strategies for GDM during pregnancy to minimize its negative impacts. The findings suggest the need for individually tailored antenatal education programs by healthcare professionals that address the needs of different populations. This is particularly relevant for women with lower education levels and those who are pregnant for the first time or have no prior knowledge of GDM.

Resistant Hypertension in Patients With Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Single-Center, Cross-Sectional Study.

Background The prevalence of resistant hypertension in Saudi patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has not been previously estimated. Therefore, our objective was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of resistant hypertensive patients with T2DM at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study included patients with hypertension and T2DM who presented to our center in 2018. We examined 1960 patients with T2DM during the study period; 809 were hypertensives. We compared T2DM patients with controlled hypertension versus resistant hypertension. Results The prevalence of resistant hypertension in patients with T2DM was 137/809 (16.93%). The mean age was 66.38±10.80 years, and females presented 56% of the study population (n= 451). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA; OR: 2.60 [1.15- 5.87]; P=0.02) and ischemic heart disease (IHD; OR: 3.01 [2.04- 4.45]; P˂0.001) were significantly associated with resistant hypertension. The most common medications used with resistant hypertension were calcium channel blockers (CCBs; 89.05%), ß-blockers (76.64%), and angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs; 62.77%). Conclusions Resistant hypertension in patients with T2DM is common in Saudi Arabia. Resistant hypertension could be associated with OSA and IHD. Further studies are required to evaluate the temporal relationship between resistant hypertension and risk factors.