EFFECT OF MAGNESIUM L-LACTATE SUPPLEMENT ON BLOOD PRESSURE AND CORRECTED QT INTERVAL IN A SAMPLE OF IRAQI WOMEN WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: The current study was designed for evaluation the effect of oral magnesium l-lactate supplementation on blood pressure and corrected QT interval in a sample of Iraqi women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: In this interventional prospective randomized trial, 58 female patients diagnosed with MetS according to the International Diabetic Federation (IDF) criteria and were randomly allocated to receive either placebo or magnesium l-lactate 84 mg, twice daily. RESULTS: Results: O#ce blood pressure showed a signi$cant drop in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P<0.05), non-significant decline in diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), and pulse pressure (PP) (P>0.05), while ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) recorded a signi$cant reduction in HR in patients on magnesium supplement. Also, there was a signi$cant decline in the SBP (P<0.05) and non-signi$cant decline in DBP and PP (P>0.05) in patients with masked hypertension on Mg supplement. The changes in corrected QT- interval had no signi$cant e"ect within Mg group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: From above results, one can conclude that oral Mg l-lactate supplement can improve, to a certain extent, blood pressure of women with MetS. Further studies in this aspect may be required.

Feasibility and acceptability of text messaging to support antenatal healthcare in Iraqi pregnant women: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility and acceptability of mobile health technology and its potential to improve antenatal care (ANC) services in Iraq. METHODS: This was a controlled experimental study conducted at primary health care centers. One hundred pregnant women who attended those centres for ANC were exposed to weekly text messages varying in content, depending on the week of gestation, while 150 women were recruited for the unexposed group. The number of ANC visits in the intervention and control groups, was the main outcome measure. The Mann-Whitney test and the Poisson regression model were the two main statistical tests used. RESULTS: More than 85% of recipients were in agreement with the following statements: "the client recommends this program for other pregnant women", "personal rating for the message as a whole" and "obtained benefit from the messages". There was a statistically significant increase in the median number of antenatal clinic visits from two to four per pregnancy, in addition to being relatively of low cost, and could be provided for a larger population with not much difference in the efforts. CONCLUSIONS: Text messaging is feasible, low cost and reasonably acceptable to Iraqi pregnant women, and encourages their ANC visits.

Recommendations for the prevention and management of obesity in the Iraqi population.

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease that has become one of the leading causes of disability and death in the world, affecting not only adults but also children and adolescents. In Iraq, one third of the adult population is overweight and another third obese. Clinical diagnosis is accomplished by measuring body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (a marker for intra-visceral fat and higher metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk). A complex interaction between behavioral, social (rapid urbanization), environmental and genetic factors underlies the etiology of the disease. Treatment options for obesity may include a multicomponent approach, involving dietary changes to reduce calorie intake, an increase in physical activity, behavioral modification, pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery. The purpose for these recommendations is to develop a management plan and standards of care that are relevant to the Iraqi population and that can prevent/manage obesity and obesity-related complications, for the promotion of a healthy community.

Patterns of Diabetes Care Among People with Type 1 Diabetes During Ramadan: An International Prospective Study (DAR-MENA T1DM).

INTRODUCTION: To describe the characteristics and care of participants with type 1 diabetes during Ramadan in the Middle East and North Africa. METHODS: The DAR-MENA (Diabetes and Ramadan-Middle East and North Africa) study was a prospective, observational study of adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who were Muslim and did/did not intend to fast during Ramadan 2016. Baseline data were collected 6 weeks prior to Ramadan, with a follow-up visit 1-2 months after Ramadan. This is the analysis of the population with type 1 diabetes. Measurements included proportion who fasted, reasons for fasting and not fasting, changes in diabetes treatment, hypoglycemic events, and proportion with access to diabetes education. RESULTS: Of 136 participants with type 1 diabetes, 76.9% (100/130) fasted for at least 1 day, 72.3% (94/130) fasted for at least 15 days, and 48.5% (63/130) fasted for 30 days. The majority (63.0%, 63/100) reported personal decision as a reason to fast. Fear of diabetic complications (58.6%, 17/29) and previous complications related to fasting (48.3%, 14/29) were the most common reasons for not fasting. Adjustment of diabetic medication regimen occurred for 84.6% (115/136) of participants, and 72.8% (99/136) changed their treatment dose. The incidence and number of adverse events for confirmed and severe hypoglycemia were similar before and during Ramadan. Almost half of participants had access to diabetes education (45.6%, 62/136). CONCLUSION: The DAR-MENA study showed that despite the risks associated with fasting for people with type 1 diabetes, almost half fasted for the full 30 days of Ramadan with no significant change in hypoglycemia events. Since the current International Diabetes Federation and Diabetes and Ramadan guidelines do not endorse fasting for people with type 1 diabetes, it is important that those who insist on fasting work closely with their healthcare practitioner to avoid any complications.

The characteristics and pattern of care for the type 2 diabetes mellitus population in the MENA region during Ramadan: An international prospective study (DAR-MENA T2DM).

AIMS: We aimed to describe the characteristics and care of participants with diabetes during Ramadan in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). METHODS: In this prospective, observational study, we analysed the number of fasted days, number of participants fasting, glycemic control, rate of hypoglycemic events, and lifestyle patterns for participants with T2DM during Ramadan 2016. RESULTS: The population included 1749 participants with T2DM. The mean (SD) duration of fasting was 27.7 (5.0) days, and 57.3% of participants fasted for the full duration of Ramadan. Following Ramadan, a significant improvement in HbA1c, FPG, and PPG was observed (p < 0.0001). Confirmed hypoglycemia increased significantly from before to during Ramadan (incidence: 4.9% vs. 10.4%, p < 0.001; adverse events: 0.11 vs. 0.22 events/month/participant, p < 0.001) and was dependent on the treatment regimen. Severe hypoglycemia incidence was 0.2% before versus 0.9% during Ramadan (p = 0.031), whereas adverse events remained comparable (0.01 events/month/participant; p = 0.154). Most participants (97.4%) reported lifestyle changes during Ramadan. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study is the first to describe the characteristics and care of participants with T2DM during Ramadan in MENA, and can be utilized in the development of evidence-based care to ensure the safety of participants who fast.

A feasibility study of mobile phone text messaging to support education and management of type 2 diabetes in Iraq.

BACKGROUND: We undertook a feasibility study to evaluate feasibility and utility of short message services (SMSs) to support Iraqi adults with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients from a teaching hospital clinic in Basrah in the first year after diagnosis were recruited to receive weekly SMSs relating to diabetes self-management over 29 weeks. Numbers of messages received, acceptability, cost, effect on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and diabetes knowledge were documented. RESULTS: Forty-two patients completed the study, receiving an average 22 of 28 messages. Mean knowledge score rose from 8.6 (SD 1.5) at baseline to 9.9 (SD 1.4) 6 months after receipt of SMSs (P=0.002). Baseline and 6-month knowledge scores correlated (r=0.297, P=0.049). Mean baseline HbA1c was 79 mmol/mol (SD 14 mmol/mol) (9.3% [SD 1.3%]) and decreased to 70 mmol/mol (SD 13 mmol/mol) (8.6% [SD 1.2%]) (P=0.001) 6 months after the SMS intervention. Baseline and 6-month values were correlated (r=0.898, P=0.001). Age, gender, and educational level showed no association with changes in HbA1c or knowledge score. Changes in knowledge score were correlated with postintervention HbA1c (r=-0.341, P=0.027). All patients were satisfied with text messages and wished the service to be continued after the study. The cost of SMSs was €0.065 per message. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates SMSs are acceptable, cost-effective, and feasible in supporting diabetes care in the challenging, resource-poor environment of modern-day Iraq. This study is the first in Iraq to demonstrate similar benefits of this technology on diabetes education and management to those seen from its use in better-resourced parts of the world. A randomized controlled trial is needed to assess precise benefits on self-care and knowledge.