The compliance rate was low in this study and was accompanied by inadequate blood pressure control among noncompliant subjects. Disoriented behavior regarding hypertension and its medications was observed.

Several studies have clearly shown the impact of modernization on the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in susceptible communities. Saudi Arabia has faced a rapid development program over the last two decades. In a recent study, we found a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus in urban Saudi Arabia. A total of 5222 rural subjects of both sexes were involved in a study of the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Random capillary blood glucose, body weight and height, and income were recorded. The results showed an overall prevalence of 4.3%. There was a rise of prevalence with age and higher-income groups. Prevalence also differed with sex. The overall prevalence in women (5.9%) was twice that for men (2.9%; P less than .001). Obesity occurred in 41.2% of our diabetic subjects compared to 29.3% in nondiabetic subjects (P less than .001). Multiple logistic regression analysis with body mass index (BMI) as the dependent variable showed that sex and income status were significant factors (P less than .0001 and P less than .04, respectively). When blood glucose was fixed as the dependent variable, the analysis showed that age, income, and BMI were significant factors (P less than .004, P less than .0001, and P less than .045, respectively).

A cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of elderly subjects aged 65 years and above, resident in Qassim region, in central Saudi Arabia. The sample size was 266 subjects (12%). The study objective was to assess the subjects' functional activities in the form of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). Wadu, the Muslim tradition of washing before the main five daily prayers was included in the ADL. The results showed that impairment of ADL, ADL and Wadu, and IADL was observed in 12.4%, 7.9% and 54.4% of subjects. Advancing age and female gender were found to be negatively, while male gender and having an occupation were found to be positively associated with functional activity.

No abstract

It is customary in clinical practice and elsewhere to put on a mask for protection against infection, dust, and so forth. The veil, which is traditionally worn by women in many Muslim countries, especially in Saudi Arabia, may have a similar effect. The study was carried out during 1998-1999 in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Adult women were asked to answer a structured questionnaire related to the occurrence of respiratory tract problems and about veil wearing. Veil wearing was practiced by 58% of the sample. Respiratory infections and asthma were significantly more common in veils users (p < 0.00001 and p < 0.0003, respectively). This unexpected finding was probably secondary to infection. More and bigger studies are recommended.