BackgroundThe prevalence of diabetes in Saudi Arabia has increased dramatically during the last decades. This increase has been attributed to significant changes in cultural and socio-economic factors.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine prevalence of diabetes and its relation with age and sex in Turaif city, northern Saudi Arabia.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study carried out during the academic year 2016–2017 over a period of 6 months (October 01, 2016 to March 30, 2017). A total of 1,287 Saudi national individuals of both sexes, aged from 1 year to more than 65 years were included in the study. Data were collected by a predesigned questionnaire covering medical history of diabetes, age and sex.ResultsMean age (± SD) was 24.29 (±13.96) years with the minimum age at 1 year and the maximum age at 93 years, male to female ratio was 42.5% to 57.5%. The total prevalence of DM among the studied population was 5.8% and pre-diabetic cases were 6.8%. There were significant relationships between age/sex, and the occurrence of diabetes among the studied population (p<0.05).ConclusionsThe total prevalence rate of DM among the studied population of Turaif city, northern Saudi Arabia was 5.8% and pre-diabetic cases were 6.8%. Awareness campaigns and prevention programs about diabetes should be instituted and the existing ones must be strengthened. Adequate commitment from the Ministry of Health is also advocated.

Background: Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder worldwide. The prevalence of hypothyroidism depends on many factors, such as age, sex and geographical factors. Objective: This study is carried out to assess the prevalence of hypothyroidism and the related etiology and risks in the general population of Arar city, northern border of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia. A multistage stratified random sampling technique was used. A pre-designed online questionnaire was distributed among the targeted population and filled by participants after a brief introduction or explanation of the idea of the research to the public. Sampled participants filled out the self-reported predesigned questionnaire to collect socioeconomic and thyroid diseases related data. Results: In our study, the prevalence of hypothyroidism was 25.5% (116/454), females are more affected than males, as 57.7% of the cases were female, most of them (80%) aged 21-60 years old and 40% of the cases has a family history of the disease. 64.7% of the cases were on medical treatment but only 16% of them responded. While surgical treatment were found in only 8% of the cases. Conclusion: Hypothyroidism is prevalent in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia, females were more affected than males. Knowledge of factors influencing thyroid dysfunction help the public to guard against these prevalent diseases. More studies should be carried out in Arar city to stress on the individual thyroid disorder. The studies should be community based with clinical and laboratory diagnosis of cases.

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