BackgroundVitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis. Vitamin D deficiency has reached high levels in the Saudi population, but there is conflicting evidence both in the Saudi population, and worldwide, regarding the existence of a correlation between these low vitamin D levels and reduced BMD (bone mineral density), or osteoporosis.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was primarily to determine whether there was a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis in the Saudi population. We aimed to investigate whether the high levels of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency would translate to higher prevalence of osteoporosis, and whether there is a correlation between vitamin D levels and bone mineral density.Materials and methodsThis was a community based cross sectional study conducted in the Family Medicine Clinics at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Electronic records of 1723 patients were reviewed. Laboratory and radiology results were collected, including vitamin D levels, calcium levels, and bone mineral density scan results.ResultsAmong the whole population, 61.5% had moderate to severe vitamin D deficiency with levels less than 50nmol/L. 9.1% of the population had osteoporosis, and 38.6% had osteopenia. Among the whole population, there was no significant correlation between spine or total femoral BMD and serum 25(OH) D.ConclusionVitamin D deficiency is prevalent in the Saudi population. However, no correlation has been found between vitamin D deficiency and reduced bone mineral density in any age group, in males or females, Saudis or Non-Saudis, in our population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Background Obesity is a risk factor that leads to many chronic diseases and, unfortunately, its prevalence in Saudi Arabia is on the rise. To successfully manage obesity and its complications, patient must be accurately diagnosed. This study aims to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of body mass index (BMI) when diagnosing obesity within the Saudi population using body fat percentage (BF%) as the gold standard. Materials and Methods This is a cross-sectional study that includes a calculated sample size of 942 subjects. Subjects were recruited from family medicine clinics that were linked to King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSH&RC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from January 2005 to March 2016. BF% was estimated using DEXA scan. The diagnostic accuracy of BMI was assessed by using the WHO and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology (AACE/ACE) reference standard for obesity of BF% >25% in men and >35% for women. Results Findings indicate, out of the study population, 29% of men and 53% of women are obese using BMI-defined obesity cut-off point 30 kg/m 2 . The prevalence of obesity was 83.9% and 97.3% in men and women, respectively, using BF%-defined obesity, which corresponds to BMI cut-off of 24 kg/m 2 . Even when considering the highest acceptable BF% based on the mean age of our participants (33% for men and 43% for women), the BMI cut-off to diagnose obesity should not exceed 27 kg/m 2 among men and women in Saudi Arabia. Conclusion The accuracy of BMI 30 kg/m 2 to diagnose obesity among the Saudi population is limited. We have to lower the BMI cut-off point to improve its sensitivity as a screening tool for obesity. Our study suggests that the BMI cut-off point among Saudis and possibly the Arab population should not exceed 27 kg/m 2 for both sexes.

Background Diabetes mellitus is prevalent in Saudi Arabia. Our study aims to estimate the rate and time of developing macrovascular and microvascular complications in diabetic patients in a primary care setting. Methodology This is a retrospective cohort study. All collected data were retrieved using medical files and the electronic patient records of all diabetics having regular follow-ups in Family Medicine clinics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from the beginning of January 2002 to the end of December 2018. The data included the demographics of patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, their HbA1c, and the follow-up duration of the development of complications, which included cardiovascular complications and diabetic nephropathy. Results We included 365 patients, of whom 47.1% males and 52.9% were females. The mean age of diabetes mellitus diagnosis in our population was 50 years (SD±11.3). The mean duration of follow-up was 7.14 years (SD±3.9). The rate of developing cardiovascular complications and diabetic nephropathy was 11.2% and 10.4%, respectively. The mean time to develop cardiovascular complications and diabetic nephropathy was 6 (SD±3.9) and 5.24 (SD±3.2) years, respectively. The mean time to develop the first diabetes complication was 5.5 years (SD±3.6). There was no statistical significance in the mean of HbA1c between patients who developed diabetic complications and those who did not. Conclusion Diabetes complications are common in the Saudi community. The duration of the development of cardiovascular complications and diabetic nephropathy was shorter than that indicated in international and national reports. Robust screening programs to diagnose and improve the control of diabetes mellitus should be established in the Kingdom.