Diabetes Mellitus in the Sultanate of Oman

Abstract

In February 1990 a World Health Organization consultancy was undertaken to assess the current impact of diabetes mellitus in Oman. Routine national health statistics suggested that diabetes was the principal diagnosis in approximately 1% of all hospital discharges in 1988. The number of 'new cases' of diabetes treated at hospitals during the same year was 4.8 per 1000 Omani population, representing almost 6000 diabetic patients. In 1989, at the Royal Hospital, Muscat, diabetes was recorded as the principal diagnosis for 2.6% of all discharges, and 6% of those in subjects aged 45 years and over. It is known that the frequency of diabetes is generally underestimated by routine health statistics. Limited ad hoc investigation during the consultancy suggested that approximately 9% of all adult hospital admissions and 12% of adult hospital bed occupancy were associated with diabetes. Thus, diabetes should be considered a priority in a national health strategy for Oman. It is recommended that emphasis be placed upon epidemiological research, education, and the provision of appropriate technology.

Health Beliefs of People with Type 2 Diabetes in Primary Health Care in Muscat, Oman: A Qualitative Approach

“…1990 saw the first attempt to quantify the rate of diabetes in Oman in a retrospective study of routine health statistics. Accordingly, the national rate of new cases of diabetes was estimated at 4.8/1000; the rate in the capital city Muscat, was much higher (13.4/1000) [4]. This distinction was confirmed in a national follow-up survey for diabetes in adults (≥ 20 years) (n = 5,096).…”

HbA1c Levels among Primary Healthcare Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Oman

“…In Oman, three epidemiological surveys have shown diabetes prevalence to have increased from 9.6% in 1991 to 11.6% in 2000 and 12.3% in 2008. [2][3][4] Currently, there are over 60,000 patients registered on the National Diabetes Register in Oman, with ~5000 new cases being diagnosed each year. 5 Most of the increase in the number of registered cases between 2000-2009 in Oman is observed in the 40-59 years compared to 20-39 or 60+ years.…”

National Diabetes Programs: Application of capture-recapture to count diabetes?

“…T he increase of life expectancy, along with changes in life habits, has resulted in an increasing prevalence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in many geographical areas, where the disease is emerging as a major public health problem (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). Because diabetes is related to higher morbidity and mortality, an improved surveillance of this disease has been recognized as a critical issue in health care (6).…”