Diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the association between emergency department (ED) visits, glycemic control and the quality of preventive diabetes care among diabetic patients in a Saudi community. Methods: This study was an observational, cross-sectional study that collected data through interview-based surveys between February and April 2017. Data were collected from 530 diabetic patients in the diabetes clinics at King Saud Medical City, the tertiary center of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Results: This study found statistically significant relationships ( p <0.05) between ED visits and patient age, the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and education level. Emergency department visits increased by 43% for each unit of increase in HbA1c (odds ratio [OR]=1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.26-1.62). Graduating from high school decreased the odds of visiting the ED by 43% (OR=0.57, 95% CI=0.34-0.94). Most of the participants were not followed for possible microvascular complications; the majority did not visit nephrology (96.2%), ophthalmology (78.3%) and neurology (97.9%) clinics within the 12 months prior to the interviews. Conclusion: Emergency department visits can indicate poor glycemic control in diabetic patients. Additionally, the current practices of preventive diabetes care in Saudi Arabia are not sufficient, according to the diabetic standards of care recommended by the American Diabetes Association.

Insulin Pump Therapy Issues Among Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study

“…The poor glycaemic control is also reflected by the high prevalence of hospital admissions in the cohort. A recent study by Alshareef and colleagues demonstrated a high correlation between hospital visits and glycaemic control among 530 adult Saudis with diabetes [21]. In their study, each unit of increase in HbA1c was attributed to a 43% increase in emergency department visits.…”

“…In their study, each unit of increase in HbA1c was attributed to a 43% increase in emergency department visits. They also highlighted that most participants were not followed up for emergence of complications 12 months prior to ER visits, a clear indication that diabetes care in KSA also has its own shortcomings [21].…”

Management of an emergency tooth extraction in diabetic patients on the dental chair

“…Based on a study by Alshareef et al (2019) reported that the clinicians should take great care with the management of diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia. Diabetic patients who visited the emergency department in Saudi Arabia hospitals had poor glycemic control.…”

“…If fasting blood glucose level reaches 240 mg/dl this is a sign of out of control diabetes (Bailey et al, 2016, Zehani et al, 2017, de Bedout et al, 2018, Alshareef et al, 2019, Power et al, 2019). The symptoms of high blood sugar can be mild, moderate, or severe.…”

“…Severe symptoms are noticeable if fasting blood glucose levels are above 300 mg/dl. These include weight loss, dehydration, tiredness, poor concentration, irritability, and nervousness, irrational behavior, and personality changes, tingling in the mouth, and coordination problems (Alshareef et al, 2019). If blood glucose level tops 600 mg/dl (the condition is called diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome), Patient becomes confused, unconscious and ends up with diabetic coma.…”