Novel approach to systematic random sampling in population surveys: Lessons from the United Arab Emirates National Diabetes Study (UAEDIAB)

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of diabetes has risen rapidly in the Middle East, particularly in the Gulf Region. However, some prevalence estimates have not fully accounted for large migrant worker populations and have focused on minority indigenous populations. The objectives of the UAE National Diabetes and Lifestyle Study are to: (i) define the prevalence of, and risk factors for, T2DM; (ii) describe the distribution and determinants of T2DM risk factors; (iii) study health knowledge, attitudes, and (iv) identify geneenvironment interactions; and (v) develop baseline data for evaluation of future intervention programs. Methods: Given the high burden of diabetes in the region and the absence of accurate data on non-UAE nationals in the UAE, a representative sample of the non-UAE nationals was essential. We used an innovative methodology in which non-UAE nationals were sampled when attending the mandatory biannual health check that is required for visa renewal. Such an approach could also be used in other countries in the region. Results: Complete data were available for 2719 eligible non-UAE nationals (25.9% Arabs, 70.7% Asian non-Arabs, 1.1% African non-Arabs, and 2.3% Westerners). Most were men < 65 years of age. The response rate was 68%, and the non-response was greater among women than men; 26.9% earned less than UAE Dirham (AED) 24 000 (US$6500) and the most common areas of employment were as managers or professionals, in service and sales, and unskilled occupations. Most (37.4%) had completed high school and 4.1% had a postgraduate degree. Conclusion: This novel methodology could provide insights for epidemiological studies in the UAE and other Gulf States, particularly for expatriates.

Diabetes in the Middle East: from Bedouins and pearl divers to the scourge of diabetes

“…Four studies in this issue of the Journal have focused on different issues relating to diabetes in the MENA region . From Iran, Sadeghi et al .…”

“…Sulaiman et al . report on a new method of sampling non‐UAE nationals, namely those attending mandatory biannual health checks, in order to determine the prevalence of diabetes in the large migrant worker population in the UAE.…”

“…在这期杂志中有4项研究聚焦于MENA地区与糖尿病有关的不同问题 12–15 。Sadeghi等 12 在一项为期7年的前瞻性伊朗伊斯法罕队列研究中发现，糖尿病前期和2型糖尿病（糖代谢异常）的发病率非常高。糖尿病前期的发病率高于糖尿病发病率，并且糖尿病的发病率高于TGLS研究中报告的城市人群的糖尿病发病率 4 。Sadeghi等 12 的研究丰富了当前的文献，因为它包含了农村样本并且调查了糖尿病前期的发病率；不管怎样，出于比较的目的，它分别调查了糖尿病与糖尿病前期的预测性变量，这一点非常有用。…”

“…Sulaiman等 15 报告了一种新的非UAE国民取样方法，亦即每年参加2次强制性健康检查的人群，目的是调查在UAE工作的巨大移民工人群体的糖尿病患病率。如果能够获得成功，那么这种方法也能够被这个地区的其他国家所采用。…”

“…11 Four studies in this issue of the Journal have focused on different issues relating to diabetes in the MENA region. [12][13][14][15] From Iran, Sadeghi et al 12 report on the high incidence of prediabetes plus type 2 diabetes (dysglycemia) from the Isfahan cohort study, a 7-year prospective study. The incidence of prediabetes was higher than that for diabetes and the incidence rate of diabetes was higher than that reported in an urban cohort in the TGLS.…”