|
From
the Editor
..........................................................................................................................
Abdul Abyad,
MD, MPH, MBA, AGSF, AFCHSE (Chief Editor)
Address correspondence
to:
Abdul Abyad, MD, MPH, MBA, AGSF, AFCHSE (Editor)
Abyad Medical Center & Middle East Longevity
Institute
Azmi Street, Abdo Center, 2nd Floor
PO BOX 618, Tripoli LEBANON
Tel & Fax: 961 6 443684/5/6
Email: aabyad@cyberia.net.lb
Web: www.amc-lb.com
.........................................................................................................................
Diabetes is one of the growing health problems
in the Middle East region in general and the
Gulf region in particular. Increasing population
numbers in the region exposes a large number
of the population to diabetes and its complications.
This issue is fully dedicated to Diabetes Mellitus.
It is rich with papers from various part of
the world including India, Turkey, Yemen and
the Gulf.
A paper from Turkey investigated whether oligofructose
and polydextrose consumption could improve the
metabolic control parameters in women with NIDDM.
The study was performed on twenty voluntary
postmenopausal women. The authors concluded
that individual diabetic diets supplemented
with prebiotics improved metabolic control parameters
in NIDDM.
A retrospective from Yemen aims to determine
the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) among
type 2 diabetic patients. The total number of
patient records reviewed were 460 (males=260
and females=200). The diagnosis of MS applied
was according to WHO criteria, which is the
presence of hypertension, obesity and type 2
diabetes. The results indicate that the total
number of patients who had MS were 139/460,
with overall prevalence rate of 32.2 %. The
males were 65/260 (25%) and females were 74/200
(37%). The authors concluded that metabolic
syndrome is considerably high among diabetic
patients, therefore they are more vulnerable
to cardiovascular diseases and, gives a call
for more healthcare of diabetics.
A cross sectional study from Saudi Arabia assessed
health difficulties facing diabetic patients
in fasting during Ramadan. A total of 204 adult
male diabetic patients were included in the
study. The majority of patients hadtype 2 diabetes
mellitus (97.1%), and (2.9%) had type 1 diabetes
mellitus. The authors concluded that the majority
of type 2 diabetic patients fasted during Ramadan
without difficulties, and most of them had adjusted
their oral hypoglycemic agents. It is important
and essential for primary health care physicians
to educate their Muslim diabetic patients before
Ramadan fasting, to clarify any misconception
about adjustment of their hypoglycemic agents
and insulin during Ramadan, and to avoid preventable
complications like hypoglycemia which is sometimes
fatal. Further community based studies are recommended
to study diabetic patients' medical issues during
Ramadan.
A paper from India looked at Awareness Regarding
Self Care among Diabetics in
a cross-sectional study which was carried out
on the diabetic patients attending out patient
clinics at three randomly selected rural primary
health centers. The diabetics in the area under
study had a poor level of awareness about the
disease, its complications and self-care. It
was further observed that only a few of them
had put their knowledge into practice. The authors
concluded that improving patients' knowledge
and skills regarding diabetes self-care practices
will allow them to better contribute to their
care thereby postponing, if not avoiding, long-term
complications.
A retrospective study from Suadi Arabia attempted
to evaluate the efficacy of the diabetic center
in Gurayat General Hospital before and after
commencement of work in this center. Medical
records of patients admitted to surgical wards
due to diabetic foot lesions during the period
from January 2005 to December 2006 were reviewed.
The authors concluded that the services presented
by the diabetic center towards diabetic foot
care were affecting obviously the outcome of
the diabetic patients suffering from diabetic
foot lesions attending Gurayat General Hospital.
Dr Al-Ajlan A looked at the emerging challenges
of diabetes. The author stressed that one the
greatest challenges faced by the modern world
is diabetes mellitus. The physical, social and
economic factors involved in the management
of diabetes are a continuous strain for the
health sector and the government agencies. It
is expected that approximately 366 million people
will be affected by diabetes mellitus by the
year 2030.
A second paper from Turkey evaluated the knowledge,
attitude and behavior of diabetes mellitus patients
who are a target group for influenza vaccination.
In addition, the authors compared the change
in their vaccination status after training.
A questionnaire comprised of 25 questions was
administered to the patients. Thirty patients
had training on influenza and influenza vaccination
in September 2005. Influenza vaccination and
having influenza disease was asked at the end
of the influenza season. The authors stressed
that diabetes mellitus patients in their study
group have been vaccinated at a very low percent
with influenza vaccine and there was no one
who had pneumococcal vaccine.
Dr Ahmed AA rviewed the issue of prevalence
and risk factors for diabetic foot in Saudi
Arabia. The author stressd that demographic
and social changes have led to increased prevalence
of diabetes in his country. Then he discussed
the fact that dDiabetic foot lesions may face
diabetic patients at any time in their diabetes
life. It is estimated that approximately 15%
of all people with diabetes will be affected
by a foot ulcer during their lifetime. He discussed
use of offloading devices used to decrease the
pressure over a wound and protect wounds, so
to give the wound a good chance of healing.
We welcome our South Asia readers who are joining
the MEJFM family, and we are putting out a call
for papers from the wider region.
|
