Five-year comparison of diabetic control between community diabetic center and primary health-care centers

A systematic review of factors associated with uncontrolled diabetes and meta-analysis of its prevalence in Saudi Arabia since 2006

The study aims to systematically review the literature for risk factors associated with poor glycaemic control among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Saudi Arabia (SA) and conducts a meta-analysis of its prevalence. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, we searched the Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and CINAHL Plus databases from May to November 2018. The search terms were T2DM, glycaemic control, and SA. The inclusion criteria include the following: observational studies which were conducted in T2DM patients in SA reporting prevalence or/and personal, psychological or behavioural predictors in papers published after 2006. Articles were assessed using a modified Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) tool. Studies included in the meta-analysis defined uncontrolled T2DM as glycated haemoglobin ≥7% (53 mmol/mol), and reported results were based on a random-effects model. Eighteen of the following articles (3 retrospective cohort studies, 1 case-control study, and 14 cross-sectional studies) were included. The quality of the studies (high: 2; moderate: 7, and low: 9) varied. The pooled prevalence of uncontrolled T2DM in SA was 77.7% (95% CI, 71.2-84.2). In the included studies, the most consistent predictors of poor glycaemic control were longer diabetes duration, lack of self-efficacy, and low knowledge of diabetes. However, significant variations in research designs were observed across the studies. A national diabetes prevention and treatment program is needed to lessen the burden of diabetes in SA. Future studies should address the personal, psychological, and behavioural factors of poor glycaemic control in SA at national level.

Identification of Education Models to Improve Health Outcomes in Arab Women with Pre-Diabetes

Few evaluations of interventions to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Saudi Arabia (SA) have been undertaken. The present study evaluates the impact of a 6-month intensive lifestyle modification intervention delivered in primary care. Females from SA with prediabetes, aged 18–55 years, were recruited with 190 participants eligible following screening and randomly allocated to receive a 3-month one-on-one, intensive lifestyle modification (intervention group (IG) n = 95) or standard guidance (control group (CG) n = 95). Participants completed questionnaires including demographic, dietary and physical activity data. Blood samples were collected at baseline, 3 and 6 months. A total of 123 (74 IG (age 40.6 ± 9.8 years; body mass index (BMI) 31.2 ± 7.0 kg/m²) and 49 CG (age 40.6 ± 12.7 years; BMI 32.3 ± 5.4 kg/m²)) participants completed the study. After 6 months, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c; primary endpoint) significantly improved in the IG than CG completers in between-group comparisons (p < 0.001). Comparison between groups showed significant improvements in overall energy intake, total and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol in favour of IG (p-values < 0.001, 0.04 and <0.001, respectively). BMI and weight change were not clinically significant in between group comparisons. A 6-month, intense one-on-one intervention in lifestyle modification significantly improves glycaemic and cardio metabolic profile of females living in SA with pre-diabetes delivered in a primary care setting. Longer duration studies, using the same intervention, may determine whether a meaningful weight loss secondary to improved diet can be achieved.