1. © Diabetes Mellitus In Saudi Arabia Al-Nozha, MM; Al-Maatouq, MA; Al-Mazrou, YY; Al-Harthi, SS; Arafah, MR; Khalil, MZ; Khan, NB; Al-Khadra, A; Al-Marzouki, K; Nouh, MS; Abdullah, M; Attas, O; Al-Shahid, MS; Al-Mobeireek, A SAUDI MED J, SAUDI MEDICAL JOURNAL; pp: 1603-1610; Vol: 25 King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals http://www.kfupm.edu.sa Summary Objective: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major public health problem worldwide, and it is a known risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). New recommendations for the diagnosis of diabetes have changed the epidemiology of DM. Therefore, we designed this Study with the objective to determine the prevalence of DM among Saudis of both sexes, between the ages of 30-70-years in rural as well as urban communities. This work is part of a major national project: Coronary Artery Disease in Saudis Study (CADISS) that is designed to look at CAD and its risk factors in Saudi population. Methods: This study is a community-based national epidemiological health Survey, conducted by examining, Saudi Subjects in the age group of 30-70-years of selected households over a 5-year period between 1995 and 2000. Data were obtained from history, fasting plasma glucose levels, and body mass index. The data were analyzed to classify individuals as diabetic, impaired fasting glucose and normal, using 1997 American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria, which was adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1998, to provide prevalence of DM in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Results: A total of 17232 Saudi subjects were selected in the study, and 16917 participated (98.2% response rate). Four thousand and four subjects (23.7%), Out Of 16917 were diagnosed to have DM. Thus, the overall prevalence of DM obtained from this study is 23.7% in KSA. The prevalence in males and females were 26.2% and 21.5% (p<0.00001). The calculated age-adjusted prevalence for Saudi population for the year 2000 is 21.9%. Diabetes mellitus was more prevalent among Saudis living, in urban areas of 25.5% Copyright: King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals; http://www.kfupm.edu.sa

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