DIABETES, OBESITY AND HYPERTENSION IN URBAN AND RURAL PEOPLE OF BEDOUIN ORIGIN IN THE UNITED-ARAB-EMIRATES

In the United Arab Emirates, coronary heart disease has emerged as the leading cause of mortality over a 20-year period of rapid socioeconom ic development. CHD risk factors of non-insulin dependent diabetes mel litus (NIDDM), obesity and hypertension were investigated by community based survey among a bedouin-derived Emirati population sample of 322 subjects (greater than or equal to 20 years). Diagnosis of diabetes w as based on a random capillary blood glucose level greater than or equ al to 11.1 mmol l(-1). Overall diabetes prevalence was 6% (11% in male and 7% in female subjects aged 30-64 years). Urban residence was asso ciated with higher blood glucose levels (P=0.000), and with higher Bod y Mass Index (BMI) values (P=0.002): 27% of all urban residents were o bese (BMI greater than or equal to 30). The Shamsi were positively ass ociated with higher blood glucose levels compared with other tribal gr oups (P=0.000). Female gender was associated with higher BMI values (P =0.000). Between 19 and 25% of all subjects (male or female; urban or rural residents) have systolic hypertension (>140 mm Hg). Male gender was associated with raised diastolic BP (P=0.023). Diabetes was associ ated with higher mean systolic (P=0.0274:) and diastolic (P=0.0132) BP levels. Differences in lifestyle between urban and rural residents ar e becoming blurred with further socioeconomic development and it is ex pected that the incidence of these CHD risk factors will continue to r ise. Further studies are needed to specify changes associated with urb anization. Tribal influence also merits further study given the tradit ion of consanguinity in the UAE and the genetic basis to NIDDM.