DEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL-FEATURES OF DIABETES-MELLITUS IN 1095 YEMENIPATIENTS

The ever-increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus is a cause for grow ing public health concern in both developed and developing countries. In this study, we aim to explore the special demographic and clinical features of diabetes, as seen in a large sample of Yemeni patients, an d to compare these features with those reported in other countries. Al l patients referred to our diabetic clinic over a five-year period wer e investigated according to a standardized protocol. Data was collecte d and fed into a personal computer with a software statistical package for analysis. The relative frequencies of clinical classes of diabete s were 10.5% for IDD, 58.6% for non-obese NIDDM; 26.2% for obese NIDDM , and 4.7% for IGT. In the IDDM class, the age-specific relative frequ ency rate showed a higher and earlier onset peak frequency in females than in males. Among NIDDM class, about 31% of patients were diagnosed under the age of 45 years, and only 12% were first diagnosed after th e age of 65 years. Most NIDDM patients came from social classes I and II (professionals and intermediate professionals) and most IDDM patien ts came from social class IIIM (skilled manual). A positive family his tory of diabetes among first-degree relatives of index patients was ob served in 33.7% of IDDM patients, in 30% of non-obese NIDDM patients, in 39.2% of obese NIDDM patients and 32% of IGT patients. Female NIDDM patients had a significantly higher mean body mass index (BMI) than m ales (P<0.0001). Hypertension was recognized in 24.2% of the diabetic population aged 20 to greater than or equal to 65 years. Large vessel disease (LVD) was observed in 28% of patients, small vessel disease (S VD) in 45%, and peripheral neuropathy in 40.7%. Inadequate glycemic co ntrol was noticed during follow-up in the majority of patients. Diabet es mellitus in Yemen, especially NIDDM, is characterized by an earlier age at onset, and predominance of males and non-obese NIDM subclass. Other characteristics include moderate genetic susceptibility, inadequ ate glycemic control and high prevalence of chronic complications.