RISK-FACTORS FOR CORONARY-ARTERY DISEASE IN NEWLY-DIAGNOSED NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS - PREVALENCE IN BAHRAINI COMPARED WITH ASIAN INDIAN PATIENTS

Objective: To compare the prevalence of coronary risk factors in Bahra ini Arab and Asian Indian male patients at the time of diagnosis of no n insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Methods: One hundred and forty six Bahraini and 44 Asian Indian male patients with newly diagnosed no n insulin dependent diabetes mellitus were seen over a 24 month period . Anthropometric indices, prevalence of hypertension and smoking, as w ell as the lipid profiles were determined. Results: No statistically s ignificant difference was found in waist-to-hip ratio, prevalence of h ypertension or smoking, and the serum concentrations of triglyceride, low density lipoprotein or high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Obesi ty was more common in the Bahraini patients. Conclusion: The risk fact ors for coronary artery disease are as common and as severe in Bahrain i male patients as in Asian Indian male patients with non insulin depe ndent diabetes mellitus. If these risk factors are also associated wit h a high degree of insulin resistance in the Bahrainin patients, then coronary artery disease would probably be as common a problem among th em as has been repeatedly documented in Asian Indians in several parts of the world.