| SHORT COMMUNICATION |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 4
| Issue : 3 | Page : 7 |
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Reasons for complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus observed in the United Arab Emirates: Physicians' opinion
E Mathew1, A Mathew2, J Muttappallymyalil3, J Sreedharan3, S.A.M. Ibrahim4
1 Department of Community Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman - UAE
2 College of Allied Health Sciences, Gulf Medical University, Ajman - UAE
3 Research Division, Gulf Medical University, Ajman - UAE
4 Department of Internal Medicine, Gulf Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Ajman - UAE
Correspondence Address:
J Muttappallymyalil
Research Division, Gulf Medical University, Ajman - UAE
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
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The study explored diabetic complications and their reasons as observed by practicing physicians in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A cross sectional study collected opinion of 107 multinational practicing physicians identified from across UAE using a snowballing technique. The majority of participants were males (81%); 62% from clinics and 38% from hospitals. More than 50% had experience in UAE for over 5 years. Fifty eight percent of physicians practicing in clinics and 80.6% from hospitals felt they had facilities for monitoring diabetes mellitus complications. The highest ranked complication was cardiovascular (64%) followed by peripheral neuropathy and ocular complications. They attributed the complications to poor glycemic control (22.4%), sedentary life -style (11.2%), smoking (10.3%), diet and co-morbidity (9.3% each) and obesity (4.7%); whereas the reasons for poor glycemic control were mainly low compliance (25.2%), life-style (18.7%), lack of awareness about the silent disease and complications (14%), finance (5.6%) and depression (0.9%). While no age, gender or occupational difference was reported, 57% of 46 who responded felt Asians were more affected. Cardiovascular complications and peripheral neuropathy were the most reported complications. The reasons for poor glycemic control were mainly low compliance, lifestyle and lack of awareness. Nation-wide campaigns and locally relevant professional training may improve the situation. |
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