Diabetes and Covid-19 among hospitalized patients in Saudi Arabia: a single-centre retrospective study.

Background: Information on the clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized Covid-19 patients with or without diabetes mellitus (DM) is limited in the Arab region. This study aims to fill this gap.

Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, medical records of hospitalized adults with confirmed Covid-19 [RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV2] at King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC)-King Khaled University Hospital (KKUH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from May to July 2020 were analyzed.

Corticosteroid use in viral pneumonia: experience so far and the dexamethasone breakthrough in coronavirus disease-2019.

Dexamethasone was shown to decrease the mortality in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) recently. Use of corticosteroids was harmful in other coronavirus infections previously. WHO recommended against routine use of corticosteroids in COVID-19.

Renin-angiotensin system at the interface of COVID-19 infection.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been recognized as a potential entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Binding of SARS-CoV-2 to ACE2 allows engagement with pulmonary epithelial cells and pulmonary infection with the virus. ACE2 is an essential component of renin-angiotensin system (RAS), and involved in promoting protective effects to counter-regulate angiotensin (Ang) II-induced pathogenesis.

Level of hormones in menopause in relation to diabetic retinopathy among type 2 diabetic women.

Hormonal transition among middle-aged women with type 2 diabetes may exert an impact in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to assess the levels of estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the presence of DR and their relationship with risk factors for DR among pre- and post-menopausal women with type 2 diabetes. Serum levels of estradiol, FSH, and LH were measured using the immunoassay technique.

Rapid Implementation of a Diabetes Telemedicine Clinic During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak: Our Protocol, Experience, and Satisfaction Reports in Saudi Arabia.

Background: The importance of telemedicine in diabetes care became more evident during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as many people with diabetes, especially those in areas without well-established telemedicine, lost access to their health care providers (HCPs) during this pandemic.

Subjects And Methods: We describe a simplified protocol of a Diabetes Telemedicine Clinic that utilizes technological tools readily available to most people with diabetes and clinics around the world. We report the satisfaction of 145 patients and 14 HCPs who participated in the virtual clinic and 210 patients who attended the virtual educational sessions about "Diabetes and Ramadan.

Can a Combination of AT1R Antagonist and Vitamin D Treat the Lung Complication of COVID-19?

Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome caused by a novel human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 named COVID-19 and declared as a pandemic. This paper reviews the possibility of repurposing angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) antagonists and vitamin D to treat COVID-19. ACE2 protein found on the cell membranes is the target of SARS-CoV-2 for entering into the host cells.

Association of urinary non-albumin protein with the different urinary marker for glomerular and tubular damage in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background/aim: In recent years, the diagnostic utility of urinary protein levels has been demonstrated for the early detection and progression of kidney disease. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of the non-albumin protein (NAP) with different urinary marker for tubular and glomerular damage in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: In this observational cross-sectional study, 424 patients with T2D duration > 10 years were classified into two groups according to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Celiac autoantibody positivity in relation to clinical characteristics in children with type 1 diabetes.

Background: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder with a high risk of celiac disease (CD).

Aim: This study aimed to determine the celiac autoantibody status and the clinical characteristics among children with type 1 diabetes and autoantibody positivity for CD compared to those without serological evidence of CD.

Materials And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 240 children with type 1 diabetes underwent serological screening CD.

Association of sex hormone binding globulin with gestational age and parity in gestational diabetes mellitus.

Objective: Recent research on sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) has emphasized its role in the prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) development. SHBG is associated with glucose tolerance status, and its level is regulated by prenatal and perinatal factors during pregnancy. This study aimed to determine the levels of SHBG in pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance and those with GDM in association with parity and gestational age (weeks).

Knowledge, awareness and perceptions of diabetes mellitus among the Saudi population.

High prevalence of undiagnosed cases of diabetes mellitus (DM) has increased over the last two decades, most patients with DM only become aware of their condition once they develop a complication. Limited data are available regarding the knowledge and awareness about DM and the associated risk factors, complications and management in Saudi society. This study aimed to assess knowledge of DM in general Saudi society and among Saudi healthcare workers.

Physicians' choices in the first- and second-line management of type 2 diabetes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: The DISCOVER study is a global, prospective, three- year- observational (non-interventional) study that was conducted in 37 countries throughout the world including Saudi Arabia and aimed to assess variations in treatment patterns and therapeutic outcomes in type 2 diabetic patients. The current manuscript is reporting data of DISCOVER study across different health sectors of various provinces in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: In this study, 519 Saudi type 2 diabetics, non-insulin users, aged 18 years or older, initiating second line therapy, were selected from nine health institutes, in four out of five provinces in Saudi Arabia.

Type 1 diabetes and hearing loss: Audiometric assessment and measurement of circulating levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products.

Background: We examined the hearing function in adults with and without type 1 diabetes (T1D) to investigate whether an association exists between hearing loss and duration of diabetes, haemoglobin A1C level, diabetes complications and levels of select serum and urinary biomarkers.

Methods: We measured pure tone audiometry (PTA) thresholds; serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble receptors for advanced glycation end-product (sRAGE); and urinary isoprostane in 30 adults with T1D (age 43.8 ± 11.

The relationship of acculturation to cardiovascular disease risk factors among U.S. South Asians: Findings from the MASALA study.

Aim: We investigated the association between acculturation strategies and cardiometabolic risk among South Asian (SA) immigrants in the US.

Methods: In this cross-sectional analysis of data from 849 SA participants in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in SAs Living in America (MASALA), we performed multidimensional measures of acculturation to categorize the participants into three acculturation classes: separation (preference for SA culture), assimilation (preference for US culture), and integration (similar preference for both cultures). Differences in glycemic indices, blood pressure, lipid parameters and body composition by acculturation strategy were examined.

Association between serum uric acid levels and metabolic markers in patients with type 2 diabetes from a community with high diabetes prevalence.

Background: The importance of uric acid has been increasingly appreciated because of its association with the development of diabetes mellitus and related diseases.

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the association of serum uric acid (SUA) level with different clinical and biochemical parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes from Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Clinical and biochemical data from the patients were obtained and assessed in a cross-sectional design.

Impact of Early Life or Intrauterine Factors and Socio-Economic Interaction on Diabetes - An Evidence on Thrifty Hypothesis.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most concerning non-communicable diseases worldwide. The prevalence of diabetes increased rapidly by the influence of socioeconomic interactions. The thrifty hypothesis postulates that certain genes that are involved in positive selection promote efficient fat deposition and storage.

Variation in the Level of Thyroid Markers in Association with Inflammation in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: A possible relationship between thyroid hormones and glucose metabolism in diabetes has already been established.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the thyroid function markers and their relationship with inflammation, which is considered as a pathogenic condition of diabetes.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 276 patients with type 2 diabetes.

VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and selectins in gestational diabetes mellitus and the risk for vascular disorders.

Levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and selectins in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) subjects are an indication of endothelial dysfunction predicting the future metabolic consequence via metabolic memory effect. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 92 pregnant women and serum endothelial cell adhesion molecules were measured using Randox biochip analyzer. Significantly elevated serum level of VCAM-1 was found in GDM subjects and in greater than equal to one parity categorized GDM group when compared with control.

Genetics and genomics studies in type 2 diabetes: A brief review of the current scenario in the Arab region.

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a polygenic and multi-factorial complex disease, the challenge to find genetic markers that could explain the risk of development of this disease still remains unresolved. The Arab region is one among the populations with a high prevalence of T2D and a large number of studies have been carried out in exploring the genetic factors associated with T2D risk.

Aim: To summarize the recent developments in the Arab world based on the recent studies that had looked into genetic factors associated with the development of T2D in the Arab populations.

Low magnesium level as an indicator of poor glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients with complications.

Aim: Alteration in the metabolism of magnesium have an influence on different metabolic and signaling pathways involved in development of diabetes and its progression. Reduced magnesium level was associated with diabetes related complications. The aim of this study is to determine the serum levels of magnesium in diabetic patients having different complications and the association of magnesium with status of glycemic control.

Association of urinary monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) with risk factors of diabetic kidney disease in type 2 diabetes patients.

Purpose: Urinary kidney injury molecule-1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 are significance factors in the diagnosis and intervention of diabetic kidney diseases. This study determined levels of these proteins in diabetic patients with varying degrees of kidney disease and assessed their relationship with risk factors associated with diabetic kidney diseases.

Methods: A total of 185 patients with type 2 diabetes were divided into three groups [low risk (n = 47), moderate risk (n = 63), and high risk (n = 75)] based on the severity of diabetic kidney disease according to kidney disease: improving global outcomes guidelines.

IL-18, VCAM-1 and P-selectin as early biomarkers in normoalbuminuric Type 2 diabetes patients.

To investigate the pathophysiological role of different biomarkers in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) among normoalbuminuric patients with a low-estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). In this cross-sectional study of 200 normoalbuminuric Type 2 diabetes patients, 28 patients (14%) had a low eGFR. The IL-18, VCAM-1 and P-selectin levels were significantly higher at a low eGFR.

Primary Hypertriglyceridemia: A Look Back on the Clinical Classification and Genetics of the Disease.

Introduction: Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is one of the most common metabolic disorders leading to pancreatitis and cardiovascular disease. HTG develops mostly due to impaired metabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Although monogenic types of HTG exist, most reported cases are polygenic in nature.

The Emerging role of Branch Chain Amino Acids in the Prediction of Diabetes: A Brief Review.

Diabetes is a chronic condition; those with diabetes are at high risk of developing diabetes complications. One important approach to tackle the diabetes burden is to screen for undiagnosed diabetes and to identify factors that lead to the risk of developing diabetes in the future. The earlier identification of individuals at risk of developing diabetes is crucial for delaying or preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Health apps usage and preferences among Saudi patients with diabetes: A survey.

Background: Information regarding patterns of smartphone usage, user preferences, and difficulties faced by patients is necessary to initiate any mHealth related programs.

Objective: To investigate patterns of usage pertaining to various different smartphone health applications amongst diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia as well as patient preferences and the challenges of using health apps from a user perspective.

Methods: This study was a cross sectional survey based on a self-administered, close-ended, pre-designed, structured questionnaire.

Significance of glycated LDL in different stages of diabetic nephropathy.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of elevated glycated LDL (low-density lipoprotein) in the progression of diabetic kidney disease among type 2 diabetes (T2D) subjects.

Materials And Methods: This case-control observational study is a part of Saudi Diabetes Kidney Disease (SAUDI-DKD) study conducted during the period from April 2014 to June 2015. This study cohort is divided into two groups; the first group was T2D patients without diabetic nephropathy (DN) (n = 24) and the second group was T2D with DN (n = 45).