Search

Introduction: Evidence indicates cardiovascular risk may start early in life. Data on specific risk factors including lipids in childhood and adolescence are scant. We investigate lipid profiles in overweight/obese patients. Methods: Data on pediatric ICLDC patients (N=11,116) with complete lipid profile (2009-2019) were extracted. Overweight/obese category (BMI ≥ 85th percentile) was divided into: prediabetes (Pre-Dia), type1 (T1DM), type 2 (T2DM) and normoglycemic (NGT) groups. Lipid percentiles were calculated for all lipids; distribution curves were plotted on R and statistical analyses performed on SPSS24. Results: Patients (n=4659) included: Pre-Dia (24%), diabetes (T1DM 6%, T2DM 2%) and NGT (68%). Total cholesterol (TC), LDL and non-HDL were significantly increased (p≤0.001) and HDL was significantly decreased (p≤0.001) in diabetes groups compared to NGT; except TC in NGT vs. Pre-Dia. Different trends arose in between diabetes groups whereby TC, LDL and non-HDL were significantly increased (p≤0.001) while HDL was significantly decreased (p≤0.001); except for LDL, non-HDL and TC in T1DM vs. T2DM, non-HDL in Pre-Dia vs. T1DM and TC in Pre-Dia vs. T2DM. Conclusion: Even at an early age, significant increases in TC, LDL and non-HDL, accompanied by decreases in HDL, were observed in patients with type 1, type 2 diabetes and prediabetes groups. Early intervention may need to be considered. Disclosure T. Ali: None. S. Radha: None. R. Helal: None. E. Fojas: None. S. I. El-refer: None. H. M. Sabbour: Speaker’s Bureau; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Novo Nordisk, Novo Nordisk. N. Lessan: None.

Flash glucose monitoring (FGM)-derived markers of glucose control and variability and laboratory measured HbA1c among patients with diabetes on insulin in context of Ramadan fasting (RF) were examined and compared.FGM data on insulin-treated patients (n = 20, age 42.3 ± 11.4 years; 18 male, 2 female; 13 with type 1 and 7 with type 2 diabetes) who fasted during Ramadan were used to calculate Q-score as an indicator of glycaemia before, during and after RF. Post-hoc analysis in a group of patients (n = 12) who had HbA1c available and appropriate for these periods was performed. Other relevant data were extracted from patient records.Mean glucose (9.6 ± 1.32 v 10.78 ± 1.64 mmol/l; P 0.0001) and Q-score increased significantly with Ramadan fasting and reduced after Ramadan. Post-hoc subgroup analysis showed a significant rise in eA1c (7.2 ± 0.4%; 55.0 ± 4.4 mmol/mol v 7.7 ± 0.5%; 61.0 ± 5.5 mmol/mol) but not in laboratory HbA1c with Ramadan fasting; eA1c reduced after Ramadan (P = 0.018).Ramadan fasting was associated with a deterioration in overall glucose control and time in hyperglycaemia in insulin-treated patients. FGM-derived markers are useful and a preferable alternative to HbA1c in Ramadan studies.

In this study we prospectively collected data on the use of liraglutide 3 mg in obese Arab patients. As part of routine care, 2092 patients were dispensed liraglutide 3 mg. Median age was 38 years and 77% were women. Median baseline weight was 95 kg and body mass index was 36.6 kg/m2 . Of the patients, 188 (9%) had previous bariatric surgery. Seven hundred and eighty-seven patients were treated for ≥16 weeks and their median (interquartile range) weight loss was 6.0 (2.4-9.4) kg, equivalent to 6.4% (2.6%-9.7%) of baseline weight (P 5% of baseline weight while 182 (23%) achieved >10% weight loss. There was no difference in percentage weight loss between postbariatric surgery (n = 76) and non-surgical patients (n = 711). As a result of adverse events, mainly gastrointestinal symptoms, 140 (6.7%) of the patients stopped treatment. One patient developed acute pancreatitis in the context of gallstone disease but made an uneventful recovery. Liraglutide 3 mg was well tolerated and resulted in weight loss in routine clinical care similar to that seen in randomized controlled trials.

AIM To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of bariatric surgery in patients with coexisting type 1 diabetes and obesity who choose to undergo bariatric surgery for weight management. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective, longitudinal review of the clinical data of patients with type 1 diabetes, followed up at our centre after bariatric surgery had been performed elsewhere. RESULTS Sixty-one patients were included, of whom 51% were women, and 57 (93%) were Emirati Arab, three (5%) were other Arab, and one (2%) was White in ethnic origin. The mean age at surgery was 31 years. A total of 42 patients (69%) underwent sleeve gastrectomy, 17 (28%) gastric bypass, and two (3%) gastric banding. In 48 patients with complete follow-up data, improvements were observed at 12 months in the median (interquartile range [IQR]) values for body mass index (BMI; 38.5 [34.9-40.9] to 26.1 [24.2-29.6] kg/m2 , P

Ramadan fasting (RF) can represent various challenges to glycaemic control especially in insulin-treated patients with diabetes. We aimed to assess the effect of RF on several glucose metrics using flash glucose monitoring (FGM).Complete FGM data for 29-30 days before, during and after Ramadan were available for 40 patients with type 1 (n = 13) and type 2 diabetes (n = 27) on insulin (with or without oral hypoglycaemic) treatment. Indicators of mean glucose, glucose variability (GV) and time in different glycaemic ranges were analysed.RF was associated with increase in time in hyperglycaemia (38.5 ± 18.2 vs 48.7 ± 20.7%; P 0.001) and decrease in time in hypoglycaemia (3.2 ± 2.8 vs 2.1 ± 2.1%; P = 0.003), and time in target range (56.3 ± 17.2 vs 47.9 ± 19.7%, P 0.001). There were no significant differences in markers of GV with RF; however, RF was associated with a significant reduction in GV during the day but not night time with an increase in the ensuing non-fasting period.In insulin-treated patients, RF is associated with an increase in time in hyperglycaemia, a reduced time in target range and nocturnal increase in GV, indicating a need for more refined management algorithms.

Prior infection with adenovirus 36 (Adv36) has been associated with increased adiposity, improved insulin sensitivity, and a lower prevalence of diabetes. This study investigated the prevalence of Adv36 seropositivity and its association with obesity and diabetes among adults attending a diabetes centre in the UAE.Participants (N = 973) with different weight and glucose tolerance categories were recruited. Adv36 seropositivity (Adv36 + ) was assessed using ELISA. Differences among groups were analyzed using statistical tests as appropriate to the data. Prevalence of Adv36+ in the study population was 47%, with no significant difference in obese and non-obese subgroups (42.5% vs 49.6% respectively; p=non-significant). Females were more likely to be Adv36+ compared to males (odds ratio 1.78; 95% CI 1.36–2.32, p

Background: Liraglutide 3 mg was approved in the UAE for the treatment of obesity in residents with BMI >30 kg/m2 or BMI >27 kg/m2 with obesity-related complications and clinical use started in January 2017 at the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC). The proportions of participants achieving weight loss of ≥5%, ≥10% and ≥15% at 16 weeks were 60%, 23% and 6%. Methods: Retrospective review of clinical data from a cohort of patients treated at ICLDC in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, UAE. Inclusion criteria were treatment with Liraglutide 3 mg for weight loss and follow-up of ≥ 56 weeks (4 weeks dose escalation plus 52 weeks treatment). 93% of participants were Emirati. Results: 322 individuals were included. Median follow-up was 485 (433-551) days and treatment was stopped in 75 individuals before end of follow-up. 91 received treatment ≥ 365 days, and 27 had no gaps in treatment > 30 days during follow-up, with a median of 265 (151-381) days of treatment. Eight participants had T2DM and 190 had IFG or IGT. 28 had prior history of bariatric surgery (18 sleeve, 8 RYGB, 2 other). Intentional to treat analysis suggested that after a year, ≥ 5% weight loss was achieved in 51%, ≥ 10% in 25% and ≥ 15% in 9%. Per protocol analysis suggested completing 1 year of treatment resulted in ≥ 5% in 83.5%, ≥ 10% in 52.7% and ≥ 15% in 22.2% of patients. Conclusion: Weight loss continued between 16 and 56 weeks, but gaps in treatment may have impaired effectiveness. Disclosure A.J. Buckley: None. M. Suliman: None. A. Al Tikriti: None. N. Lessan: None. C. le Roux: Advisory Panel; Self; GI Dynamics, Inc., Herbalife International of America, Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Novo Nordisk A/S. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. T.M. Tan: Other Relationship; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. M.T. Barakat: None.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common diagnosis and is increasing in prevalence worldwide. NAFLD is usually asymptomatic at presentation; progression of the disease is unpredictable, leading to the development of a variety of techniques for screening, diagnosis and risk stratification. Clinical methods in current use include serum biomarker panels, hepatic ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and liver biopsy. NAFLD is strongly associated with the metabolic syndrome, and the most common cause of death for people with the condition is cardiovascular disease. Whether NAFLD is an independent cardiovascular risk factor needs exploration. NAFLD has been associated with surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease such as carotid intima-media thickness, the presence of carotid plaque, brachial artery vasodilatory responsiveness and CT coronary artery calcification score. There is no effective medical treatment for NAFLD and evidence is lacking regarding the efficacy of interventions in mitigating cardiovascular risk. Health care professionals managing patients with NAFLD should tackle the issue with early identification of risk factors and aggressive modification. Current management strategies therefore comprise lifestyle change, with close attention to known cardiovascular risk factors.

Background. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are considered as a global health problem and considered as a public health priority with the more considerable increasing trend of obesity and cardiometabolic disorders rates in the Middle Eastern countries. This systematic review aims at assessing the prevalence, incidence rates, and trends, as well as the cost of obesity and related cardiometabolic disorders in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods. A highly sensitive strategy was used to retrieve original observational studies, addressing the epidemiology and cost of obesity and related cardiometabolic disorders in the UAE, irrespective of nationality (nationals and expatriates). The search was conducted on April 4, 2017, within numerous electronic databases and the grey literature. Standardized and validated methods were used for data extraction and analysis as well as quality assessment. Results. 6789 records were retrieved, of which 36 were deemed eligible. High prevalence rates were reported for obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome in all studies. However, the definitions and methods employed by the studies were highly variable. The risk of bias in the epidemiological studies ranged between low and medium. Only one study reported the cost of illness for diabetes. In this study, the estimated cost per patient was $2,015 (adjusted to the year 2015), and it became twofold and sixfold higher in patients with microvascular and macrovascular complications, respectively. Conclusions. Obesity and related cardiometabolic disorders are highly prevalent in the UAE, but quoting a precise prevalence for them is difficult given the methodological heterogeneity of the epidemiological studies addressing them. Nonetheless, we detected a 2-3-fold increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the UAE between 1989 and 2017. It is hopeful that this systematic review will provide an insight into direct future studies, especially longitudinal studies exploring obesity and cardiometabolic risks and their costs.

Aim Ramadan fasting represents a major shift in meal timing and content for practicing Muslims. This study used continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to assess changes in markers of glycaemic excursions during Ramadan fasting to investigate the short-term safety of this practice in different groups of patients with diabetes. Methods A total of 63 subjects (56 with diabetes, seven healthy volunteers; 39 male, 24 female) had CGM performed during, before and after Ramadan fasting. Mean CGM curves were constructed for each group for these periods that were then used to calculate indicators of glucose control and excursions. Post hoc data analyses included comparisons of different medication categories (metformin/no medication, gliptin, sulphonylurea and insulin). Medication changes during Ramadan followed American Diabetes Association guidelines. Result Among patients with diabetes, there was a significant difference in mean CGM curve during Ramadan, with a slow fall during fasting hours followed by a rapid rise in glucose level after the sunset meal ( iftar ). The magnitude of this excursion was greatest in the insulin-treated group, followed by the sulphonylurea-treated group. Markers of control deteriorated in a small number ( n =3) of patients. Overall, whether fasting or non-fasting, subjects showed no statistically significant changes in mean interstitial glucose (IG), mean amplitude of glycaemic excursion (MAGE), high and low blood glucose indices (HBGI/LBGI), and number of glucose excursions and rate of hypoglycaemia. Conclusion The main change in glycaemic control with Ramadan fasting in patients with diabetes is in the pattern of excursions. Ramadan fasting caused neither overall deterioration nor improvement in the majority of patients with good baseline glucose control.

Background Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology fails to provide a conclusive diagnosis in a subset of thyroid lesions labeled as "indeterminate" (Thy3). In this study, we aimed at ascertaining the prevalence of Thy3 thyroid nodules in a hitherto unreported ethnic group (residents of the United Arab Emirates). Methods We retrospectively examined 688 FNA of the thyroid performed on 584 patients. Samples were reported using the Royal College of Physicians' (RCP) Thy classification. The results of the FNA were correlated with the final surgical specimens. Ultrasonography (US) risk stratification was calculated using a web-based US risk of malignancy calculator. Results Overall sample adequacy was 97%. The indeterminate group Thy3 was found in 7% of the samples. The overall risk of malignancy in the Thy3 category was 20%. This risk was very similar in the 2 subgroups of Thy3 (17% in Thy 3a and 22% in Thy3f). Subdividing the Thy3 group into subgroups becomes less necessary if the US scoring is

Ramadan fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and is compulsory for all healthy Muslims from puberty onwards. Exemptions exist for people with serious medical conditions, including many with diabetes, but a large number will participate, often against medical advice. Ensuring the optimal care of these patients during Ramadan is crucial. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Diabetes and Ramadan (DAR) International Alliance have come together to deliver comprehensive guidelines on this subject. The key areas covered include epidemiology, the physiology of fasting, risk stratification, nutrition advice and medication adjustment. The IDF-DAR Practical Guidelines should enhance knowledge surrounding the issue of diabetes and Ramadan fasting, thereby empowering healthcare professionals to give the most up-to-date advice and the best possible support to their patients during Ramadan.

Homozygous or compound heterozygous melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) mutations are rare with fewer than 10 patients described in current literature. Here we report the short- and long-term outcomes for four children ages 4.5-14 who are homozygous for loss-of-function mutations in the MC4R and underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. All four patients experienced significant weight loss and improvement in, or resolution of, their comorbidities in the short term. One patient, however, has had significant weight regain in the long term. We conclude that MC4R signaling is not required for short-term weight loss after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in children. Behavior modification may be more important for long-term weight maintenance, but patients with homozygous MC4R deficiency should not be excluded from consideration for sleeve gastrectomy. However, as at least one copy of functional MC4R is necessary and sufficient to induce long-term postoperative weight loss benefits, patients with complete loss of MC4R functionality might be less likely to exhibit the same benefits resulting from bariatric surgery.

Aims To describe and to characterize clinical features of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) compared to type 1 and type 2 diabetes in the UAE. Methods In this cross-sectional study a dataset including 18,101 subjects with adult-onset (>30 years) diabetes was accessed. 17,072 subjects fulfilled the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Data about anthropometrics, demographics, autoantibodies to Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GADA) and to Islet Antigen 2 (anti-IA2), HbA1c, cholesterol and blood pressure were extracted. LADA was diagnosed according to GADA and/or anti-IA2 positivity and time to insulin therapy. Results 437 (2.6%) patients were identified as LADA and 34 (0.2%) as classical type 1 diabetes in adults. Mean age at diagnosis, BMI, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure and HbA1c significantly differed between, LADA, type 2 and type 1 diabetes, LADA showing halfway features between type 2 and type 1 diabetes. A decreasing trend for age at diagnosis and waist circumference was found among LADA subjects when subdivided by positivity for anti-IA2, GADA or for both antibodies (p=0.013 and p=0.011 for trend, respectively). There was a gradual downward trend in autoantibody titre in LADA subjects requiring insulin within the first year from diagnosis to subjects not requiring insulin after 10 years of follow-up (p

Background The impact of obesity and dyslipidemia on cardiovascular health in adolescents and young adults with diabetes is incompletely understood. This study evaluated the effects of these co-morbidities on markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in young patients with the disease. Methods The study investigated sets of inflammatory, endothelial, and adipocyte biomarkers in 79 patients with type 1 diabetes, 55 patients with type 2 diabetes, and 47 controls. Results Mean (±SD) age was 20±6 y (median = 17, range = 12–31). Patients with diabetes had higher levels of cytoadhesive molecules (sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1, p8.0% (estimated average blood glucose >10 mmol/L) was associated with higher adiponectin (p

Diabetes mellitus is increasing in its incidence and prevalence. Reduction in refined carbohydrate (sugar) intake is an important part of nutritional advice to patients with known diabetes. Sugar is available in a variety of confectionary products. It is also available in especially packaged 'convenience foods' as high energy drinks. Among people without diabetes, such food can have its own health risks. A significant group of patients with diabetes remain undiagnosed. This group are at especially high risk from all the negative metabolic effects of high sugar intake available as high calorie drinks. The authors report two patients without previously known diabetes who presented similarly with marked hyperglycaemic states, leading to severe metabolic disturbances. Both were obese, had common precipitating factors and consumed large quantities of sugary soft drinks ('lucozade'). Both patients recovered well. They were followed up for over 7 years. One is not diabetic and the second is diabetic requiring a small dose of metformin.

BACKGROUND: A single family has been described in which obesity results from a mutation in the leptin-receptor gene (LEPR), but the prevalence of such mutations in severe, early-onset obesity has not been systematically examined. METHODS: We sequenced LEPR in 300 subjects with hyperphagia and severe early-onset obesity, including 90 probands from consanguineous families, and investigated the extent to which mutations cosegregated with obesity and affected receptor function. We evaluated metabolic, endocrine, and immune function in probands and affected relatives. RESULTS: Of the 300 subjects, 8 (3%) had nonsense or missense LEPR mutations -- 7 were homozygotes, and 1 was a compound heterozygote. All missense mutations resulted in impaired receptor signaling. Affected subjects were characterized by hyperphagia, severe obesity, alterations in immune function, and delayed puberty due to hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Serum leptin levels were within the range predicted by the elevated fat mass in these subjects. Their clinical features were less severe than those of subjects with congenital leptin deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of pathogenic LEPR mutations in a cohort of subjects with severe, early-onset obesity was 3%. Circulating levels of leptin were not disproportionately elevated, suggesting that serum leptin cannot be used as a marker for leptin-receptor deficiency. Congenital leptin-receptor deficiency should be considered in the differential diagnosis in any child with hyperphagia and severe obesity in the absence of developmental delay or dysmorphism

Fasting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan entails abstinence from eating, drinking, and smoking from dawn to sunset. Although the sick are exempted (Holy Koran, Al-Bakarah, 183–185), many patients, including those with diabetes, choose to go ahead with fasting, often for social and cultural as well as religious reasons (1). We have explored changes in glucose profiles of patients with type 2 diabetes in a prospective observational study using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM; Medtronic MiniMed CGMS Gold). This was performed for at least 3 consecutive days during Ramadan (2). Nonfasting CGM for the same length of time was obtained on each patient either before or after Ramadan. A mean CGM curve for all patients was obtained during and outside the Ramadan fasting period …