Diabetes survey of UAE’s population near completion

Abu Dhabi // The first phase of a two-year national diabetes survey designed to determine the rate of the disease and its related factors in the UAE is now complete.

“The survey is essential in updating our information on the prevalence of the disease,” said Dr Salah Al Badawi, director of the National Project for Control of Diabetes at the Ministry of Health.

The National Diabetes and Lifestyle survey, a joint undertaking between the ministry and the University of Sharjah in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi and Dubai Health Authorities, wrapped up the first stage where 3,000 expatriates where surveyed across the country.

The second and final stage of the project, which will collect data from an equal number of citizens, is already under way after being initiated on World Diabetes Day last month.

With the last diabetes survey conducted more than 10 years ago, Dr Al Badawai said it was crucial to gain a more recent picture of the impact of the disease.

“The survey gives us an exact understanding of the problem so we know how to redirect our resources, how and where to intervene, and where education programmes are needed the most.”

Professor Nabil Sulaiman, the principal investigator of the study and head of the department of Family and Community Medicine at the College of Medicine at the University of Sharjah, said the survey would provide vital information.

“The scope of this survey is immense and will help determine the lifestyles and behaviour that have led to such an abundance of diabetes cases in the UAE.”

About 745,000 residents – one in 10 of the population – suffer from diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation.

This number may well grow with updated figures from the International Diabetic Federation estimating close to one in five are in the pre-diabetes state, placing the UAE the third highest in the world in this category.

“In the interest of public health, it is essential that we undertake initiatives such as this,” said Dr Al Badawi.

Researchers will collect data about diabetes by taking blood samples and data about participants’ lifestyles and behaviour as well as cholesterol, blood pressure and weight measurements.

Dr Al Badawi said he believes the survey results will be released by the end of next year.

“The field work will take three to five months,” he said.

“The results will aid greatly in cutting down the evidence of diabetes and its associated risk factors.”