Southern Saudi Arabia Research Articles

EVALUATION OF FOG-DETECTION AND ADVISORY-SPEED SYSTEM

This paper presents findings from a study of traffic crashes due to fog in southern Saudi Arabia. The main aim was to assess the effectiveness of a fog detection and warning system on driver behavior regarding speed and headway. The warning system includes visibility sensors that automatically activate a variable message sign that posts an advisory speed when hazardous conditions due to fog occur. The system was installed on a 2-km section of a 2-lane, rural highway. A data set of 36,013 observations from both experimental and control sections at 2 study sites was collected and analyzed. Although the warning system was ineffective in reducing speed variability, mean speed throughout the experimental sections was reduced by about 6.5 kph. This reduction indicates that the warning system appeared to have a positive effect on driver behavior in fog even though observed mean speeds were still higher than the posted speed. From relationships found in the literature between mean driving speed and number of accidents, a speed reduction of only 5 kph would yield a 15% decrease in the number of accidents.

Palynological biozonation of the Permian of Oman and Saudi Arabia: progress and challenges

ABSTRACT Extensive palynological work in sequences in Oman and Saudi Arabia, has allowed a framework of eight biozones for the uppermost Carboniferous to Permian rocks in that region. Five of these are established in the palyniferous uppermost Carboniferous to Lower Permian sequence in Oman, and to some extent these are recognisable in sequences of central and southern Saudi Arabia. OSPZ1 (Oman and Saudi Arabia Palynological Zone 1), associated with the lower parts of the Al Khlata Formation and the Unayzah C member, is probably Stephanian in age. OSPZ2 is Asselian-Sakmarian in age, and is associated with the upper part of the Al Khlata Formation and the Unayzah B member. OSPZ3, which is subdivided into three sub-biozones, is associated with the Lower Gharif member; its age may lie in the range late Sakmarian to Artinskian, based on palynology and brachiopod-based ages for the Haushi Limestone, locally present toward the top of the Lower Gharif member. The composition of assemblages from OSPZ1 to OSPZ3 is similar to that of coeval sequences in other former Gondwana countries and the chronostratigraphical ages assigned to them are partly gained from correlation with faunally-calibrated Western Australian palynological biozones. At the level of OSPZ4, such correlation becomes difficult because significant differences are evident between Western Australian and Arabian assemblages, and because other Gondwana palynological biozonations, with which Arabia has greater affinity, are poorly constrained chronostratigraphically. OSPZ4 and the succeeding two biozones are established in the sporadically palyniferous Middle and Upper Permian sequences of Oman and Saudi Arabia. OSPZ4, though poorly characterised due to low palynological recovery, is probably ‘mid-Artinskian’ to Kungurian in age, and is associated with the Middle Gharif member. OSPZ5, present in southeast Saudi Arabia and Oman appears to be associated with the lower to middle parts of the Upper Gharif member, and is constrained in age, partly by the faunally-dated overlying Oman Khuff carbonates, as being Roadian or earliest Wordian in age. So far the assemblages of the highest biozone, OSPZ6, have been recovered only from the ‘basal Khuff clastics’ of central Saudi Arabia, and are believed to be younger than those of OSPZ5; dating by palynological means is difficult but recent microfaunal studies of the ‘basal Khuff clastics’ suggest a Capitanian age. Further study in appropriate palyniferous sections in other Middle Eastern countries may allow a more complete palynological succession to be established.

Epidemiology of acute renal failure in hospitalized patients: experience from southern Saudi Arabia

Despite advances in health care, morbidity and mortality associated with acute renal failure (ARF) remain high. This study determined the frequency and etiology of ARF in hospitalized patients in Saudi Arabia over 2 years. Of the 150 cases of ARF, 38.0% were community-acquired and 62.0% hospital-acquired. The main cause was acute tubular necrosis (ATN) in 93 patients, due to sepsis (24.7%), ischaemia (12.7%), rhabdomyolysis (mainly from road traffic accidents) (10.7%), drugs (7.3%) and malaria and snake-bites (4.6%). Overall, 40% died, 48% made a full recovery and 1 patient (0.7%) became dialysis-dependant. Factors associated with poor prognosis were: age 60+ years, community-acquired ARF, peak blood urea nitrogen > 160 mg/dL, duration of ARF > 1 week, need for dialysis and associated chronic liver disease.

Distribution of hepatitis C genotype and co-infection rate with hepatitis G in Saudi Arabia

We determined the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and the co-infection rate with hepatitis G (HGV) in 32 Arab patients infected with hepatitis C virus . Twenty two Saudi and ten Egyptian patients were recruited from southern Saudi Arabia, an endemic region for chronic liver disease. HCV genotype was determined by PCR with genotype specific primers in the core region. Hepatitis G virus RNA was detected by the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Five patients were blood donors, 11 patients had chronic hepatitis C infection, 13 had cirrhosis and 3 had cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV genotype 4 was detected in 11 of 22 Saudi patients (50%). HCV genotype 1b was detected in 9 Saudi patients (40.9%) and HCV genotype 1a was detected in 2 Saudi patients (9.1%). Amongst the 10 Egyptian patients, HCV genotype 4 was found in 9 patients (90%)) and genotype 1b in 1 patient (10%). The co-infection rate of HGV was 31% in patients with HCV infection. We conclude that HCV genotypes 4 and 1b are the major pathogenic strains, accounting for greater than 90% of HCV across ethnic groups in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. There was no significant association between HCV genotype, age and severity of liver disease. Co-infection with HGV is common and the significance is indeterminate.

Effect of dechlorination point location and residual chlorine on biofouling in a seawater reverse osmosis plant

Experiments were carried out to test the effect of dechlorination dosing point location and the concentration of residual chlorine on bacterial growth and biofouling in a seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) plant. The plant is located in Al-Birk on the Red Sea coast, southern Saudi Arabia. The plant was routinely operated with injection of chlorine as a biocide in the intake chamber in the open sea and with the injection of sodium metabisulfite (SBS) to remove chlorine after the dual media filter (DMF). During the experiments, the SBS dosing point was shifted to two locations after the micron cartridge filter (MCF): first, to a point 13 m ahead of the high pressure pump (HPP) and second, to a point just ahead (<1 m) of the HPP. Due to fluctuations in residual chlorine resulting from certain operational and physical circumstances, it was possible to assess biofouling potential when free chlorine is regarded as high (≥0.5 mg/l) or low (<0.5 mg/l) within a maximum of 1 mg/l. Bacterial generation (doubling) time was used to evaluate biofouling. Generation time was higher (lower multiplication capacity) when the SBS dosing point was before the MCF (after DMF). It decreased significantly, reflecting higher multiplication capacity and higher biofouling potential, when the SBS dosing point was moved to after the MCF. Generation times in high-pressure RO feed water were similar when the SBS dosing point was moved to two locations after the MCF. This indicated minimal contribution of the low-pressure pipe between the MCF and the HPP to biofouling. In general, biofouling increased as the SBS dosing point was moved forward along the pretreatment line, closer to the RO membranes. Generation times were similar when residual chlorine was less or more than 0.5 mg/l. Bacteria were capable of biofilm formation in the chlorinated section of the plant.

Blood pressure control and target organ complications among hypertensive patients in southern Saudi Arabia

Blood pressure (BP) control and target organ complications (TOC) among 203 hypertensive patients attending a hospital clinic in Abha, Saudi Arabia were studied. Optimal BP control was defined as BP < 140/90 and was achieved in 99 (48.8%) patients. Diuretics and calcium channel blockers were associated with the best rates of BP control while adverse drug reactions were associated with the poorest rates. TOC were classified according to World Health Organization criteria; 62% of patients had no TOC. Retinopathy, renal impairment and left ventricular hypertrophy were the most common stage II complications. Cerebrovascular accidents and ischaemic heart disease were the most common stage III complications.

Calculation of solar radiation using a methodology with worldwide potential

Surface meteorological observations from the DATSAV2 database provide the capability to use the METSTAT (meteorological/statistical) model to calculate hourly values of direct normal, diffuse horizontal, and global horizontal solar radiation for locations throughout the world. Opaque cloud cover, a key input parameter to the METSTAT model, is derived from the DATSAV2 layered cloud cover information. Resulting multiyear data sets include solar radiation and other meteorological data such as dry bulb temperature, dew point temperature, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure. Data filling procedures ensure that the multiyear data sets are serially complete. A minor revision to METSTAT improved solar radiation estimates for conditions of high cloud amounts and low ceiling heights. The methodology was applied to regions of Southern Africa and Saudi Arabia.

Brucellosis in Saudi Arabia: Past, Present and Future

Brucellosis in Saudi Arabia: Past, Present and Future

Depositional and Tectonic Setting of the Lower Silurian Hydrocarbon Source Rock Facies, Central Saudi Arabia

The Lower Silurian Qalibah Formation consists of two members, the (upper) Sharawra Member and the (lower) Qusaiba Member. The Qusaiba is the main hydrocarbon source rock for the known Paleozoic hydrocarbon accumulations in central Saudi Arabia. The Qusaiba Member is composed mostly of claystone and shale with interbeds of siltstone and sandstone. Depositionally, the Qusaiba Member is interpreted to represent the delta-toe clays, whereas the Sharawra Member was deposited as pro-delta sandstones of an immense fluviodeltaic system that dominated the Silurian-Carboniferous of Arabia. The Qalibah Formation accumulated syndepositionally in at least two rapidly subsiding depocenters. One depocenter was located in central and southern Arabia, and the other depocenter was located in northwestern Saudi Arabia. The former trough began subsiding during the Late Ordovician following the Taconic uplift. The latter trough began subsiding during the Early Silurian. At least 10,000 ft (3100 m) of Upper Ordovician- Lower Devonian strata accumulated in the trough located in central and southern Saudi Arabia. About 3300 ft (1000 m) of Lower Silurian sediments accumulated in the depocenter found in northwestern Saudi Arabia. The development of these troughs documents a period of crustal extension probably related to the rifting of the Lower Paleozoic continental margin of Saudi Arabia. The Qusaiba Member organic-rich facies occurs near the base of the unit and has up to 8% total organic carbon content. The development of favorable source rock facies in the Qusaiba is observed along the flanks of the depositional thicks associated with the lower Qusaiba Member. The basal Qusaiba Member organic-rich facies was produced during periods of elevated primary productivity of organic matter within the water column in an open-marine, nonsilled basin setting. Deposition of the basal organic-rich facies of the Qusaiba Member occurred as a condensed sequence along a sediment-starved continental margin. The basal Qusaiba Member organic-rich facies accumulated in normally to partly oxygenated bottom-water settings; however, the sediments below the sediment/water interface were probably preserved in an anoxic setting. Geochemical data also demonstrate that the organic-rich Qusaiba Member sediments found in the depositional thicks have characteristics consistent with a more oxidized sediment column. Geo chemical data also show that the basal Qusaiba Member organic-rich facies deposited more distally to these depocenters are more dysoxic to anoxic in their characteristics. The organic-rich facies of the basal Qusaiba Member found in depositional thicks was produced under conditions that either reworked the organic-rich sediments, thereby oxidizing them, or diluted the organic matter, resulting in less preservation of potential source rock.

Groundwater Quality Assessment in Wadi Tharad Area Southern Saudi Arabia

تمت دراسة هيدروكيميائية في منطق وادي ثراد في جنوب المملكة العربية السعودية. ولقد تم اختيار 42 بئرا وذلك من أجل أخذ عينات من مياه تلك الآبار. تم قياس كل من الموصلية الكهربية والأس الهيدروجيني لهذه العينات المختارة في الحقل. كذلك تم تحليل كيميائي لعينات المياه وذلك لتحديد الكاتيونات والأنيونات الرئيسية. ولقد وجد أن ملوحة المياه تتراوح من 351 إلى 3137 ملجم/لتر. وقد أظهرت نتائج التحليل الكيميائي بأن أغلب الكاتيونات والأنيونات تقع ضمن معيار منظمة الصحة العالمية وأن الماء ممكن استخدامه بأمان في بعض الأماكن. المياه الجوفية في منطقة الدراسة أمكن تقسيمها إلى (1) مياه غنية بالكالسيوم ـ مغنيسيوم ـ كبريتات ـ كلوريد ، (2) مياه غنية بالكلسيوم ـ مغنيسيوم ـبيكربونات . ولقد تم حساب نسبة امتصاص الصوديوم ووجد أنها تتراوح من 1,15 إلى 5,34 وعلى ضوء ذلك فإن الماء في منطقة الدراسة يكون ملائما جيدا للأغراض الزراعية.

Knowledge of blood pressure measurement among a teaching hospital staff in a developing nation.

Hypertension is a common and potentially serious disease and accurate measurement of blood pressure (BP) is important for its diagnosis and management. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of hospital staff on the basic principles of BP measurement. Consultants, junior doctors and nurses in a large teaching hospital in southern Saudi Arabia were requested to answer a questionnaire about the most important aspects pertaining to BP measurement. The overall response rate was about 70%. There was a wide diversity of responses reflecting a poor knowledge of some of the basic techniques of BP measurement. This included inconsistencies regarding the knowledge of cuff size, recording of diastolic BP, position of the arm and rate for deflating the cuff. Overall, 60% of the respondents had insufficient knowledge. Inaccurate BP measurement can seriously affect the diagnosis and management of the patient with this common disease. Hospital staff need to improve their knowledge about BP measurement, and teaching programmes about BP measurement should be developed as part of continuing education.

Full-term birth weight and placental morphology at high and low altitude

Objective: To study the association between placental morphology and full-term birth weight at high and low altitude. Subjects: Twenty normal pregnant women living permanently at high altitude (3100 m) and 20 normal pregnant women living permanently at low altitude (500 m) in Southern Saudi Arabia. Method: For each subject in the two groups the mean hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit values throughout pregnancy were estimated and these were used as indices for maternal hypoxia. After delivery, the birth weight of each fetus was determined together with the placental weight. Placentas were then examined histologically using sections stained by periodic acid-Schiff and hematoxylin-eosin. The mean percentages of villi with syncytial knots, cytotrophoblastic cells and fetal capillaries were determined. Results: The mean hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit values were significantly greater at high altitude than at low altitude ( P < 0.001 for both). The mean birth weight and placental weight were significantly greater at low altitude compared to high altitude ( P < 0.025 and 0.001, respectively). The placentas from high altitude showed histological changes suggestive of placental hypoxia i.e. significant increase in the incidence of syncytial knots, cytotrophoblastic cells and fetal capillaries at high altitude compared to low altitude ( P < 0.005, 0.001 and <0.05, respectively). At both high and low altitude the incidences of syncytial knots and cytotrophoblastic cells showed positive and significant correlations with mean maternal hemoglobin ( r = 0.5 and 0.6, P < 0.01 and <0.001, respectively) and hematocrit ( r = 0.5 and 0.6, P < 0.01 and 0.001, respectively) during pregnancy and negative and significant correlations with fetal birth weight ( r = −0.4 and −0.6, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The low birth weight observed at high altitude compared to low altitude appeared to be mainly secondary to placental hypoxia resulting from maternal hypoxia which in turn was caused by high altitude hypoxia.

Fat Indices in High and Low Altitude Populations in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

The present study was undertaken to determine the fat indices in high and low altitude populations in Southwestern Saudi Arabia. Measurement of weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference, mid-upper arm muscle area, and skinfold thickness over the triceps region in 261 males living at high altitude (3150 meters above sea level) and 237 males living at low altitude (500 meters above sea level) in Southern Saudi Arabia are reported. The assessment of fatness by calculation of percent body weight is supported by correlation of triceps skinfold thickness with body mass index (BMI). In both high- and lowlanders the triceps skinfold thickness has significant correlation with BMI (P<0.001 for both). BMI also showed significant correlations with body weight, mid-upper arm circumference and mid-upper arm muscle area (P<0.001 for all). The findings show that the use of skinfold thickness in the prediction of degree of fatness in both groups seems to be a practical and useful method. However, it appears that there is a need for densitometric studies among Saudi populations to enable the derivation of valid regression equations for the calculation of body fat from skinfold thickness measurements. In the absence of skinfold measurements the BMI appeared to be a reliable indicator for assessment of body fat in Saudi high- and lowlanders.

A clinical study of brucellosis in adults in the Asir region of southern Saudi Arabia.

One hundred four Saudi patients with brucellosis who were admitted to Abha General Hospital in the Asir region of southern Saudi Arabia were studied. All the patients had Brucella melitensis infection; 61.5% were females while 38.5% were males. Their mean age was 32 years. Most of the patients (61.5%) lived in the lowland (Tihama) and the majority were shepherds (84.6%). The most common presenting symptoms were fever (100%), sweating (96.2%), headache (76.9%), joint pains (76.9%), and backache (73.1%). Physical findings included fever (96.2%), hepatomegaly (46.2%), splenomegaly (42.3%), tenderness over the spine (30.8%), arthritis (26.9%), and lymphadenopathy (19.2%). Mild anemia, leukopenia, and relative lymphocytosis were common. A history of raw milk ingestion was an important factor in disease transmission (84.6%), followed by close animal contact (73%) and raw liver consumption (63.3%). The study shows the effectiveness of several drug combinations in the treatment of brucellosis and the low relapse rate if the treatment is prolonged for not less than six weeks.

Duodenal ulcer and Helicobacter pylori infection at high altitude: experience from southern Saudi Arabia.

To study the clinical presentation, endoscopic features and prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in duodenal ulcer (DU) patients in southern Saudi Arabia, located 3150 m above sea level, and to compare results with those from low altitude regions of the Kingdom. Prospective study of patients with proven DU referred for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at Asir Central Hospital, Abha, southern Saudi Arabia over an 18-month period. Of 126 patients with proven DU, 72% were men and mean age was 40.4 years (range 18 to 68). Twenty-eight per cent were smokers and only 5% used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Thirty-eight patients (30%) presented with hematemesis or melena, and the majority had a single ulcer. Nineteen per cent of patients with dyspepsia had DU and 96% had H pylori. These results are comparable with those reported from the low altitude, warmer regions of Saudi Arabia. Age of patients and the male:female ratio were similar to those in developing countries. The frequency of smoking is lower than in western countries and no patient in this report consumed alcohol. High altitude did not affect the prevalence of DU or the frequency of H pylori because the results were comparable with those from the low altitude areas of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other lowland developing countries. Although great socioeconomic changes have increased the incidence of heart disease, the patterns of DU and H pylori infection assume those in developing nations.

The Role of Hepatitis E Virus Infection among Patients with Acute Viral Hepatitis in Southern Saudi Arabia

We investigated the etiology of acute sporadic viral hepatitis in southern Saudi Arabia in a series of 132 patients admitted with acute viral hepatitis. Of these cases, 108 (81.8%) were due to acute hepatitis A virus infection, of which 11 (8.3%) patients had been previously exposed to hepatitis E virus, and another 10 (7.6%) were chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus. Three cases (2.3%) were acute hepatitis B virus infection. The overall prevalence of hepatitis E IgG antibodies was found to be 9.1%. The remaining 21 (15.9%) patients were tested for hepatitis E IgM, EBV-VCA IgM and hepatitis C IgG antibodies by sensitive enzyme immunoassays. In none of them could hepatitis E IgM, EBV-VCA IgM or hepatitis C IgG antibodies be demonstrated, and these patients were thus considered as acute non-A, non-B hepatitis. Acute hepatitis C virus infection, however, could not be ruled out from this group. We therefore concluded that the majority of clinically apparent viral hepatitis cases were due to HAV, while HBV accounted for a small proportion of the cases. Clinically apparent HEV infection does not appear to be common in the population studied, since even those with serologic evidence of previous exposure to HEV did not recall a history suggestive of acute viral hepatitis.

Etiology of Ascites and the Diagnostic Value of Serum-Ascites Albumin Gradient in Non-Alcohol Liver Disease

This study was designed to determine the different etiologies of ascites and the diagnostic value of serumascites albumin gradient (SAAG) in patients with ascites of non-alcoholic liver disease in Southern Saudi Arabia. A total of 132 patients with ascites (96 males and 36 females, mean age 58.8+/-15.9 years) were studied for the different causes of ascites. In 55 patients with liver disease and 22 patients with nonliver disease (malignancy and peritoneal tuberculosis), we compared SAAG with the three usual parameters of ascitic fluid biochemical analysis used in the differential diagnoses of ascites. The nonliver disease group showed higher ascitic fluid total protein (aTP) concentration (4.77+/-2.05 versus 1.98+/-1.56 g/dL), ascitic to serum ratio of total protein (a/sTP) concentration (0.75+/-0.43 versus 0.26+/-0.19), ascitic fluid lactic dehydrogenase (aLDH) level (565.4+/-353.4 versus 254.1+/-205.03 U/L) and a lower SAAG (0.6+/-0.30 versus 1.71+/-0.61). P7lt;0.0001 for all parameters. The positive predictive values for aTP, a/sTP, aLDH and SAAG to detect ascites due to liver disease were 68%, 76%, 67%, and 80%, respectively, while the negative predictive values were 96%, 96%, 84%, and 98%, respectively. Liver causes accounted for 69.7% of cases, followed by peritoneal tuberculosis 10.6%, malignancy 9.1%, congestive heart failure 7.6%, and nephrotic syndrome 3.0%. SAAG is a useful diagnostic parameter which can be used to separate ascites of liver disease (nonalcoholic) from other causes of ascites, with an efficiency of 91%. SAAG should replace the traditional parameters (aTP, a/sTP, and aLDH) used in the differential diagnosis of ascites. In our series, liver disease is the major cause of ascites, followed by peritoneal tuberculosis.

Infantile hydrocephalus in southern Saudi Arabia

To study the prevalence and causes of infantile hydrocephalus. Retrospective study of cases of infantile hydrocephalus comparing results with regional and international trends. Infantile hydrocephalus (IH) affected 62 infants from among 87,127 registered total live births giving an overall incidence of 0.71/1000. Eighteen cases (29%) with spinal dysraphism, 15 cases (24%) with acqueductal stenosis, 9 (14.5%) post meningitis, 6 (9.7%) post haemorrhagic, 6 (9.7%) with structural Central Nervous System (CNS) anomalies (holoprosencephaly 2, hemispheric cysts 2, brain dysgenesis 1, and vascular anomaly 1), 3 (4.9%) congenital idiopathic, 2 (3.2%) Dandy-Walker malformation, 2 (3.2%) toxoplasmosis and one case (1.6%) achondroplasia. Prenatal factors accounted for 46 cases (74.2%) of this series, while postnatal factors accounted for 16 cases (25,8%). Of the latter group, 9 (14.5%) were due to meningitis while 6 (9.7%) were post haemorrhagic. Of the postnatal group there were 8 preterm babies (4.7% of the total series and 53.3% of the postnatal group). While the incidence of infantile hydrocephalus in this region remains statistically unchanged, new characteristics have emerged. It is interesting to notice the increased number of premature babies in the postnatal group. More associated CNS malformations have been noticed in the prenatal group. Still prenatal causes form the bulk of all cases.

Skin Diseases in Asir, Saudi Arabia

Skin Diseases in Asir, Saudi Arabia

Diabetes Mellitus and Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Saudi Arabia

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in different areas of Saudi Arabia. A household survey was conducted in 34 different areas of Saudi Arabia. Demographic data and medical history were taken and filled. Fasting and two-hour "post-glucose load" blood samples were collected from 23,493 Saudi males and females and blood glucose was estimated immediately. The diagnoses of DM and IGT were made based on the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO). Diabetic patients were subgrouped as IDDM and NIDDM on the basis of age of onset and mode of treatment. In the overall group (two to 70 years), the prevalence of IDDM, NIDDM and IGT was 0.193%, 5.503% and 0.498% in the Saudi males and 0.237%, 4.556% and 0.900% in the Saudi females. When grouped on the basis of age, there were 8762 children (<14 years). Of these children, 15 (0.171%) had IDDM and 13 (0.148%) had maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY). The prevalence of IGT in this group was 0.250%. In the 14-70-year age group, the prevalence of IDDM, NIDDM and IGT was 0.239%, 9.50% and 0.717% in the males and 0.248%, 6.820% and 1.347% in the females, respectively. A significant increase (P<0.001) was obvious in the age group >30 years, where the prevalence of NIDDM and IGT rose to 17.32% and 1.30% in the males and 12.18% and 2.2% in the females, respectively. IDDM showed a slight decrease in those over the age of 60 years. These results place Saudi Arabia among the countries that have a high prevalence for DM and a moderate risk for IGT. In light of these findings, it is clear that carefully planned programs are needed to achieve control and prevention of diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabia.