title: Clinical and biochemical features of type 2 diabetic patients in Gaza Governorate, Gaza Strip.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetes is a multifactorial disease characterized by severalmetabolic disorders. Its prevalence rate in Gaza Strip is alarming.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the clinical and biochemical features of patients with Type 2 diabetes in Gaza Governorate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained through a questionnaire interview, patients' records and of 99 type 2 diabetes patients and 95 healthy individuals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Family history and obesity were risk factors for diabetes. The mean age at diagnosis was 41.7±8.1 years. Fifty five (55.6%) patients had diabetes since 5 years. Distribution of diagnosed diabetic complications was low. Micro- and macroalbuminuria in controls and patients (8.4 v 22.2% and 9.5 v 22.2%, respectively) were associated with diabetes (Χ² =7.06, P=0.007 and (Χ²=5.87, P=0.015, respectively). HbA1c% was significantly higher in diabetics (6.93±1.22 v 5.36±0.57, p<0.001). Serum urea and creatinine were significantly decreased in diabetics than controls (mean=23.5±6.9 v 27.2±7.4 and 0.49±0.15 v 0.58±0.14, % differences=13.6 and 15.5, respectively, p=0.000). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was increased in diabetics (136.9±38.7 v 117.4±23.5, % difference =16.6, p=0.001). Cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) were significantly higher in diabetics (207.6±6.5, 184.1±104.5 and 124.6±32.9) than controls (181.2±39.1, 139.8±76.1 and 102.2±37.4) with % differences of 14.6, 31.7 and 21.9%, respectively, p<0.001. In contrast, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) was significantly lower in diabetics (42.6±7.8 v 48.2±5.7, % difference p=11.6 and p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diabetes was associated with family history, obesity and micro- or macroalbuminuria. HbA1c%, ALP, cholesterol, triglycerides and LDLC were higher in diabetics than controls. In contrast, urea, creatinine and HDLC were lower in diabetics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Islamic University of Gaza, P. O. Box 108, Gaza Strip, Palestine. myassin@mail.iugaza.edu
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Yassin
authors.forename: H I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Altibi
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Elshanti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D008055:Lipids