title: The importance of diabetes mellitus in the global epidemic of cardiovascular disease: the case of the state of Qatar.
abstract: As a manifestation of the epidemiologic transition being experienced throughout the developing world, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing. However, whether an individual's risk of cardiovascular diseases as a consequence of DM is also higher in these countries is unknown. We conducted a case-control study at the medical center in the state of Qatar comparing the prevalence of DM in 512 patients who were admitted with acute myocardial infarctions (MI) and 262 cases of cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) to 382 hospital and outpatient controls to calculate the odds ratios (OR) associated with DM for MI and CVA. The OR for MI was estimated to be 4.01 compared to 2.92 for other countries in the Middle East and 1.75 for North America. The OR was even higher for Qatari natives. Understanding the reasons for this increase, including genetic differences, lifestyle, and medical management issues, is critical for the design and prioritization of effective interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Weill Cornell Medical Center, 402 East 67th Street, New York, NY 10065, USA. aim2001@med.cornell.edu
authors.forename: Alvin I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Mushlin
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Christos
authors.forename: Laith
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Abu-Raddad
authors.forename: Hiam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chemaitelly
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Deleu
authors.forename: Abdul Razak
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gehani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000150:complications* / Q000208:ethnology*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*; D019468:Disease Management; D058872:Epidemics; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D015995:Prevalence; D011780:Qatar / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D014944:World Health Organization