Demographic and clinical characteristics of type 1 diabetes mellitus in omani children - single center experience.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the demographic characteristics and clinical presentation of Omani children with type 1 diabetes mellitus at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of all children with type 1 diabetes mellitus attending the Pediatric Endocrine Unit at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman from June 2006 to May 2013.


RESULTS
One hundred and forty-four patients were included in the study. The mean±SD of age at diagnosis was 6.7 ± 3.7 years. The median duration of symptoms was 10 days (IQR; 5-14). The most commonly reported presenting symptoms were polyuria (94%), polydipsia (82%), and weight loss (59%). Diabetic ketoacidosis at initial presentation was diagnosed in 31% of the patients. Different insulin regimens were prescribed: multiple daily injections in 109 (76%) patients, twice daily insulin regimen in 23 (16%) patients, and insulin pump therapy in 12 (8%) patients. Family history of type 1 diabetes mellitus was present in 31 (22%) patients. There were no significant differences in presenting complaints (polyuria, p=0.182; polydipsia, p=0.848), duration of symptoms (p=0.331), reported weight loss (p=0.753), or diabetic ketoacidosis at presentation (p=0.608) between patients with and without family history of type 1 diabetes mellitus.


CONCLUSIONS
Polyuria, polydipsia and weight loss are the most common presenting symptoms. Family history of type 1 diabetes mellitus is highly prevalent among the studied patients. Diabetic ketoacidosis was found to be less common in Oman compared to other diabetes centers in the Middle East.
Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Department of Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital,P.O. Box 38, P.C 123, Al-Khoud, Sultanate of Oman.
Saif
S
Al-Yaarubi
Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Department of Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital,P.O. Box 38, P.C 123, Al-Khoud, Sultanate of Oman.
Irfan
I
Ullah
Department of Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital,P.O. Box 38, P.C 123, Al-Khoud, Sultanate of Oman.
Sharef Waadallah
SW
Sharef
Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Department of Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital,P.O. Box 38, P.C 123, Al-Khoud, Sultanate of Oman.
Azza
A
Al Shidhani
Diabetic Nurse, Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Department of Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital,P.O. Box 38, P.C 123, Al-Khoud, Sultanate of Oman.
Shaima
S
Al Hanai
Diabetic Nurse, Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Department of Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital,P.O. Box 38, P.C 123, Al-Khoud, Sultanate of Oman.
Rabaa
R
Al Kalbani
Diabetic Nurse, Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Department of Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital,P.O. Box 38, P.C 123, Al-Khoud, Sultanate of Oman.
Shamsa
S
Al Jamoodi
Children; Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA); Family history; Insulin; Oman; Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)