Common diseases in Saudi Arabia

Mujahed Al-khathlan Turki Al-Osaimi Esaa Al-Sonbel

-Common diseases:
1- Communicable disease:
A disease that is transmitted through direct contact with an infected individual or indirectly through a vector. Also called contagious disease.

2- Non- Communicable disease.

Diabetes Mellitus, Systemic Hypertension, Obesity. Coronary Artery Disease

-Communicable disease:

Cholera . Diphtheria . Whooping cough . Tetanus . Poliomyelitis . Measles . Gonorrhea

Mumps . Rubella . Chickenpox . Brucellosis . Meningococcal meningitis . Meningitis . Hepatitis A, B, C. Syphilis

Cholera :

An acute infectious disease of the small intestine. Caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae . Characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, muscle cramps, severe dehydration. Most cases in the eastern area

Disease
Cholera

Cases in 2003
29

Cases in 2004
14

Diphtheria: An acute infectious disease caused by the bacillus Corynebacterium diphtheriae. characterized by the production of a systemic toxin and the formation of a false membrane on the lining of the mucous membrane of the throat and other respiratory passages, causing difficulty in breathing, high fever, and weakness.

Disease
Diphtheria

Cases in 2003
2

Cases in 2004
No cases

Whooping cough:

A highly contagious disease of the respiratory system, usually affecting children, that is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It is characterized in its advanced stage by spasms of coughing interspersed with deep, noisy inspirations. Also called pertussis. Disease
Whooping cough

Cases in 2003
120

Cases in 2004
64

Tetanus neonatorum:
Disease
Tetanus

Cases in 2003
31

Cases in 2004
37

Poliomyelitis:

Poliomyelitis is an acute viral infection caused by an RNA virus, that can affect the whole body, including muscles and nerves. in Severe cases may lead to permanent paralysis and possibly death.
Disease Poliomyelitis Cases in 2003 Cases in 2004 0 2

Measles:

Most common in Aseer and jazan. Disease Cases in 2003 Cases in 2004

Measles

1204

1775

Mumps :

Most common in jeddah.

Disease Mumps

Cases in 2003 749

Cases in 2004 349

Rubella :

Most of the cases in the eastern area .

Disease

Cases in 2003

Cases in 2004

Rubella

22

17

Chickenpox :

An acute contagious disease, primarily of children. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus characterized by skin eruptions, slight fever, and malaise.
Disease Rubella Cases in 2003 Cases in 2004 70884 67451

Brucellosis :

An infectious bacterial disease of humans that is caused by brucellae, transmitted by contact with infected animals. characterized by fever, malaise, and headache. Also called Malta fever. Most of the cases in Aseer. Disease Brucellosis Cases in 2003 Cases in 2004 4534 5169

Meningococcal meningitis:

Inflammation of the meninges caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus).

Cases in 2003 Cases in 2004

Disease
Meningococcal meningitis:

44

10

Meningitis pneumococcal:
Disease
Meningitis pneumococcal

Cases in 2003
54

Cases in 2004
53

Other meningitis :
Disease Other meningitis Cases in 2003 405 Cases in 2004 433

Typhoid & Paratyphoid :

An acute, highly infectious disease caused by a bacillus (Salmonella typhi) Transmitted chiefly by contaminated food or water. Characterized by high fever, headache, coughing, intestinal hemorrhaging, and rose-colored spots on the skin.

Disease Typhoid & Paratyphoid

Cases in 2003 403

Cases in 2004 365

Shigellosis :

Shigellosis is an infection of the intestinal tract by a group of bacteria called Shigella. The major symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and severe fluid loss (dehydration). Four different groups of Shigella can affect humans. Disease Shigellosis Cases in 2003 Cases in 2004 490 310

Salmonellosis :
Disease Salmonellosis Cases in 2003 2219 Cases in 2004 1829

Syphilis :

A chronic infectious disease caused by a spirochete (Treponema pallidum). Transmitted by direct contact, usually in sexual intercourse, or passed from mother to child in utero. It progress through three stages characterized respectively by local formation of chancres, ulcerous skin eruptions, and systemic infection leading to general paresis.

Disease
Syphilis

Cases in 2003
166

Cases in 2004
231

Gonorrhea :

A sexually transmitted disease caused by gonococcal bacteria that affects the mucous membrane chiefly of the genital and urinary tracts It is characterized by an acute purulent discharge and painful or difficult urination, women often have no symptoms. Disease Gonorrhea Cases in 2003 382 Cases in 2004 330

Common Non communicable Diseases in Saudi Arabia

The most prevalent non communicable diseases include:

Systemic Hypertension Diabetes Mellitus Obesity Coronary Artery Disease

SYSTEMIC HYPERTENSION

Definition Systemic Hypertension is said to exist when an individuals blood pressure is found to be higher than what is considered normal for that age and sex. According to World Health Organisation (WHO) the upper normal limit of diastolic and systolic blood pressure for adults is 90 mmHg and 140mm Hg respectively.

Prevalence Trends

The prevalence of hypertension is 26.1% in crude terms. Hypertension is increasing in prevalence in KSA affecting more than one fourth of the adult Saudi population. aggressive management is recommended of hypertension as well as screening of adults for hypertension early to prevent its damaging consequences if left untreated. Public health awareness of simple measures, such as low salt diet, exercise, and avoiding obesity, to maintain normal arterial blood pressure need to be implemented by health care providers is recommended .

The level of blood pressure regarded as deleterious has been revised down during years of epidemiological studies. A widely quoted and important series of such studies is the Framingham Heart Study carried out in an American town: Framingham, Massachusetts. The results from Framingham and of similar work in Busselton, Western Australia have been widely applied. To the extent that people are similar this seems reasonable, but there are known to be genetic variations in the most effective drugs for particular sub-populations.

DIABETES MELLITUS
Definition Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a group of diseases (syndrome) characterized by persistent hyperglycemia and a disordered metabolism primarily of carbohydrate but also of fats and proteins which is due to a relative or absolute deficiency of insulin.

Prevalence Trends

The overall prevalence of DM in adults in KSA is 23.7%. A national prevention program at community level targeting high risk groups should be implemented sooner to prevent DM. a longitudinal study to demonstrate the importance of modifying risk factors for the development of DM and reducing its prevalence in KSA is recommended.

Burden of Disease

In 2006, according to the World Health Organization, at least 171 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes. Its incidence is increasing rapidly, and it is estimated that by the year 2030, this number will double. Diabetes is in the top 10, and perhaps the top 5, of the most significant diseases in the developed world, and is gaining in significance there and elsewhere

Obesity

The condition of being obese; increased body weight caused by excessive accumulation of fat. In the clinical setting, obesity is typically evaluated by measuring BMI (body mass index), waist circumference, and evaluating the presence of risk factors . In epidemiological studies BMI alone is used to define obesity: A BMI less than 18.5 is underweight A BMI of 18.5 - 24.9 is normal weight A BMI of 25.0 - 29.9 is overweight A BMI of 30.0 - 39.9 is obese A BMI of 40.0 or higher is severely (or morbidly) obese

Prevalence Trends

Obesity and overweight are increasing in KSA with an overall obesity prevalence of 35.5%. Reduction in overweight and obesity are of considerable importance to public health. Therefore, we recommend a national obesity prevention program at community level to be implemented sooner to promote leaner and consequently healthier community .

While it may often appear obvious why a certain individual gets fat, it is far more difficult to understand why the average weight of certain societies have recently been growing. While genetic causes are central to understanding obesity, they cannot fully explain why one culture grows fatter than another.

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease is a narrowing or blockage of the arteries and vessels that provide oxygen and nutrients to the heart. It is caused by atherosclerosis ,an accumulation of fatty materials on the inner linings of arteries. The resulting blockage restricts blood flow to the heart. When the blood flow is completely cut off, the result is a heart attack .

Prevalence Trends

The overall prevalence of CAD in KSA is 5.5%. A national prevention program at community level as well as high risk groups should be implemented sooner to prevent the expected epidemic of CAD that we are seeing, beginning. Measures are needed to change lifestyle and to address the management of the metabolic syndrome, to reduce modifiable risk factors for CAD. A longitudinal study is needed to demonstrate the importance of reducing modifiable risk factors for CAD in KSA .

Coronary heart disease is the most common form of heart disease in the world. Prevention centers on the modifiable risk factors, which include decreasing cholesterol levels, addressing obesity and hypertension, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, making healthy dietary choices, and stopping smoking. There is some evidence that lowering uric acid and homocysteine levels may contribute. In diabetes mellitus, there is little evidence that blood sugar control actually improves cardiac risk. Some recommend a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C.

Resources

MEDLINE Saudi Medical Journal MOH website