PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF COMMON INFECTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS IN SAUDI ARABIA: A SINGLE CENTER STUDY.

Introduction:-Diabetes mellitus is a common health problem in our country. Diabetic patients are more prone to contract infections, which may lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Identification of those patients at risk can decrease the burden of illness for the patients and our community. Aim of the study:-To determine the common infections in diabetic patients in our setting and the risk factors for developing these infections. Subject and methods:-From the period 1st December 2015 to 31st January 2016 three hundred diabetic patients who have the illness for not less than 5 years were interviewed using a prepared questionnaire. Questions included baseline characteristics, comorbidities, infections encountered in the past and complications developed. Data was analyzed using means or ratios as appropriate. A p value of < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results:-Most of the patients were male (71.3%) with most of them being above 40 years old. The prevalence of infection was (173/300) 57.6%. Bacterial infections were the most common (140/300) 46.7% followed by fungal infections (19/300) 12% and the least were viral infections (14/300) 4.7%. Serious infections constituted 21%. The presence of diabetic complications (p < 0.0001) and being hypertensive (p 0.034) were the most significant risk factors for overall infections. Conclusion:-Although the prevalence of infection is high in diabetic patients. Being hypertensive and the presence of diabetic complications were associated with a higher risk of developing these infections. Knowing these risk factors would help directing the patient management for this group of patients.