What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to estimate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and identify its demographic and behavioral risk factors among the Saudi population.

May 29, 2026Open Access

The prevalence of diabetes and its association with comorbidities, demographic and behavioral factors: a cross-sectional survey among attendees of primary healthcare centers in Riyadh

SNSeema NasserKing Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences MSMamdouh M. ShubairUniversity of Northern British Columbia MEMariam A. A. El-MetwallyNorth Carolina State University

Key Points

This study aims to estimate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and identify its demographic and behavioral risk factors among the Saudi population.
Cross-sectional survey conducted from March to July 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Utilized a validated questionnaire collecting data from 14,239 patients aged 18 or older across 48 primary healthcare centers.
Data analyzed using SPSS version 26.0.
12.4% of Saudi residents were found to be diabetic.
Patients aged ≥75 years were 6.30 times more likely to have diabetes compared to those <50 years (AOR: 6.30; 95% CI: 5.11, 7.77).
Hypertensive individuals were 10.42 times more likely to develop diabetes compared to non-hypertensive individuals (AOR: 10.42; 95% CI: 9.02, 12.03).

Abstract

Background Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) has been found to affect a quarter of the population in Saudi Arabia, a higher burden than worldwide. Given that there is a lack of robust epidemiological evidence regarding T2D among Saudi population, a need assessment is necessary to identify risk factors of diabetes. Hence, this study aimed to estimate prevalence of diabetes and its demographic and behavioral risk factors among Saudi Arabian population. Methods A cross-sectional survey using a validated and reliable questionnaire was conducted from March to July 2023 In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Altogether, 14,239 patients, aged 18 years or older were selected from 48 primary healthcare centers. SPSS version 26.0 was used to analyze data. Results About 12.4% of Saudi residents were diabetic and 11% were hypertensive. Compared to younger participants of 50 years, those ≥75 years older were 6.30 times more likely to be diabetic (AOR: 6.30; 95% CI: 5.11, 7.77). The risk of T2D was higher among males and obese individuals by 33% (AOR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.17, 1.51) and 39% (AOR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.75), respectively. Compared to employed Saudi residents, unemployed residents were 1.49 times more likely to be diabetic (AOR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.30, 1.70). Hypertensive patients were 10.42 times more likely to experience diabetes than non-hypertensive patients (AOR: 10.42; 95% CI: 9.02, 12.03). Patients with high cholesterol were 3.13 times more likely to develop diabetes than patients with low cholesterol levels (AOR: 3.13; 95% CI: 2.64, 3.72). Conclusion The prevalence of diabetes appears to be high in Saudi Arabia. Older-aged males and unemployed Saudi residents were at higher risk of developing Diabetes than younger, employed, and female residents. Hypertension, obesity, and high cholesterol were other strong risk factors for T2D. Education was found to be a protective factor for Diabetes among Saudi population.

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