BURAIDAH: One third of the Kingdom's inhabitants are likely to develop diabetes in the next five years, warns Dr. Khaled Al-Reban, Director of the Diabetes Center at King Saud University in Riyadh. He said Type 2 diabetes has serious complications causing damage to both large and small arteries and it is the most common cause of vision impairment and blindness. It also affects the peripheral arteries which results in foot ulcers and foot infections, which can lead to amputation of the toes and legs. Also, an estimated 50 percent of diabetic patients develop renal failure, reported the Arabic daily Al-Watan. Al-Reban made the remarks in a lecture at the advanced scientific symposium on the complications of diabetes organized by Sulaiman Al-Rajhi Colleges in conjunction with the University Center for Diabetes, an affiliate of King Saud University in Riyadh, at Al-Bekaryia Governorate in Qassim on Tuesday. Dr. Salah Muhammad Al-Kharaz, Director of the Directorate of Health Affairs in Qassim Region, said diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the Kingdom. He said doctors should inform diabetic patients that they can control the illness with a proper diet and by taking their medication regularly.
