Abstract
Objectives: The co-existence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and sickle cell disease (SCD) is rare. This study aimed to explore whether SCD patients have the same DM prevalence as the general population in a country with a high prevalence of DM. Methods: This cross-sectional study included all SCD adult patients admitted to Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, between 2003 and 2010 (n = 2,204). A random sample (n = 520) was taken to establish the prevalence of DM. Laboratory records were examined to determine the presence of DM. Results: There were 376 SCD patients with complete records; of these, 24 (6.4%) had DM. The age- and sex-standardised prevalence of DM was 8.3%. Conclusion: While the prevalence of DM in SCD patients in Bahrain was high, it was lower than expected in this population. SCD may have a protective effect towards DM development. However, the impact of these two conditions on vascular diseases suggest a need for screening and aggressive treatment in this population.
Publication details
- DOI
- 10.18295/squmj.1.2015.003
- Journal
- Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 15(1), 116-119
- Publisher
- Sultan Qaboos University
- Open access
- Gold open access
- License
- CC BY-ND 4.0
Cite this article
APA 7
Suwaidan, A. A., Al-Qurashi, F., & L., D. (2025). Does Sickle Cell Disease Protect Against Diabetes Mellitus?: Cross-sectional study. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 15(1), 116-119. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.1.2015.003
MLA 9
Suwaidan, Ali AM, et al. "Does Sickle Cell Disease Protect Against Diabetes Mellitus?: Cross-sectional study." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 15, no. 1, 2025, pp. 116-119. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.1.2015.003.
Chicago (author–date)
Suwaidan, Ali AM, Fathia Al-Qurashi, and David L. 2025. "Does Sickle Cell Disease Protect Against Diabetes Mellitus?: Cross-sectional study." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal 15 (1): 116-119. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.1.2015.003.
Harvard
Suwaidan, A. A., Al-Qurashi, F. and L., D. (2025) 'Does Sickle Cell Disease Protect Against Diabetes Mellitus?: Cross-sectional study', Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 15(1), pp. 116-119. doi:10.18295/squmj.1.2015.003.
Vancouver
Suwaidan AA, Al-Qurashi F, L. D. Does Sickle Cell Disease Protect Against Diabetes Mellitus?: Cross-sectional study. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. 2025;15(1):116-119. doi:10.18295/squmj.1.2015.003
IEEE
A. A. Suwaidan, F. Al-Qurashi, and D. L., "Does Sickle Cell Disease Protect Against Diabetes Mellitus?: Cross-sectional study," Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 116-119, 2025, doi: 10.18295/squmj.1.2015.003.