Spotlight on Diabetes: Uncovering Prediction Models in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is grappling with a growing number of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) cases. This health issue is incredibly important because it affects many lives. Knowing when someone is likely to develop T2D can help doctors act early, which might prevent many health problems. Researchers at King Abdulaziz Medical University Hospital did a study to see if they could predict when someone might get T2D. The researchers used five different methods to make these predictions. These methods included Multiple Linear Regression, Artificial Neural Networks, Random Forest, Support Vector Regression, and Decision Tree Regression. They wanted to see which method worked best and what factors influenced the age at which someone might get T2D. The team gathered information from 1, 000 patients who were diagnosed with diabetes between 2018 and 2022. They looked at things like age, lifestyle, and even blood tests. The average age at which someone was diagnosed with T2D was 65 years, with most people being diagnosed between 40 and 90 years old. Among the methods used, Multiple Linear Regression and Random Forest gave the best results, with the lowest errors. This means these two methods were the most accurate in predicting the age of T2D onset. The study found several factors that played a significant role in determining when someone might get T2D. These factors included things like triglyceride levels, cholesterol levels, HDL (good cholesterol), body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and even diet and vitamin D levels. It is interesting to note that this study is the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia to use these prediction methods. The findings of this study are important because they can help doctors and healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia. With these tools, they can better monitor patients and develop strategies to reduce the impact of T2D. This could lead to more effective treatments and a better quality of life for many people.