Demographic, Clinical, and Biomedical Profile of Diabetic Patients Receiving Home Healthcare in Saudi Arabia

Background:

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease that affects approximately 194 million individuals, equivalent to 5.1% of the adult population globally1. In Saudi Arabia, the age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes is currently estimated to be 18.7% according to the International Diabetes Federation2. This high prevalence places the country among the top five in the Middle East and North Africa region 2 and top ten globally3.

DM can cause acute medical crises, such as diabetic ketoacidosis4, as well as long-term complications, including blindness, renal failure, and lower limb amputations1. These complications can cause significant suffering for individuals and have a considerable impact on their quality of life and overall health outcomes1,4.

To effectively prevent medical crises and long-term complications associated with diabetes, access to ongoing and timely care is crucial, and flexible follow-up schedules must also be in place to ensure comprehensive management of the disease4,5. However, the access and scheduling limitations associated with traditional clinic-based medical care might hinder the provision of such care5. Consequently, home-based care has emerged as a convenient alternative for the provision of diabetes management, particularly for elderly individuals and patients who are house-bound or bed-dependent.

Home healthcare (HHC) is a recognized model of healthcare provision that encompasses a broad range of medical and health services delivered by skilled practitioners in the patient's home6-7. DM is currently located behind congestive heart failure as the primary diagnosis for admission to HHC7,8. In Saudi Arabia, patients with diabetes mellitus are among the seventeen categories that qualify for HHC services provided by the Ministry of Health(MoH)9.