Background: The metabolic syndrome (MS) is defined as a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors, including central obesity, dysglycemia, hypertension (HPN), elevated triglycerides (TGs), and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). MS increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. Objective: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of MS and its components among nondiabetic Libyan females using the definition proposed by National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III). Methods: A total of 122 randomly selected nondiabetic Libyan females were included in the study. Detailed medical history was obtained from all participants. Blood pressure, weight, height, waist and hip circumference were measured. Body mass index and waist–hip ratio were calculated. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and lipid profile were collected. Standard oral glucose tolerance test with 75 GM glucose was performed. The MS was defined by ATP III and International Diabetes Federation criteria. Results: According to NCEP definition, the prevalence of the MS in the study group was 42.6%. The most common component was abdominal obesity (67.2%). FBG was ≥ 100 mg/dl in 47.5%. The prevalence of both HPN and low HDL-C was 45.9%. About 26.2% of the participants have their TG ≥ 150 mg/dl; all were MS patients. Conclusions: The prevalence of MS and cardiovascular risk factors were high among Libyan females. Public health authorities and health-care providers should implement strategies for prevention, screening, and management of cardiovascular risk factors to reduce the burden of its potential complications
Hawa Juma El-Shareif(4-2018)

The pattern of diabetic deaths in the medical wards of Tripoli Medical Centre was retrospectively studied. During a three‐year period, 575 diabetic deaths occurred, accounting for 26.2% of all medical deaths. The mean age at death was 65.33±12.7 years. Cardiovascular disease (183 [31.8%]), cerebrovascular accidents (102 [17.7%]) and infection (83 [14.4%]) were the most common complications associated with diabetic deaths. Other causes were malignancy (10%), liver cirrhosis (5.6%), and acute diabetic complications (5%). Forty‐five (7.8%) deaths unaccountable for may be due to other unknown causes. Factors predictive of mortality, such as admission diagnosis of hyperosmolar non‐ketotic state, cerebrovascular disease, acute coronary syndromes or infection were associated with poor prognosis. Admission hyperglycaemia, old age, renal dysfunction and prior stroke were also associated with poor admission outcome. The excess mortality, mainly due to atherosclerotic complications, is potentially preventable through implementation of serious approaches to the management of cardiovascular risk factors. arabic 8 English 64
Hawa Juma El-Shareif(7-2010)

The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the risk factors for acute myocardial infarction in patients attending Tripoli Medical Centre, Libya. Records were reviewed for 622 patients with a mean age of 58.3 (SD 12.9) years. Diabetes mellitus (48.2%), hypertension (35.7%) and smoking (50.6%) were among the risk factors reported. There were 110 patients (17.7%) who died during hospitalization, mainly suffering cardiogenic shock (48.0%). The rate of use of thrombolytic therapy was low in patients who were female (40.4% versus 58.4% for males), older age (31.6% for those > 85 years versus 63.3% for patients < 55 years), diabetics (45.3% versus 62.0% for non-diabetic patients) and hypertensives (47.3% versus 57.8% for non-hypertensive patients). Prevention strategies should be implemented in order to improve the long-term prognosis and decrease overall morbidity and mortality from coronary artery disease in Libyan patients. arabic 20 English 112
Hawa Juma El-Shareif(4-2012)