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Incidence of Dyslipidemia and Hyperglycemia Among Healthy Female Teachers in Nablus, Palestine

Introduction

Incidence of dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia among healthy female teachers in nablus, palestine. Study reveals high prevalence of undiagnosed dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia among healthy female teachers in Nablus, Palestine. Age, obesity, and menopause are significant risk factors.

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are associated with several risk factors such as hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of undiagnosed dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia among healthy female teachers. A cross-sectional study included 229 healthy female teachers in Nablus city of Palestine. A questionnaire and laboratory investigations were used to obtain personal and medical information, and all data was categorized and analyzed. The overall prevalence of undiagnosed dyslipidemia, pre diabetes and diabetes mellitus (DM) was 44.9%, 9.6% and 2.2%, respectively. Age showed a significant influence on dyslipidemia (total cholesterol (TC), p = 0.002 and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), p = 0.03), as well as DM (p < 0.001). About 47.8% and 21.7% of obese participants had high TC (p = 0.04) and hyperglycemia (p = 0.02). Waist-to-hip ratio was significantly associated with hyperglycemia (p < 0.001) and hypertriglyceridemia (TG) (p = 0.002). Participants with high TC (p = 0.036) and high LDL (P = 0.047), were less likely to engage in adequate physical activity. Elevated blood pressure notably correlated with hyperglycemia (p < 0.001), while postmenopausal transition associated significantly with DM (p = 0.004), high TC (p < 0.001) and high LDL (p < 0.001). The prevalence of undiagnosed dyslipidemia and DM among healthy female teachers was high. Many factors, including age, obesity, waist-to-hip ratio and menopause were significantly associated with dyslipidemia and DM.

Review

This study investigates the prevalence of undiagnosed dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia among a specific population of healthy female teachers in Nablus, Palestine. Utilizing a cross-sectional design involving 229 participants, the authors employed questionnaires and laboratory investigations to identify the burden of these metabolic conditions. The findings reveal a significant public health concern, with nearly half (44.9%) of the cohort showing undiagnosed dyslipidemia, and a combined 11.8% presenting with pre-diabetes or overt diabetes mellitus. The research effectively highlights several critical risk factors, demonstrating strong associations between age, obesity, waist-to-hip ratio, physical activity, elevated blood pressure, and postmenopausal status with the identified conditions, thereby providing valuable baseline data for a region where such statistics are often limited. While the study offers important insights, a significant terminological inconsistency exists between the title and the abstract. The title refers to "Incidence," which implies the rate of new cases over a period, a measure that cannot be derived from a cross-sectional design. The abstract, however, correctly describes the study's objective as estimating "prevalence" of undiagnosed conditions, which is consistent with its methodology. This discrepancy requires immediate correction to ensure clarity and accuracy. Furthermore, while the study identifies various associations, the "healthy" designation of the teachers might be reconsidered given the high prevalence of undiagnosed conditions; perhaps "apparently healthy" or "without prior diagnosis" would be more precise. The abstract provides p-values, which are helpful, but the full paper would ideally present effect sizes (e.g., odds ratios, relative risks) for the identified associations to convey the strength and clinical significance of these relationships more comprehensively. Despite these points, the study makes a meaningful contribution to understanding cardiovascular risk factors in a specific, often underrepresented, population. The high prevalence of undiagnosed dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia underscores an urgent need for targeted screening programs and public health interventions among female teachers in Palestine and potentially similar cohorts in the region. The identified risk factors provide clear avenues for developing health promotion strategies focused on lifestyle modifications, early detection, and timely management. This research serves as a crucial foundational piece for future longitudinal studies and intervention trials aimed at reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases in this vulnerable demographic.

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