Rajech Sharkia, Muhammad Mahajnah, Ahmad Sheikh-Muhammad, Mohammad Khatib, and Abdelnaser Zalan

In recent years, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) had become a worrying pandemic disease. Its prevalence was increasing in almost all societies worldwide, particularly in Arab populations. The aim of the current study is to determine the prevalence and trend of T2DM, during two successive periods of time, among the Arab population in Israel, in relation to various sociodemographic variables. Data were collected from cross-sectional surveys during two periods (2005 and 2015). Databases were created and statistical analysis was carried out. Our results indicated that the incidence rate of T2DM was increasing significantly from 11.3% to 17.7% (p<0.05) during the periods surveyed, with a progressive increase with age in both genders. The high incidence rate among females in the first period was reversed to males during the second period. We conclude that recent changes in socioeconomic status and lifestyle in our community could be responsible for the increased occurrence of T2DM. Therefore, it is recommended to implement an intervention program for a systemic decrease in this alarming trend.