Samples of tap water and drinking mineral water from different regions of Saudi Arabia were analyzed for iodide content. Low iodide concentrations were found in all samples. This finding may reflect an overall low iodide content in the soil and consequently also in locally grown food, which could predispose to endemic goiter. In the absence of data on the prevalence of endemic goiter, we recommend the routine use of iodized salt in Saudi Arabia.

The effect of Ramadan fasting—defined as abstinence from eating or drinking from dawn till sunset during this lunar month—on the control of diabetes mellitus was studied in 47 type II diabetic patients and in a group of non-diabetic subjects. Body weight, glycosylated hemoglobin were determined before and immediately after Ramadan in both groups while glycosylated protein was also measured in 9 diabetic patients.

The relationship between islet cell antibodies (ICA) and pancreatic beta cell secretory activity was studied in 108 newly diagnosed untreated adult diabetic patients. Beta cell function was evaluated by measuring C-peptide immunoreactivity (CPR) in the fasting state and 6 min after an intravenous injection of glucagon. Residual beta cell function was present in 90 ICA negative (97.9%) and in 15 ICA positive (93.8%) patients (CPR after stimulation > 0.06 nM/l).