Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the level of awareness among diabetic patients regarding the surgical risks associated with diabetes among residents of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between April 21 and May 31, 2025, involving 369 adult residents of Makkah. The questionnaire evaluated participants’ awareness of diabetic complications and related surgical risks.
Results: Of the 369 participants, 110 (29.8%) were diabetic. Among the diabetic participants, 59.1% were female, 62.7% were aged 31 to 60 years, and 76.4% were Saudi nationals. Awareness levels varied by complication; the highest awareness was related to foot complications, while the lowest pertained to stroke-related issues. Although 84.5% of diabetic participants had heard of surgical risks, most had limited knowledge about specific complications, particularly delayed wound healing, infections, and stroke. Higher awareness was associated with type 1 diabetes (β = 20.4, p-value=0.022), whereas non-Saudi nationality correlated with lower awareness (β = –12.7, p-value=0.048).
Conclusion: While there was general awareness of the surgical risks related to diabetes, detailed knowledge remains inadequate. Targeted educational strategies are needed to enhance community understanding and improve surgical outcomes for diabetic patients.

Key words: Diabetes mellitus, surgical risks, public awareness, diabetic complications, Makkah.