A Hospital-based Observational Study of Type 2 Diabetic Subjects from India.

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the profile of the subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to obtain a clear picture from Western India, that would help in management of diabetes. Methods: An observational study was conducted with newly diagnosed 622 type 2 diabetic subjects attending Dept. of Diabetology, All India Institute of Diabetes and Research and Yash Diabetes Specialties Centre (Swasthya), Ahmedabad during the period from August 2006 to January 31, 2009. Subjects completed an interviewer-administered comprehensive questionnaire, which included variables such as sociodemographic presenting symptoms, risk profile (hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia and glycemic status), family history of diabetes, physical activity and behavioral profile. Blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and fasting lipid profile were measured. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were carried out using SPSS version 11.5. Results: A total of 622 T2DM cases with mean age (years) 47.7 ± 10.9 were studied. Of these, 384 (62%) were male. The majority of T2DM subjects were obese (68%) and 67% had positive family history of diabetes. Renal dysfunctions and vision impairment were found in 10% (62/622) and 9% (57/622), respectively in T2DM subjects. The mean HbA1C level was 9.02% ± 1.67 and good glycemic control (HbA1C level <7%) was achieved only in 7.4% T2DM subjects. The Chi-square (χ2) analysis showed that higher BMI (≥25 kg/m2) is significantly associated with hypertension among T2DM subjects (p < 0.01). There were statistically significant differences between male and female study subjects with respect to mean age, BMI, waist and hip circumference and mean low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The present study revealed that obesity, family history of diabetes, dyslipidemia, uncontrolled glycemic status, sedentary lifestyles and hypertension were more prevalent in T2DM subjects. Hence, the overall risk profile was very poor and needs improvement. The characterization of this risk profile will contribute in defining more effective and specific strategies for screening and controlling T2DM in Western India.