A Study of Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus, Prediabetes and Cardio Metabolic Profile among Rural Population in South India

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Diabetes and prediabetes are rapidly growingin India. Diabetes is the single most important risk factor forcardiovascular disease. As 72.2% of the Indian populationresides in rural areas, the current study was carried to assessthe prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus, prediabetes and cardiometabolic profile in a rural population.Material and methods: A total of 300 people aged more than18 years were included in this observational, communitybased study. All the relevant parameters were documentedin a structured study proforma. The following investigationswere done in all subjects: fasting blood glucose, post prandialblood glucose, fasting lipid profile, electrocardiography andechocardiogram.Results: The prevalence of diabetes was 37.33% and prediabetes was 8.67% in the current study. Among diabeticsmean age was 51.17 years and 43.69 years in prediabetics.Among diabetics 69 (69.6%) were males and 43 (38.4%) werefemales. Among the prediabetics 43 (38.4%) were males and12 (46.2%) were females. Among diabetes patients meanTriglycerides (TGL) was 175.24 mg/dl. In this study 128(42.7%) participants were overweight, 114 (38%) were obese,85 (28.33%) were alcoholics, 44 (14.67%) were smokers.Conclusion: Higher Total cholesterol, Triglycerides levelsare associated with higher chance of prediabetes and diabetes.Increasing age is also a risk factor for prediabetes and diabetes.The prevalence of the diabetics and prediabetes is rising inrural population. Hence it is essential to create awarenessabout diabetes and accessibility to health care services amongrural population.