Epidemiological and clinical patterns of diabetes mellitus in Benghazi, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

The clinical characteristics and prevalence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [NIDDM] diagnosed in Benghazi are reported. Data were based on the analysis of records for the period 1981 to 1990. A total of 8922 NIDDM cases [4081 males, 4841 females] were registered during the study period. The overall prevalence rate of NIDDM was 0.19%; it was significantly higher in females [0.21%] than males [0.17%] [P < 0.01]. The prevalence rate in patients aged > or = 20 years was 3.8% and was significantly higher in females [4.7%] than in males [2.9%] [P < 0.01]. Prevalence rates increased with each higher age group and peaked in the 50-54 years age group. Prevalence of hypertension was 22.5% and prevalence of overweight was 59.4%. The most common complications of diabetes were neuropathy [45.7%], retinopathy [30.5%] and nephropathy [25.2%]