PREVALENCE OF DIABETES MELLITUS IN ADULTS OF A RURAL POPULATION VILLAGE BUDHNI DISTRICT PESHAWAR

ABSTRACT       

Background: Diabetes affects almost 6% of the world adult population and is increasing faster in developing countries than in developed countries.

Aims: To evaluate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its associated risk factors in rural community of Peshawar.

Setting: This study was conducted in PMRC model research community, village Budhni that is about 30 kilometers away from Peshawar.           

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on adult population ≥ 40 years of age. During a door to door visit, consent was taken from all the subjects and they were informed a day before to be fasting to give a sample of blood for estimating fasting blood sugar levels. All those who consented and were fasting the next day were interviewed according to pre-designed proforma. Fasting blood glucose levels were measured enzymatically in PMRC labs by using Microlab 200 Merck.  Height, weight and blood pressure were recorded using standard methods. Data was analyzed by using statistical computer software Epi Info program version 6.0.  

Results: A total of 345 subjects were screened for diabetes using fasting blood sugar as the proxy indicator and 81(23.4%) were found to be diabetic. Of these total subjects screened 46(13 %) were known diabetics while 35(10 %) were newly diagnosed. Mean fasting blood in diabetic patients was 205+71.22 mg/dl with mean levels in males and females as 227.23+8277 mg/dl and 200.91+68.67 mg/dl respectively. It was observed that fasting blood sugar level in newly diagnosed cases was greater (230.09+75.85 mg/dl) than known diabetic patients (186.15+ 61.78 mg/dl). Majority (48%) of the cases were between 50-60 years, followed by 35.8 % in between 40-50 years. Among the known diabetics 91% were Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) and only 8.7% had Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM). In 57% known diabetic’s, the duration of diabetes was between 1-5 years. Cases with a family history of diabetes, were almost two times more at risk to diabetes as compared to those having negative family history of diabetes (OR=1.86 (1.05<OR<3.28), P < 0.03). The association of diabetes with high systolic and diastolic blood pressure was significant (OR=2.52(1.45 <OR<4.38) P<0.0006 and OR=2.26(1.27<OR<4.0) P< 0.004 respectively). Obesity also showed significant association with diabetics (P< 0.02), while   Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR) showed non significant association with diabetes in both genders. 

Conclusion: The prevalence of diabetes in a rural community of Peshawar was quite high and needs to be addressed through special sessions on health with the community.