Publication:

Demographic characters and factors favouring emergence of diabetes mellitus type two

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. It has various complications. Risk factor control is effective way of prevention. Current study was conducted to know demographic profile including risk factors related to diabetes mellitus in patients attending a tertiary health care institute of Rajasthan.

Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted for the duration of six months. In the study 623 diabetes mellitus type 2 patients were included and subjected to evaluation of various demographic parameters and risk factors like age, sex, economic status, area of residence, obesity, hypertension (HTN), lack of exercise, smoking, dyslipidemia and positive family history.

Results Mean age of diabetic population was 62 years. Male-female, urban-rural ratios were nearly 1:1 and 3:2 respectively. Nearly 7 % patients were found to be below poverty line (BPL). On risk factor evaluation of 623 diabetic patients it was found that 598 (96%) patients had lack of exercise, 406 (65.2%) patients had age more than 60 years, 394 (63.2%) patients had dyslipidemia, 210 (33.7%) patients were smoker as per the mentioned criteria, 144 (23.1%) patients were obese, 118 (19%) patients had HTN before emergence of DM and 90 (14.4%) patients had positive family history.

Conclusions High prevalence of risk factors in Indian community is alarming. Health education, promotion of exercise, favourable life style, dietary modification, cessation of smoking, screening programmes for early detection of derange blood pressure, blood sugar, lipid profile can be effective prevention strategies.