Publication:

A study of waist circumference, waist-hip ratio as markers of type 2 diabetes mellitus and their correlation with family history of diabetes

Background Type 2 Diabetes, is almost an ‘epidemic’ in India. A lot has to be done to prevent or at least postpone its onset. Hence finding bio-markers is important to warn people and create awareness. In India people pay a lot of importance to Family History, and though a positive family history, may predict Diabetes, we wanted to study its correlation to other bio-markers.

Methods Waist circumference, Waist hip ratio was measured in 184 Type 2 Diabetes patients .And history of Diabetes in mother, father or both was recorded .Data tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis.

Results Of the total number (n=184) type 2 diabetes patients studied, males were 93, females 91. 74.2 % males and 83.5 % females had a waist circumference above cut-off (90 cms for males and 80cms for females). 35 males and 42 females had a family history of diabetes. Of these, Father was diabetic in 16 males and 16 females, while mother was diabetic in 19 males and 26 females.

Conclusions Waist circumference and waist hip ratio above cut-off values emerged as common positive findings in majority of type 2 diabetic patients. Family history, individually as Paternal or Maternal Diabetes did not show statistically significant correlation with waist circumference or Waist-hip ratio.