Publication:

Prevalence of type two diabetes mellitus in Jammu rural

Background Diabetes Mellitus (DM) represents one of the biggest challenges in our century, affecting hundreds of millions people worldwide, both in developed countries and in developing ones, as well; the main cause being an unhealthy life style: unhealthy food, lack of physical exercise, which most of the times, lead to obesity.

Methods This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of DM in various age groups and gender by analyzing the hospital record based data from August 2017- December 2017 at Sub-District Hospital, Hiranagar, Kathua, J and K. Fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg% and random plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg% were taken as the diagnostic criteria for diagnosis of DM.

Results Out of the 3600 patients screened for DM, majority were in the age group of 41-50 (37.06 %). Net prevalence was found to be 4.7% (170) of the total. Prevalence among females and males was found to be 49.41% and 50.59% respectively. The trend showed prevalence of approximately 6% in the age group of 41-50 and 51-60, but >60 years showed comparatively less prevalence i.e. <5%.

Conclusions Various studies from time to time have also discussed the most disturbing trend being the shift in age of onset of diabetes to a younger age in the recent years, which could be attributed to changing life-style, even in the rural areas, with a high percentage not knowing that they were suffering from diabetes; therefore, active screening programs are recommended in order to diagnose this condition earlier.