Publication:

Opportunistic screening for random blood glucose level among adults attending a rural tertiary care centre in Haryana during world health day observation activity

Background Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common non-commu­nicable diseases worldwide and major global risks for morbidity and mortality. The total burden of deaths from high blood glucose in 2012 has been estimated to 3.7 million which includes 1.5 million diabetes deaths, 2.2 million deaths from cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, and tuberculosis. Various studies reported that population-based screening of blood glucose level will result in low yield but higher cost. However, opportunity screening at earlier stage had good prognosis. Hence opportunistic screening for raised random blood glucose level was planned.

Methods During observation of World Health Day 2016 activity based on theme, “Beat diabetes: Scale up prevention, strengthen care, and enhance surveillance” this present cross-sectional study was conducted. Attendants of the patients having age >30 years; visiting this institute on that day enrolled as study participants. Information gathered regarding their socio-demographic parameters and doing regular physical activity. A brief clinical examination regarding anthropometric measurements and random blood glucose was done using standard procedures by trained personnel.

Results Out of 215 opportunistic screened participants, 14 (6.51%) participants were known diabetic and having random blood glucose level 200 mg%. BMI status of 48 (22%) and 103 (48%) study participants were recorded as pre-obese and obese respectively.

Conclusions It was concluded that after every 7 cases of known diabetes mellitus there were 4 unknown cases identified as raised random blood glucose level. Hence in tertiary care settings, individuals more than 30 years should get priority for opportunistic screening of random blood glucose estimation. Health-care providers should be sensitized on practicing opportunistic screening in outpatient department.