1466-P: Prevalence of Glucose Intolerance in the Roma Population from a Rural Area in the South Part of Romania: Călărași County

Abstract

Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of glucose intolerance (diabetes, prediabetes) in Roma population living in rural settlements from Călărași County in the south part of Romania. Methods: This cross-sectional, epidemiological, non-interventional study was conducted from March 2014 to May 2017 in several settlements from Călărași County, in Romania. We included 603 patients, 448 Roma (320 females/128 males) and 155 Romanian Caucasians (104 females/51 males), aged between 18 and 88 yr. Glucose intolerance was defined using American Diabetes Association criteria. Body mass index was classified using the definition of World Health Organization. Metabolic waist was defined as waist circumference over 80 cm in women and 94 cm in men. Results: Prevalence of diabetes (newly diagnosed diabetes and known diabetes) was greater in Romanian Caucasians group, but in both groups larger than the published national data (34.8% vs. 23.6%, p=0.008). Obesity was present in 43.2% (n=67) of the Romanian Caucasians and 43.3% (n=194) of the Roma population (p=0.97). The average age was lower in Roma population (49.91±16.97 vs. 56.43±13.36 years, p<0.001). In Roma population group, the prevalence of prediabetes, newly diagnosed diabetes and known diabetes was 12.5% (n=56), 13.6% (n=61) and 10% (n=45) respectively. In Romanian Caucasians group, the prevalence of prediabetes, newly diagnosed diabetes and known diabetes was 12.9% (n=20), 14.8% (n=23), and 20% (n=31) respectively. Conclusions: The study revealed a high prevalence of diabetes and obesity among the Romanian Caucasians and Roma population in the south part of Romania, Călărași County. Independent risk factors for diabetes in the Roma population were the metabolic waist (OR=2.539; 95% CI 1.309-4.925) and physical activity less than 30 minutes/day (OR=2.099; 95% CI 1.279-3.444). Disclosure E. Rusu: None. G.M. Enache: None. F. Rusu: None. M.C. Baleanu: None. G. Radulian: None.