An Epidemiological Study on Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes in an Urban Area with Reference to Lifestyle Modification

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally. It is the fourth or fifth leading cause of death in most high-income countries and there is substantial evidence that it is an epidemic in newly industrialized and many economically developing countries. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness requiring continuous medical care with multifactorial risk reduction strategies beyond glycemic control. Ongoing patient self-management education and support are critical to preventing acute complications and reducing the risk of long-term complications. Genetic factors are responsible for at least some of this. However, as evidenced by the increased incidence of diabetes mellitus in urban populations, the fast epidemiological shift linked to food pattern alterations and decreased physical activity is the main cause of the diabetes mellitus epidemic. Due to population aging, growth, urbanization, a lack of physical exercise, and a high incidence of obesity, there are more persons with DM. Lifestyle factors include eating patterns, exercise routines, alcohol consumption, and smoking. An improvement in these parameters would lead to better adherence to hypoglycemic medications. An epidemiological study on diabetes and pre-diabetes in an urban area with reference to lifestyle modification. A community-based intervention study. It was conducted in an urban area. Personal interviews using a semi-structured, pretested questionnaire were the main technique of data gathering. Detailed information has been taken on the demographic and socio-economic characteristics at both the individual and household levels. All responders provided their willingly given consent. Every second household was visited by systematic random sampling procedure to select 400 respondents. Due to non-response, inaccuracy and/or unreliability of information 50 Cases were not included in the analysis. Four more instances of diabetes were also removed from the research. Finally, analysis was carried out on 346 respondents. All respondents were questioned using a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire after giving their informed consent. Significant difference was observed with positive family history of diabetes, obesity, physical activities in male, high calorie intake, stress, chewable tobacco and blood pressure level with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Compared to responders with normal blood glucose levels, pre-diabetics and diabetics showed more positive family histories. Compared to responders with normal blood glucose levels, pre-diabetics and diabetics were more likely to be overweight. With regard to personal habits of the respondents, smoking was associated with more than 1-fold increase risk of obtaining serum glucose level >110 mg/dl as compared to nonsmokers. The current research was an attempt to examine the effect of intervention with reference to life style modification. From the study, it is evident that overall awareness about diabetes has been found low and no awareness has been found about pre-diabetes. The present study also demonstrated that education is the fundamental tool to make the population aware of their health issues. Awareness about pre-diabetes and diabetes, which can make them beneficial for community and nation and so, they can play an innovative role for prevention of diabetes.