Evaluation of risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and prediabetes in students of health institutions in a northeast Indian city

Abstract

Abstract Background Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T 2 DM) is rising in the young. Risk stratification will help plan preventive strategies. Objective To determine risk of T 2 DM/prediabetes in the young population in northeast India. Methods A total of 646 students, aged 17–35 years, were selected. Participants with diabetes, any chronic disease, or on medications affecting glycemic profile were excluded. Risk stratification was done using the Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS). Participants with moderate/high-risk scores (IDRS > 30) underwent blood glucose estimation. Results Majority of participants (77.4%) were young (mean 22.1 years), with female preponderance (female:male ratio 1.3:1). 26.6% had family history of diabetes, 46.2% led a mildly active or sedentary lifestyle, and 35.8% had abdominal obesity. 24.4% had moderate to high diabetic risk, of which 33.6% were found to have either prediabetes (24.2%) or diabetes (9.4%). Conclusion Nearly half of these young subjects led a mildly active or sedentary lifestyle; one-third had abdominal obesity and one-fourth had family history of diabetes. IDRS showed that one-fourth of the subjects had moderate risk of developing T 2 DM and a third of these subjects at risk were actually found to have prediabetes or overt diabetes. Thus, effective screening of younger subjects for T 2 DM should be done to plan effective preventive strategies.