Factors associated with undiagnosed type II diabetes mellitus, undiagnosed impaired fasting glucose and these patients' quality of life in Lebanon.

Abstract

To assess the association between undiagnosed impaired fasting glucose (UIFG) and diabetes (UD), their risk factors and the patients' knowledge about diabetes and their quality of life (QOL). A cross-sectional study was conducted between May and September 2017 in four laboratories enrolling 495 patients. We used the Diabetes Knowledge and SF-12 questionnaires to assess the patients' knowledge about diabetes and QOL. This study meets the Wilson and Jungner criteria for disease screening. A higher knowledge score (ORa = 0.85) was significantly associated with the absence of diabetes compared to UPD, whereas an increased age (ORa = 1.2) and a positive family history of diabetes (ORa = 1.81) were significantly associated with higher odds of UPD. An increased knowledge score (ORa = 0.55) was significantly associated with an absence of diabetes compared to UD, whereas an increased BMI (ORa = 1.40) and an increased age (ORa = 1.07) were associated with increased odds of having UD.UD (Beta = -5.799) was significantly associated with decreased total physical component QOL score, whereas increased diabetes knowledge score (Beta = 0.415) was significantly associated with increased physical QOL. A higher diabetes knowledge score (Beta = 0.459) were associated with increased mental QOL. Seeing the relatively high percentage of UD and UIFG, we propose that screening should be considered and subject to proper assessment in the light of the findings of this study.