Potential risk factors for developing diabetes mellitus type 2

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a common multifactorial genetic syndrome, which is determined by several genes and environmental factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of risk factors for developing diabetes type 2 among diabetic individuals and to compare the presence of risk factors among diabetic individuals with and without positive family history for type 2 diabetes. This study was conducted in Cuprija during the period from February to June 2002. The case group included 137 individuals having diagnosis type 2 diabetes. The control group included 129 subjects having the following diagnoses: hypertension, angina pectoris, chronic obstructive lung disease, gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer. All participants were interviewed at the Medical Center Cuprija using structural questionnaire. The data were collected regarding demographic characteristics, exposure to various chemical and physical agents, stress, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and family history of diabetes. In the statistical analysis chi square test was used. The diabetic individuals were statistically significantly older (40 and more years old) (p = 0.000), and they came from rural areas more frequently (p = 0.006) than the individuals without diabetes. Significantly more diabetics had lower educational level (p = 0.000) and they were agriculture workers and housewives significantly more frequently (p = 0.000) than nondiabetic individuals. Furthermore, obesity (p = 0.000) and physical inactivity (p = 0.003) were significantly more frequent among the diabetic individuals than the nondiabetics. The diabetic individuals had significantly (p = 0.000) more numbers of relatives with diabetes mellitus type 2 than the nondiabetics. The diabetic individuals with positive family history of diabetes were significantly older (p = 0.021) and more frequently from urban areas (p = 0.018) than the diabetic individuals without the positive family history of diabetes. Also they were significantly less exposed to physical agents (p = 0.004). In our study, like in many others, age, place of residence, education, occupation, obesity, physical inactivity, positive family history of diabetes type 2 and exposure to physical agents were identified as potential risk factors for diabetes type 2. Different risk factors are probably responsible for developing type 2 diabetes among individuals with and without positive family history of type 2 diabetes.