The Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus and Impaired Glucose Tolerance in the Population of Riyadh

Abstract

This study was conducted in Riyadh to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance. Blood samples (3981) were collected from Saudi male and female adults (2402) and children (1579) during a household screening program conducted over a period of two years from September 1991 to September 1993. Fasting blood samples were collected and each individual was given an oral glucose load. Two-hour postprandial blood glucose was estimated and the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria were used to diagnose diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance. The diabetic patients were further grouped into noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) depending on the age of onset and mode of treatment. The overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus (IDDM and NIDDM) was 4.76% in males and 4.10% in the females in the two-to 70-year age group. Ten individuals of the 3981 were suffering from IDDM, giving an incidence of two to three per 1000. When the children <14 years were removed, the prevalence increased to 8.235% and 6.476% in the males and females respectively, while in the >30 year old group, the prevalence increased to 16.0% and 12.34% in the males and females. Further significant increase in NIDDM and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) was observed with age (P<0.05). NIDDM was more frequent in males while IGT was more frequent in females. This paper presents the results of screening in Riyadh and stresses the need for diabetes mellitus awareness programs in the Saudi population.