Prevalence of comorbidities and its associated factors among type-2 diabetes patients: a hospital-based study in Jashore District, Bangladesh

Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of comorbidity and its associated factors among Bangladeshi type-2 diabetes (T2D) patients.

Design: A hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Setting: This study was conducted in two specialised diabetic centres residing in the Jashore District of Bangladesh. A systematic random sampling procedure was applied to identify the T2D patients through a face-to-face interview.

Participants: A total of 1036 patients with T2D were included in this study. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on demographic, lifestyle, medical and healthcare access-related data through face-to-face and medical record reviews.

Outcome measures and analyses: The main outcome variable for this study was comorbidities. The prevalence of comorbidity was measured using descriptive statistics. A logistic regression model was performed to explore the factors associated with comorbidity among Bangladeshi T2D patients.

Results: The overall prevalence of comorbidity was 41.4% and the most prevalent conditions were hypertension (50.4%), retinopathy (49.6%), obesity (28.7%) and oral problem (26.2). In the regression model, the odds of comorbidities increased with gender (male: OR: 1.27, 95% CI 0.62 to 1.87), age (50-64 years: OR: 2.14, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.93; and above 65 years: OR: 2.96, 95% CI 1.83 to 4.16), occupation (unemployment: OR: 3.32, 95% CI 0.92 to 6.02 and non-manual worker: OR: 2.31, 95% CI 0.91 to 5.82), duration of diabetes (above 15 years: OR: 3.28, 95% CI 1.44 to 5.37), body mass index (obese: OR: 2.62, 95% CI 1.24 to 4.26) of patients. We also found that individuals with recommended moderate to vigorous physical activity levels (OR: 0.41, 95% CI 1.44 to 5.37) had the lowest odds of having comorbidity. Meanwhile, respondents with limited self-care practice, unaffordable medicine and financial problems had 1.82 times, 1.94 times and 1.86 times higher odds of developing comorbidities.

Conclusion: The findings could be useful in designing and implementing effective intervention strategies and programmes for people with T2D to reduce the burden of comorbidity.