Evaluation of the burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus in population of Puducherry, South India

Aims: To find out the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus and the correlates among the adult population of Puducherry, South India.

Methods: In this population based cross-sectional study in the rural and urban field practice area of Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, by simple random sampling 1013 adults of 30 years and above, not on anti-diabetics drugs were included. Main outcome measures were the prevalence and correlates of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus among the adult population. Pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used to elicit the information on family and individual socio-demographic variables. Height, weight, waist and hip circumference, blood pressure were measured and venous blood was collected to measure fasting blood glucose and blood cholesterol.

Results: Overall, 10.3% study subjects were diagnosed as diabetic. In univariate analysis age, dilatory habit, tobacco addiction, body mass index, waist hip ratio, hypertension, and total blood cholesterol were found statistically significant. In multivariate logistic regression (LR method) analysis age, residence, education, dietary habit, tobacco addiction, body mass index, waist hip ratio and total blood cholesterol were statistically significant.

Conclusions: In our study adults having increased age, urban residence, illiterate, non-vegetarian diet, tobacco addiction, obese and high total blood cholesterol were important correlates.