Diabetes mellitus and IGT in relation to gender and age in Najran, Saudi Arabia

الملخص EN

Objective : Diabetes mellitus occurs in almost all parts of the world though at a variable prevalence.

In an attempt to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, we initiated a national programme to screen the different areas of Saudi Arabia.

This paper presents the details of our studies in Najran in south-western Saudi Arabia.

Patients and Design: The screening was conducted according to a statistically designed household screening plan.

Fasting and two hour post pranadial blood samples were collected from 1347 individuals (males = 596; females = 751) and blood glucose level was estimated using glucometers.

Using the World Health Organization criteria the patients with diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were identified, and the diabetes cases were further grouped as insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).

The prevalence of IDDM, NIDDM and IGT was calculated separately in the males and females; in the children (< 14 years) and adults and in the adults in different age groups.

Results: The overall prevalence of NIDDM in the total males and females was 3.35 % and 2.39 % respectively.

When the children(< 14 years) were removed the prevalence increased to 6.78 % and 4.15 %in the males and females, respectively.

When grouped according to age into 14-29 years, 30-44 years, 45-60 years and > 60 years age groups the prevalence of diabetes increased significantly (p < 0.05).

In those over 60 years old, 24.3 % of the males and 12 % of the females were suffering from NIDDM (p < 0.05).

Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus was identified in 3 individuals giving an overall prevalence of approximately 2/1000.

Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) was recognised in both males and females at a prevalence of0.67 % and 0.53% in total population, increasing to 1.02 % and 0.697 % in those over 14 years of age and to 2% and 1.478 % in those over 30 years of age.

One case of maturity onset diabetes of the young was suspected giving a prevalence of 0.0742 %.

However, family studies are required to confirm MODY in this case.