Assessment of Prediabetes among Iraqi Adults in Al-Najaf: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors
Keywords:
Prediabetes, prevalence, risk factors, Iraqi Adults, Al-NajafAbstract
The global prevalence of prediabetes is an alarming trend noted by researchers and health organizations worldwide. Diagnosing prediabetes is challenging and in 90% of cases, prediabetes is discovered incidentally. Studies conducted in various countries show that 5-10% of people with prediabetes develop diabetes each year In Iraq, according to previous Iraqi studies, the number of Iraqi people with Prediabetes are annually increases, hence we conducted this cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of prediabetes among Iraqi people who were apparently healthy with no any clinical evidence of DM and to identify the predictors of prediabetes. The study included 432 apparently healthy people who were visiting two main primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) and one main Teaching hospital. Our findings revealed that the prevalence of prediabetes was 19.4% and the rate was significantly increased with advancing age, prediabetes was significantly more frequent in males, (24.9%), compared to (15.7%) in females. Prediabetes was significantly more frequent in people with lower level of education, (35%) in illiterate participants, in all comparisons, (P <0.05). Prediabetes was associated with higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, (P<0.001), prediabetes was significantly associated with higher body mass index (BMI), (P<0.001). Smoking was significant predictor of prediabetes (P=0.034). Regression analysis and odds ratio values revealed that higher BMI and older age were the stronger predictors followed by male gender, smoking, SBP and DBP, (P<0.05). In conclusion, prediabetes is frequently reported among Iraqi individuals in Najaf and the prevalence was close to that reported in previous Iraqi studies. Higher BMI , older age, male gender, smoking, SBP and DBP and lower level of education were predictors and risk factors for prediabetes.
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