Determinants Of Risk For Developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Medical Students Studying In North Karnataka – A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and objectives There has been a trend towards shift in the mean age of onset of type 2 diabetes to a much younger age due to western lifestyle, obesity and family history of diabetes. This study was aimed to find out the differences in risk factors which are likely to predict the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus among medical students. Methodology This one year cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Medicine of a tertiary care centre situated in South India from January 2014 to December 2014 on 200 medical students aged > 18 years. Assessment of diabetes risk was based on obesity status, exercise status, and family history of type 2 DM. Medical students were evaluated for fasting blood sugar and HbA1c. Results In this study, 52.50% of the students were males and male to female ratio was 1.10:1. Most of the students were aged 19 years (31%). 41% of the medical students had mild exercise and 33.5% of the students had AC of 90 to 99 cms in males and 80-89 cms in females while family history of diabetes mellitus was present in 26.5% of the students. Higher BMI levels were noted in 4% of the students. The fasting blood sugar levels were between 100 to 126 mg/dL in 24.5% of the students and 16.50% of the students had HbA1c from 5.7 to 6.4. Moderate risk of diabetes was noted in 16.50% based on IDRS. The family history, central obesity, higher body mass index and sedentary lifestyle were significantly associated with risk of developing diabetes (p<0.050). Conclusion and interpretation Individuals above 18 years should be screened for the presence of risk factors of diabetes mellitus using IDRS so as to identify the risk of developing DM and initiate preventive measures.