PREVALENCE OF PREDIABETES AND UNDETECTED DIABETES MELLITUS AND ITS RISK FACTORS IN RURAL TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Abstract

Background: Prediabetes and undetected diabetes contribute substantially to the growing burden of diabetes in India, particularly in rural communities where community-based epidemiological data remain limited. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of prediabetes and undetected diabetes and to identify their associated risk factors among adults residing in rural Tamil Nadu. Methods: In a community-based analytic cross-sectional study, 330 adults aged ≥30 years from four rural villages in Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu were screened for prediabetes and diabetes, between June and August 2017 using Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) criteria of fasting blood glucose level and oral glucose tolerance test. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify its independent predictors. Results: The prevalence of prediabetes was 15.5% and newly diagnosed diabetes was 14.8%. Increasing age, higher body mass index, and living in a joint family were independently associated with prediabetes. Increasing age, higher body mass index, living in a joint family, and family history of diabetes mellitus were independently associated with diabetes. Conclusion: A substantial burden of prediabetes and undetected diabetes was observed among adults in rural Tamil Nadu. Strengthening community-based screening and targeted lifestyle interventions among high-risk individuals may facilitate early detection and reduce the future burden of type 2 diabetes.