RISK FACTORS AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF DIABETES MELLITUS AMONG YOUNG ADULTS IN FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine risk factors and biochemical characteristics of diabetes mellitus among young adults in Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, involving 100 young adults (14-40 years) with diabetes mellitus from families with diabetic history. Participants included 34 T1DM and 66 T2DM patients selected through convenient sampling. Detailed family pedigrees were constructed, and data on demographics, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical parameters were collected. Blood glucose levels were measured using a glucometer, and samples were analyzed at NIH-HRI Research Centre, Faisalabad Medical University. Familial aggregation was categorized based on the number and degree of affected relatives. Data were analyzed using SPSS, with Chi-square and independent t-tests applied where appropriate (p<0.05).

Results: Age at onset differed significantly, with 88.2% of T1DM cases diagnosed before age 25 compared to 95.5% of T2DM cases at or after 25 years (p<0.001). BMI >23 kg/m² was present in 84.8% of T2DM patients compared to 47.1% of T1DM patients (p<0.001). Family history of diabetes was present in 84% of participants, significantly higher in T2DM (90.9%) compared to T1DM (70.6%; p=0.011). Biochemical characterization revealed that glycemic indices (fasting blood glucose, HbA1c) and lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides) were comparable between T1DM and T2DM groups. However, serum creatinine was significantly higher in T2DM patients (0.96±0.25 mg/dl) compared to T1DM patients (0.82±0.23 mg/dl; p=0.038), suggesting early renal involvement in the T2DM group.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the high prevalence of family history (84%) and distinct familial aggregation patterns in Faisalabad reflect complex gene-environment interactions in young Pakistani adults with diabetes. Biochemically, most parameters were comparable across diabetes types; however, elevated serum creatinine in T2DM patients indicates early subclinical renal changes warranting monitoring.