Pakistan National Diabetes Survey prevalence of glucose intolerance and associated factors in North West at Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan.

AIM To estimate the prevalence of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and their relationship with age and obesity in a population based survey in the rural areas of NWFP, Pakistan. SETTING Three villages, Pawakai, Reghi and Jhagra in NWFP were the target areas. METHODS Cluster sampling of 1035 adults aged 25 years and above (207 men, 828 women) was done. Oral glucose tolerance tests were performed and the diagnosis of diabetes and IGT was made according to WHO criteria. Height, weight and waist hip ratio of the study population were recorded. The Chi Square test was used to measure the association among the different variables. Basic demographic information from the subjects was collected by a physician using a standard questionnaire. RESULTS The overall prevalence of NIDDM and IGT in both sexes was 11.1% and 9.4%. The sex-specific prevalence of diabetes was 9.2% in men and 11.6% in women. Advanced age, positive family history of diabetes and obesity were associated with higher rates of diabetes. In both sexes high Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) was more closely associated with diabetes than was high Body Mass Index (BMI). CONCLUSION The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in rural areas of NWFP is high and almost similar to that of Sindh and Baluchistan.