Endocrine Abstracts

Background: The prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes are increasing around the world. Diabetes affects >230 million people worldwide and is expected to affect 350 million by 2025.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that requires long-term medical attention. Type 2 diabetes was once called adult-onset diabetes. Now, because of the epidemic of obesity and inactivity, type 2 diabetes is occurring at younger ages. About 90% of patients who develop type 2 diabetes are obese. Patients with type 2 diabetes often do not need treatment if they lose weight or stop eating.

This is the first study looking at the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Libya and at its possible causes. No data is available yet in the prevalence of diabetes and its relation to obesity and changes in life style.

Aim:

1. Assess the prevalence and possible causes of diabetes in Libya.
2. Provide an accurate data about people with diabetes to help in supplying adequate amount of antidiabetic medication.
3. Introduce national programme to delay and perhaps prevent type 2 diabetes.

Methods: In this study, questioners are distributed asking about diabetes, obesity, family history and eating habit. The plan is to study 4000 individuals at the city of Tripoli, age between 18 and 65 years, 60% females. Then prevalence of diabetes and the causes are calculated.

Results: Early results showed that 73% of the individuals are diabetic or at high risk to have diabetes. About 70% of those individuals are obese (BMI >30%), and about 95% are obese and have family history of diabetes.

Conclusions: Type 2 diabetes affected >70% in Libya which is the highest prevalence in North Africa and among Arabic nations. The most possible cause is eating habit.