Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a potentially preventable disease that is presently increasing in epidemic proportion worldwide. Its onset can also be delayed with an appropriate and timely intervention if people at risk are identified early. This study determined risk levels of adults in Nigeria for type 2 DM by using Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC).

Method: During our local activities for world diabetes day in 2011, adults who were not previously known to be diabetic voluntarily underwent screening examination after an overnight fast at OAUTHC, Ile-Ife. Each participant had their anthropometry, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) measured and FINDRISC assessed.

Results: There were 158 participants, 85 (53.8%) males and 73 (46.2%) females. Majority, 80 (50.7%) were in age group 45–64 years. 10 (6.3%) subjects had high risk with a total risk score of 15–20 which estimated that one in three subjects will develop diabetes within 10 years. None of the subjects had very high risk. Only 142 (89.9%) subjects had FPG done. High risk subjects had 4 (40.0%), 1 (10.0%) and 5 (50.0%) of them with normal FPG, impaired FPG and diabetic FPG respectively. There was a significant association between the type 2 diabetes risk levels and FPG (P=0.014) and SBP (P=0.008).

Conclusion: The Finnish Diabetes Risk Score is a useful noninvasive method of screening in our environment. We recommend its use as a self-administered questionnaire in our population so that individuals will know their risk levels early and adopt appropriate life style modifications.