The association of age, gender, ethnicity, family history, obesity and hypertension with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Trinidad

摘要

Aims: To assess the impact of risk factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, family history, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and hypertension, on the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Trinidadian population. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional case control study comprised 146 non-diabetics and 147 type 2 diabetics >18 years of age, from North Central, South West and Eastern regions of Trinidad. Results: Cross-tabulations revealed a significant difference between type 2-diabetes and age at p < 0.01, and between type 2 diabetes and family history, ethnicity, waist circumference and hypertension at p < 0.05. Logistic regression showed age to be the most influential risk factor. The systolic blood pressure specifically showed a significant difference at p < 0.05, with the mean values for non-diabetics and type 2 diabetics being, 130.62 (±2.124) and 141.35 (±2.312), respectively. No significant difference was observed between type 2 diabetes and gender and BMI. Conclusions: Age was the most significant risk factor of type 2 diabetes. Therefore it can be concluded that family history, ethnicity, waist circumference and hypertension are more significant risk factors of this disease than BMI and gender in the Trinidadian population. Diabetes mellitus is defined as a group of metabolic disorders which are characterized by an insulin deficiency, insulin resistance or a combination of both, leading to chronic hyperglycaemia [1]. According to Black's medical dictionary type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) describes patients with an insulin resistance. Diabetes increases the risk for developing heart disease, stroke, blindness, neuropathy, kidney disease and amputations. Per capita, Trinidad and Tobago has the highest number of diabetics in the Western Hemisphere and is also fifth globally. Risk factors of T2DM include age, gender, ethnicity, family history, obesity and hypertension which are investigated in this study. It has been shown that the prevalence of T2DM increases with advancing age. However, the incidence of T2DM is increasing more rapidly in adolescents and young adults.