Prevalence and Incidence of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Among the Rural Population of Erode District of Tamil Nadu, South India

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterised by hyperglycaemia, caused by elevation of blood glucose level. A sedentary lifestyle is the most common cause of diabetes and has a wide range of long-term effects, including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, blindness, and disability. Over the last two decades, diabetes has become more widespread in low and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. The study was aimed to determine the prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus among the rural population of Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India. A cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of one year. Data was collected from 870 individuals using a predesigned structured questionnaire covering the individual’s demographics, History of DM, finding, lab variables, comorbidities, problems of DM, and therapy provided. Most of the diabetic individuals were females (n= 493; 56.66%), Married (n=824; 94.71%), Un employed (n= 208; 49.06%) and Illiterate (n=238; 27.35%). Most of them aged between 56-65 years (272; 31.26%), having Past Medical History of Type-II DM (n=255; 29.31%), High blood pressure (n=486; 55.86%), and hyperlipidaemia (n=20; 2.29%). Most of the respondents were having the co morbidities of diabetes mellitus with high blood pressure (n=483; (55.51%), followed by diabetes mellitus alone 258(n= 29.65), All the individuals in this present study were diagnosed with type-2 diabetes mellitus (n=487; 100%), taking oral hypoglycaemic agents (n=755; 86.78%), 108 (12.41%) patients were treated with insulin plus Oral Hypoglycaemic agents, whereas only 7 (0.80%) patients were treated with insulin alone. Women are more likely to have diabetes, and married, obese, and overweight people are more likely to have it. Metformin was the most often used single drug therapy to treat DM, and OHA was the recommended option for antidiabetic medication. The incidence and prevalence of diabetes among this demographic increased as a result of incorrect way of living and an absence of knowledge about dm and its effects. This is a critical health issues, and it may raise the morbidity and death if not resolved right way. A well-structured health comprehensive programme must be executed in order to decrease detrimental health results and enhance quality of life for the research population.