[Epidemiology of diabetes mellitus in the province of Leon]

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a very important health problem because of its high morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of diabetes in the adult population of the León province and its possible association with the most common risk factors and markers.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was designed with a multistage stratified sampling (572 individuals). A questionnaire about several sociodemographic variables, an alimentary survey, measurements of height and weight, capillary baseline glycemia, and oral glucose tolerance test with 75 g glucose were carried out.

Results: The observed prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 5,6% and that of glucose intolerance 10,3%. The known/unknown DM ratio was 2,2/1. The prevalence of treated DM was 1,9%. The leading variables associated with DM were age, a positive family history of diabetes and obesity. A higher incidence of DM was found in females, in urban media, and in high social classes.

Background: Diabetes had been previously underrated in the León province. The observed prevalence values are close to those from other methodologically similar studies. In addition, an association was found between DM and some non-modifiable risk factors (age, sex or family history); by contrast, there is a very important risk factor (obesity) which may be modified by intervention.