IMPAIRED GLUCOSE-TOLERANCE AND DIABETES-MELLITUS IN A RURAL-POPULATION IN SOUTH-INDIA

In the present study the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in a rural population in South India was assessed and its associations with body mass index and a fa mily history of diabetes mellitus. Data were obtained from inhabitants of two villages located in the North Arcot District of Tamil Nadu. Af ter an overnight fast, 467 randomly selected subjects, aged 40 years o r over, were given 75 g glucose orally. After two hours the capillary glucose level was determined. The prevalence of impaired glucose toler ance (2 h value greater than or equal to 7.8 mmol/l and < 11.1 mmol/l) was 6.6% (31 subjects). Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (2 h value greater than or equal to 11.1 mmol/l) was found in 23 subjects ( 4.9%). Of these, 53% were previously unknown. Age and sex adjusted mea n body mass index was significantly higher among subjects with impaire d glucose tolerance compared to subjects without glucose intolerance, with a mean difference of 1.4 kg/m(2) (95% confidence interval (CI) 0. 2, 2.6). A positive family history of diabetes was non-significantly h igher in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. Subjects with non-i nsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus had a higher mean body mass index c ompared to subjects with normal glucose levels with a mean difference of 1.9 kg/m(2) (95% CI 0.5, 3.3). A positive family history of diabete s was more common among diabetics with a difference of 20% (95% CI 10, 30). Our findings suggest that in a considerable proportion (11.5%) o f the rural South Indian population aged 40 years or over glucose into lerance is present. These results may indicate that apart from other i mportant causes of morbidity and mortality, a substantial proportion o f the rural Indian population will suffer from cardiovascular morbidit y and mortality in the near future.