To determine the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension, 6847 subject
s of age 15 years or older, were investigated in a suburban population
in Bangladesh. Pasting and post-prandial (capillary) blood glucose (2
-hPG) was estimated. According to WHO criteria the crude prevalence of
impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) was 7.5% and non-insulin-dependent d
iabetes mellitus (NIDDM) was 4.1%. The age standardized (30-64 years)
prevalence of IGT was 7.7% with 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.96-8.44
and NIDDM was 4.5%, CI 3.94-5.12. Compared with the younger subjects
the older subjects (< 40 vs. greater than or equal to 40 years) showed
significant association with IGT chi(2), 65.9; P < 0.001) and NIDDM (
chi(2), 92.0; P < 0.001). Higher BMI (less than or equal to 22.0 vs. >
22.1) was also significantly associated with IGT (chi(2), 16.6; P < 0
.001) and NIDDM (chi(2), 83.9; P < 0.001). The higher BMI had stronger
association with NIDDM than with IGT. Lower height showed significant
association only with NIDDM. The logistic regression analyses also sh
owed that increased age, higher BMI and short stature were independent
risks for NIDDM. The study showed an increased prevalence of IGT and
NIDDM among the suburban population of Bangladesh and the excess risk
was observed with increased age, higher BMI and short stature. (C) 199
7 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.