Impact of the 1997 American Diabetes Association criteria on classification of glucose intolerance among Kuwaitis below 50 years of age

Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes is emerging as a leading chronic no n-communicable disease among the adult Kuwaiti population. Based on the Wor ld Health Organization and similar reports the projected estimates for subj ects suffering from type 2 diabetes by the years 2000 and 2010 show a strik ing tendency to high rates of the disease in our area. We report the preval ence rates of glucose intolerance among a relatively young adult Kuwaiti po pulation below 50 years of age and the effect of implementing the recent 19 97 American Diabetes Association diagnostic criteria on the frequency of ty pe 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose amon g this group. The overall prevalence rate for the three categories of gluco se intolerance reached as high as 15.8% (95% CI, 14.2 to 17.4). Age, though all subjects were below 50 years, parental history of type 2 diabetes, dia stolic blood pressure and serum triglycerides were found to be significant associated risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes. Obesity was an apparent significant factor associated with the three forms of glucose intolerance (p < 0.001). Obesity and physical inactivity were documented in both non-diabetic and more so in diabetic Kuwaiti adults, which should for m the basis of any immediate intervention programme. An integrated approach to the prevention of the described critical risk factors associated with t ype 2 diabetes is highly recommended in Kuwait. Research, focused on geneti cs of type 2 diabetes in the highly susceptible Kuwaiti population, should be planned.