FREQUENCY OF IMPAIRED FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE IN HEALTHY OBESE FIRST DEGREE RELATIVES OF TYPE-2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS

Objective: To determine the frequency of impaired fasting blood glucose in healthy obese first degree relatives of type-2 diabetes mellitus patients. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted at Medical department of Liaquat University Hospital, Jamshoro over a period of six months. A total of 152 first degree relatives of type-2 diabetes mellitus patients, who were 18 years or older, having a BMI >25kg/m2 were included. Known diabetic individuals, having any other endocrine disorders, pregnant women and women with polycystic ovarian disease were excluded. Fasting blood glucose between 100-126 mg/dL was labeled as Impaired Fasting Glucose. Results: 60.5% (n= 92) of the sample comprised of males while 39.5% (n= 60) comprised of females. Female to male ratio was 1:1.53. The mean ± SD age was 29.92 ± 8.33 years with a range from 18 to 45 years. The mean ± SD BMI was 31.68 ± 3.31 Kg/m2 while mean ± SD FBS was 88.92 ± 16.33mg/dL. FBS ranged from 60 to 162 mg/dL. The frequency of impaired fasting glucose in healthy obese first degree relatives of type-2 diabetic Patients was 13.2% (n = 20) [Odds ratio = 1.61, with 95% confidence interval of 7.82, 18.58]. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is emerging as a major health-care challenge for Pakistan. The impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is frequent in healthy obese first degree relatives of type-2 diabetic patients. Recommendations: Proper and regular screening programmes are strongly recommended in this regard using the tests which are highly specific and sensitive. Key words: Diabetes mellitus, Impaired fasting glucose, Obesity, BMI, Healthy.