Prevalence and Social Determinants of Type 2 Diabetes in a Coastal Area of Kerala, India

Complications in Diabetes Mellitus: Social Determinants and Trends

Conditions that impact an individual's health are referred to as social determinants of health. Through a retrospective study (January 2017-February 2022) and statistical analysis, researchers looked at the relationship between social demands and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) diagnosis. All social demands, with the exception of childcare, were more typically documented in patients with T2DM. Prescription expense, conveyance, and health literacy were the domains with the greatest relationships. These results might help health systems and social service providers develop collaborations to help in certain areas.

Consumption of fruits, vegetables and salt in the context of control of type 2 diabetes and hypertension in Kerala, India

Background

Proper diet is necessary to control hypertension and diabetes. This paper describes the combined fruit and vegetable, and salt intake of adults (>=18 years) who were detected to have hypertension or diabetes.

Methods

We analysed the data from a state-wide survey of 12012 adults using the World Health Organization STEPs for NCD risk factor surveillance. We evaluated the recommended intake of fruit and vegetable (>=5 servings/day) and salt (<5 gm/day) across participants divided into four strata, and the probabilities were also estimated using the fitted multiple binary logistic regression models.

Results

Overall, 13.9% (95%CI: 12.2%-15.9%) and 29.4% (95%CI: 28%-30.8%) of participants consumed the recommended level of fruit and vegetable, and salt, respectively. Adjusted odds ratios were not significantly different across the four strata based on the status of treatment and control of diabetes or hypertension. The likelihood of following the recommended fruit and vegetable intake was highest for 50-69-year-old females with above high school education, obese, under treatment for diabetes or hypertension, and had normal values of FBS and BP (0.28). The likelihood for recommended salt intake was highest for 50-69-year-old males with above high school education and had normal BMI, under treatment for diabetes or hypertension, and had normal values of FBS and BP (0.69).

Conclusion

The status of diabetes or hypertension did not show considerable influence in the fruit, vegetable, and salt intake of adults in general. A detailed exploration of the accessibility and acceptability of such recommended intakes in the Kerala context is warranted.

Social and behavioural risk factors in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease in Kerala, India: a catchment area population survey

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in India. Social and behavioural factors are strongly interrelated in the prevention and control of CVD. The ability to make lifestyle changes to control hypertension and diabetes (major risk factors for CVD) is determined by factors such as education, gender, caste, poverty, and urbanicity. This study aimed to improve our understanding of the inter-relationship of social and behavioural factors in the management of elevated serum glucose and high blood pressure and co-morbid mental health conditions.

METHODS

A population-based catchment area cross sectional survey was conducted in Kerala, India. Data were collected from residents aged over 30 years (n = 997) using standardized tools and clinical measures. We performed latent class analysis incrementally to extract homogeneous latent classes of individuals based on their responses to social and behavioural risk factors in the survey. Using structural equation models, we assessed the mediating effect of depression and anxiety, and social or behavioural risk factors, on management of high blood pressure and raised serum glucose levels.

RESULTS

The prevalence of high blood pressure and blood glucose in the sample was 33 and 26% respectively. Latent class analysis found three clusters of risk factors. One had a predominance of behavioural characteristics, another of social risk factors and the third was a low risk group. Age, female sex, and marital status had an effect on high blood pressure and high glucose, though were mediated by mental health, social and behavioural risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions to improve the management of risk factors for CVD need to address social risk factors and be sensitive to the needs of population sub-groups that may require additional support to access health services. An integration of social and health services may be required to achieve this.

Role of blood glucose and fat profile in lung function pattern of Indian type 2 diabetic subjects

Background and objectives

It has been hypothesized that changes in lung function can occur in patients with diabetes. Nevertheless, it is unclear how much of this correlation links with biomarkers of metabolism disorder. We have investigated the association between hypoglycaemic and fat profile with lung function in Indian diabetic subjects.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Diabetes care unit of King Edward Memorial (KEM) hospital.

Patients

Out of 465 patients who agreed to participate in this study, valid lung function data were available from 347 Type 2 diabetic subjects.

Measurements

Pulmonary function test including predicted forced vital capacity (% FVC), predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (% FEV₁) and FEV₁/FVC ratio were assessed. We also examined fat profile, glucose, HbA1c, hemoglobin and other hematological parameters.

Results

Four hundred sixty-five subjects aged 55 ± 11 participated in the study. Predicted forced vital capacity, % FEV₁ and FEV₁/FVC ratio was 85.88 ± 13.53, 85.87 ± 14.06 and 82.03 ± 6.83, respectively. Also, approximately 8 to 17% of the participant reported having at least one chronic respiratory symptom or lung disease. We found that high glycaemic measures (i.e. fasting and post-meal plasma glucose) are linked with dyspnea. In addition, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) concentration was directly associated with % FVC.

Conclusions

It is difficult to draw a clear conclusion about the cause-effect relationship or clinical impact based on this study alone. However, identification of clinically meaningful elements for developing a screening program is critical.