PRE DIABETES IN YOUNG MEDICAL STUDENTS

Introduction: A study was conducted among students of a public medical college in Lahore, Pakistan to determine proportion of pre diabetic students (Blood sugar levels between 100 mg/dl – 125 mg/dl, accord-ing to American Diabetes Association) and its relation with body mass index, family history of Diabetes, dietary habits, socioeconomic status and physical activity. Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted at Sheikh Zayed Medical Complex in February 2013 on medical students of either gender. Data was collected on a validated questionnaire. Fasting blood sugar levels of 65 students (enrolled after taking informed consent) were taken by trained co investigators through standardized glucose meter. Results: A total of 65 medical students (43 males and 22 females) enrolled in this study. Their ages ranged from 18 to 23 years (mean age 20.56 ± 0.97 years). No student was found to be pre diabetic. Fasting blood sugar level in male participant with a family history of diabetes was significantly higher (85 ± 6.228 vs. 79.857 ± 6.602, P = 0.016). Conclusion: In this study, no student was found to be pre diabetic, though male participants with a family history of diabetes had higher fasting blood sugar levels. However, a larger study sample is required so that any significant finding may be shown, if it exists. Data on prevalence of pre-diabetes in youth in South Asia is scarce. The high incidence of diabetes in developing countries underlines the need to explore prevalence of pre diabetes in the younger population.