A population-based study of the prevalence of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance in adults in northern Sudan.
OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence of glucose intolerance in adult urban and rural populations in the northern parts of Sudan.


METHODS
A sample of 1,284 subjects aged > or = 25 years was selected using a multistage cluster method and underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test.


RESULTS
The crude prevalence was 3.4% (men, 3.5%; women, 3.4%) for diabetes and 2.9% (men, 2.2%; women, 3.3%) for impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). The highest crude prevalence was in the northern parts of Sudan (5.5%) and the lowest in the western desert-like parts (0.9%). Diabetes and IGT rates were not different between the urban and rural populations. New cases (2.2%) were almost twice as prevalent as previously known cases (1.3%). Family history of diabetes, obesity, and advanced age were associated with higher rates of diabetes.


CONCLUSIONS
The results showed a high prevalence of diabetes in the adult population of Sudan, with a wide difference among the different areas. The high ratio of newly discovered to previously known diabetic cases may reflect poor public awareness and medical services. These findings will certainly have far-reaching implications for diabetes care delivery in this country.
Elbagir
M N
MN
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Eltom
M A
MA
Elmahadi
E M
EM
Kadam
I M
IM
Berne
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics; D015995:Prevalence; D011336:Probability; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D013397:Sudan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population
D001786:Blood Glucose