[Prevalence and risk factors of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the rural and urban population of Tunisia].
BACKGROUND
Prevalence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was analyzed from a baseline survey of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in a random sample of the 35-50-year old population of the Gouvernorat of Nabeul, Tunisia.


METHODS
Diabetes was assessed on the basis of an interview and fasting blood glucose level among a sample of 692 men and women (35% aged 35-40 years, 30% aged 40-45 years, 35% aged 45-50 years). RESI;TS: Forty-six percent of the sample were men. The prevalence of diabetes was 7.2%; two-thirds of the identified cases of diabetes were known. The prevalence of diabetes was much higher in the urban area (9.3% in men and 10.4% in women) compared with the rural area (2.0% in men and 4.5% in women). Mean body mass index was significantly different (p<0.01) between normal and diabetic subjects. Hypertension was three times higher in diabetic subjects (33%) than in normal subjects (9%). Triglycerides level was higher in diabetic subjects (1.92+/-1.72mmol/l) compared with non-diabetic subjects (1.29+/-1.02mmol/l). There was a positive relation between blood glucose level and triglycerides level, independently of obesity in women, but dependently in men.


CONCLUSIONS
In the Tunisian population, known to have a low level of cardiovascular risk factors, the relationships between diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and lipid abnormalities are similar to those observed in Western populations.
Gharbi
M
M
Ecole Supérieure des Sciences et Techniques de la Santé de Tunis, Université de Tunis II, La Rabta, 1006 Tunis/Bab Souika.
Akrout
M
M
Zouari
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population
D001786:Blood Glucose; D014280:Triglycerides