title: Diabetes mellitus in genetically isolated populations in Jordan: prevalence, awareness, glycemic control, and associated factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common non-communicable diseases globally. This study seeks to estimate the prevalence of impaired fasting glycemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus in genetically isolated populations in Jordan: the Circassians and Chechans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were analyzed from a cross-sectional study that included a random sample of adult Circassians and Chechans. A subject was defined as affected by diabetes mellitus if diagnosis was known to patient or, according to the American Diabetes Association definition. Impaired fasting glucose was defined as a fasting serum glucose level of ≥6.1 mmol/L (100 mg/dl) but <7 mmol/L. HbA(1c) >7% was defined as 'unsatisfactory' metabolic control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of impaired fasting glycemia was 18.5% for Circassians and 14.6% for Chechans. Prevalence of diabetes was 9.6% for Circassians and 10.1% for Chechans. The prevalence of impaired fasting glycemia and diabetes were significantly higher in men, older age groups, married, subjects of lower educational level, past smokers, and subjects with obesity. Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was the most common abnormality in the two populations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The homogenous, genetically isolated Circassian and Chechan populations sharing the same environmental influences suggest a role for genetic risk factors for diabetes. Thus these two populations are suitable for additional genetics studies that may lead to the identification of novel risk factors for type 2 diabetes. In addition, more than half of patients with diabetes were with unsatisfactory control. Therefore, they are likely to benefit from programs encouraging healthy weight and physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan. rdajani@hu.edu.jo
authors.forename: Rana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dajani
authors.forename: Yousef S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Khader
authors.forename: Raja
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fatahallah
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Khateeb
authors.forename: Abel Halim
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Shiyab
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hakooz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001364:Awareness / Q000502:physiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D060047:Reproductive Isolation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose