Analysis of Risk Factors among Diabetic Patients Visiting Diabetic Research Clinic at Nishtar Hospital Multan-Pakistan

Background: Diabetes is the most common non-communicable disease. Currently Diabetes Mellitus (DM) affects 240 million people worldwide. Pakistan belongs to high prevalence area having 6.9 million diabetics. Diabetes mellitus is 4th leading cause of death in most developed countries with Pakistan ranking 7th position in the list. Factors responsible for diabetes are of two types: modifiable and non-modifiable. Modifiable risk factors include smoking, eating habits and lifestyle and Non-modifiable risk factors include family history, obesity and stressful life.

Objective: To determine frequency of risk factors among diabetic patients visiting diabetic Research Clinic Nishtar Hospital Multan. To suggest the ways how to reduce diabetic disease.

Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the outdoor patients setting of Diabetic Research Clinic at Nishtar Hospital Multan from 22-5-2016 to 27-7-2016. 142 patients of diabetes mellitus were selected through convenient sampling technique. The data was collected through a structured questionnaire. Data was analysed through Microsoft Excel, using version 2016 for different variables. The data was calculated through frequencies and percentages.

Results: Out of 142 patients 71(50%) were males and 71 (50%) were females, 62(43%) patients were overweight, 98 (69%) patients had diabetes for more than two years, 65(45%) patients were suffering from Hypertension before Diabetes mellitus. There was no history of smoking among 102 (71%) patients while 73(51%) patients had stressful life.

Conclusions: In our study we found that hypertension, stressful life, eating habits and family history are the most common risk factors of diabetes mellitus.