Use of biochemical markers for diabetes prevention in the new decade

Abstract

Abstract Use of biochemical markers for diabetes prevention in the new decade. There is established evidence that type 2 diabetes mellitus is preceded by a phase, during which there is a cluster of conditions including raised triglycerides and lowered high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, raised fasting glucose, high blood pressure and central obesity. This cluster of risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus, constitutes the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Therefore, there is need to screen for this syndrome among the population for the primary prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus which is a global public health problem. Despite the high prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Mauritius, research work on MetS is scarce. This study was thus undertaken with the primary objective to determine the prevalence of MetS among the employees of a public educational institution in Mauritius. A cross-sectional study which involved randomly identified employees was conducted. The participants were requested to fill in a survey questionnaire, undergo biometric measurements (waist circumference and blood pressure) and venous blood sample collection in a fasting condition. The blood tests included the determination of glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol levels. The 2009 International Diabetes Federation criteria were used for the diagnosis of MetS. The presence of any 3 of 5 risk factors, raised triglycerides, raised glucose, lowered high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high blood pressure and central obesity constitutes a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Department of Medicine Research Ethics Committee of the University of Mauritius. The prevalence of MetS was found to be 20.1% (40 participants), in the overall population, 31.4% in men (22 out of 70) and 13.95% in women (18 out of 129). The determination of any association by means of the Chi square tests showed there was a significant association between gender and MetS (p < 0.01). Educational level was also associated with the MetS (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis confirmed t\he significant association between MetS with gender (p < 0.01) where male gender was more associated with MetS than female. This study with the determination of the prevalence of the MetS among employees constituted the first step in the implementation of a structured workplace health intervention programme in Mauritius. We highlight the importance of workplace interventions with the involvement of a multi-disciplinary team of health professionals for the primary prevention of diabetes, through the screening for the MetS among employees.