Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease. The prevalence of diabetes is reaching epidemic levels worldwide, more so in developing countries like India due to rapid urbanization. Type 2 DM is a progressive disease and hampers the quality of life of the patients due to micro- and macro-vascular complications.
Objective: The aim of this study is to know the prevalence of risk factors and complication of diabetes in the slums of Ahmedabad.
Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out by randomly selected 70 patients with diabetes in the slum areas of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation. Predesigned and pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data regarding sociodemographic profile, risk factors, and complications of diabetes.
Results: Among the 70 study participants, 40 (57%) were males and 30 (43%) were females. Diabetes was more common among that above age of 50 years followed by 41-49 years. Prevalence of modifiable risk factors is high such as obesity is 57%, physical inactivity is 57%, tobacco addiction is 26%, and alcohol addiction is 17% in diabetes patients. Prevalence of hypertension is 67% in all patients with diabetes. Diabetic complications are found such as neuropathy in 54%, retinopathy is in 30%, coronary artery disease is in 13%, and nephropathy in 8.5%. Conclusion: Obesity, physical inactivity, and hypertension are the more prevailing risk factors in the study group. Neuropathy and retinopathy are a more prevailing complication in the study group. Lifestyle modification, regular monitoring of emerging complication, and treatment of complication will definitely reduce the burden of DM.