Prevalence and Risk factors for Diabetes mellitus in Urban Population of Karachi
(A Short Study)

Sobia Jawaid1*, Sayyada Ghufrana Nadeem1

1Department of Microbiology, Jinnah University for Women, Karachi-74600, Pakistan.

ABSTRACT

A descriptive observational study has been conducted on diabetes among male and female patients
in Karachi. Data has been collected from April to June 2011. Total number of patients were (n=1690).
64.7 % (n=1095) were male patients while 35.2% (n=595) were female patients. Statistical analysis
has been carried out separately for both male & female patients. 23.9% patients have Target Range
for HbA1c, 27.0% patients have Target Range for Fasting Plasma Glycemia and 8.0% patients have
Target Range for Random Blood Sugar. It indicates they are pre diabetic patients. 12.5% patients
have High values of HbA1c, 12.5% patients have high values of Fasting Plasma glucose, and 4.0%
patients have high values of Random Blood Sugar. It indicates that they have diabetes. 13.5% patients
have very high value for HbA1c, 10.3%patients have very high value for fasting Glucose, and 2.3%
patients have high Value for Random Blood Sugar. They have diabetes mellitus condition. In this
observational hospital based study prevalence of diabetes among male is greater than female and
those patients at target ranges may at risk of developing Diabetes.

Keywords: Diebetes Mellitus, Prevalence, RBS, FBS, HbA1c.

INTRODUCTION

Pakistan currently ranking at 7th position in the list
of countries with major burden of DM and it is
expected to move to 4th position (Khuwaja et al.,
2003). Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) expressed as
a percentage of total blood hemoglobin concentration
gives a good retrospective assessment of the mean
plasma glucose concentration during the preceding
6 –8 weeks while the recent glycaemic level has the
highest influence and the preceding 30 days contribute
only up to 50% ( Akinloye et al.,2007; Alam et al.,
2006). The higher the percentage of circulating
HbA1c in the diabetes, poorer is the mean Diabetic
control (Akinloye et al., 2007) Fasting plasma glucose
level estimation has its limitations like the person
has to fast for a specified period of time (Gillet,
2009). Similarly for random plasma glucose level

the health care provider is not sure about the actual
number of hours passed after the meal or any history
of recent intake of any hypoglycemic or
hyperglycemic drug. Type 1  diabetes (T1DM,
IDDM, or, formerly, juvenile diabetes) is a form of
diabetes mellitus that results from autoimmune
destruction of insulin-producing beta cells of the
pancreas.

Diabetes mellitus Type 2– formerly non-insulin-
dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset
diabetes– is a metabolic disorder that is characterized
by high blood glucose in the context of insulin
resistance and relative insulin deficiency (Kumar et
al., 2005).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Descriptive observational hospital based study has
*Corresponding author: sobi_butter@yahoo.com

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been carried out, separately for both male and female.
HbA1c, Random Blood sugar Level, fasting Blood
Glucose level values has been calculated. Data has
been collected from Ankle Saria Hospital Karachi,
from April 2011 to June 2011.Total number of patients
were 1690. 595 were females and 1095 were male
patients.  96 test request for HbA1c, (66 male patients,
30 female patients), 1346 test request for Random
Blood sugar, (851 male Patients, 495 Female
Patients), 248 fasting plasma Glucose, (178 Male
Patients, 70 Female Patients). Data collected and
was subjected to analysis in SPSS v. 19 software.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus is established
with fasting plasma glucose = 7.0 mmol/l  (126
mg/dl) or random plasma glucose = 11.1 mmol/l
(200 mg/dl). In asymptomatic patients two samples
are required to confirm diagnosis. This showed that
23.9% patients have Target Range for HbA1c, 27.0%
patients have Target Range for Fasting Plasma
Glycemia and 8.0% patients have Target Range for
Random Blood Sugar. Target Ranges of Blood

Glucose Level are pre diabetic ranges. It indicates
that patients were at Risk of developing diabetes.
Blood glucose targets should be in a healthy range
to prevent diabetes complications. If the range of
Blood Glucose level exceeds from target value than
hyperglycemia occurs and if it decreases than
hypoglycemia condition occur. 12.5% patients have
High values of HbA1c, 12.5% patients have high
values of Fasting Plasma glucose, and 4.0% patients
have high values of Random Blood Sugar. It indicates
that these patients have Diabetes. 13.5% Patients
have very high value for HbA1c, 10.3%patients have
very high value for fasting Glucose, and 2.3% patients
have high Value for Random Blood Sugar. It indicates
that these patients have Diabetes Mellitus. Our study
showed that males have high ratio of having DM as
compared to females. Although females are also at
high risk. We also concluded from the present study
that the proportion of individuals which are found
at Target Risk needs further screening for diabetes
and health education regarding diabetes mellitus.
Diabetes Mellitus can be controlled and prevented
by maintaining healthy eating plan, maintaining
weight, because obesity can be a cause of

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Table I. Total count For Male & Female Patients

31

(46.9%)

18

(27.2%)

9

(13.6%)

8

(12.1%)

N=66

17

(56.6%)

5

(16.6%)

3

(10%)

5

(16.6%)

N=30

48

(50%)

23

(23.9%)

12

(12.5%)

13

(13.5%)

N=96

85

(47.%7)

52

(29.2%)

27

(15.1%)

14

(7.8%)

N=178

38

(54.2%)

15

(21.4%)

4

(5.7%)

13

(18.5%)

N=70

123

(49.5%)

67

(27.0%)

31

(12.5%)

27

(10.8%)

N=248

719

(88.2%)

75

(8.8%)

35

(4.1%)

22

(2.5%)

N=851

433

(87.4%)

33

(6.6%)

19

(3.8%)

10

(2.0%)

N=495

1152

(85.5%)

108

(8.0%)

54

(4.0%)

32

(2.3%)

N=1346

Normal

Ranges

Target

Ranges

High

Ranges

Very High

Ranges

Total

Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total

Ranges

Glycated Hemoglobin

(HbA1c)

Fasting Plasma Glucose

(FPG)

Random Blood Sugar

(RBS)



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diabetes, avoiding alcohol and smoking. If a person
have pre diabetic range than he should take proper
treatment, and control blood sugar level in order to
prevent Diabetes Mellitus. Proper medication and
awareness about the seriousness of disease can also
prevent the epidemic of diabetes among people in
Pakistan.

REFRENCES

Akinloye OA, Adaramoye OA, Akinlade KS, Odetola
AA, Raji AA. (2007). Relationship between fasting
Plasma Glucose and Glycated Hemoglobin in Adult
Diabetic Nigerians. African Journal of Biomedical
Research,10:127-132.

Alam T, Weintraub N, Weinreb J. (2006).What is
the proper use of hemoglobin A1C monitoring in
the elderly? J Am Med Dir Assoc, 7: S60–S64.

Gillet MJ. 2009. Guidelines Review-International
Expert Committee Report on the Role of the A1C
Assay in the Diagnosis of Diabetes. Diabetes Care,
32(7): 1327-1334.

Khuwaja AK, Fatmi Z, Soomro WB, Khuwaja NK.
(2003).Risk factors for cardiovascular disease in
school children: a pilot study. J Pak Med Assoc, 53:
396-400.

Kumar V, Nelson F, Abul K, Ramzi S, Stanley L.
(2005). Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of
Disease (7th Ed.). Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders. pp.
1194–1195. ISBN 0-7216-0187-1.

Figure 1. Graphical Representation of Target Range, High Range,
Very High Ranges Of HbA1c, BSR & BSF of Female Patients

Figure 2. Graphical Representation of Target Range, High Range,
Very High Ranges Of HbA1c, BSR & BSF of Male Patients