Presence of Co-Morbidities in Patients Suffering from Diabetes Mellitus Type-2 Attending Two Clinics in Delhi

Abstract

India is a hotbed of diabetes with the highest number of diabetics in the world (62 million) and it is predicted that by 2030 the disease might afflict as high as 79.4 million individuals. Often the individuals with diabetes mellitus type-2 have other metabolic abnormalities-the clustering of which contributes to the overall morbidity and mortality profile. Comorbidity, defined as the occurrence of one or more chronic conditions in the same person with an index-disease, occurs frequently among patients with diabetes. Multiple health conditions lead to a faster deterioration of health and poses a great burden on the healthcare delivery system and patient’s pocket as well. It is a cross sectional study involving the data obtained from 144 patients with diabetes mellitus type-2 attending 2 diabetes clinics in Delhi between July-Sept 2016. Out of the total patients, 37 (25.7%) were females. The average age of the patients was 52.4 years, their average BMI was 27.3 kg/m2 and their average HbA1c was 8.9. Hypertension and dyslipidemia are the most common co-existing conditions with diabetes, followed by neuropathy and sleep apnea. Diabetes care program should also focus on rigorously treating co-morbidities, as these are often associated with patient’s discomfort and dismay.