Aims: To investigate the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and to identify risk factors associated with diabetes in a rural Palestinian village.
Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based study investigating 500 adults aged 30-65 years (response rate 85%) determined the diabetes status using the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). A standard questionnaire, a simple clinical examination and laboratory tests assessed blood lipids, blood pressure, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI) and other risk factors for diabetes
Results: The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes was 9.8% (95% confidence interval 7.3-12.3) and IGT 8.6% (6.1-11.1), while the prevalence standardized to the European population was 11.6% (8.8-14.4) for Type 2 diabetes and 10.3% (7.6-13.0) for IGT. Age, positive family history, high triglycerides level, and high WHR were significantly associated with Type 2 diabetes.
Conclusions: Of the factors associated with diabetes, WHR and triglycerides levels are potentially modifiable, and should be addressed by preventive health activities. The high prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and its potential increase as a result of the ageing of the Palestinian population constitutes a major public health problem.