PREVALENCE OF INSULIN-TREATED TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS IN NORTHERN JORDAN: LIFE STYLE, FAMILIAL INHERITANCE AND MATERNAL INFLUENCE

Abstract Background and Aims: Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a chronic progressive metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and often associated with several etiologies. The prevalence of T2D and its associated risk factors among adults residing in Al-Mafraq district-Jordan are not documented, particularly for T2D patients who were treated with insulin therapy. Thus, the aims of this study were to estimate the change in the prevalence of T2D among adults living in this district from 2000 to 2011 and investigate its associated risk factors with emphasis on genetic factors. Methods: Data for T2D patients taking insulin were obtained retrospectively from the primary health center of Al-Mafraq for the years of 2000 to 2011. The prevalence of T2D among adults was calculated as the number of cases per 100,000 persons. Structured questionnaires were prepared for collecting sociodemographic and clinical data from random sample of 206 patients with T2D on insulin therapy. Data were collected between the period of 2010 and 2011. Patients were between 17 to 83 years old, with a mean age of 51.7 ? 14.6 (?SD). Also, 196 healthy adults with match age and gender were included in this study. Results: The prevalence of T2D increased from 116 per 100,000 individuals in 2000 to 223 per 100,000 individuals in 2011 in this district (an increase of 92%). About 73% of these patients had at least one diabetic family member, this rate was significantly higher than that for controls (10.7%) (P < 0.01). About 50% of the patients had a diabetic mother compared with 12.6% who had a diabetic father (P < 0.01), suggesting maternal influence. Data also revealed that sedentary life style and overweight/obesity and age (40 years and above) were significantly associated with incidence of T2D. In contrast, gender, employment status and education levels did not affect the prevalence of T2D (P > 0.05).Conclusion: In this district, a significant increase in the prevalence of insulin-treated T2D was documented over 12 years in both sexes. Familial inheritance, maternal influence, sedentary life style and overweight/obesity as well as the interaction between them appear to be responsible for such high increase in the risk of T2D.