An Assessment of the 10-Year Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes Among Saudi Adults Based on the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score

Abstract

Background and objective Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic, metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels that eventually lead to several acute and chronic complications. Type 2 DM (T2DM) is a major healthcare problem globally as well as in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Predicting and identifying people at high risk for developing T2DM will help implement preventive measures for these individuals. In light of this, the present study was designed to estimate the 10-year risk of developing T2DM among the Saudi general population. Methodology A descriptive, cross-sectional survey involving 15,509 Saudi individuals was undertaken. The participants were selected from all 13 provinces of KSA based on stratified random sampling. The Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC), a validated tool for T2DM risk assessment, was employed. Descriptive and chi-square analyses were used. Results The mean age of the participants was 28.33 years. Subjects with a moderate, high, and very high risk of developing T2DM within the next 10 years comprised approximately 18% of the sample. The mean FINDRISC was 7.53 [standard deviation (SD): 4.28], which is considered a level associated with a slightly elevated risk of developing T2DM. Of note, 938 participants (6.05%) among the sample population had a high risk of developing T2DM as predicted by FINDRISC. Education, daily physical activity, high blood glucose, and family history of DM were significantly higher in females compared to males (p<0.001). On the other hand, smoking rates and use of antihypertensive medications were substantially higher among males (p<0.001). Conclusion Based on our findings, approximately 18% of the Saudi general population has a moderate to high risk of developing T2DM. T2DM risk assessment should be widely and regularly practiced by general practitioners and internists as part of national programs for diabetes prevention.

Comorbidity of patients with noncommunicable diseases in general practice. Eurasian guidelines

“…жителей ≥18 лет, показало, что 35% обследованных относились к группе риска развития СД2 [1346]. В представительной выборке Королевства Саудовская Аравия средний балл по шкале FINDRISC составил 7,53 балла, а каждый пятый обследованный имел риск развития СД2 умеренный и выше [1347].…”

Prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and related factors among the general adult population in Saudi Arabia between 2016–2022: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the cross-sectional studies

“…A recent study found that the general Saudi population has a moderate to high risk of acquiring T2DM, which amounts to about 18% of the population. [10] Possible explanations for the high prevalence in these nations include the adult population's notable occurrence of obesity and other non-communicable disease risk factors, particularly in Saudi Arabia, which is second. [11] A recent study estimated the prevalence of T2DM in the Middle-East, including in Saudi Arabia.…”