Type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance in North-China-based rural community adults

To estimate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and to identify potential risk factors among adults in rural areas in North China.

Multistage random cluster sampling in a cross-sectional study.

Data were collected in 2005 from 1058 adults aged >20 years. Body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences, 2-hour postprandial glucose (2-hPG) and other data were collected.

The prevalence of diabetes and IGT was higher for both men and women in the study group compared with the national averages (diabetes: 7.17% and 7.01%, respectively; IGT: 7.55% and 7.95%, respectively). Men aged ≥60 years and women aged 50-59 years had the highest prevalence of diabetes compared with other age groups (9.62% and 9.21% respectively). Both men and women aged ≥60 years had the highest prevalence of IGT. A sudden increase in 2-hPG level was seen in women aged ≥40 years. Those with BMI ≥28 kg/m(2) were at two-fold higher risk than normal. The risk for glucose tolerance abnormalities was almost 1.55-fold higher in subjects with waist/height ratio (WHtR) ≥0.50. The odds ratio for diabetes was 0.32 (95% confidence interval 0.10-0.98) in subjects with an annual family income ≥30,000 yuan compared with those with lower incomes.

These results indicate that rural populations in North China have a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes and IGT compared with national averages. Women aged ≥40 years warrant more attention to avoid glucose tolerance abnormalities. BMI and WHtR are predictive of the prevalence of glucose tolerance abnormalities. High annual family income appears to be a protective factor for type 2 diabetes.