Prediabetes Awareness and Practice Among Indian Doctors- A Cross-sectional Study

Prediabetes is an intermediate state between diabetes and normoglycaemia, where the glucose levels are higher than normal but not significant to be diagnosed as diabetes mellitus. Guidelines from various associations suggest different types of management in this situation.

To assess knowledge and attitude of the doctors regarding prediabetes using questionnaire.

A cross-sectional questionnaire based study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice among doctors regarding prediabetes treatment. One hundred twenty two (of 150) filled questionnaires were received from general practitioners, post graduates (PGs), physicians and super specialists in and around Kolar and Bangalore. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and expressed as percentage.

A total of 81.3% responded to the questionnaire, of which 14 were general practitioners (MBBS), 48 PGs in General Medicine, 46 physicians (MD General Medicine), and 14 super specialists (DM). Knowledge response was 85.7% (definition - 100%, prevalence - 50.8%, approved drug- 45.2%, progression- 86.2%). Screening for prediabetes was done by 71% of the general practitioners and physicians, but specialists would screen all. 100% general practitioners, 97.9% post graduates, 91.3% of physicians and 64.2 % specialist preferred diet and exercise and rest of them opted for oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) along with diet and exercise, but none of the doctors considered OAD alone for prediabetes. Among OADs metformin (77.45%) was the most preferred followed by voglibose (20.6%) and sitagliptin (1.9%).

All doctors had awareness of prediabetes and most of them would regularly screen and treat prediabetes. Majority considered diet and exercise as first modality of treatment. The OAD opted commonly was metformin.