Identifying Risk for Diabetes in Adolescence (IRDA): A pilot study in general practice

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adolescents is increasing, particularly among those in lower socioeconomic areas, and of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Pacific Islander and Asian ethnicities.

The aim of this article is to test the acceptability and feasibility of a brief screening program for T2DM risk factors in young adolescents in a general practice in a high-risk, low socioeconomic area.

Twenty-two adolescents participated in the program over three months. Anthropometric measures, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), lipids, diet and exercise data were collected. Parents completed a short survey. Data were summarised using descriptive statistics and frequency graphs, and brief qualitative data on acceptability were also collected.

Nineteen out of the 22 adolescents had at least one risk factor for developing T2DM and 11 had three or more risk factors. Thirty-two per cent of the participants had a parent currently living with T2DM and five out of 22 had an HbA1c level >5.8%, suggesting increased risk for T2DM.

Screening was feasible and acceptable in this setting. The findings suggest a need for extended screening in the future.