Population based study of quality of diabetes care in southern India.

OBJECTIVES

To analyse and compare the clinical profile and glycaemic outcome in known diabetic cases in South Indian urban and periurban populations.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Details of known type 2 diabetic cases identified in a population survey of diabetes in Chennai city, Kanchipuram town and Periurban Villages (PUV) of Panruti in Tamil Nadu were analyzed (n=524, M:F, 256:268). Glycaemic outcome, prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidaemia and obesity, and treatment details were studied and compared between the areas.

RESULTS

Mean age at diagnosis was 45.3 +/- 10.1 years, prevalence of hypertension was 57.4% (32% known), 48% were obese and a larger percentage (63.3%) had abdominal obesity Dyslipidaemia was present in nearly 50%. Abnormalities were more in urban areas than in PUV. Glycaemic target (post prandial glucose < or =160 mg/dl) was met by 28.8% only; better results were seen in PUV. In PUV 46% were not taking any diabetic treatment. As expected, majority of patients in all areas were treated with oral drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

This population-based data indicated that the clinical outcome in known diabetic cases was far from satisfactory even in the city, where specialized diabetes care was available.