Assessment of Indian diabetes risk score as a tool for identifying diabetes among urban residents

Abstract

Background: Indian Diabetes Risk Score [IDRS] by Madras Diabetic Research Foundation was approved as screening tool in National programme for prevention and control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS). This study was planned to test the utility of IDRS in screening diabetes among urban population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 625 individuals residing in urban wards of Rajahmundry in 2013-14. Data was collected on socio-demographic variables, anthropometric measurements followed by testing for fasting blood sugars to diagnose diabetes. Area under receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated for presence of diabetes. Results: In the present study 49.92% population had high risk score (≥60) for diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes in our study was about 15.4%, and pre-diabetes was 4.5 % (total 19.9%). It was observed that obesity among females was 43.36%, among males it was 31.52%. In this study IDRS >60 had the sensitivity of 79.17% and specificity of 50.0%. IDRS >60 not only diagnoses diabetes also identifies coronary artery disease. In the community it also helps to identify metabolic syndrome.

Conclusions: IDRS is a useful screening tool for early diagnosis diabetes and initiation of appropriate lifestyle interventions to prevent various complications of diabetes mellitus.