Pre-diabetes and it’s predictors in Abia State, Eastern Nigeria

Background and objectives The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is rising in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria. A previous study in Abia State, Nigeria, showed a high prevalence of diabetes, with no significant difference in urban and rural communities. This study aimed at investigating the prevalence and risk factors for impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), which represent reversible and preventable early signs of DM. Subjects, materials, and methods A cross-sectional comparative study of 2800 adult residents of Abia State, comprising equal number of urban and rural respondents. Interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaires were used for data collection. Fasting blood glucose was performed for all the respondents, while oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was done for 2424 respondents, comprising 1117 urban residents and 1307 rural residents. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results Mean age of the respondents was 48.54 ± 13.24 years: rural = 54.23 ± 14.26 years and urban = 42.85 ± 13.24 years, p < 0.001. Male to female ratio was 1:2.5 ( p < 0.001). Pre-diabetes (IFG and IGT) was observed in 6.3% of the respondents, comprising 3.9% in urban and 8.7% in rural residents, p < 0.001. The prevalence of IFG and IGT was 4.7% and 12%, respectively, p < 0.001. Independent predictors of pre-diabetes included abnormal waist circumference (WC), hypertension, and daily intake of fruits and vegetables in the urban area, while in the rural area, they included hypertension and abnormal WC. Conclusion The prevalence of pre-diabetes is high in Abia State, with a higher burden among rural residents. Hypertension and abnormal WC are significant predictors of pre-diabetes in Abia State. Daily consumption of fruits/vegetables in processed forms may be associated with an increased risk of pre-diabetes.