Non-invasive Assessment of Insulin Resistance and Diabetes Risk with FINDRISC Score Among Physicians in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective:To assess insulin resistance (IR) and diabetes risk levels with Finnish diabetes risk score (FINDRISC) questionnaire in physicians from a tertiary care hospital.Method:A cross-sectional study was carried out on 200 physicians working in a tertiary hospital. Data were collected using the FINDRISC tool, “fasting blood glucose”, and “fasting insulin”. “The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance” (HOMA-IR) was calculated. FINDRISC is an eight-question score. FINDRISC scores and 10-year diabetes mellitus risk rates are; <7 points (low) and 1%, 7-11 points (mild/slightly elevated) and 4%, 12-14 points (moderate) and 16%, 15-20 points (high) and 33%, 21-26 points (very high) and 50% (respectively).Results:The FINDRISC categories were low in 16.0%, mild (slightly elevated) in 36.5%, moderate in 23.5%, high in 18.5%, and very high in 5.5%. HOMA-IR was high in 49.5%, while impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was present in 24% of the doctors. The majority of the physicians (n=155) had a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2, did not exercise regularly (n=178), did not consume daily vegetables and/or fruits (n=125), and had diabetic relatives (n=144). The relationships of the FINDRISC score with IFG, the presence of daily fruit/vegetable in-take and regular physical activity were significant (p=0.001). Although the association of FINDRISC score with HOMA-IR was insignificant, the risk of the development of new onset diabetes for patients with high HOMA-IR was low in 8.1%, mild in 32.3%, moderate in 33.3%, high in 20.2%, and very high in 6.1%. The risk of diabetes (FINDRISC) was higher among the consultants compared to the residents (p=0.001), which persisted even after controlling for age.Conclusion:FINDRISC scores showed weak but highly significant positive correlations with insulin, glucose, and HOMA-IR levels. Age groups and job position revealed that even after adjustment for age, the job position was high risk (2.9 fold) for diabetes. Diabetes is more prevalent among hypertensive physicians. The FINDRISC assessment may be used in the screening of physicians for diabetes in Turkey.