A comparison between Moroccan and Belgian type-2 diabetic patients.

The aim of this study was to compare diabetes parameters and complications among Moroccan and Belgian type 2 diabetic patients living in Belgium. In two general practices 62 Belgian and 95 Moroccan diabetic patients aged between 40 and 70 were included. The mean fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was 31% higher in the Moroccan group (186 mg/dL) than in the Belgian group (142 mg/dL) (p < 0.001). Compared with 7.6% in the Belgian group, mean HbA1c was also significantly higher in the Moroccan group (8.7%) (p < 0.001). In the Moroccan group 43% showed at least one of the four major diabetic complications compared to 33% in the Belgian group (p = 0.21). Among Moroccan patients retinopathy occurred in 15%, nephropathy in 32%, neuropathy in 21% and foot problems in 18%.