Known type 2 diabetes mellitus among the Kuwaiti population. A prevalence study.

The reported prevalence of type 2 diabetes among the Kuwaiti population varied from one source to another. This study was undertaken to define the magnitude of the problem and to suggest plans for future diabetic care. All type 2 Kuwaiti diabetic subjects registered and continuing to attend regularly in two health areas Mubarak Health Area (MHA) and Farwania Health Area (FHA)] were selected for the study. There were 3222 in MHA and 5114 in FHA among the Kuwaiti population aged 20 years and above, accounting for a total crude prevalence of 7.6% in both health areas and for a prevalence rate of 5.6% in MHA and 10.0% in FHA. The age-specific prevalence of type 2 diabetes in both areas combined rose from 2.639 per 100 population in the age group 20-39 years to 15.350% and 26.252% in the age groups 40-59 and 60 and above, respectively. The female to male ratio was 1.7, 1.6, 1.1, respectively, in MHA and 1.7, 2.0, 0.9 in FHA for the age groups 20-39, 40-59, and 60 and above. This study shows that type 2 diabetes is a major public health problem in Kuwait, with a female preponderance. Obesity is a characteristic feature of the population studied, with a mean body mass index of 31.8 +/- 6.3 and 28.5 +/- 5.1 in women and men, respectively. A positive family history of diabetes mellitus was reported in 63% of the diabetic subjects. There is a need to standardize methods of reporting and to plan a national screening survey.