Endocrine Abstracts

It is well known nowadays the positive effect that early detection of prediabetes has in preventing and postponing the diabetes onset. The aim of our study is to explore the diabetes prevalence in Albania and to identify and stratify the population at risk for developing diabetes.

Material and methods: A large scale multicentre screening was performed in Albania as part of a National Campaign. 15744 patients were consecutively recluted. The following data were obtained: age, weight, height, BMI, waist circumference, glicemia, total cholesterol, LDL, Triglycerides, HDL. The subject were suddivided according gender and age group.

Results: In 15744 subjects, 62% females, 38% males, 49% was aged between 40–49 years old, 46% between 50–59 years old and 20% between 60–65 years old. 6.3% were already diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (5.5% female and 7.4% male of the explored population). 15% of the patients who declared not having diabetes had a fasting glycaemia > 100 mg/dl. Of these 15%, 24% had a glycaemic value above 126 mg/dl and 75.6% have glicemic value between 100–126 mg/dl (impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or pre-diabetes. In the population with IFG 39.8% have a BMI between 25–30 and 44.8% kg/m² a BMI > 30 kg/m^2. 89.5% of females have a WC (Waist circumference) > 80 cm and 74% of males a WC >92 cm.

Conclusions: Albania is a developing country who went trough important socio-economical changes in the last decade. We find a high diabetes mellitus prevalence which could be higher because of the not yet diagnosed diabetes. An important role have the pre-diabetes population where a high prevalence of overweight and obesity is observed. Campaign to rise diabetes and pre-diabetes awareness and encourage lifestyle modification are very important to prevent and postpone the diabetes onset in the prediabetes population.