Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Obesity poses a significant health risk and is linked to several comorbidities, including diabetes. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of obesity on glycemic control in type 2 diabetics.

Methods: It was a descriptive and analytical study, conducted in 200 diabetic patients hospitalized at the National Institute of Nutrition of Tunis. Each patient received a biological assessment including glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and a glycemic cycle during his hospitalization. Obesity is defined by a body mass index ≥30 kg/m².

Results: We included 200 patients with type 2 diabetes. The mean age was 52.78±14.2 years, 58.5% were female. The mean duration of diabetes progression was 12±8.41 years. The mean HbA1c in this population (both obese and non-obese patients combined) was 9.9±2.09%. The prevalence of obesity was 39%. This prevalence was significantly higher in women than in men (P<0.005). For fasting blood glucose, it was significantly higher in the obese than in the non-obese (P<0.005). Similarly, postmeal glycaemia measured at the same time of the day in all hospitalized patients was significantly higher in the obese than in the non-obese (P<0.005). The analytical study also showed that mean HbA1c was significantly higher in obese patients (P<0.005).

Conclusion: Recent studies have shown that the increase in obesity worldwide is associated with a parallel increase in the development of type 2 diabetes and poor glycemic balance. Control is then necessary especially for diabetics.