Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among Urban Bihari Communities in Dhaka, Bangladesh: A Cross-sectional Study in a Minor Ethnic Group

Introduction

The prevalence, disease progression, and treatment outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes vary significantly between ethnic groups. The Bihari community constitutes one of the most vulnerable populations in Bangladesh on the basis of access to health services and other fundamental rights. Our study aimed at finding out the prevalence and risk factors of type 2 diabetes among the Bihari adults in Dhaka city.

Methods

This cross-sectional community-based study was carried out among stranded Pakistanis (known as Bihari) living in camps in the Mirpur area from July 2014 to June 2015. Laboratory-based oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was the basis for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, biochemical tests, family history, and socioeconomic information were obtained to determine the risk factors.

Results

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) were estimated at 10.11%, 8.74%, and 4.55%, respectively. Increased diastolic blood pressure, serum triglyceride, and cholesterol level were observed to be significantly (p < 0.05) associated with diabetes. Also, the presence of diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity among relatives significantly increased the probability of diabetes.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on diabetes prevalence among the Bihari community in Bangladesh. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus was found to be higher among the Bihari community compared to the general population in Bangladesh. Health planners and policymakers should realize the alarming situation and identified risk factors and consider the minor ethnic groups during decision-making regarding prevention and control of diabetes and other noncommunicable diseases.