~ 215 ~ The Pharma Innovation Journal 2020; SP-9(7): 215-224 ISSN (E): 2277- 7695 ISSN (P): 2349-8242 NAAS Rating: 5.03 TPI 2020; SP-9(7): 215-224 © 2020 TPI www.thepharmajournal.com Received: 25-05-2020 Accepted: 26-06-2020 Karmjeet Kaur Department of Food and Nutrition Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India Harpreet Kaur Department of Food and Nutrition Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India Kiran Bains Department of Food and Nutrition Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India Jaswinder K Brar Department of Food and Nutrition Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India Corresponding Author: Karmjeet Kaur Department of Food and Nutrition Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India Indian diabetes risk score: A study in rural and urban areas of Ludhiana (Punjab) Karmjeet Kaur, Harpreet Kaur, Kiran Bains and Jaswinder K Brar Abstract Objective: The objective of the study was to identify subjects who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in rural and urban area using Indian Diabetes Risk Score. Design: The sampling design used for the study was 30 cluster multi-stage sampling. A total of 30 locations from Ludhiana district were selected. In the next stage of sampling 12 blocks were selected. From each block two villages (total of 24 villages) and 6 urban locations were selected in order to have a total random sample size of 529 subjects. Two modifiable (Waist circumference and physical activity) and two non-modifiable (Age and family history) factors were taken. Setting: A cross sectional study. Subjects: Men and women in the age group of ≥20 years participated in the study. Results: 529 subjects were assessed for various risk factors of diabetes. Out of these 48% rural and 49% urban subjects were aged ≥50 years. Abdominal obesity was found in 49% rural and 48% urban subjects. About 37% rural and 66% urban subjects were found to have sedentary lifestyle. 83% rural and 89% urban subjects were found to have no family history of diabetes. The study identified that 64% rural and 69% urban subjects were at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes while 35% rural and 30% urban subjects were at moderate risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Conclusions: As large number of subjects are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, there is need to implement Indian Diabetes Risk Score in communities for large scale screening of diabetes so that we can aware people and prevent the disease at an early stage. Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Indian diabetes risk score, waist circumference, physical activity, family history Introduction As we look into the ancient Indian texts, there is mention of “Madhumeha” which is known as “Diabetes mellitus” in modern terms. It indicates the presence of diabetes in India even before 2500 BC. Though there is no evidence how prevalent the disease condition was, but some articles hypothesize that it was quite common in India [1, 2] . Diabetes is a disorder where glucose levels remain high in blood and there is impairment of protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism. Based on the causes of the diabetes mellitus, the factors which contribute to hyperglycaemia are, reduction in insulin secretion, decrease in glucose utilization and an increase in the production of glucose [3] . The word diabetes has originated from the Greek word diabanein, which means to pass through because excessive urine is produced as a symptom of this disease [4] . And the term diabetes is commonly referred to diabetes mellitus, which means excessive sweet urine (known as "glycosuria"). The three main types of diabetes are, Type 1 diabetes or IDDM (Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus), Type 2 diabetes or NIDDM (Non- insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) or adult-onset diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes. Screening of patients with diabetes can help in reducing the burden of diabetes on a community as well as on nation [5] . Diabetes is a fast growing disease that will potentially lead to an epidemic in India [6, 7] . The prevalence of diabetes in the rural area is one-quarter that of the urban area for India and other Indian sub-continent countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka [8] . Primary results from a community-based study conducted by the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical research) showed that lower proportion of north Indian population is affected by the disease (Chandigarh with 0.12 million, Jharkhand with 0.96 million people) as compared to Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu (9.2 and 4.8 million, respectively) [8] . The suggested reason for this difference could be due to the north Indians being migrant Asians and south Indians being the host populations [9] .