Prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension among three populations with cataract in Vavuniya and Gampaha districts in the post conflict era

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Identification of socio economic factors and non communicable disease profiles of patients with cataract is important to plan vision related health services. AIMS: To compare prevalence of diabetes mellitus [DM] and hypertension (HT) among three groups of cataract patients. METHODS: Prevalence of diabetes-and hypertension was compared in groups of patients with cataracts during second quarter of 2011. Group A: a rural population in Vavuniya, B: semi-urban low socioeconomic group and C: semi-urban higher socioeconomic group in Gampaha. Standard criteria used to detect diabetes and hypertension. RESULTS: Population in A 167(36% males), B 207(62% males) and C 407(40% males). Mean (SD) age was 65(10) years. Male diabetes prevalence (95% CI) were A 20% (9.3-28), B 30%(22.6-38.4) and C 37.9%(30.8-45.6) (p=0.009). Prevalence (95%CI) of diabetes in females were A 17.8% (11.7-26), B 19% (11.9-29) and C 33.7% (28.1-39.9) (p=0.002). Hypertension prevalence in males (95%CI) A 23.3% (15- 35.4), B 35.4% (27.6-44) and C 36-6% (29.6-44.3) (>=0.16) a"d in females A 26.2% (18.8-35.2), B 15.2% (9-24.7) and C 45.1% (39-51.4) (p=0.001). Prevalence of either diabetes or hypertension among males A 31.7% (21-44), B 54.3% (45.7-62.7) and C 56% (48.2-63.3) (p=0.001) and among females A 34.6% (26- 44), B 26.6% (18-37.2) and C 57.8% (51,5-63.7) (p=0.001). Conclusions: Females in higher socioeconomic group of Gampaha district had higher diabetes and hypertension prevalence than in lower socioeconomic populations. Male groups showed same pattern for diabetes but not for hypertension. Overall prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus were higher than for general population in Sri Lanka.