Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in a Population-Based Sample of Adults in Tirana, Albania

Aims: Our aim was to assess the prevalence of diabetes mellitus through self-reports and measurement of fasting glucose level in a representative sample of Albanian adults residing in Tirana.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: The survey was conducted in urban Tirana during April-July 2012.
Methods: A population-based sample of 795 individuals aged ≥18 years was included in this study (60% women; overall mean age: 50.3±18.7 years; response rate: 79.5%). Finger stick method was used to measure fasting glucose level in all participants. Furthermore, weight and height were measured. Data on socio-demographic and socioeconomic factors were also collected. General linear model was used to assess the association of mean glucose level with demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and anthropometric indices.
Results: The overall prevalence of self-reported diabetes was 11.8%. In multivariable-adjusted analysis, among non-diabetic individuals, age and body mass index were significantly and positively associated with mean fasting glucose levels. Conversely, among diabetic individuals, no statistically significant differences of mean glucose levels were observed upon multivariable-adjustment.
Conclusions: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in this representative sample of primary health care users in Tirana was higher than previous reports from Albania. The management and control of diabetes is not adequate in the Albanian primary health care system, exposing individuals to a high risk for future diabetic complications.