Comparison of Type 2 Diabetes risk levels in individuals attending Family Medicine and Internal Disease Clinics

Comparison of Type 2 Diabetes Risk Levels in Individuals Attending Family Medicine and Internal Disease Clinics Objective: Diabetes Mellitus is one of the major public health problems worldwide. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes cases. Identifying individuals at risk is important to reduce the development of the disease and its complications. In this study, we conducted screening tests for diabetes risk and diagnosis in family medicine and internal medicine outpatient clinics, aiming to compare these two specialties in terms of diabetes risk and diagnosis. Additionally, we aimed to investigate the applicability of the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISK) as a screening method for T2DM. Materials and Methods: Our cross-sectional study was conducted at the Family Medicine and Internal Medicine clinics of Ankara Bilkent City Hospital. Between November 10, 2023, and February 10, 2024, a total of 340 patients were included in the study: 170 participants from the Family Medicine clinics and 170 participants from the Internal Medicine clinics. Data for the study were collected through face-to-face interviews with patients, conducted by a researcher doctor using a questionnaire. In the first part of the study, participants completed a sociodemographic data questionnaire and the FINDRISK scale. Simultaneously, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c tests were performed on those attending the Family Medicine and Internal Medicine clinics. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS 25 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 25). Statistical significance was considered at p<0.05. Results: The average age of patients attending the Family Medicine clinics was 38.11 years, while the average age of patients attending the Internal Medicine clinics was 41.14 years. The mean FINDRISK score for patients at the Family Medicine clinics was 9, and for patients at the Internal Medicine clinics, it was 10 Among the participants, 19.41% of those attending the Family Medicine clinics were diagnosed with prediabetes, and 1.76% were diagnosed with diabetes. In the Internal Medicine clinics, 25.29% were diagnosed with prediabetes, and 5.29% with diabetes. For patients with FINDRISK scores of 15 or higher, 60% of those at the Family Medicine clinics were diagnosed with prediabetes, and 8.57% with diabetes; in the Internal Medicine clinics, 65.22% were diagnosed with prediabetes, and 17.39% with diabetes. The risk of diabetes diagnosis for those with FINDRISK scores of 15 or higher was found to be statistically significant. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.845, with sensitivity at 91.7% and specificity at 80.2%. Conclusion: No significant difference was found in the frequency of diabetes risk and diagnosis between the tests performed in family medicine and internal medicine outpatient clinics. The FINDRISK Scale used for screening, along with FPG and HbA1c, showed a statistically significant higher FINDRISK score in individuals who were married, had education levels below high school, had chronic illnesses, and did not exercise. In our study, approximately one-quarter of all participants were diagnosed with prediabetes. Among those with a high FINDRISK score, more than half were diagnosed with prediabetes, and almost one in ten was diagnosed with diabetes. The FINDRISK Scale was found to have a high likelihood of diagnosing diabetes and prediabetes in individuals at high/very high risk. The FINDRISK Scale is a simple and non-invasive screening tool used to identify individuals at high risk of diabetes. Through screening with the FINDRISK Scale, undiagnosed prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes can be identified. Keywords: Type 2 Diabetes, FINDRISK, Screening Method