Author(s)

Daniel Lemogoum^1,2,3*, William Ngatchou^1,2, Elysée Claude Bika Lele^3,4, Pierre Amta³, Philippe Van de Borne², Marc Leeman², Philippe Donnen⁵, Nicolas Nicolas Preumont², Jean Paul Degaute², Michel Michel Hermans⁶

¹Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
²ULB-Erasme Hospital, Free Brussels University, Brussels, Belgium.
³Cameroon Heart Foundation, Douala, Cameroon.
⁴Medical Research Centre, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
⁵School of Public Health, Free Brussels University, Brussels, Belgium.
⁶Endocrinology and Nutrition Unit, Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.

Background: Evidence indicates a growing burden of glucose homeostasis abnormalities (namely type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and prediabetes) in Cameroun. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of glucose homeostasis abnormalities (GHA) in the Far-North region of Cameroon, where these variables have not been explored so far. Methods: We included in this population-based cross-sectional survey 461 participants living urban area (Maroua) and 428 dwellers living in rural area (Tokombere) aged at least 18 years, using a multistage-cluster sampling frame. In all participants, we recorded sociodemographic, medical history, clinical data and fasting blood (capillary) glucose (FBG). Diabetes was considered for FBG ≥ 126 mg/dL or being on glucose-lowering medications, and impaired fasting glycemia (IFG) for FBG 100 - 125 mg/dL. Results: The overall age-standardized prevalence of GHA, IFG and diabetes was 33.6%, 21.7% and 11.9%, respectively. Those data were similar between urban and rural areas. Determinants of GHA were age, overweight/obesity, abdominal obesity and hypertension. IFG was only related to abdominal obesity, while diabetes was related to age, family history of diabetes, overweight/obesity, abdominal obesity and hypertension. Conclusion: Glucose homeostasis abnormalities are alarmingly high in Far North Cameroon. Efforts are needed to promote healthier lifestyles and initiate diabetes-screening campaigns in Cameroon.

Glucose Homeostasis Abnormalities, Diabetes, Prediabetes, Far-North Region, Cameroon, Urban, Rural

Lemogoum, D. , Ngatchou, W. , Lele, E. , Amta, P. , Borne, P. , Leeman, M. , Donnen, P. , Nicolas Preumont, N. , Degaute, J. and Michel Hermans, M. (2018) Prevalence and Correlates of Glucose Homeostasis Abnormalities in the Far-North Region Cameroon. Open Journal of Preventive Medicine, 8, 6-20. doi: 10.4236/ojpm.2018.81002.