A prevalência da Diabetes Mellitus e obesidade na população adulta da Guiné-Bissau: um estudo piloto

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus and obesity are expanding chronic non-communicable diseases in Africa. Available epidemiological data on these two illnesses in Guinea-Bissau is scarce. Our aim was to obtain an estimate of the prevalence of diabetes and obesity in the adult population of this country. Methods: The study population was obtained by sampling of convenience in four military quarters of Guinea-Bissau (Amura, Air Force, Mansoa and Paracomandos) during the months of November and December of 2015. Results: Overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus in this population was 14.3% [confidence interval (CI) 95% from 11.4% to 17.7%]. In 15.1% (95% CI: 12.2% to 18.6%) was identified impaired fasting glucose. The presence of diabetes mellitus and impaired fasting glucose increased with age (p = 0.024) reaching a prevalence of 31.2% (95% CI: 13.9% to 55.9%) and 25.0% (95% CI: 7.0% to 57.7%), respectively, in the age group above 65 years of age. Overall prevalence of obesity in this population was 9.5% (95% CI: 7.1% to 12.4%) and was more frequent in females (32.3%, p <0.001). The number of individuals with obesity or overweight reached 43.7% (95% CI: 39.3% to 48.2%). Conclusion: Although paradoxical to some, global pandemic of diabetes and obesity is already present in the adult population of Guinea-Bissau. Implementation of prevention and early diagnosis measures are urgently needed to avoid overloading the fragile health system of Guinea-Bissau.