Prediabetes in Syria and Its Associated Factors: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Prediabetes is a major risk factor for diabetes and many chronic complications, particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD). Risk factors vary among races and demographics. This is the first study to assess prediabetes in Syria and its relevant risk factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a primary health clinic in Al-Mouwasat University Hospital, the major Hospital in Damascus, Syria. Interviews, examinations, and blood investigations were carried out by qualified physicians in the clinic. RESULTS: This study included 406 participants, of which 363 (89.4%) were females, 43(10.6%) were males, 91 (22.4%) had prediabetes, 108 (26.6%) were overweight, and 231 (56.9%) were obese. Older age, positive family history of diabetes, obesity, abdominal obesity in females, high cholesterol, being married, and CVD were statistically significantly associated with prediabetes (p < 0.05). However, prediabetes was not associated with gender, living in the city or country, cigarette smoking, hypertension, diet, triglycerides, or polycystic ovary syndrome (p > 0.05). However, in the multivariable analysis, only high cholesterol, familial diabetes, and waist diameter had significant association. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of prediabetes in our study in Syria was higher than what was estimated by previous studies. While many risk factors were similar to other countries in the regions, other risk factors differed. These results were highly reflective of high burden of prediabetes and diabetes, mainly in relatively young females. Further studies are required to tackle this rising issue as it imposes major complications in the long term, and the high financial burden on the health care system.