Assessment of Diabetes Risk Using Indian Diabetes Risk Score Among Medical Students at a Medical College in Telangana, India

Objective: The aim of this article is to assess the risk of diabetes among medical students in one medical college using IDRS (Indian Diabetes Risk Score) and to study the association between risk of diabetes and various factors. Materials and Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 246 medical students at Mall Reddy Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, Telangana, India from June to July 2019. Questions pertaining to modified IDRS and measurements such as waist circumference were recorded. Results: The mean IDRS (34.15±11.57) indicated that this population was at moderate risk of diabetes. Majority (78%) were at moderate risk. IDRS was not found to be associated with blood pressure (mean systolic blood pressure for IDRS <30=117.51±6.25; for 30–50=115.72±6.65; and for >60=117.78±6.06; mean diastolic blood pressure for IDRS <30=75.55±6.15; for 30–50=75.39±6.26; for >60=73.33±6.14). Being female (mean IDRS =35.55±11.48 vs. 30.93±11.62 for males) and being overweight or obese (mean IDRS =36.84±11.56 vs. 33.07±11.54 for normal weight) were significantly associated with IDRS ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: This population was at moderate risk of developing diabetes. Overweight or obese patients and females had higher IDRS and thus they were at more risk of developing diabetes in future.