Importance of regional differences in the features of type 2 diabetes mellitus in one and the same country—The example of Thailand

Abstract

Background: A dataset from a nationwide assessment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients from Thailand was reassessed. Objective: Prevalence of T2DM is highest in the northeast of Thailand and the intention of the study was to assess whether the clinical picture and behavior of patients from the northeast differ from the rest of the country. Materials and Methods: The variables of two groups of patients i.e. those from the northeast of Thailand and patients from the remaining three other regions, with the exception of Bangkok, were compared. The dataset consisted out of clinical laboratory data and the results of a questionnaire recording knowledge and admitted compliance of patients. Results: A higher proportion of patients from the northeast have elevated triglyceride levels and lower high density lipoprotein (HDL) fractions in comparison with the patients derived from the other three regions. The northeasterners know very well and better than the patients of the other regions how to take care of them while having T2DM yet the proportion of those with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values over 6.4% was higher for them than for the other group of patients. Conclusion: In depth investigation by health educators would be useful in order to find out how the relationship between knowledge and practice could be improved for patients from the northeast of Thailand.

A First-Degree Relative With Diabetes Mellitus Is an Important Risk Factor for Rural Thai Villagers to Develop Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

“…This might not be necessarily because of T2DM but could be the effect of a recall bias or the similar dietary habits of family members, 9 especially in a region where glutinous rice is a staple food and is known to have a high glycemic index and where the prevalence rate of T2DM is higher than in other regions of the country. 17,18…”

Risk Factors for Hospitalization Due to Hypoglycemia in Diabetic Patients in Northeast Thailand

“…In Northeast Thailand, surveys conducted from 2005-2006 revealed that diabetes-related mortality rates were the highest in the country [4]- [6]. We reviewed department documentation on diabetic patients admitted with hypoglycemia in a community hospitalization a 120-bed in Northeast Thailand in 2008-2011.…”