Publications

Introduction and Background: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Lebanon as well as its association with clinical markers of inflammation and infection. Material and Methods: We examined in a cross-sectional manner the medical laboratory record of 4093 patients of all age groups and from all Lebanese regions between January 2021 and December 2021. The population was then divided into three groups based on HbA1C levels. Prevalence of T2D and its association with age, gender, calcium, vitamin D (VitD), neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio (NLR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined. The prevalence of infection and its aetiology in a subpopulation of 712 patients was also assessed. Results: The mean HbA1c was 5.9% ± 1.2 and the prevalence of T2D defined as HbA1c > 6.5% was 16.8%. Risk factors independently associated with diabetes were age (OR = 4.3; 95% CI = 2.32–8.09), gender (OR = 0.7; 95% CI = 0.55–0.98), triglycerides (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.89–3.33), NLR (OR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.01–1.79) and calcemia (OR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.35–1.08). Prevalence of infections in a subgroup of 712 patients was 11.1%. E. coli urinary infection was the most common cause of infection (65.8%) with the highest prevalence in the pre-diabetic group (44.2%). Serum CRP level was higher in the diabetic group (22.5 mg/L ± 22.1) as compared to the pre-diabetic (7.9 mg/L ± 44.8) and control group (4.1 mg/L ± 9.3). Diabetic patients also presented the highest percentage of NLR >3 (28.6%) as compared to pre-diabetic group (16.10%) and control group (14.4%). Conclusions and Recommendations: The prevalence of T2D is increasing in the Lebanese population as compared to prior reports. These results should be taken into consideration to guide effective public health strategies aiming at preventing the rise of T2D in Lebanon. Identifying novel predictors of complications such as elevated NLR and CRP will also help improve the diagnosis and management of T2D and its complications.