Association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Admitted in a Rural Teaching Hospital in the State of Kerala, India – A Pilot Study

Aim: To determine body mass index (BMI) of all hospitalized type 2 diabetic patients and its association with HbA1C value

Study Design: Pilot cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College and Hospital, Kolenchery, Kerala State, India. Two calendar months in 2014.

Methodology: The study covered 79 type 2 diabetic patients admitted in a tertiary care centre in a rural area of Kerala state in southern India. With a pre-set questionnaire and format, data was collected. Analysis of data was done using appropriate statistical tools.

Results: A total of 79 diabetic patients were covered in the study. Among the participantss 41.8% were overweight, 50.6% belonged to the normal BMI range and 7.6% were underweight. There was no statistically significant association between BMI and glycemic control (p = 0.39). There was significant association between glycemic control and age of the patient (p = 0.029); with increasing age there was better glycemic control. Further there was no significant association between weight, height, waist hip ratio, duration, socioeconomic score, gender, method of diabetic control, comorbidities, other regular medications and exercise with glycemic control.

Conclusion: There was no association between BMI and glycemic control of hospitalized type 2 diabetic patients. Glycemic control of diabetic patients was related to the age of the patient; with increasing age there was better glycemic control.