Application of Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) in Detecting Subjects at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Results from Community Pharmacies in Sulaimani City, Iraq

Abstract

Background: The FINDRISC tool was used to screen subjects at risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with no involvement of laboratory tests. Subjects with undiagnosed diabetes mellitus face a significant risk of developing complications. Thus, early detection is important to minimize its complications. Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of the FINDRISC in screening for undiagnosed T2DM (UT2DM) in Sulaimani community pharmacies. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in four community pharmacies in Sulaimani city, Iraq. A questionnaire that included the FINDRISC variables was utilized in collecting data from 384 participants after giving informed consent. If the FINDRISC was ≥15 points and blood glucose was ≥140mg/dL, the participant was referred to a physician. Results: Approximately half of the participants (48.2%) were under 45 years old, and the majority (63%) of all participants were female. Based on the score definition of FINDRISC, the risk of T2DM was found to be high in 23.4%, moderate in 23.4%, and low in 18.5% of the participants. Additionally, 44.3% had a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 30kg/m2, while 30.7% had >30 kg/m². A waist circumference of <94cm was found only in 6% of males, and just 3.1% of females had a waist circumference of <80cm. Age, family history, gender, daily activity, and BMI were related to the risk of developing diabetes mellitus. Conclusions: The Finnish Diabetes Risk Score was found to be a helpful tool in determining the risk of T2DM among the study sample.