The Validity of the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Risk Test in A Sample of Egyptian Population

Abstract

Background: In order to identify community members at high risk for developing diabetes and to bring attention to the importance of good lifestyle choices and reducing risk factors. The American Diabetes Association created the diabetes risk test.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether the American Diabetes Association (ADA) risk test is accurate in predicting who among Egyptian population would develop pre-diabetes or diabetes & how sensitive & specific it is in doing it.

Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study performed on 580 cases aged 18 years or older attending different hospitals in Benha City, Egypt, According toADA risk test subjects of score <4have no risk to develop prediabetes or type2DM,those of score=4 risky .to develop prediabetes and those of score>=5 are risky to be diabetic The persons in this study are divided into 2 groups:euglycemic and diabetic group that complete the score

Results: This study found that in the euglycemic group, 184 people (51.1%) had no risk of developing either prediabetes or diabetes, 44 people (12.2%) had a risk of developing prediabetes, and 132 people (36.7%) had a potential for progressing type 2 DM. Between our studied population, ADA ≥ 4 was found in 93.6% of DM subjects, and ADA ≥ 5 was found in 88.2% of DM subjects, suggesting significant agreement of the ADA score to predict DM. Older age > 50 years, obesity, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), hypertension, and poor physical activity were significantly correlated with an enhanced probability of DM. at scores ≥ 4, ADA had 93.6% sensitivity and 63.3% specificity to detect DM. At scores ≥ 5, ADA had 88.2% sensitivity and 62.3% specificity to detect DM.

Conclusion: Screening for prediabetes & type 2 DM risk factors in Egyptian population sample using the American Diabetes Association's prediabetic risk assessment test was valid, reliable, & authentic.