The Prevalence and Presentation Pattern of Diabetes Mellitus in Patients at Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) Orlu and Imo State Specialist Hospital (IMSSH) Umuguma Owerri (A 10-Year Retrospective Study: 1st November 2004 to 31st October 2013)

Background: The rising prevalence of diabetes mellitus imposes great burden on health worldwide. The burden is enormous in terms of pressure on existing human and material health resources. Diabetes is insidious in onset and has many patterns of presentation which often militates against early detection and diagnosis. Thus most patients present late with the exacerbation of symptoms and complications. Objective: To determine the prevalence and pattern of presentation of diabetes mellitus among patients attending Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) Orlu and Imo State Specialist Hospital (IMSSH) Umuguma Owerri, both in Imo State, Nigeria. Methodology: A retrospective study of the prevalence and pattern of presentation of diabetes mellitus. A total of 2028 patients had diabetes mellitus. Using data collection proforma, information relating to their pattern of presentation such as symptoms and complications, as well as their sociodemography was collected from the case folders. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 17 and results presented in frequency tables and pie charts. Result: A total of 18,912 patients attended the designated hospitals within the period under review, out of which 2028 were diabetic giving a prevalence of 107.2 per 1000 patients (10.7%). Out of these 2028 diabetic patients studied, 75% (1521) had onset of the diseases at the age of 40 years and above, while the remaining 25% (507) had the onset of the diseases before the age of 40 years. The most affected group was in the age range of 51 - 60 years, 585 (28.7%), while the least affected age group was 1 - 10 years, 6 (0.31%). The commonest symptom at presentation was polyuria 2028 (100%), followed closely by polydypsia 1939 (95.6%), while the least presenting symptoms were vaginal discharge and erectile dysfunction 27 (1.35%) respectively. Overall, the symptoms at presentation were polyuria, polydysia, weight loss, fever, blurred vision, paraesthesia, vaginal discharge, erectile dysfunction etc. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness with many patterns of presentation ranging from the classical symptoms of polyuria, polydysia, polyphagia and weight loss to the less common ones. The study highlights the need for early detection of the condition through appropriate health information dissemination and institution of prompt and adequate treatment.