Difference in FINDRISC score for predicting type 2 diabetes mellitus among Sami and non-Sami, the SAMINOR 1 Study

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major public health problem. Sami people are indigenous people of Norway and have had a transition in lifestyle and diet associated with an increase in obesity and inactivity, which are risk factors to T2DM. Previous studies have revealed higher prevalence of known risk factor to T2DM among the Sami people. Aim: Using a risk assessment tool, the FINDRISC questionnaire, to investigate if Sami and non-Sami people have different risk for adopting T2DM within ten years. Method: A cross sectional study, the SAMINOR 1 Study, was conducted in between 2003-2004, in areas with Sami and non-Sami settlement. The study included three questionnaires, clinical examination and blood samples. The FINDRISC score and risk assessment were retrospectively calculated for a study sample of 13 978 participants. Ethnic differences in FINDRISC scores were tested with t-test. Differences in score levels were tested by cross tables with subsequent chi-square tests. Linear hierarchical regressions were conducted to control for confounding. Separate regressions were conducted for women (N=6813) and men (N=6599). Results: The mean FINDRISC score was higher for Sami than non-Sami women (p <0.001). There were no ethnic differences in mean FINDRISC score for male gender (p 0.573). The results did not change for either of the gender when adjusted for age, education, alcohol consumption and marital status. In the study sample of female, 14.2% of the Sami women and 11.1 % of the non-Sami women had more than over 30% risk (corresponding to a cut off level ≥15, i.e. high and very high risk,) for adopting T2DM within ten years. For male gender, 9.2 % of the Sami men and 8.9 % of the non-Sami men had more than 30 % risk for developing T2DM within a decade. Conclusion: There were ethnic differences for developing T2DM within ten years. Sami women had significantly higher risk than non-Sami women. For male gender there were no differences in the risk for developing T2DM within ten years.