Background: Individuals with diabetes are at heightened risk of low vitamin D status, yet data describing the extent of this problem and its contributing factors in Uganda are scarce. This study estimated the burden of vitamin D deficiency and identified factors linked to its occurrence among adult diabetic patients receiving care at a hospital in Central Uganda. Methodology: In this hospital-based cross-sectional study, 196 adult diabetic patients attending care at a hospital in Central Uganda were enrolled. Interviewer-administered questionnaires captured each participant’s socio-demographic profile, clinical background, and lifestyle habits. Body weight, height, and waist circumference were measured with calibrated equipment following standardized anthropometric procedures. Venous blood samples were drawn to determine serum vitamin D concentration. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were applied to identify factors linked to vitamin D deficiency, with a two-sided P < .05 taken as statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 37.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 30.7%–44.3%). On multivariable analysis controlling for potential confounders, sleeping fewer than 5 hours nightly (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.92; 95% CI: 1.56–15.45; P = .006), sleeping 5–7 hours (aOR = 2.66; 95% CI: 1.06–6.73; P = .038), alcohol use (aOR = 2.82; 95% CI: 1.29–6.15; P = .009), and diabetic retinopathy (aOR = 5.25; 95% CI: 1.03–26.71; P = .046) each showed a significant association with vitamin D deficiency. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent, affecting more than a third of the diabetic patients studied. Short sleep duration, alcohol use, and diabetic retinopathy each showed an independent association with vitamin D deficiency.
Aim & Background: Lifestyle variables such as dietary habits, physical activity, sleep, and screen time are core to the prevention and control of diabetes. In light of the distinct sociocultural scenario prevalent in the Indian community and the rising cases of metabolic disorders like diabetes, a pressing need exists for a valid and reliable lifestyle measurement tool that takes into account the local culture and psychometric properties. The aim of this research was to validate the content and reliability of the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) Lifestyle Questionnaire. Methods: The method of expert review was applied to evaluate the content validity of the questionnaire with 44 items covering a wide aspect of lifestyle questions. Sixty-one physicians with expertise in diabetes care were asked to rate on a four-point ordinal scale. The item-level and scale-level content validity indices (S-CVI) were estimated, and qualitative comments on clarity and relevance to culture were checked, while Cronbach’s alpha values were determined. Results: All items had high content validity, with I-CVIs ranging from 0.98 to 1.00. Overall S-CVIAve was 0.94, which is a sign of having high S-CVI. Due to the qualitative feedback, only minor changes in wording were made. There were no items deleted in the qualitative feedback. Cronbach’s alpha value was 0.96, which signified high reliability. Conclusion: The RSSDI Lifestyle Questionnaire has adequate content validity and high internal consistency. It is a valid and useful tool to measure lifestyle parameters among diabetics and those at risk of diabetes, according to Indian standards.
The RSSDI research retreat is a conference dedicated to research in the field of diabetes. In addition to KOLs presenting their research work, selected authors who have published original work in the field of diabetes are invited to present their work. This conference also has multiple workshops on various aspects of clinical research and manuscript writing.
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) poses a significant public health challenge in India, with rising prevalence and high risk of complications due to inadequate glycemic control. Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) using portable glucose meters is a key component of diabetes self-care, yet its adoption and effectiveness in India remain suboptimal. This study aimed to assess patterns of glucose meter use and its impact on glycemic control among adults with T2DM in Northern India. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted between March and August 2023 as part of the Uttar Pradesh-Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (UP-RSSDI) registry. Adult patients (≥18 years) with T2DM attending 22 diverse healthcare sites were enrolled consecutively after informed consent. Participants were classified as glucose meter users or non-users based on self-report. Demographic, clinical, and glycemic parameters were recorded and compared between groups, with adjusted analyses controlling for age, gender, and disease duration. Results: Of 2,997 participants, 75.4% reported using a glucose meter. Glucose meter users were older (53.5 ± 11.9 vs. 47.9 ± 12.6 years, P < .001) and had longer T2DM duration (11.4 ± 8.2 vs. 9.2 ± 7.8 years, P < .001) than glucose meter non-users. Adjusted mean HbA1c was significantly lower among glucose meter users compared with glucose meter non- users (7.8 ± 0.1% vs. 9.1 ± 0.1%; P < .001). Similar trends were observed for fasting blood glucose (137.9 ± 1.7 vs. 152.9 ± 2.9 mg/dL; P < .001) and post-prandial levels (223.2 ± 2.5 vs. 286.4 ± 4.3 mg/dL; P < .001). Glucose meter users performed SMBG more frequently in the previous month and reported fewer diabetes-related complications (22.2% vs. 29.5%, P < .001). Conclusion: Glucose meter use was associated with better glycemic control and with a lower reported prevalence of diabetes-related complications among adults with T2DM in Northern India. Despite high adoption rates, one-fourth of patients did not use a glucose meter, highlighting the need for enhanced patient education, structured SMBG protocols, and improved accessibility. Integrating SMBG into routine diabetes care could substantially improve outcomes in resource-limited settings.
