Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a rapidly growing public health challenge in India, driven by urbanization, lifestyle transitions and increasing obesity. Early identification of associated cardiometabolic risk factors is essential to reduce complications and improve disease outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes and to evaluate associated clinical and socioeconomic risk factors among patients attending a tertiary care center in North India. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 696 participants who were evaluated for glycemic status, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and comorbidities. Diabetes and prediabetes were classified according to standard guidelines. Obesity was defined using Asian-specific body mass index (BMI) cut-offs and hypertension was categorized based on established criteria. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed using appropriate comparative tests, with p<0.05 being considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Among the study population, 89.08% of subjects had diabetes and 10.92% prediabetes. Overweight and obesity were observed in 31.88% and 19.34% of participants, respectively. Hypertension was highly prevalent, with 34.52% of subjects being classified as Stage 2 and 17.96% Stage 1 hypertension. A positive family history was reported in 23.85% of cases. Most patients had a disease duration of less than five years (56.32%). The clustering of obesity, hypertension and diabetes indicated a significant cardiometabolic overlap. CONCLUSION: The study highlights a substantial burden of diabetes and its associated modifiable risk factors in a North Indian population. Strengthening early detection strategies, lifestyle modification programs and integrated management approaches is essential to reduce long-term complications and improve public health outcomes.