OBJECTIVES : To assess the risk for type 2 diabetes development in the adult Greek population and the factors associated with blood sugar levels.

METHODS : A short self-completed questionnaire was developed, based on existing related research tools. The study was conducted in pharmacies all around the country in 2018, the distribution of which is representative of the total population. Participants were asked to anonymously answer close-end questions regarding age, sex, weight, height, waist circumference, physical activity, use of hypertension medication, diet, history of high blood sugar and diabetes family history. The diabetes risk score was calculated with the use of a formula and correspond to specific risk categories (low, slightly increased, moderately increased, high and very high). Also, an additional blood sugar measurement was performed on the participants of the study on the spot.

RESULTS : In total, 13,634 questionnaires were completed in 701 pharmacies. Women represent a higher proportion of the sample (57.9%) compared to men (42.1%), while 70.5% of the total sample was older than 45 years. Overall, 40.6% of the sample was in moderately or higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, with no significant differences observed between men and women. Furthermore, 12,013 blood sugar tests were performed. Mean blood sugar of the sample was estimated at 104.73 mg/dL, and higher in men, older people, those with higher and it was positively associated with diabetes risk score for both sexes. Both for men and women, blood sugar level was associated with age, BMI, waist circumference, physical activity, diet and family history of diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS : The results of the study indicate that the Greek population faces a significant risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Since diabetes is a preventable disease, pharmacies could play an important role in timely identifying people in high diabetes risk and direct them to proper primary healthcare.