Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Prevalence, Risk Factors and Complications in the Region of Kardzhali, Bulgaria

Abstract: The present study was conducted within the CINDI program and covers 1,600 individuals, divided into four age groups. The aim of this study is to investigate the key biomedical and lifestyle factors for the development of type 2 diabetes as well as the cardiovascular diabetes complications in the population aged 25-64 from Kardzhali region, Bulgaria. The results of the study show the existence of behavioral and biological risk factors of health, as well as family history in the studied individuals who suffer from diabetes. The connection between diabetes and certain cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction and cardiovascular disease is confirmed. This requires the development and implementation of intervention activities among the population of Kardzhali, aimed at reducing the level of diabetes risk factors, early identification of risk groups and timely treatment of the diseased. Key words: Diabetes, genetic risk factors, behavioral risk factors. 1. Introduction DM (diabetes mellitus) is a serious worldwide medical and social problem, associated with excess morbidity and mortality and a currently estimated overall prevalence of 8.3%. The number of person