Application of the FINDRISK Test for the Detection and Monitoring of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Risk in Primary Care

Abstract

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus affects millions of people worldwide and often remains undiagnosed until complications arise. In primary care centers, where early warning signs are first detected, having practical tools to help identify individuals at risk can make a significant difference in the lives of many patients. The FINDRISK test represents a concrete opportunity to anticipate the disease.

Objective: To determine the risk of developing T2DM according to the FINDRISK test in a USF of the Paraguayan public health system and determine the biochemical parameters of patients with moderate to very high risk according to the FINDRISK test. In addition, the sociodemographic characteristics of the population were detailed, and the parameters evaluated in the applied test were described.

Methodology: An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, the FINDRISK test was applied to 460 individuals over 18 years of age. In the second phase, clinical and laboratory assessments were performed on patients with moderate to very high risk (142 individuals), including fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and lipid profile, as well as the application of metabolic syndrome criteria according to ATP-III. Results: 30.9% of patients assessed with the FINDRISK test presented a moderate to very high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Among these, elevated rates of overweight or obesity (70.4%), physical inactivity (68.3%), family history of type 2 diabetes (45.1%), and low consumption of fruits and vegetables (59.2%) were observed. Laboratory analyses in this group demonstrated metabolic alterations: 69.7% had prediabetic values, and 10.6% had HbA1c values greater than 6.5%. Metabolic syndrome was present in more than a quarter of cases according to ATP-III criteria, with a statistically significant association with patients exhibiting any degree of risk as per the test.

Conclusion: The implementation of the FINDRISK test enabled the timely identification of a significant group of individuals at risk for type 2 diabetes. Its use in primary care, accompanied by clinical and laboratory follow-up, represents a viable, accessible, and replicable strategy to improve community health.