Prediabetes burden and its determinants among adults in Najran Health Cluster: Program-based screening epidemiology
Seham M. Eldeeb, Rashed S. Alqudhaya, Salem A. Alsalem, Ali M. Alsalem, Alhassan M. Alhawkash, Ali M. Al Kolaib, Hassan Alsalem, Abdulmohsen A. Al Mardhamah, Eman AlblowiAbstract:
BACKGROUND:
Prediabetes, a high-risk, modifiable glycemic state, is an important target for the prevention of diabetes. In Saudi Arabia, primary-care screening infrastructure can support early detection and risk stratification, but program-based evidence on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)-defined prediabetes remains limited.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
This cross-sectional study analyzed routinely collected data from adults aged 35–70 years screened in the Najran Health Cluster from July to December 2025. Pregnant individuals and patients with known diabetes were excluded. HbA1c-defined glycemic status was classified as normal glycemia, prediabetes, or diabetes. Records with complete data were analyzed using SPSS; determinants of prediabetes were assessed using multivariable logistic regression.
RESULTS:
Of 139,446 eligible adults, 70,328 were screened, and 51,737 complete records were analyzed. The overall screening yield was 79.5% normal glycemia, 18.6% HbA1c-defined pre-diabetes, and 1.9% HbA1c-defined diabetes. Prediabetes was independently associated with older age, female sex, Saudi nationality, overweight, obesity, hypertension, family history of diabetes, higher comorbidity burden, and insufficient physical activity. For women, menopause, prior gestational diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome were additional independent risk markers.
CONCLUSION:
HbA1c-defined pre-diabetes affected approximately one in five screened adults in Najran. Primary-care screening infrastructure can support structured prediabetes risk stratification and prevention-focused follow-up, particularly for older adults, individuals with excess body mass index or cardio-metabolic risk, and women with relevant reproductive histories.