Abstract
To evaluate the functionality of Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) tool in the identification, prevention and awareness of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the city of Santos. This is a cross sectional study, analytical and descriptive. 96 people were evaluated and participants were interviewed, blood pressure was measured (BP), anthropometrical measurements, fasting capillary blood glucose (CBG) and analyzed the results obtained in FINDRISC. For statistics, the analyses of variance and the chi-square test were applied. The prevalence of T2DM was 17%. Among the modifiable risk factors, the highest prevalence was: Altered abdominal circumference (86%), IMC>25kg/m² (75%), altered BP (57%), CBG>100mg/dL (48%). The largest association for the occurrence of T2DM was “family history” with a 3.3-fold increased risk (P<0,002). Of the respondents who said they had no diagnosis of T2DM, 40% had a CBG value above 100 mg/dL and 7,5% of the sample with values above 126 mg/dL, of which 85% were high risk of developing T2DM by FINDRISC score. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the FINDRISC tool in identifying DM2 and the need to carry out preventive campaigns for screening and counseling high-risk people focusing mainly on lifestyle change.