Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) represent growing public health challenges globally. Early detection of these illnesses and understanding of their risk factors is critical for preventing development and consequences. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of DM and IGT in an urban adult population, as well as to examine associated sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a sample of 1,020 adults aged 20 years and older from an urban community. Participants engaged in structured interviews aimed at gathering demographic and clinical information, encompassing traditional diabetes symptoms, familial history, and lifestyle variables. Measurements of anthropometric parameters and blood pressure values were documented. Fasting blood glucose tests and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were conducted in accordance with the criteria established by the World Health Organization to categorize glycemic status. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationships between glycemic status and various potential risk factors, with a significance threshold established at p < 0.05.

Results: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 16.8%, with 10.2% of patients exhibiting impaired glucose tolerance. The prevalence of diabetes increased significantly with age, particularly in the 60 to 69 age group, where it reached 39.3%. Men and women were similarly influenced. It is noteworthy that 39.8% of diabetic cases were recently diagnosed, indicating a significant oversight in addressing this issue. Individuals with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of classic symptoms such as fatigue, frequent urination, and increased thirst (p < 0.0001). An individual’s abnormal glycemic status was significantly associated with lower educational attainment, a family history of diabetes, hypertension, and elevated body mass index and waist circumference. Conclusion: This study identifies a considerable prevalence of both diagnosed and undiagnosed glucose metabolism disorders within the urban adult demographic, with strong correlations to age, education, obesity, hypertension, and family history. The findings highlight the necessity for targeted screening, public health education, and interventions aimed at high-risk groups to mitigate the effects of diabetes and its complications.