Utilização do questionário Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) para avaliação de risco de Diabetes Mellitus 2 em estudantes universitários de uma instituição federal

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is one of the major global public health problems, associated with high morbidity and mortality and multiple modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. Early identification of individuals at risk is crucial for supporting prevention and health promotion strategies. The Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) is an internationally validated and easy-to-apply instrument, used to estimate the probability of developing T2DM over ten years. This study aimed to stratify university students from a federal institution according to their risk of developing T2DM using the FINDRISC and to analyze factors associated with higher scores. A cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted at the Professor Antônio Garcia Filho Campus of the Federal University of Sergipe, between February and June 2025, with a sample of 312 students proportionally selected from eight undergraduate courses. The FINDRISC questionnaire and a complementary form with sociodemographic data, lifestyle habits, clinical conditions, and mental health were applied. Statistical analysis included association and significance tests with a 5% level. The sample consisted predominantly of female students (66.3%), single (93.9%), with a median age of 22 (IIQ 4) years. More than half of the participants (55.8%) were classified as low risk, 32.1% as slightly increased risk, 6.4% as moderate risk, 5.4% as high risk, and only 0.3% as very high risk. Factors such as obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, sleep apnea, acanthosis nigricans, polycystic ovary syndrome, use of antidepressants and antipsychotics, eating disorders, family history of overweight/obesity and diabetes, and frequent consumption of processed foods and beverages were significantly associated with higher risk levels. The findings highlight the need for institutional policies focused on health promotion, encouraging balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and continuous psychosocial support.