Ahmad Sabiu, Community Medicine - Ahmadu Bello University, 2025

The prevalence of malnutrition in diabetic patients and its influencing factors remain poorly described. We aim to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition and the influencing factors of nutritional status in diabetic patients through descriptive cross-sectional study. Utilizing search terms, such as diabetes, malnutrition, and prevalence, we systematically searched databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, WHO, IDF, Science Direct, and NDHS. More than 40 publications were used. A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult diabetic patients attending the Endocrinology clinic of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika-Zaria. Nutritional status was assessed using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool and practice of self-management of diabetes was assessed with the Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire. The level of significance was set at p-value less than 5%. The mean age of respondents was 56.36 ± 16.54 with females being 57.6%. Prevalence of malnutrition and at-risk of malnutrition was found to be 22% and 36% respectively. 2-hour postprandial glucose, fasting blood sugar, kidney/bladder problems, stroke and practice of glucose self-management have significant correlation with nutritional status. Dietary management and lifestyle modification is crucial for self-management of diabetes. Management including dietary control, regular exercise, optimal glucose management and health-care use will contribute significantly to the management of malnutrition in diabetes patients. Further research should explore self-management factors in different geographical areas to provide comprehensive solutions for diabetes management.