What is Diabetes Risk Score?

The RAPID (Risk Assessment of Pakistani Individual for Diabetes) score is a simple, evidence-based screening tool designed specifically for the Pakistani population to identify people at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It was developed in response to the growing burden of diabetes in Pakistan, where early detection is crucial because many individuals remain undiagnosed until complications arise.

Why It Was Created
Pakistan has one of the highest diabetes prevalence rates in the world. Many people don’t have access to comprehensive medical testing, so a quick, accessible, non-laboratory method was needed to help:

• Flag high-risk individuals early
• Encourage lifestyle changes
• Guide who should get formal blood tests
• Improve nationwide diabetes awareness and prevention

The RAPID score fills this gap by using locally relevant data and simple measurements.

How It Works
The RAPID score evaluates three key parameters that are strong predictors of diabetes in the Pakistani population:
1. Age
The risk of diabetes increases significantly with age. Older age brackets are assigned higher scores.
2. Waist Circumference
Waist size is a strong marker of central obesity, which is directly linked to insulin resistance.Cut-offs are tailored to South Asian body profiles.
3. Family History of Diabetes
Having one or more first-degree relatives with diabetes significantly raises risk.

Scoring & Interpretation
Each parameter contributes a set number of points. The total RAPID score categorizes an individual into one of three groups:

• Low Risk → Healthy lifestyle advised
• Moderate Risk → Consider screening tests (e.g., fasting glucose, HbA1c)
• High Risk → Strongly recommended to get diagnostic testing and start lifestyle/medical interventions

The system is designed to be easy enough for self-use, community health workers, and clinics without advanced equipment.

Benefits of the RAPID Score

• No lab tests required
• Quick—can be completed in under a minute
• Inexpensive
• Validated for the Pakistani population
• Helps identify undiagnosed cases early
• Promotes awareness and preventive care

Where It’s Used The RAPID score is used by:

• Public health screening programs
• Clinics and hospitals
• Community health workers
• NGOs running diabetes outreach
• Individuals wanting to assess their personal risk

Adapted from: [1] Abdul Basit K, Fawwad A, Riaz M, Tahir B, Khalid M, Basit A. NDSP 09: Risk Assessment of Pakistani Individual for Diabetes (RAPID) - Findings from Second National Diabetes Survey of Pakistan (NDSP) 2016-2017. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2021 Jan 19;14:257-263. doi: 10.2147/DMSO.S277998. PMID: 33505164; PMCID: PMC7829668.