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Prevalence and trends of the diabetes epidemic in South Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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posted on 2023-05-18, 21:29 authored by Jayawardena, R, Ranasinghe, P, Nuala ByrneNuala Byrne, Soares, MJ, Katulanda, P, Andrew HillsAndrew Hills

Background: Diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. South Asians are known to have an increased predisposition for diabetes which has become an important health concern in the region. We discuss the prevalence of pre-diabetes and diabetes in South Asia and explore the differential risk factors reported.

Methods: Prevalence data were obtained by searching the Medline® database with; 'prediabetes' and 'diabetes mellitus' (MeSH major topic) and 'Epidemology/EP' (MeSH subheading). Search limits were articles in English, between 01/01/1980-31/12/2011, on human adults (≥ 19 years). The conjunction of the above results was narrowed down with country names.

Results: The most recent reported prevalence of pre-diabetes:diabetes in regional countries were; Bangladesh - 4.7%:8.5% (2004-2005; Rural), India - 4.6%:12.5% (2007; Rural); Maldives - 3.0%:3.7% (2004; National), Nepal - 19.5%:9.5% (2007; Urban), Pakistan - 3.0%:7.2% (2002; Rural), Sri Lanka - 11.5%:10.3% (2005-2006; National). Urban populations demonstrated a higher prevalence of diabetes. An increasing trend in prevalence of diabetes was observed in urban/rural India and rural Sri Lanka. The diabetes epidemicity index decreased with the increasing prevalence of diabetes in respective countries. A high epidemicity index was seen in Sri Lanka (2005/2006-52.8%), while for other countries, the epidemicity index was comparatively low (rural India 2007 - 26.9%; urban India 2002/2005-31.3%, and urban Bangladesh - 33.1%). Family history, urban residency, age, higher BMI, sedentary lifestyle, hypertension and waist-hip ratio were associated with an increased risks of diabetes.

Conclusion: A significant epidemic of diabetes is present in the South Asian region with a rapid increase in prevalence over the last two decades. Hence there is a need for urgent preventive and curative strategies.

History

Publication title

BMC public health

Volume

12

Article number

380

Number

380

Pagination

1-11

ISSN

1471-2458

Department/School

School of Health Sciences

Publisher

Biomed Central Ltd

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

© 2012 Jayawardena et al. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

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  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Other Indigenous not elsewhere classified

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