A study from the Bloomberg School of Public Health revealed a rise in prevalence of diabetes over the past two decades. It was estimated that the total cases of confirmed diabetes increased from 5.5% in the time from 1988 to 1994 to 9.3% in the time from 2005 to 2010. This represents a nearly two fold increase in cases of diabetes since 1988.
The research team led by Elizabeth Selvin, M.D., an associate professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health, analyzed data collected through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). They concluded that, as of 2010, there are 21 million confirmed cases of diabetes among the U.S. adult population.
It has been suggested that the increase in obesity is chiefly responsible for the increase in cases of diabetes. The researchers performed a statistical analysis, which showed strong correlation between prevalence of diabetes and prevalence of obesity in the past two decades.
Selvin and her team also discovered notable differences in the prevalence of diabetes among different ethnic groups.
“There was a higher prevalence of diabetes, especially undiagnosed diabetes, in blacks and Mexican Americans compared to whites. Blacks have nearly double the prevalence of diabetes compared to whites,” Selvin wrote in an email to the News-Letter. “Furthermore, among persons with diagnosed diabetes, blacks and Mexican Americans have a higher prevalence of "poor control" of blood glucose levels.”
The prevalence of diabetes among white U.S. adults was estimated to be 8.6%, while those of non-Hispanic blacks and Mexicans were found to be 15.4% and 11.6%, respectively.
“There is a growing need to recognize the seriousness of the epidemic of diabetes,” Selvin explained. “Diabetes puts people at risk for heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, leg amputation and other complications. If we can prevent diabetes early, we can prevent these complications.”
On a positive note, the same study reported that there have been significant improvements in the screening and diagnosis of diabetes over the past two decades. In particular, the proportion of undiagnosed or undetected diabetes in the U.S. adult population decreased from 16% from 1988to 1994 to only 11% from 2005 to 2010. In addition, the US has seen improvements in diabetes management.
“Among persons with diagnosed diabetes, we saw important improvements in blood glucose control overall,” Selvin pointed out. “The prevalence of “good glucose control” increased from 51% to almost 60% over the two decades, likely reflecting a combination of diagnostic and screening practices and new medications for diabetes.”
However, more must be done to curb the diabetes epidemic in the United States. Based on the findings of the study, Selvin and her team provided a direction for future healthcare policy. “Because obesity is the main driver of the diabetes epidemic, tackling obesity using a comprehensive approach is going to be key. “
