Physicians' Academy for Cardiovascular Education

Prevalence of diabetes among US adults increased significantly from 1999 to 2018

Trends in Prevalence of Diabetes and Control of Risk Factors in Diabetes Among US Adults, 1999-2018

Literature - Li Wang, Xiaoguang Li, Zhaoxin Wang et al. - JAMA. 2021 Jun 25;e219883. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.9883.

Introduction and methods

Information on the prevalence of diabetes and risk factor control in diabetes is of importance to improve prevention efforts. This study investigated the trends in the prevalence of diabetes and control of risk factors in diabetes in the US population between 1999-2000 and 2017-2018.

The study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a continuous, nationally representative survey of the noninstitutionalized civilian resident US population. Collected data in NHANES have been released in 2-year cycles. This study included data from 10 cycles between 1999-2000 and 2017-2018. Data from 28143 participants aged ≥18 years were included (49.3% men, 68.0% non-Hispanic White, 11.3% non-Hispanic Black, 8.0% Mexican American). Pregnant women were excluded. Self-reported diabetes (diagnosed by a physician or other healthcare professional) was defined as diagnosed diabetes. Fasting plasma glucose of ≥126 mg/dL or HbA1C of ≥6.5% among individuals without diagnosed diabetes was defined as undiagnosed diabetes.

Primary outcomes were prevalence of diabetes (both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes) and proportion of adults with diagnosed diabetes who achieved 3 risk factor control goals (individualized HbA1C targets, BP <130/80 mmHg, and LDL-c <100 mg/dL).

Main results

Conclusion

This study showed that the estimated age-standardized prevalence of diabetes among US adults increased significantly from 9.8% in 1999-2000 to 14.3% in 2017-2018. In 2015-2018, 21.2% of adults with diagnosed diabetes achieved all 3 risk factor control goals (individualized HbA1C targets, BP <130/80 mmHg, and LDL-c <100 mg/dL).

Find this article online at JAMA.

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