Prevalence of Diabetes in
U.S. Unchanged During 1990s
Over 14% of U.S. adults are affected with
diabetes and impaired fasting glucose, but the
prevalence however, did not increase substantially
during the 1990s. That comes from the National
Health and Nutrition Examination surveys (NHANES).
Surveys of self-reported, previously diagnosed
diabetes have documented steady increases in
prevalence. The NHANES are the only nationally
representative surveys that examine both diagnosed
and undiagnosed diabetes.
Dr. C. C. Cowie, of the National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases in
Bethesda, Maryland, and colleagues summarize
the data from the NHANES 1999-2000 in the Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly report for September 5,
published by the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
NHANES 1999-2000 included interviews completed
by 4,880 individuals age 20 and above. Plasma
glucose values were obtained from 1734 subjects.
Estimated unadjusted 2.4%. The prevalence of
impaired fasting glucose, defined as fasting
plasma glucose to < 126 mg/dL, was 6.1%.
The overall prevalence of total diabetes had
not changed significantly from the 1988-1994
NHANES III, the report indicates. The ratio
of undiagnosed to total diabetes also remained
essentially the same.
The prevalence was 33.6% for individuals age
60 and above. According to the survey findings,
non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican Americans were
disproportionately affected compared with non-Hispanic
whites.
MMWR editors note that messages regarding lifestyle
modification and risk factor control "should
continue to be communicated through education
and outreach activities." Mor Mortal Wkly
Rep CDC Surveill Summ 2003;52:833-837.
