Issue 172 Item 1 Prevalence of Diabetes in U.S. Unchanged During 1990s1

Serveys 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.

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FACT: An American Diabetes Association survey in 2002 found that 68 percent of people with diabetes were not aware of their increased risk of heart disease and stroke.