More than four in 10 diabetes cases undiagnosed: Study

A study appearing this week in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal suggests more than four in 10 diabetes cases globally are going undiagnosed.
 
The article, which involved researchers at Monash University, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, and the University of Washington, reports that 44.2% of diabetes cases in patients aged over 15 were undiagnosed around the world in 2023.
 
Of the 55.8% who were diagnosed, 91.4% were undergoing treatment although only 41.6% of them had optimal glycaemic concentrations.
 
The researchers used data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors study, as well as published and unpublished literature to estimate the percentage of people with undiagnosed diabetes.
 
They also reported on estimates of those who are diagnosed but untreated, or receiving treatment with suboptimal glycaemic concentrations, and treatment with optimal glycaemic concentrations.
 
According to the study, treatment was defined as ‘current use of insulin or other hypoglycaemic medication’. 
 
The researchers indicate that the rate of detection has improved but noted ‘substantial regional differences’.
 
The highest rates of diagnosis were recorded in North America, while the highest treatment rates were in high-income countries in Asia Pacific, and the most optimal glycaemic concentrations were found in southern Latin America. 
 
‘Despite improvements over the past two decades, underdiagnosis and suboptimal glycaemic management of diabetes remain major challenges globally, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries,’ the researchers write.
 
‘These findings highlight the urgent need for enhanced strategies and capacity building to improve the detection, treatment, and management of diabetes worldwide.
 
‘Targeted interventions to bolster healthcare systems’ capacity to effectively diagnose and manage diabetes could lead to better health outcomes and reduce the burden of this growing disease.’
 
According to the World Health Organization, around 830 million people worldwide have diabetes.
 
A separate study published earlier this year suggests there could be up to 35% more people living with diabetes in Australia than recorded on the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS).
 
The University of Sydney research team indicated there could be two million people in the country aged over 45 with the condition. Estimates based on the NDSS point to around 1.3 million Australians in this cohort are living with the disease.
 
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