Type 2 diabetes on the increase in India

Type 2 diabetes on the increase in India
(Diabetes Epidemiology-December 25, 2003)

By Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS, senior medical writer - The urban areas of India are experiencing an alarming increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), according to a report in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.

A Ramachandran and colleagues at the Diabetes Research Centre and M.V. Hospital for Diabetes in Chennai, India, conducted surveys near Madras, India, in 1989, 1995, and 2000 to determine the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and IGT.

The investigators also performed multiple logistic regression analyses to identify risk factors associated with diabetes and IGT (Temporal changes in prevalence of type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance in urban southern India. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 2002;58(1):55-60).

Analysis revealed that type 2 diabetes and IGT increased significantly throughout the study period (p<0.001 for both trends). Diabetes increased by 40% between 1989 and 1995, and further grew by 16.4% between 1995 and 2000. Increases in IGT were especially prominent in people younger than 40 years.

Data from the 2000 survey indicated that waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio in women had increased significantly from earlier surveys. In contrast, no significant increases in body mass index (BMI) were found in either sex over the study period.

"The prevalence of type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is increasing in urban areas of developing countries, especially in India," concluded Ramachandran and coathors. "Increasing age and positive family history showed associations with diabetes."

The corresponding author for this study is A. Ramachandran, Diabetes Research Centre, 4 Main Rd, Royapuram 600 013, Chennai, India. E-mail: [email protected].

A search at www.NewsRx.net using the search term "diabetes epidemiology" yielded 47 articles in 10 specialized reports.

Key points reported in this study include:

* The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in India increased significantly between 1989 and 2000

* The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance in India increased significantly between 1989 and 2000, especially in people younger than 40 years

* Significant increases in waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio were seen in women in India between 1989 and 2000, although no significant increases in body mass index for men or women were noted over the same period This article was prepared by Diabetes Week editors from staff and other reports.

This story has been adapted from a news release issued by NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net