Prevalence and Treatment of Diabetes in China, 2013-2018

Abstract

Importance: Recent data on prevalence, awareness, treatment, and risk factors of diabetes in China is necessary for interventional efforts. Objective: To estimate trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment, and risk factors of diabetes in China based on national data. Design, Setting, and Participants: Cross-sectional nationally representative survey data collected in adults aged 18 years or older in mainland China from 170287 participants in the 2013-2014 years and 173642 participants in the 2018-2019 years. Exposures: Fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1clevels were measured for all participants. A 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test was conducted for all participants without diagnosed diabetes. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes were diabetes and prediabetes defined according to American Diabetes Association criteria. Secondary outcomes were awareness, treatment, and control of diabetes and prevalence of risk factors. A hemoglobin A1clevel of less than 7.0% (53 mmol/mol) among treated patients with diabetes was considered adequate glycemic control. Results: In 2013, the median age was 55.8 years (IQR, 46.4-65.2 years) and the weighted proportion of women was 50.0%; in 2018, the median age was 51.3 years (IQR, 42.1-61.6 years), and the weighted proportion of women was 49.5%. The estimated prevalence of diabetes increased from 10.9% (95% CI, 10.4%-11.5%) in 2013 to 12.4% (95% CI, 11.8%-13.0%) in 2018 (P