Prevalence of Prediabetes among US Adults: Trends and Underestimation

What is it about?

The study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to comprehensively examine the trends in prevalence and awareness of prediabetes among U.S. adults from 2005 to 2020. The study found that the prevalence of prediabetes based on the FPG/HbA1c definition increased from 32.1% in 2005-2006 to 39.6% in 2007-2008 and plateaued at 38.6% in 2017-March 2020. The study also found that the combination of FPG and HbA1c could detect the vast majority of total prediabetes cases based on the full American Diabetes Association definition. The FPG/HbA1c definition could be used as an acceptable alternative definition for surveillance of prediabetes when OGTT data were unavailable. The study had several limitations, including the fact that the glycemic levels were measured one time, which might lead to misclassification of prediabetes.

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Why is it important?

This study is important because it provides comprehensive and nationally representative data on the prevalence and awareness of prediabetes among U.S. adults. The study also evaluates the underestimation of prevalence according to various glycemic measures, highlighting the importance of using multiple measures to accurately assess prediabetes. The findings of the study can help inform public health policies and interventions aimed at preventing and controlling prediabetes and its associated complications. Key Takeaways: 1. The prevalence of prediabetes based on FPG/HbA1c definition increased from 32.1% in 2005-2006 to 39.6% in 2007-2008 and then plateaued to 38.6% in 2017-March 2020 without a significant linear or quadratic trend. 2. The age-adjusted prevalence of prediabetes defined by FPG/HbA1c/2-h PG definition increased from 37.8% in 2005-2006 to 44.6% in 2015-2016. 3. The FPG/HbA1c definition could be used as an acceptable alternative definition for surveillance of prediabetes.