Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2008; 116(1): 69-70
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-985381
Short Communication

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in China

L. Xu 1 , X. Xie 1 , S. Wang 1 , Y. Wang 1 , J. B. Jonas 2
  • 1Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital University of Medical Science, Beijing, China
  • 2Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Clinical Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 16.04.2007 first decision 12.06.2007

accepted 23.07.2007

Publication Date:
31 October 2007 (online)

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in China.

Methods: The Beijing Eye Study 2006 is a population-based investigation including 3251 subjects aged 45+ years. Anthropometric measurements and blood biochemical analyses were performed for 2960 (91.0%) subjects.

Results: Defining diabetes mellitus as fasting glucose concentrations ≥7.0 mmol/L (detected in 227 subjects (prevalence rate: 7.67±0.49%)) or self-reported diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (154 subjects), 381 subjects were diabetic (prevalence rate: 12.87±0.62%). Within the diabetic group, 246 (64.6%) subjects were on diabetic diet or on additional anti-diabetic therapy, 205 (53.8%) subjects took oral anti-diabetic medication, and 44 (11.5%) subjects were on insulin therapy. Systemic complications due to diabetes mellitus were reported by 64 (16.8%) subjects. In multivariate analysis, diabetes mellitus was significantly associated with higher age, higher body mass index, higher systolic blood pressure, higher triglyceride concentrations, and lower high-density lipoprotein level. In addition, the diabetic subjects came significantly (P<0.001) more often from the urban region.

Conclusions: This prevalence figure translates into more than 30 million diabetic individuals in China. Compared with previous studies, it suggests an increasing diabetes prevalence.

References

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Correspondence

Prof. L. XuMD 
Prof. J.B. JonesMD 

Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology

17 Hougou Street

Chong Wen Men

100005 Beijing

China

Phone: +49/621/383 26 52

Fax: +49/621/383 38 03

Email: Jost.Jonas@augen.ma.uni-heidelberg.de