Prevalence of diabetes in three regions of Venezuela. The VEMSOLS study results.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of diabetes in multiple regions of Venezuela is unknown. To determine the prevalence of diabetes in five populations from three regions of Venezuela.

METHODS: During 2006-2010, 1334 subjects ≥20years were selected by multistage stratified random sampling from all households from 3 regions of Venezuela. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical analysis were obtained. Statistical methods were calculated using SPSS 20 software.

FINDINGS: Mean (SE) age was 44.8 years (0.39) and 68.5% were females. The prevalence of diabetes was 8.3% (95% CI, 6.9%-10.0%), higher in men than women (11.2% and 7.0% respectively; p=0.01). The prevalence adjusted by age and gender was 8.0% (95% CI, 6.9%-9.9%). This figure increased with age, with the lowest prevalence in the 20-29year old group (1.8% [95% CI, 0.6%-4.8%]) and the highest in the oldest group (26.8% [95% CI, 16.2%-40.5%]). Subjects with overweight or obesity had no increased risk of diabetes compared with those with normal weight. However, in women, the presence of abdominal obesity was associated with an increase of the risk of diabetes by 77% (OR 1.77 [95% CI, 1.1%-2.9%]). The prevalence of prediabetes was 14.6% (95% CI, 12.8%-16.7%), and only 48.2% were aware of their diabetes condition.

CONCLUSION: In this study, 8.3% of the subjects had diabetes and 14.6% prediabetes. Less than half of the subjects with diabetes were aware of their condition. These results point to a major public health problem, requiring the implementation of diabetes prevention programs.