Dubai’s diabetes rates take a dip

415 million people were diagnosed with diabetes worldwide in 2015

dubai — Rates of diagnosed diabetes are dropping in Dubai due to an increase in the number of younger residents who are at a lower risk of developing the condition.

Results from a survey done in 2014 and announced on Wednesday show that prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in Dubai is 11.6 per cent down from 13.2 per cent in 2009. However, as population ages, they might move from low to high-risk categories, hence the need for preventive programmes.

A second phase of the Dubai Health Survey to be held in 2017 will show the true picture by studying rates of undiagnosed, borderline cases and those at risk of developing diabetes, said officials from Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

The survey conducted in coordination with the Dubai Statistics Centre shows a decrease as compared to the previous survey done in 2009 which found prevalence of diagnosed diabetes was 13.2 per cent. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates a rate of 19.3 per cent for the UAE which officials said may not be accurate.

The percentage of expats with diagnosed diabetes also decreased from six per cent in 2009 to 4.16 per cent in 2014. The survey was conducted on around 5,000 residents (both nationals and expats) above the age of 18. It was found that majority of those who suffer from diabetes are aged 60-69 (53.8 per cent), followed by those aged 50 to 65 (30.22 per cent).

The prevalence naturally decreases significantly among younger people as the survey found that the prevalence is 15.38 per cent among those aged 40-50; 3.57 per cent among those aged 30-40 years old and only 1.04 per cent among residents aged 20-30.

Humaid Al Qatami, chairman of the board and director-general of DHA said: “WHO estimates that 415 million people worldwide were diagnosed with diabetes in 2015 and this number is expected to increase to 642 million in 2040.”

Dr Fatheya Al Awadi, chair of DHA Diabetes Committee and head of endocrinology department at Dubai Hospital said the second phase of screening will be held in 2017 which will accurately identify the number of undiagnosed diabetes as well as the rate of those at risk of developing diabetes.

“Implementing the phase 2 screening is vital as it will allow for early management of those previously undiagnosed with diabetes, launch prevention programmes to the very high risk group and promote healthy lifestyle to those who are at low risk,” she said. “Once the sample is decided, blood tests will be done to indicate newly diagnosed diabetes, pre diabetes and low risk of diabetes,” she said.

Dr Fatheya said diabetes rate is decreasing due to the increasing child birth rate over the death rate in Dubai (as recent annual population growth has averaged 7.7 per cent and is considered among the highest population growth in the world). She said a vast majority— 64.3 per cent — of Dubai population is below the age of 35 making the group at a low risk of diabetes.

The survey also found that the percentage of expats with diagnosed diabetes decreased from six per cent in 2009 to 4.16 per cent in 2014. “This is because majority of expats who come to the UAE are working young males who are at a low risk of diabetes.”

Prevalence of diagnosed diabetes among Dubai residents, which is 11.6 per cent, is slightly higher than the Mena prevalence, which is 10.7 per cent. “This is due to lifestyle as those living in Mena countries like Tunisia and Jordan tend to have a more active lifestyle than those living in GCC countries.” According to IDF, there were over one million cases of diabetes in UAE in 2015.

Diabetes rate is decreasing due to the increasing child birth rate over the death rate in Dubai (population growth is considered among the highest in the world.). A vast majority of Dubai population is below the age of 35 making the group at a low risk of diabetes.