nearly-50-of-indians-report-abnormal-blood-sugar-levels

India's health is at a critical juncture, with 50% experiencing glucose irregularities.

 

The country is experiencing a diabetes crisis, as numerous research studies signal a rise in its incidence nationwide.

 

A report from the diagnostic service provider Thyrocare found that 49.43 per cent of the tested population in India displayed abnormal blood glucose levels, with 27.18 per cent classified as diabetic and 22.25 per cent as prediabetic.

 

This study, which evaluated HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) test results from 1.96 million adults undergoing routine health checkups in 2023, is consistent with a prior report published in The Lancet journal, which noted that a quarter of adults living with diabetes globally in 2022 were in India.

 

These statistics indicate a growing prevalence of the condition, as another study by the Indian Council of Medical Research-India Diabetes estimated diabetes and prediabetes prevalence in India at 11.4 per cent and 15.3 per cent, respectively. 

 

The Thyrocare study also revealed concerning trends regarding age and gender disparities in the incidence of the disease. According to the research, the prevalence of diabetes was higher among males at 30.84 per cent, compared to 23.51 per cent among females in 2023.

 

This represents an increase from the findings of the National Family Health Survey-5 for 2019-2021, which recorded diabetes prevalence at 16.8 per cent for males and 15.4 per cent for females.

 

However, the prevalence of prediabetes appears to be relatively balanced by gender, with males at 21.56 per cent and females at 22.95 per cent, according to the Thyrocare report.

 

Data also indicated that the highest burden of diabetes was found in individuals aged 65 and older, with 44.92 per cent of the sample testing positive for the condition. This was followed by the 51-65 age group, where 41.85 per cent tested positive for diabetes.

 

The Thyrocare study reported concerning trends, revealing an increasing prevalence among the economically active age group of 36-65 years. Moreover, young adults aged between 18 and 35 years exhibit a higher prevalence of prediabetes compared to diabetes, suggesting a significant likelihood of developing the disease in the future.