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Publication on risk factors of unknown diabetes
By determining the long-term blood glucose levels (HbA1c) of participants in nationwide RKI interview and examination surveys, it is possible to estimate the proportion of people with previously unknown diabetes in the population. In a recent article, factors associated with the presence of unknown diabetes are analysed.
In Germany, about 2% of 18- to 79-year-old adults are estimated to have previously unknown diabetes. This accounts for nearly a quarter of the total prevalence of diabetes. Identifying characteristics related to people with unknown diabetes is therefore of great importance in order to improve diabetes-related risk communication. Applying data from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1), this study found that among 40-79 year-olds male sex, younger age, residing in the western part of Germany, living alone and not having visited a doctor in the past year are factors particularly associated with unknown diabetes in comparison to known diabetes.
The full article entitled Factors associated with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes in Germany: results from German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults 2008-2011 can be found here.
Interactive visualizations of the prevalence of diabetes in total, as well as known and unknown diabetes can be found here.