Changes in the prevalence, treatment, and management of diabetes in the United States
from 1999 to 2006 were studied using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey.
Data on 17,306 participants aged 20 years or more were analyzed. Glycemic, blood pressure,
and cholesterol targets were glycosylated hemoglobin less than 7.0%, blood pressure
less than 130/80 mm Hg, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol less than 100
mg/dL, respectively.
The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes was 6.5% from 1999 to 2002 and 7.8% from 2003
to 2006 (P < .05) and increased significantly in women, non-Hispanic whites, and obese
people. Although there were no significant changes in the pattern of antidiabetic
treatment, the age-adjusted percentage of people with diagnosed diabetes achieving
glycemic and LDL targets increased from 43.1% to 57.1% (P < .05) and from 36.1% to
46.5% (P < .05), respectively. Glycosylated hemoglobin decreased from 7.62% to 7.15%
during this period (P < .05). The age-adjusted percentage achieving all 3 targets
increased insignificantly from 7.0% to 12.2%.
The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes increased significantly from 1999 to 2006. The
proportion of people with diagnosed diabetes achieving glycemic and LDL targets also
increased. However, there is a need to achieve glycemic, blood pressure, and LDL targets
simultaneously.