Open AccessErroneous inflation of diabetes prevalence: Are there global implications?
Author(s) -
Taylor Richard,
Zimmet Paul,
Naseri Take,
Hufanga Sione,
Tukana Isimeli,
Magliano Dianna J.,
Lin Sophia,
Linhart Christine,
Morrell Stephen
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of diabetes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.949
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1753-0407
pISSN - 1753-0393
DOI - 10.1111/1753-0407.12447
Subject(s) - medicine , type 2 diabetes mellitus , diabetes mellitus , plasma glucose , demography , type 2 diabetes , glucose meter , endocrinology , sociology
Comparison of the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adults aged 25–64 years in selected Pacific Island countries using whole blood and plasma glucose cut‐off points. Unit records of STEPwise approach to Surveillance (STEPS) surveys obtained from Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga Ministries of Health; T2DM prevalence recalculated using whole blood and plasma cut‐off points. Shaded bars indicate T2DM prevalence based on correct glucose cut‐off points for the glucose meter used (fasting blood glucose [FBG] ≥6.1 mmol/L for early surveys 1,3,5 ; fasting plasma glucose [FPG] ≥7.0 mmol/L for later surveys), 2,4,6 whereas open bars show T2DM prevalence based on incorrect glucose cut‐off points (FPG ≥6.1 mmol/L for later surveys). 2,4,6Highlights Incorrect glucose cut-off points were applied to the Fiji 2011, Samoa 2013, and Tonga 2012 STEPS surveys. This doubled the actual T2DM prevalences compared to using the correct glucose cut-off points. The errors occurred due to modern glucose meters producing measurements in plasma‐equivalent concentrations from whole blood samples. The incorrect whole blood glucose cut‐off (≥6.1mmol/L) was applied instead of the correct plasma glucose cut‐off (≥7.0mmol/L). This error likely affects other Pacific states, and may have global ramifications.