Non-Communicable Metabolic Diseases: A Comprehensive Overview in India

A large-scale survey conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revealed a considerably high prevalence of non-communicable metabolic diseases in many Indian states. The findings, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, highlight the increasing prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia in India and other South Asian countries.

Previous studies analyzing self-reported disease prevalence have estimated a high burden of these diseases in India, but they lacked robust diagnostic methodologies and comprehensive population representation. The ICMR study addressed these limitations by involving a representative sample of individuals aged 20 and above from both urban and rural regions across 28 states, two union territories, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

The overall prevalence of diabetes in India was estimated to be 11.4%, with a significantly higher prevalence in urban areas and among males compared to females. The prevalence of prediabetes and dysglycemia were estimated to be 15.3% and 26.6%, respectively.

Hypertension was found to be highly prevalent in India, with an overall prevalence of 35.5%. Similar to diabetes, urban areas and males had a higher prevalence of hypertension. Using the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association criteria, the prevalence of hypertension was nearly double (66.3%).

The study also estimated the prevalence of obesity and dyslipidemia. Generalized obesity, abdominal obesity, and dyslipidemia had an overall prevalence of 28.6%, 39.5%, and 81.2%, respectively. These diseases were significantly more prevalent in urban areas than in rural areas. Females showed a higher prevalence of generalized obesity than males.

The state-level prevalence of these diseases exhibited significant variations. The prevalence of diabetes ranged from 4.8% to 26.4%, with the highest prevalence in southern and northern India and lower prevalence in central and northeastern regions. In contrast, prediabetes had higher prevalence in central and northern India.

The prevalence of hypertension varied from 24.3% to 51.8%, with a higher prevalence in all regions except the central region. Generalized and abdominal obesity had higher prevalence in the southern, northern, and eastern regions.

Dyslipidemia showed wide inter-state and inter-regional variations. Hypertriglyceridemia and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were prevalent throughout the country, while hypercholesterolemia and high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were more prevalent in the northern region, Kerala, and Goa.

The study’s findings underscore the urgent need for state-specific policies and interventions to prevent the serious public health consequences of these non-communicable metabolic diseases in India.

Related posts:

India Raises Prices of Essential Medicines for Diabetes, Heart Disease, and More Affidea Partners with Reset Health to Launch Roczen: A Digital Platform for Personalized Obesity and Diabetes Management Affidea Partners with Reset Health to Launch Roczen: A Digital Platform for Personalized Obesity and Diabetes Management