A new study published in the UK medical journal, The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology has revealed that in 2021 India had about 101 million people living with diabetes which is a 44 per cent increase over 2019 when India had 77 million people with diabetes

A new study published in the UK medical journal, The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology has revealed that in 2021 India had about 101 million people living with diabetes which is a 44 per cent increase over 2019 when India had 77 million people with diabetes.

The report also disclosed that 136 million people in India are living with prediabetes, while 315 million people have high blood pressure, 254 million had generalized obesity, and 351 million had abdominal obesity. Additionally, 213 million people had hypercholesterolaemia. 

The research conducted by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) and funded by ICMR has been published in the globally acclaimed medical journal, The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology. 

The cross-sectional, population-based survey of adults aged ≥20 years, sampled a total of 1,13,043 individuals (33,537 urban and 79,506 rural residents) in 31 States and Union Territories of the country using a stratified, multistage sampling design.

The finding of the study stated that the national average prevalence of diabetes in India is at 11.4 per cent with Goa leading the charts at 26.4 per cent of its population suffering from diabetes and with the lowest being Uttar Pradesh with 4.8 per cent of its population affected with diabetes.  

Whereas the national average for hypertension was pegged at 35.5 per cent of the Indian population with Punjab leading at 51.8 per cent. For obesity, the national average stood at 28.6 per cent with Puducherry leading at 53.3 per cent of its population suffering from obesity. 

The study found that urban regions had higher rates of all metabolic NCDs than rural areas, with the exception of prediabetes.

Dr R.M. Anjana, Managing Director, Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre (DMDSC) and President, of Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) commented “Compared to earlier estimates, India currently has a substantially greater prevalence of metabolic NCDs. In India, the diabetes epidemic is in transition, with some states having already reached their peak rates while others are just getting started. The study also demonstrates that despite the fact that all metabolic NCDs are more common in urban regions, rural areas have significantly greater prevalence rates than that reported previously.”

Dr V Mohan, Chairman, DMDSC and MDRF and senior author of the study added “With dedicated and commendable efforts by the members of MDRF, we have successfully been able to assess the rise in NCDs like obesity, Hypertension and Diabetes which definitely affects millions across the globe. Our study results have multiple implications for the planning and provision of health care in India. State governments in India, who are primarily in charge of providing healthcare in their respective regions, will be especially interested in the detailed state-level data on these NCDs as it will allow them to develop evidence-based interventions to successfully halt the progression of NCDs and manage their complications.”

Dr R.S.Dhaliwal, Scientist ‘G’ & Head, Non-communicable Disease Division, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Dr.Tanvir Kaur, Scientist ‘G’, NCD Division, ICMR expressed their delight and honour to have been part of this ICMR – INDIAB study which involved an extensive amount of time, effort and research in coming up with research breakthrough. Dr R.S.Dhaliwal, Scientist ‘G’ & Head, Non-communicable Disease Division, Indian Council of Medical Research states “It is quite evident from the study results that India has a substantial population at risk of cardiovascular disease and other long-term organ complications due to metabolic NCDs. “