Table 1.
Prevalence of diabetes mellitus across Latin America based on reports published from 2005 to 2020
| Author (reference) | Study period | Place (study name, if available) | Type of study | Sample characteristics | Glycemic criteria | Diabetes prevalence and other key findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | ||||||
| Olaiz-Fernandez, 2007 [33] | 1999–2000 | Mexico | National Health Survey - Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2000 (ENSA 2000)) |
N = 45,294 (52% women) Age ≥ 20 years |
Self-report and capillary fasting glucose levels ≥ 126 mg/dL or random ≥ 200 mg/dL |
Total prevalence: 7.5%, of which 77.3% was self-reported Men: 7.2% (5.5% self-reported) Women: 7.8% (6.2% self-reported) Increased with age urban: 8.1%; rural: 6.5% Inverse relationship to educational attainment and income Geographic differences > in the North and lower in the South |
| Meaney, 2007 [34] | 2001–2002 | Mexico (Factores de Riesgo en México –FRIMEX) | Volunteer sample recruited via mobile clinics near public places in Monterrey, Tijuana, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Puebla, and León |
N = 140,017 (58% women) Age ≥ 18 years |
Fasting blood glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL or random ≥ 200 mg/dL Self-report and medication intake |
Total prevalence of diabetes was 10.5%.. Prevalence by sex and self-reported diabetes was not reported. |
| Stoddard, 2011 [35] | 2002 | Mexico (Mexican Family Life Survey) |
Secondary analysis Stratified multi-stage sampling |
N = 19,577 (53% women) Age ≥ 20 years |
Self-report |
Prevalence of diabetes among indigenous participants was 6%, and among non-indigenous participants was 9%. Indigenous participants were 3 times more physically active and reported half of the prevalence of smoking than non-indigenous participants but lived in settings with more fragile infrastructure. |
| Secretaría de Salud de México, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública (INSP), 2006 [36] | 2006 | Mexico (National Health and Nutrition Survey - ENSANUT 2006) | Probabilistic, poly-stage, stratified and clustered sampling. | N = 1476 households (planned) (52.1% women) Age: all | Self-report and blood tests |
Prevalence (self-report): 7.0% Laboratory test results not available men: 6.5%, women: 7.3% Increased with age No information on urban-rural differences |
| Kumar, 2016 [37] | 2012 | Mexico (Mexican Health and Aging Study) |
Sub-analysis Cross-sectional data from the 2012 cohort. Participants recruited in four Mexican states with different urban/rural concentration, U.S.-Mexico migration patterns and diabetes prevalence |
N = 2012 (sex breakdown not reported) Age ≥ 50 years |
Self-report and HbA1c ≥ 6.5% |
Prevalence of self-reported diabetes: 21.4% S Undiagnosed diabetes: 18%. Participants living in a high US migration state had decreased odds of prediabetes and undiagnosed diabetes. |
|
Secretaría de Salud de México, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública (INSP), 2012 [38] |
2012 | Mexico [Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (ENSANUT 2012)] | National Health and Nutrition Survey Stratified probabilistic sampling | N = 46,303 (52.7% women) age ≥ 20 years | Self-report and blood tests |
Prevalence (self-report): 9.2% (blood test results not available) Men: 8.6% Women: 9.7% Increased with age Urban |
| Bello-Chavolla, 2016 [39] | 1993–2012 | Mexico | Review of four cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Survey “ENSANUT” | NA | Self-report and detected during the examination |
Increasing total prevalence: 1993: 6.7%, 2000: 7.5%, 2006: 14.4%; incomplete data for 2012 In 2006: 7.1% self-reported, and 7.3% newly diagnosed In 2006, higher prevalence in urban areas (15.5%) compared with rural areas (10.3%) |
| Secretaría de Salud de México, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública (INSP), 2016 [40] | 2016 | Mexico [Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición de Medio Camino (ENSANUT-MC 2016)] |
National Health and Nutrition Survey Stratified probabilistic sampling |
N = 29,795 (51.1% women) all ages | Self-report and blood tests | Self-reported: 9.4% (blood tests not available) greater in women than in men. Regional variation. |
| Basto-Abreu, 2020 [41] | 2016 | Mexico (ENSANUT-MC 2016) | Secondary data analysis of 3700 participants with diabetes | N = 3700 (52.6% women) | Self-report and/or fasting blood glucose ≥126 mg/dL and HbA1c ≥ 6.5% |
Total prevalence = 13.7% Self-reported: 9.5%, undiagnosed: 4.1% |
| Central America | ||||||
|
Brenes-Camacho, 2007 [42] Brenes-Camacho, 2008 [43] |
2004–2006 | Costa Rica [Costa Rica: Estudio de Longevidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CRELES)] | Nationally representative sample |
N = 3000 (sex breakdown not reported) Age ≥ 60 years |
Self-report, intake of antihyperglycemic medications and/or fasting blood glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL and HbA1c ≥ 6.5% |
Total prevalence = 23.4% (women = 27.5%; men = 18.8%) Self-reported = 21%, Undiagnosed = 2.4% among those with diabetes: 95.7% participants had health insurance 61.2% were women 54% lived in the metropolitan capital city area |
| Wong-McClure, 2015 [44] | 2010 | Costa Rica (Costa Rican National Cardiovascular Risk Factors Surveillance System) | Probabilistic sampling | N = 3653 (men = 1023; women = 2630) Age ≥ 20 years |
Previously diagnosed = self-report, use of insulin, or hypoglycemic oral treatment in past 2 weeks. Unknown diabetes = no self- report with fasting blood glucose >125 mg/dL |
Total prevalence 10.8% (women = 11.9%; men = 9.5%) Self-reported = 9.5% Undiagnosed = 1.3% prevalence increased with age. Over 75% participants had less than high school education. |
| Orantes, 2011 [45] | 2009 | El Salvador (Nefrolempa Study) |
Assessment of risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) Communities represented in this study are mostly poor and primarily work in agriculture. |
N = 775 (men = 343; women = 432) Age ≥ 18 years |
Self-report or fasting blood glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL | Total prevalence = 10.3% |
| Orantes Navarro, 2015 [46] | 2009–2011 | El Salvador (Study related to the Nefrolempa Study) | Assessment of risk of CKD in women from low-income three agricultural communities |
N = 1412 all women Aged ≥18 years |
Self-report and fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL | Total prevalence = 9.3% |
| Ministerio de Salud de El Salvador, 2015 [47] | 2013–2014 | El Salvador (Encuesta Nacional de Enfermedades Crónicas No Transmisibles y Factores de Riesgo en la Población Adulta de El Salvador. ENECA-ELS 2015) |
National Survey Two-stage probabilistic sampling (STEPS) |
N = 4817 (56.4% women) Age ≥ 20 years |
Self-report and fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL |
Overall: 12.5% Men: 10.6%, women: 12.5% Prevalence increased with age and was higher in the metropolitan area (San Salvador). |
| Chen, 2017 [48] | 2012–2013 | Guatemala (Non-Communicable Disease Surveillance Study in Santiago de Atitlán) |
Indigenous populations Simple random sampling |
N = 350 (72.3% women) Age not specified | Self-report and fasting blood glucose |
Prevalence = 3% (1.3% previously known, 1.7% previously unknown) Despite high rates of poverty, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, there was a low rate of diabetes compared to other regions of the country. |
| Ministerio de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social de Guatemala, 2018 [49] | 2015 | Guatemala (Encuesta Nacional de Prevalencia de Enfermedades No Transmisibles y sus Factores De Riesgo Dominio I: Urbano Metropolitana) |
National Survey – Metropolitan Area only Random, stratified sampling (STEPS) |
N = 2036 (77.4% women) Age ≥ 18 years |
Self-report; fasting CBG ≥ 110 mg/dL |
Self-reported prevalence = 11.3% Women: 9.5% diagnosed within last 12 years (total 12.5%) Men: 7% diagnosed within last 12 years (9.9% total) |
| Bream, 2018 [50] | 2018 | Guatemala |
Geographic-randomized Focus on indigenous populations in the rural highland region of Atitlán. |
N = 400 (69.1% women) Age ≥ 18 years |
FBG > 7.0 mmol/L (≥ 126 mg/dL) HbA1c > 6.5% |
Total: 13.81% (women = 14.56%; men = 12.20%) Prevalence increased with age, but not BMI (kg/m2). |
| Montalván Sánchez, 2020 [51] | 2016–2017 | Honduras |
CVD burden in Copán First study on CV Risk Factors in Western Honduras Random volunteer-based, cross sectional descriptive study Attending both private and public medical institutions in the Department of Copán |
N = 384 (62% women) Age: 45–75 years |
Self-report and taking meds; fasting blood glucose >125 mg/dL |
Self-reported diabetes: women = 22.1% and men =19% (overall 21%) 6.7% with abnormal blood glucose without a previous diagnosis of diabetes. |
| Laux, 2012 [52] | 2007–2009 | Nicaragua |
Study on the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in one urban and five rural communities in Nicaragua Five communities in the northwest (Leon and Chinandega) and one community in central Nicaragua (Matagalpa) |
N = 1355 (56.5% women) Age: 20–60 years |
Self-report or glucosuria ≥ 100 mg/dL, uncontrolled diabetes solely diagnosed as glucosuria > 100 mg/dL |
Total prevalence = 3.0% (40/1355); 33 (82.5% women). Prevalence in persons with normal blood pressure = 1.6% Prevalence in persons with hypertension = 7.7% |
| Lebov, 2015 [53] | 2010–2011 | Nicaragua (León Health and Demographic Surveillance System) | Randomly selected 50 of 208 pre-defined geographical clusters | N = 3000 (57.6% women) Age: 18–70 years | Self-report and? |
Total prevalence = 7.2%; 5% of the total (69.4% of those with diabetes) reported previous history of diabetes. Most of the participants lived in poverty. |
| Ferguson, 2020 [54] | 2012–2014 | Nicaragua |
Study of CVRF in Southwestern Nicaragua Department of Rivas agricultural communities |
N = 1227 (533 households) (56.3% women) Age range 17.4–101.8 years |
Venous blood samples obtained, but unclear if blood glucose measurements used for assessment | Overall prevalence, based on self-report = 7% |
| McDonald Posso, 2013 [55] | 2010–2011 | Panama [Primera Encuesta de Factores de Riesgo de Enfermedad Cardiovascular (PREFREC)] |
Diabetes sub-analysis Single-stage, probabilistic and randomized sampling Provinces of Panama and Colon, 5 health regions and city of Panama |
N = 1074 men and 2516 women Age ≥ 18 years |
Self-report or FBG >126 mg/dL or HbA1c ≥ 6.5% (≥ 48 mmol/mol) |
7.3% self-reported having diabetes and 2.2% were not aware of having diabetes; hence the estimated prevalence was 9.5%. The age-adjusted rate for the 2012 Panamanian population was 7.7%. Non-adjusted prevalence: 10.3% in men and 9.1% in women. Prevalence increased with age. Highest prevalence among Afro-Panamanians (11.9%), and lowest among indigenous (5.4%). |
| Caribbean | ||||||
| Da Silva Coqueiro, 2010 [56] | 1999–2000 | Cuba |
Subsample of participants from Cuba in the National Survey of Health, Wellbeing, and Aging - Encuesta Nacional de Salud, Bienestar, y Envejecimiento (SABE) study Probabilistic sampling in Havana |
N = 1905 (62.8% women) Age ≥ 60 years | Self-report |
Total prevalence based on self-report = 14.8% Diabetes was not associated with overweight. |
| De Jesús Llibre, 2011 [57] | Two phases: 2003–2006 and 2007–2010 | Cuba (10/66 Study recruited in Havana City and Matanzas) |
Sub-sample analysis First-stage sampling five municipalities in Havana City Province and the city of Matanzas |
N = 2944 (64.7% women) Age ≥ 65 years | Self-report (history and medications) and fasting glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L |
Overall prevalence = 24.8% Prevalence in women = 27.5% Prevalence in men = 19.4% |
| Herrera-Valdés, 2008 [58] | 2004–2006 | Cuba [Community-Based Epidemiological Study of Chronic Kidney Disease, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension (ISYS)] |
“Isle of Youth Study” Focus on prevalence of obesity and its association with other conditions |
N = 14,322 (sex breakdown not reported) Age ≤ 60 years |
Self-report and laboratory tests |
Prevalence of diabetes in individuals aged ≤ 20 years: 1.3–9.5% for obese and 1.1% for non-obese Prevalence of diabetes in individuals aged ≥ 20 years: overall 4.7% in non-obese and 11.3% in obese persons. Prevalence ranged from 5.5 to 21%, by age group |
| Armas Rojas, 2008 [59] | 2006 | Cuba |
CV risk among older women in the Havana area Cross-sectional, catchment area served by the Mártires del Corynthia Polyclinic in Havana Single-stage clustering Family doctor and nurse offices selected randomly |
N = 3396 women Age ≥ 60 years |
Self-report and on treatment | Overall = 21.8% |
| Bonet-Gorbea, 2014 [60] | 2010–2011 | Cuba (III Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo y Actividades Preventivas de Enfermedades No Transmisibles. Cuba 2010–2011) |
National Health Survey Clustered, multi-stage, stratified |
N = 7928 persons, from 4150 households (50.3% women) Age ≥ 15 years |
Self-report and fasting blood glucose (≥ 7.0 mmol/L) |
Total prevalence: 10.0% (6.1% self-reported) Women: 12.9%, Men: 7.2% Urban: 11.1%, rural: 6.8%; Self-reported: 7.1% urban, and 3.0% rural Undiagnosed: 4.2% (4.3% urban, 3.9% rural) Prevalence based on skin color: “negra” (12.3%), “blanco” (10.2%) and “mulato” (8.6%) |
| Ministerio de Salud Pública de la República Dominicana, 2014 [61] | 2013 |
Dominican Republic (Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud - República Dominicana 2013) |
National Health Survey Nationally representative, probabilistic, clustered, stratified and two-stage. |
N = 39,564 (19,878 women) Age: women 15–49 years Age: men 15–59 years |
Self-report | Prevalence: 3.5% (4% women and 3% men self- reported diagnosis of diabetes)[ |
| Carrère, 2017 [62] | 2014 | Guadeloupe |
Cross-sectional multicenter study Persons undergoing a periodic health examination on invitation from the general social security fund of Guadeloupe (CGSS). |
N = 2252 (56.5% women) Age: 18–74 years | Self-report of antihyperglycemic treatment use, fasting blood glucose ≥ 7 mmol/L (≥ 126 mg/dL), HbA1c ≥ 6.5% |
Total prevalence: women 8.2%, men 5% Previously diagnosed: 6.7% in women, 3.3% in men. Higher prevalence among those with lower education. |
| Jean-Baptiste, 2006 [63] | 2002–2003 | Haiti (Prevalence of Diabetes and Hypertension in Haiti- PREDIAH) |
Population-based survey Two-stage cluster method; representative sample of Port-au-Prince, and six surrounding cities |
N = 1620 (331 men, 782 women) Age ≥ 20 years |
Casual Blood Glucose 80 mg/dL (4.4 mmol/L) Fasting blood glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L), and 2-h- post glucose load (OGTT) ≥ 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/dL) |
Age-standardized prevalence was 4.8% in men and 8.9% in women (77.3% men and 69.2% women known diabetes) Odds of diabetes were greater with age, abdominal obesity, hypertension, lower educational attainment, and higher income. |
| Burkhalter, 2014 [64] | 2012–2013 | Haiti | Single -enter, prospective study in Deschapelles; assessment of prevalence of CKD and associated risk factors |
N = 608 patients with full medical datasets (64.5% women) Age ≥ 18 years |
Binary data – physician answered yes/no |
Prevalence diabetes = 36.3% The authors explain that the high prevalence of diabetes may be due to selection bias. |
| Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Population, 2018 [65] | 2016–2017 | Haiti [Enquête Mortalité, Morbidité et Utilisation des Services (EMMUS-VI)] | Random sampling, two-stage, stratified | N = 14,371 women aged 15–49; 9795 men aged 15–64, 1142 women 50–64, and 2091 men 35–64 | Hemoglobin A1c > 6.5% |
In the 35–64 age group, the prevalence of diabetes based on HbA1c > 6.5% was: 14.1% in women and 8.2% in men. Previously informed of having “hyperglycemia”: 3% of women and 2% of men. Prevalence Urban (Women 17%, men 12%) Prevalence Rural (Women 11%, men 7%) Prevalence increased with “bien-être économique du menage”. Due to the high prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia, HbA1c may have been elevated. |
| Geiss, 2012 [66] | 1995–2010 | Puerto Rico [Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance Systems (BRFSS)] | Sub-analysis based on four cycles Random-digit-dialed telephone surveys of noninstitutionalized US civilian adults aged ≥18 years |
N = Not reported Age ≥ 18 years |
Self-reported only | Prevalence (age-adjusted for adults aged ≥18 years) 1995: 11.7%, 2000: 9.3%, 2005: 12.5%, and 2010: 12.7% |
| Pérez, 2015 [67] | 2005–2007 | Puerto Rico | Household survey in San Juan metropolitan area |
N = 857 (65.7% women) Age: 21–79 years |
Self-report and/or FPG ≥ 126 mg/dL and HbA1c ≥ 6.5% |
Age-standardized: total 25.5% (11.4% undiagnosed) 89% had health insurance; 67.2% with annual income < $20 K They compared prevalence using FPG alone or combination of FPG and HbA1c to detect undiagnosed diabetes. FPG + HbA1c yielded a higher percentage than either one alone. |
| Pickens, 2019 [68] | 2015 | Puerto Rico (2015 BRFSS) | As described above |
N = 3642 (sex breakdown not reported) Age ≥ 45 years |
Self-report only | Aged-adjusted prevalence in adults aged ≥ 45 years was 26.8% |
| Cruz, 2016 [69] | 2014 | Puerto Rico | Analysis of surgical cases from various hospitals in the San Juan metropolitan area |
N = 2603 surgical patients (56% women) Age: all |
Medical records | Prevalence = 21% but increased to 40% in patients aged ≥ 65 years. Statistically significant greater percent of complications and mortality for patients with diabetes. |
| South America | ||||||
| Ministerio de Salud de Argentina, 2011 [70] | 2009 | Argentina (2nda Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo para Enfermedades No Transmisibles) | Second National Survey on Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases- 4-stage, probabilistic, clustered sampling of 24 jurisdictions |
N = 34,732 (No sex breakdown) Age ≥ 18 years |
Self-report only |
Self-report of diabetes and/or elevated blood glucose = 9.6% (an increase from 8.4% in 2005). Prevalence of diabetes in women = 10.2%, and in men = 8.9%. Prevalence of diabetes increased with age and with lower educational attainment. |
| Ministerio de Salud de Argentina, 2015 [71] | 2013 | Argentina (3ra Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo para Enfermedades No Transmisibles) | Third National Survey on Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases 4-stage, probabilistic, clustered sampling | N = 32,365 (52.6% women) Age ≥ 18 years | Self-report only |
Prevalence = 9.8% with no sex differences Prevalence of diabetes increased with age. |
| Ministerio de Salud de Argentina, 2019 [72] | 2018 | Argentina (4ta Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo para Enfermedades No Transmisibles) |
Fourth National Survey on Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases 4-stage, probabilistic, clustered sampling |
Three steps sampling and exam: Step 2: 16,577 and for Step 3: 5331 (No sex breakdown) Age ≥ 18 years |
Self-report and fasting blood glucose (CBG ≥ 110 mg/dL) |
Prevalence: 12.7% based on self-report (women: 13.7%, men: 11.6%) In addition, 5% who did not report having diabetes had CBG ≥ 110 mg/dL. Diabetes prevalence increased with age, and with lower educational attainment. |
| Barceló, 2001 [73] | 1998 | Bolivia | Population-based survey of households in four urban areas: La Paz, El Alto, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba |
N = 2948 adults (1036 men; 1497 women) Age ≥ 20 years |
Fasting blood glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL and OGTT |
Total prevalence = 7.2% Greater prevalence among those with more limited education. Greater prevalence among Aymara-speaking participants. |
| Kaplan, 2017 [74] | 2014–2015 | Bolivia | Assessment of CAD in the Tsimane population of Bolivia (Maniqui River) |
N = 705 (sex breakdown not specified) Age ≥ 40 years |
Fasting blood glucose > 6.9 mmol/L | Prevalence was almost zero. Other CV assessments revealed low to negligible presence of CAC, and other CV risk factors. |
| Busch Mendes, 2011 [75] | 2003 | Brazil |
São Paulo Probabilistic sampling, two-stage |
N = 842 (406 men; 436 women) Age ≥ 60 years |
Self-report |
Prevalence: 26.31% (15.54% in men, 18.89% in women) Inverse relationship with educational attainment |
| Schmidt, 2014 [76] | 2008–2010 | Brazil [Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde do Adulto (ELSA- Brasil)] | Prospective cohort study of active or retired civil servants |
N = 15,102 (6685 men, 8217 women) Age: 35–74 years |
Self-report Fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL, 2 h-OGTT ≥ 200 mg/dL or HbA1c ≥ 6.5% |
Prevalence (by self-report or medication use): 19.7% Percent undiagnosed: 50.4% of the total Higher prevalence of diabetes among those with less than primary education, Asian, black, and indigenous participants. |
| Dal Fabbro, 2014 [77] | 2008–2012 | Brazil | Descriptive study on health of Xavante Indians from Mato Grosso | N = 948 (463 men; 485 women) Age ≥ 20 years | Capillary sample, although venous samples were obtained for other biomarkers; HbA1c | Total age-adjusted: 28.3% (18.4% in men, 40.6% in women) |
| Ministerio do Planejamento, Orçamento e Gestão, 2014 [78] | 2013 | Brazil (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde -PNS 2013) | Brazilian National Health Survey Random, clustered, three-stage sampling | N = 62,986 households (no sex breakdown) Age ≥ 18 years | Self-report; HbA1c was tested, but results not presented in this report |
Prevalence based on self-report = 6.2% (7.0% in women, 5.4% in men) Prevalence increased with age and with lower educational attainment. |
| de Oliveira, 2018 [79] | 2006–2016 |
Brazil [Surveillance Systems of Risk and Protection Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (Vigitel)] |
Secondary analysis National Telephone Survey Quantitative review |
N = 572,437 adults (sum of all years) (no sex breakdown) Age ≥ 18 years |
Self-report |
Prevalence (2016): 8.9% Increased from 5.5% in 2006 Higher prevalence among women, with lower income, and with lower education. |
| Ministério da Saúde do Brasil, 2019 [80] | 2018 | Brazil Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico (VIGITEL BRASIL 2018) |
National Telephone Survey Capital cities of each of the 26 states and the Federal District, land lines Random, stratified |
N = 52,395 19,039 men, 33,356 women Age ≥ 18 years |
Self-report only |
Prevalence self-reported: 7.7% (8.1% in women, 7.1% in men) Diabetes prevalence Increased with age. |
| Ministério da Saúde do Brasil, 2020 [81] | 2019 | Brazil Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico (VIGITEL BRASIL 2019) | National Telephone Survey |
N = 52,443 18,354 men, 34,089 women Age ≥ 18 years |
Self-report only | Prevalence self-reported: 7.4% (7.8% in women, 7.1% in men). Diabetes prevalence Increased with age. |
| Santos, 2001 [82] | 1997 | Chile | Aymara in Northern Chile living in rural areas in the highlands |
N = 196 (78 men, 118 women) Age ≥ 20 years |
Fasting blood glucose and 2 h- post glucose load (OGTT) | Prevalence of 1.3% in men and 1.7% in women |
| Carrasco, 2004 [83] | NR | Chile | Mapuche and Aymara living in four urban communities of Santiago and northern Chile; volunteers |
Mapuche (42 men, 105 women) Aymara (42 men, 118 women) Age ≥ 20 years |
Fasting blood glucose and 2-h post glucose load (OGTT) |
Assessed two indigenous groups, Aymara and Mapuche Prevalence among Aymara: 6.9% (2.4% in men, 8.5% in women) Prevalence among Mapuche: 8.2% (14.3% in men, 5.7% in women) |
| Cuevas, 2008 [84] | 1993–2001 | Chile |
Cross-sectional epidemiology study Only from urban sector La Florida in Santiago, Mid socioeconomic level |
N = 964 (336 men, 628 women) Age ≥ 18 years |
Fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL and/or self-reported diagnosis |
Total prevalence in 2001: 10.1% (10.7% women., 8.9% men) The total prevalence of diabetes in 1993 was 3.8%. |
| Ministerio de Salud de Chile, 2010 [85] | 2009–2010 | Chile (Encuesta Nacional de Salud, ENS Chile 2009–2010) | Random sampling of households (multi-stage and stratified), representative of the national, regional, and urban/rural zones, cross-sectional analysis | N = 5, 416 (59% women) Age ≥ 15 years | Self-report and FPG ≥ 126 mg/dL and HbA1c |
Total prevalence = 9.4% (8.4% in men, 10.4% in women) based on self-report and FPG. Diabetes prevalence increased with age and with lower educational attainment. Greatest prevalence in women of the lowest educational level |
| Ministerio de Salud de Chile, 2017 [86] | 2016–2017 | Chile (Encuesta Nacional de Salud, ENS Chile 2016–2017) | National random sampling of households (multi-stage and stratified), representative of the national, regional, and urban/rural zones, cross-sectional analysis | N = 6233 (62.9% women) Age ≥ 15 years | Self-report and FPG ≥ 126 mg/dL |
Total prevalence = 12.3% (10.6% in men, 14.0% in women) Diabetes prevalence increased with age (30.6% in persons aged ≥ 65 years) and with lower educational attainment (24.8% with < 8 years of education) |
| Rodríguez, 2009 [87] | 2007 |
Colombia [Encuesta Nacional de Salud (ENS)] |
National Health Survey Probabilistic, national representative including 41,543 households | N = 164,474 persons (52.5% women) Subsample of those in the 18–69-year age group had additional interviews and exams (glycemia) | Self-report |
Prevalence = 3.0% based on self-report, per Executive Summary |
| Camacho, 2020 [88] | 2005–2009 | Colombia [Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) Study] | Sub analysis of data from Colombia | N = 7485 (64.1% women) Age: 35–70 years | Self-report | Prevalence: 5.7% (6.0% in women, 5.1% in men) Greater prevalence with lower education |
| Profamilia, 2011 [89] | 2010 | Colombia [Encuesta Nacional de Demografía y Salud (ENDS 2010)] | National Health Survey Nationally-representative, in urban and rural settings, probabilistic, clustered, stratified and poly-staged. |
N = 17,574 No sex breakdown Age > 60 years |
Self-report | Prevalence only reported for adults aged ≥ 60 years Self-reported prevalence: 11.2% (12.2% urban, 8.3% rural; 12.8% in women and 9.0% in men) |
| Orces, 2018 [90] | 2010 | Ecuador [National Survey of Health, Wellbeing, and Aging - Encuesta Nacional de Salud, Bienestar, y Envejecimiento (SABE)] | Secondary data analysis Probability sampling in Andes Mountains and coastal regions, multi-stage sampling |
N = 2298 (1041 men, 1257 women) Age ≥ 60 years |
Self-report or FPG ≥ 126 mg/dL |
Prevalence = 16.7% Higher among women, blacks, urban coastal, and obese individuals. Higher in urban coastal areas. |
| Ministerio de Salud Pública de Ecuador [91] | 2012 | Ecuador [Encuesta de Salud y Nutrición del Ecuador (ENSANUT-ECU 2012)] |
National Health and Nutrition Survey Probabilistic, stratified, three-stage, and cluster sampling |
N = 15,916 (49% women) Age: 10–59 years | Self-report and FPG ≥ 126 mg/dL |
Overall prevalence = 2.7% Diabetes prevalence increased with age. No sex differences. Higher prevalence among Afro-Ecuadorian: 3.1% Higher prevalence in urban (3.2%) compared to rural (1.6%) areas. Prevalence was higher in persons from coastal than mountain regions. |
| Tufton, 2015 [92] | 2012 | Ecuador |
Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos Santa Cruz is the main island Diabetes screening program at the main local clinic |
N = 141 (59.6% women) Age ≥ 18 years | Medical history and fasting blood glucose > 126 mg/dL |
Prevalence based on self-report: 16.3% Undiagnosed: 11.3% who had fasting blood glucose > 126 mg/dL |
| Alexander, 2017 [93] | 2014 | Ecuador |
Isabela, Galápagos Secondary data analysis -source unknown |
N = 534 (67% women) Age ≥ 21 years | Fasting blood glucose, postprandial glucose |
Prevalence in persons aged ≥ 50 years: 24% Prevalence in persons aged < 50 years: 8% |
| Bonilla-Sierra, 2020 [94] | 2019 | Ecuador |
Loja, Ecuador 10th most populous town Patients attending health care centers of the Health Ministry of Ecuador or living in the geriatric center |
N = 283 (130 women) Age ≥ 60 years |
Self-report | Total prevalence = 28.27% |
| Chaves, 2015 [95] | 2006–2013 | Paraguay [Asunción, Modificación de Factores de Riesgo Cardiovascular – (AsuRiesgo)] |
Urban area of Asunción In-hospital and outpatient clinic patients, in waiting rooms invited to participate. Single-center, prospective study |
N = 18,287 (67.5% women) Ages ≥ 18 years | Self-report and fasting blood glucose | Overall Prevalence: 13.3% (14% in women, 11.8% in men) |
| Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social de Paraguay, 2012 [96] | 2010–2011 | Paraguay (Primera Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo de Enfermedades No Transmisibles en Población General) | First National Health Survey Probabilistic, three-stage sampling |
N = 2538 (49.4% women) Ages: 15–74 years |
Self-report | Overall: 9.7% (women 11.1%, men 7.9%) Increased with age |
| Segura-Vega, 2006 [97] | 2004 | Peru (TORNASOL I) | Cross-sectional, random sampling in 26 cities across the whole country | N = 14,826 (50.5% women) Age ≥ 18 years | Self-report |
Overall = 3.3% self-reported, with no lab assessment performed. Higher prevalence in men. Lower prevalence in the highlands. Prevalence increased with SES and having health insurance. |
| Ministerio de Salud de Perú, 2006 [98] | 2005 | Peru [Encuesta Nacional de Indicadores Nutricionales, Bioquímicos, Socioeconómicos y Culturales Relacionados con las Enfermedades Crónico Degenerativas (ENINBSC-ECNT 2005)] |
National Survey Stratified and clustered sampling |
N = 4206 (50.1% women) Age ≥ 20 years | Blood glucose ≥ 100 mg/dL with self-report, random ≥ 200 mg/dL with no previous history, or taking diabetes medications |
Previous diagnosis: 3.7% Unaware: 2.8% Higher prevalence in men and with increasing age. Higher diabetes prevalence in metropolitan area Lima (6%) and lowest in the Sierra Urbana (0.9%) |
| Miranda, 2011 [99] | 2007–2008 |
Peru (PERU MIGRANT) |
Cross-sectional survey of three population-based groups: rural, rural-urban migrants, and urban Single-stage random sampling |
N = 1706 (52.8% women) Age > 30 years | Fasting glucose, HbA1c | A gradient was reported for age-standardized prevalence of diabetes: 0.8% rural, 2.8% rural-to-urban migrants, and 6.3% urban. |
| Segura-Vega, 2013 [100] | 2010–2011 | Peru (TORNASOL II) |
Comparison with first wave Similar sampling and 26 cities |
N = 14, 675 (50.8% women) Age ≥ 18 years |
Self-report |
Diabetes prevalence: 4.4% Prevalence increased with socioeconomic status and having health insurance. |
| Seclen, 2015 [101] | 2010–2012 | Peru (PERUDIAB) | Random cluster sampling of urban and suburban areas |
N = 1677 (sex breakdown not reported) Age ≥ 25 years |
Self-report and fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL History of pharmacological treatment |
7.0% (National), 8.4% in Lima (7. 01% in men, 7.04% in women) Diabetes prevalence was higher in coastal (8%) than in highlands (4%), and significantly higher among those without formal education. |
| Bernabé-Ortiz, 2016 [102] | 2010–2011 | Peru (CRONICAS) | Single-stage random sampling | N = 3135 (48.5% men) Age ≥ 35 years | Fasting blood glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL or self-report and taking meds | Baseline prevalence was 7.1%; 121 new cases in mean 2.4 years. |
| Krishnadath, 2016 [103] | 2013 | Suriname (Suriname Health Study) | Stratified multistage cluster sample of households |
N = 3393 (48.5% men) Age: 15–65 years |
Fasting blood glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/L or self-reported diabetes medication use |
Prevalence: 13.0% Highest prevalence for Hindustanis (23.3%). Higher prevalence for lower income. Lower prevalence in rural areas. |
| Minderhoud, 2015 [104] | 2013–2014 | Suriname [The Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB)] |
Random clusters Survey; sub-analysis |
N = 2806 689 had diabetes (274 men, 415 women) Age > 50 years |
Previously diagnosed, receiving treatment, random blood glucose of ≥ 200 mg/dL |
Prevalence: 24.6% Highest prevalence for Hindustanis and urban dwellers |
| Ministerio de Salud Pública de Uruguay, 2007 [105] | 2006 | Uruguay (Primera Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo de Enfermedades Crónicas No Transmisibles - ENFRECNT) |
National Health Survey Multi-stage Cluster stratification Representative sampling of urban areas |
N = 2008 (1324 women) Age: 25–64 years |
Self-report; fasting blood glucose ≥ 110 mg/dL |
Total prevalence: 5.5% Men = 6.2%, Women = 4.7% No sex differences |
| Fort, 2012 [106] | 2008–2011 | Uruguay | CVRF assessment of national health insurance card applicants Cross-sectional, electronic records |
N = 74,420 patients (51% women) Age ≥ 15 years |
Self-report and/or fasting blood glucose > 125 mg/dL |
Prevalence in men: 2.4–20.2% (6.8%) Prevalence in women: 1.5–14.3% (6.1%) |
| Ministerio de Salud Pública de Uruguay, 2014 [107] | 2013 | Uruguay (Segunda Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo de Enfermedades No Transmisibles – ENFRENT) |
National Health Survey Representative sampling of urban areas Cluster stratification |
N = 3204 (1539 women) Age: 15–64 years |
Self-report and taking meds; fasting blood glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL |
Total prevalence: 6.0% (25–64, men 7.4%, women 7.8%; 55–64 = 16.8%) Undiagnosed: 50.2% Non-diagnosed and non-treated 66.3% men, 30.7% women, overall 48.9% |
| Nieto-Martínez, 2018 [108] | 2006–2010 | Venezuela [Venezuela Metabolic Syndrome, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (VEMSOLS)] | Multi-stage stratified random sampling Andes, Western and Capital District |
N = 1334 (men = 419, women = 915) Age ≥ 20 years |
Self-report and blood samples (plasma glucose) | Age-adjusted prevalence = 8.0% Higher among men |
| Multinational studies | ||||||
| Menéndez, 2005 [109] | 2000–2001 | Argentina, Cuba, Mexico, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil [National Survey of Health, Wellbeing, and Aging- Encuesta Nacional de Salud, Bienestar, y Envejecimiento (SABE)] |
Sub-analysis Multi-stage probabilistic sampling in capital cities |
N = 10,891 (58.9–65.7% women across sites) Age ≥ 60 years |
Self-report | Buenos Aires: 12.5%, São Paulo: 17.7%, Santiago: 13.3%, Mexico City: 21.9%, and Montevideo: 13.0% |
| Escobedo, 2009 [110] | 2003–2005 |
Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Ecuador, and Chile [Cardiovascular Risk Factor Multiple Evaluation in Latin America (CARMELA)] |
Cross-sectional, population-based, observational study. Equiprobabilistic sampling of households; only urban sites |
N = 11,550 (38.58–49.53% men across sites) Age: 25–64 years |
Fasting blood glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/L or self-reported diagnosis |
Prevalence of DM was 7% (range 4–9%) Weight adjusted: (Barquisimeto: 6.0%, Bogotá: 8.1%, Lima: 4.4%, Mexico City: 8.9%, Quito:5.9%, Santiago:7.2%) Generally higher in women, increasing prevalence with age. |
| Barceló, 2012 [111] | 2003–2006 |
Belize, Costa Rica El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua [Central America Diabetes Initiative (CAMDI)] |
Cross-sectional survey of six Central American Populations Probabilistic sampling; it included the entire population of Belize and samples from urban areas in the other countries. |
N = 10,822 (50.2% women) 7234 underwent anthropometry measurement and laboratory tests |
Self-report, fasting blood glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL, 2-h OGTT ≥200 mg/dL |
Belize: 12.9% (men: 8.3%, women: 17.6%) Costa Rica: 8.8% (men: 9.6%, women: 8.0%) El Salvador: 7.6% (men: 8.7%, women: 6.8%) Guatemala: 7.3% (men: 7.8%, women: 6.8%) Honduras: 5.4% (men: 5.5%, women: 5.4%) Nicaragua: 9.8% (men: 9.1%, women: 10.5%) Total prevalence across all sites: 8.5% 40% were undiagnosed. |
| Salas, 2016 [112] | 2003–2009 | Cuba Dominican Republic Puerto Rico Venezuela Peru Mexico (10/66 Dementia Research Group) |
Sub-analysis Population-based studies in 13 catchment areas in six Latin American countries: urban areas in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, and urban and rural areas in Peru and Mexico |
N = 17, 945 including sites in India, China and Nigeria Age ≥ 65 years |
Self-report and fasting blood glucose > 7 mmol/L BP and TG and TC were also assessed |
Self-report: Cuba: 18.3% (women > men) Dominican Republic: 14.0% (women > men) Peru Urban: 8.7% (men > women) Peru Rural: 10.3% (women> men) Venezuela: 16.2% (no difference) Mexico Urban: 24.9% (no difference) Mexico Rural: 19.2% (women > men) Puerto Rico: 32.2% (men > women) Undiagnosed: Cuba: 5.7% (men > women) Dominican Republic: 3.3% (women > men) Peru Urban: 3.3% (men > women) Venezuela: 4.9% (men > women) Mexico Urban: 2.5% (no difference) Mexico Rural: 4.8% (men > women) Puerto Rico: 11.6% (men > women) |
| Rubinstein, 2015 [113] | 2010–2011 | Argentina, Chile and Uruguay [Centro de Excelencia en Salud Cardiovascular para el Cono Sur I (CESCAS I)] |
4 small- to mid-size cities 4-stage stratified sampling |
N = 7524 men and women Age: 35–74 years |
Fasting blood glucose ≥ 110 mg/dL or taking medications for diabetes | Prevalence diabetes women 14%, men 9.4% (Marcos Paz 11.9%; Bariloche 8.4%, Temuco 14.3%; Barrios Blancos 14.2%) |
| Macincko, 2019 [114] | 2013–2014 | Brazil, Colombia El Salvador, Jamaica, Mexico, and Panama (Inter-American Development Bank’s International Primary Care Survey) |
Sub-analysis National sample adults, noninstitutionalized selected nationwide list of households and interviewed by phone (including mobile phones and landlines); 1500 interviews per country |
N = NR (sex breakdown not reported) Age ≥ 18 years |
Self-report |
19% had diabetes only. In addition to diabetes, six additional chronic conditions were assessed. 30.7% had one additional condition, 25.6% had 2 additional conditions, and 24.8% had 3 or more. |