Abstract

Objective: This research investigated recent changes in the prevalence and management status of diabetes mellitus among Korean adults.

Research design and methods: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), a nationwide survey examining the general health and nutrition status of the Korean people, has been conducted in 1998, 2001, and 2005. Using the first (year, 1998; n = 5,645), second (year, 2001; n = 4,154), and third (year, 2005; n = 4,628) KNHANES datasets, the present study estimated the prevalence of diabetes among Korean adults (≥30 years of age), the proportions of known cases of diabetes and the proportions of well-controlled cases of diabetes, as defined by either ADA (HbA1c, <7%) or IDF guidelines (HbA1c, <6.5%).

Results: In 2005, the prevalence of diabetes was estimated as 9.1% (about 2.58 million people; 10.2% of men, 7.9% of women), including 6.2% with known diabetes and 2.9% with newly diagnosed diabetes. The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose was 17.4% (about 4.94 million people). The proportion of known cases of diabetes drastically increased from 23.2% in 1998 to 41.2% in 2001 and 68.0% in 2005 (p<0.0001). Among known diabetic patients in 2005, 43.5% and 22.9% had HbA1c levels <7.0% and <6.5%, respectively.

Conclusions: Overall prevalence of diabetes in Korea has not changed significantly between 1998 and 2005. Physician diagnosis and treatment rates of diabetes have significantly improved during this period, but glycemic control was still poorer than in other developed countries.