Prevalence of Diabetes and Prediabetes in Peru: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACTIntroductionDiabetes mellitus (DM) and prediabetes represent significant public health challenges in Peru, with prevalence rates showing considerable variation in recent studies.ObjectiveConduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the updated prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in Peru.MethodologyAn exhaustive analysis of studies published in PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Scielo, and LILACS databases was conducted. Both national and subnational studies reporting prevalence rates of diabetes and prediabetes using different diagnostic methods and representative sampling techniques were included. Data were synthesized through meta-analysis, evaluating heterogeneity and trends over time and across regions.ResultsEight studies provided data on the prevalence of DM, while six studies reported on prediabetes. The meta-analysis calculated an overall prevalence of DM at 5.90% (95% CI: 3.98% - 8.17%) and prediabetes at 13.02% (95% CI: 6.31% - 21.68%). Both conditions showed increasing trends over time, with recent studies indicating prevalence rates as high as 10%. However, there was substantial variability in prediabetes rates, ranging from 3.62% to 24.5%.ConclusionsThe findings underscore the need for standardization in diagnostic methods and the implementation of more extensive and representative national studies. To mitigate the impact of these chronic conditions, public health policies should focus on early detection and prevention.