Prevalence of Diabetes and Associated Health Risk Factors among Adults in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Results from Dubai Household Survey 2019

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The health and social burdens of diabetes mellitus (DM) are steadily increasing worldwide, reflecting the impact of urbanization, industrial transitions, and shifting to nonhealthy, sedentary life patterns’, as well as the high sugar, low-fiber food consumptions. All these factors have contributed to the global increase in the prevalence of DM and metabolic disorders. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> The objective is to study the prevalence of DM among adult cohorts in Dubai and the extent of behavioral health risk factors associations. <b><i>Methodology:</i></b> A cross-sectional household health survey with multistage, stratified cluster random sample of 9,630 participants including 2,496 households was carried out in Dubai 2019. About 5,371 non-United Arab Emirates (UAE) national, 2,245 UAE-nationals, of different age-groups, gender, education, nationality, smoking, and marital status were included in the survey. The survey questionnaire was adapted from the one used in the World Bank’s Living Standards Measurement Surveys (LSMSs) and the WHO’s World Health Surveys (WHSs). Self-reported diabetes was considered as well as newly diagnosed diabetes based on HbA1C results. About 75 well-trained surveyors, 25 well-trained nurses, and other laboratory technicians conducted the survey. SPSS 21 and Stata 12 software was used for data management. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The data indicate that the prevalence of diabetes among Dubai Emiratis is much higher than Dubai expats (19.3 vs. 12.4% <i>p</i> = 0.000). The association between diabetes and age was evident regardless of nationality. Rates of diabetes were higher in males (15.4%) compared to females (11.8%) (<i>p</i> < 0.001). About 11.2% of those considered overweight have DM, while the prevalence is 21.5% in obese people (<i>p</i> = 0.000). Physical inactivity, smoking, and hypertension (HTN) were strongly associated with higher rates of DM. Regardless of nationality, lower levels of education were statistically significantly associated with the prevalence of DM (<i>p</i> = 0.000), while single marital status was associated with the lowest rate of DM. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Dubai household health survey 2019 indicated that the prevalence of DM among Dubai adults was still high as an overall estimation. Higher rates of diabetes were significantly associated with Emirati nationality, older age-groups, male gender, physical inactivity, high BMI, HTN, smoking<b>,</b> marital status of divorced, separated or divorced as well as low educational level groups.

A cross‐sectional study of the prevalence and clinical management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes across the Middle East and Africa (PACT‐MEA): Study design and rationale

“…While there are studies that have established the prevalence of T2D in the Middle East and Africa, [21][22][23][24][25][26] there is limited information on the prevalence of eASCVD or on high/very high ASCVD risk in patients with T2D in this region. 3,[27][28][29][30][31] The CAPTURE study estimated the prevalence of ASCVD among patients with T2D across 13 countries from five continents and showed that one in three adults with T2D have established CVD, of which 9/10 had ASCVD.…”

COVID-19 Case Management Outcomes Amongst Diabetes and Hypertensive Patients in the United Arab Emirates: A Prospective Study

“…According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) [ 58 ], the international prevalence of diabetes is 9.3%, whereas, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it reaches around 16.3% [ 59 ]. The prevalence of diabetes in the Northern Emirates of the UAE reached 25.1% among the UAE nationals and 19.1% among expatriates [ 60 , 61 ].…”

“…The prevalence of diabetes in the Northern Emirates of the UAE reached 25.1% among the UAE nationals and 19.1% among expatriates [ 60 , 61 ]. Al Awadi et al [ 59 ] reported a higher prevalence of diabetes among Emiratis at 19.3% compared to 12.4% among expats. Recent studies in the UAE showed the prevalence of diabetes among Emirati adult females to be 8.6%, while the prevalence of prediabetes reached 24% [ 62 ].…”

Development and validation of a novel 10-year cardiovascular risk prediction nomogram for the United Arab Emirates national population

“…1 The high prevalence of traditional CVD risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension (HTN) and obesity, among UAE nationals contributes significantly to this increased CVD risk. 2–4 Furthermore, chronic renal failure has also been shown to be an independent risk factor for CVD among UAE nationals. 5 …”

“…1 The high prevalence of traditional CVD risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension (HTN) and obesity, among UAE nationals contributes significantly to this increased CVD risk. [2][3][4] Furthermore, chronic renal failure has also been shown to be an independent risk factor for CVD among UAE nationals. 5 The burden of CVD can be reduced by early risk assessment and stratification; therefore, primary prevention is a top priority for health policymakers.…”