Trends in epidemiology of diabetes mellitus in Greece. Review of the major epidemiological studies

Abstract

Objective: A literature review of major publications was conducted to describe the epidemiology and trends over time of diabetes mellitus in Greece.Results: Although studies differ regarding methodology (self-reporting or data recording versus blood glucose measurements and OGTT), there is an increase in the prevalence of diabetes in the Greek population. In the Attica region, prevalence increased from 2,4% in 1974 to 9,5% (self-reporting studies) or 11,6% (blood glucose measurements and OGTT) in 2006. Regarding rural population, where prevalence was almost negligible (1,5%) during 1988-1993, there was a dramatic increase (approximately 11,7% during 2003-2005), to become equal to urban population. This change is similar to the trends worldwide. The cause of this increase is lifestyle change, with a consequent decrease in the physical activity, junk food, and obesity. Prevalence is higher in lower socioeconomic status. Intervention is important to decrease diabetes incidence by modifying modern lifestyle.

Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiometabolic Risk Parameters in Evros

“…The present study is the most recent attempt to record the prevalence of DM T2 and the cardiometabolic risk parameters in the Greek population. The results confirm the raising trend in the prevalence of DM T2 as well as of obesity and the related metabolic disturbances that characterize the MetS and, also, are in agreement with the predictions of IDF for the rapid increase in the incidence of DM T2 worldwide [1][2][3][4] .…”

“…The studies for the prevalence of DM T2 in Greece, belong to two different categories: a) self -reporting, in which an individual answers the question whether he/she is suffering from DM ,or medical record reviewing, and b) blood glucose measurement and the performance of OGTT. It is obvious that the studies of the second category are more sensitive, revealing cases of undiagnosed DM and Prediabetes, and the estimated prevalence is expected to be higher 1 .…”

“…Σαραντούλα Βεντούρη 1,2 , Νικόλαος Παπάνας 2 , Στυλιανός Τίγκας 1 , Χρήστος Ναλμπάντης 3 , Ευστράτιος Μαλτέζος 2 , Αγαθοκλής Τσατσούλης Αποτελέσματα: Στον πληθυσμό της μελέτης 29,6% των ατόμων είχαν ΣΔ Τ2 και 10.9% είχαν Προδιαβήτη. Παχυσαρκία: Δείκτη Μάζας Σώματος (Δ.Μ.Σ)≥ 30kg/m2 είχε το 52,5%, υπέρβαρα: Δ.Μ.Σ 25-30kg/m2 ήταν 3,3% και φυσιολογικά/λιποβαρή: Δ.Μ.Σ < 25kg/m2 ήταν 14,2% των ατόμων.…”

“…The increase in the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes (DM T2) and related metabolic disorders is a major public health problem. Although epidemiological studies in Greece differ with regard to methodology self-reporting of known DM T2 or data recording from medical notes vs blood glucose measurements and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), there is an increase in the prevalence of DM T2 in the Greek population as well as globally, with a parallel increase in the prevalence of obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), due to the current lifestyle [1][2][3][4] .…”