Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes in South Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Carmen Pheiffer, Victoria Pillay- van Wyk, Eunice Turawa, Naomi Levitt, Andre P. Kengne and Debbie Bradshaw
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Carmen Pheiffer: Biomedical Research and Innovation Platform, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
Victoria Pillay- van Wyk: Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
Eunice Turawa: Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
Naomi Levitt: Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University of Cape Town, Observatory 7925, South Africa
Andre P. Kengne: Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa
Debbie Bradshaw: Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-15

Abstract: Synthesis of existing prevalence data using rigorous systematic review methods is considered an effective strategy to generate representative and robust prevalence figures to inform health planning and policy. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify, collate, and synthesise all studies reporting the prevalence of total and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2DM), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in South Africa. Four databases, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and African Index Medicus were searched for articles published between January 1997 and June 2020. A total of 1886 articles were identified, of which 11 were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence in individuals 25 years and older was 15.25% (11.07–19.95%) for T2DM, 9.59% (5.82–14.17%) for IGT, 3.55% (0.38–9.61%) for IFG, and 8.29% (4.97–12.34%) for newly diagnosed T2DM. Although our pooled estimate may be imprecise due to significant heterogeneity across studies with regard to population group, age, gender, setting, diagnostic test, and study design, we provide evidence that the burden of glucose intolerance in South Africa is high. These factors contribute to the paucity of representative T2DM prevalence data. There is a need for well-designed epidemiological studies that use best-practice and standardised methods to assess prevalence.

Keywords: prevalence; South Africa; type 2 diabetes mellitus; impaired glucose tolerance; impaired fasting glucose; newly diagnosed diabetes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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