The second phase of the Dubai Diabetes Survey has revealed that the total prevalence of diabetes amongst Emiratis in Dubai is 19 per cent, while the total of undiagnosed diabetes cases of Emiratis is 11 percent and the rate of those at the pre-diabetic Emiratis is 18.6 per cent. 

 

The results of the survey, which was conducted by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) in collaboration with the Dubai Statistics Center, were announced during a press conference held at the authority’s headquarters on Tuesday.

 

The survey was conducted on 5,000 residents (both nationals and expats) above the age of 18. The second phase results, revealed on Tuesday, show the full picture of the state of diabetes in Dubai by including the prevalence, undiagnosed cases and pre-diabetic cases. 

 

The first phase -  conducted in 2009 and 2011- only determined the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in Dubai and found that it was 11.6 per cent amongst nationals.

 

The survey also revealed that the prevalence of diabetes among expats in Dubai is 14.7 per cent and the total prevalence of diabetes in Dubai is 15.2 per cent. 

 

The second phase results also revealed that the percentage of undiagnosed diabetes among expats in Dubai is 11.3 per cent and the total percentage of undiagnosed diabetes in Dubai 11.3 per cent. 

 

Meanwhile, the total rate of those at the pre-diabetes stage (high risk of developing diabetes) among expats is 15.5 per cent and the total rate of those at the pre-diabetes stage is around 16 per cent.

 

Humaid Al Qutami, chairman of the board and director general of the DHA, said the UAE and Dubai in specific exert great effort to reduce the prevalence of diabetes to deter risks it has on the health of individuals and society of Dubai. 

 

He added that the authority has adopted many preventive and treatment programs that aim to fight diabetes, in addition to providing the best health services to diabetic patients through state-of-the-art services, the latest medications and quality healthcare. It also launches awareness campaigns to encourage the people of Dubai to adopt a healthy lifestyle in partnership with local organizations who share the same national goal of reducing the national prevalence of diabetes to 16.4 per cent by 2021. 

 

Dr Fatheya Al Awadi, chair of DHA Diabetes Committee and head of Endocrinology Department at Dubai Hospital, said the results are vital to establish an effective action plan that will help fulfill the UAE national strategy to reduce the prevalence of diabetes from 19 per cent (according to the IDF) to 16.4 per cent by 2021.  

 

“There is a need to establish a robust prevention program to help avoid pre-diabetes, this is crucial in avoiding health complications related to diabetes in Dubai hence reducing cost for individuals and the governments and achieving the DHA strategy towards a healthier and happier society.” 

 

Dr Fatheya also revealed during the conference that in addition to launching diabetes prevention programs, the authority is planning on establishing a Dubai Diabetes Risk calculator that will allow Dubai residents and nationals to find out how high of a risk they have to become diabetic.  

 

Dr Mohamed Hassanein, consultant endocrinologist, Dubai Hospital, said that the new statistics will also help target those who are at the pre-diabetes stage and tailor prevention programs that target high-risk groups and promote healthy lifestyle to those who are at low risk.

 

“Identifying the number of undiagnosed diabetes as well as the rate of those at risk of developing diabetes, is important because it allows for early management of those previously undiagnosed with diabetes,” he said.   - TradeArabia News Service