Prevalence and regional disparities of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus in Bangladesh: Results from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey data

Abstract

Background While undiagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) presents a substantial global concern, there is a dearth of research examining its prevalence and characteristics specifically within the regional context of Bangladesh. The study focused on assessing the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus in Bangladesh and examining regional disparities. Methods The study analyzed data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey conducted between 2017 and 2018. The analysis focused on 11,911 participants aged 18 and above. Prevalence rates of both diagnosed and undiagnosed DM were calculated across various demographic and regional factors. To understand the impact of socio-demographic and regional variables on diagnosed and undiagnosed DM, the study employed multinomial regression analysis. Results The study encompassed 11,911 participants with an average age of 39, of whom 57% were females. Among them, 333 individuals (2.8%) were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM), while 667 participants (5.6%) had undiagnosed DM. The prevalence of both diagnosed and undiagnosed DM was notably higher in elderly, hypertensive, overweight or obese, and rural residents. Regression analysis indicated that individuals aged 70 and above faced 2.14 times more likely of diagnosed diabetes compared to those aged 30-39 (RRR = 2.20; 95% CI = 1.35-3.58). Regarding residential regions, individuals from the city exhibited significantly higher prevalence rates for both diagnosed DM (RRR: 1.83; 95% CI = 1.31-2.57) and undiagnosed DM (RRR: 1.52; 95% CI = 1.18-1.95) compared to those from the rural of Bangladesh. Conclusion The high prevalence of undiagnosed DM in city areas suggests potential shortcomings in routine diabetes screening practices. Prioritizing screening, particularly for high-risk groups like older adults, individuals with elevated BMI, hypertension, and urban residents from the central region of the country, is crucial. These groups have elevated diabetes risk and face higher complications without timely detection and treatment. To address this issue, collaborative efforts among the Bangladeshi government, healthcare providers, and community organizations are imperative.