Article Text
Abstract
Introduction The purpose of this study was to examine trends in the prevalence of diabetes (DM) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) between 2001 and 2009 years among Japanese population in Osaka, urban area in Japan.
Methods This study was a population-based study including 10 companies' employees and 1 community residents in Osaka, aged in 30–79 years, who underwent cardiovascular routine health examination at 2001–2003 (7186 participants), 2004–2006 (6908 participants) and 2007–2009 (7530 participants). We compared the prevalence of DM and DR among these three periods. DM was defined as HbA1c≥6.5% (Japan Diabetes Society's unit) or patients taking medication, and pre-DM was defined as HbA1c≥5.6% and HbA1c<6.5%. Fundus photographs were graded using modified Scott classification of diabetic change. DR was defined as 1 degree or greater of Scott classification or as significant retinal haemorrhage excluding hypertensive retinal haemorrhage and retinal vein thrombosis.
Results Age-adjusted prevalence of DM was also significantly increased from 2001 to 2003 (2.6%) to 2007–2009 (3.9%) in men and women (p for trend<0.01). The respective prevalence of pre-DM was also significantly increased from 3.9% to 8.7% (p for trend<0.001). The age-adjusted prevalence of DR was 13%–15% in men and 11%–13% in women, both of which showed no significant change from 2001–2003 to 2007–2009.
Conclusion A significant increase in the prevalence of DM and pre-DM implies the importance of prevention and early detection for DM and DR in urban Japanese populations.