Episode 86: Regional Studies in the Country

(Baonghean) - Over two years (2002-2003), with the assistance of WHO (World Health Organization) experts in research design, sample selection, and data processing, the Ministry of Health conducted a national-level research project investigating the prevalence of diabetes and risk factors throughout Vietnam. This survey was conducted across four ecological regions (highlands; midlands; coastal plains; and urban and industrial zones), with approximately equal sample sizes. The results of the analysis and conclusions are detailed in the following sections:

Part One: Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus, Impaired Glucose Tolerance, and Impaired Fasting Glucose Tolerance

● The prevalence of diabetes nationwide and in each ecological region is:

Nationwide: The prevalence of diabetes is 2.7%. Of this, the prevalence is 3.7% in women and 3.3% in men.

In mountainous regions, the prevalence of diabetes is 2.1% (highest at 3.2% and lowest at 1.5%).

Mid-mountain region: the prevalence of diabetes is 2.2% (highest at 3.6% and lowest at 1.8%);

Coastal plains: the prevalence of diabetes is 2.7% (highest at 4.0% and lowest at 2.4%);

Urban and industrial areas: the prevalence of diabetes is 4.4%;

The research results show that:

The prevalence of diabetes in urban and industrial areas (4.4%) is also approximately the same as the prevalence of diabetes surveyed in the inner city areas of Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City in 2001 (4%), with the same subjects and research methods.

The mountainous and Central Highlands regions, as well as the plains, coastal areas, and midland areas, have diabetes prevalence rates that are equivalent to or double the city's prevalence rate from 10 years ago.

In particular, the prevalence of diabetes among individuals with risk factors, aged 30-64 years, is quite high at 10.5%. The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance is 13.8%.

According to the classification of the International Diabetes Federation and WHO, Vietnam's diabetes prevalence rate falls into category two (2% - 4.99%), similar to other countries in the region (China, Thailand, Indonesia), and lower than category three countries (5% - 7.99%), including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia.

● The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) nationwide and in the two regions is:

The national average is 7.3%.

Across the four regions, there were no significant differences: cities 6.5%; plains 7.0%; mountainous areas 7.1%; and midland areas 8.3%.

● The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose tolerance (IGC) is relatively low: mountainous areas 2.2%; plains 1.4%; midland areas 2.4%; and urban areas 1.8%. The national average is 1.9%.

Thus, according to this study, the ratio of blood glucose/non-blood glucose in Vietnam is 1/3 (compared to 1/2 abroad). This study uses the WHO standard (1998) with fasting blood glucose of 6.1 mmol/dl; if the IDF (American Diabetes Association) diagnostic standard of 5.6 mmol/dl were used, the rate of blood glucose would be much higher.

This research has given us a warning about the increasing incidence of diabetes in the near future. If timely intervention is not implemented, this will be an abnormal health issue that our government must pay attention to.

Doctor:Nguyen Van Hoan

(Director of Nghe An Endocrinology Hospital)