Global Prevalence of Anemia Among Type 2 Diabetic Adult Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a common and often overlooked hematological change observed in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, there is no global survey or health registry that estimates the pooled prevalence of anemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the global pooled prevalence of anemia among adult patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: This study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO with the reference number (CRD42022327135), and the link provided (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022327135) display the published methodology. Previously published articles were searched in PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, WHO Global Index Medicus, African Journals Online, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Google from October 26 to November 09, 2022. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tool. Random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of anemia. The degree of heterogeneity among the included studies was assessed using I(2) statistics. Publication bias was detected using funnel plot symmetry analysis supplemented by Egger’s and Begg’s tests. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies with a total number of 19,118 participants were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of anemia among type 2 diabetic adult patients was 27.0% (95% CI: 24.0, 31.0, I(2) = 96.45%; P< 0.001). Geographical and time-based subgroup analysis showed that higher prevalence of anemia was observed in Africa region 28.0% (95% CI: 17.0, 39.0) and from 2015 to 2022, 28.0% (95% CI: 24.0, 33.0), respectively. CONCLUSION: Anemia is a moderate public health problem among adult patients with type 2 diabetes. Nearly one in four patients with type 2 diabetes develops anemia. Therefore, considering the negative impact of anemia, it is important to include anemia screening in the routine assessment of diabetes-related complications.