Prevalence and determinants of hyperglycaemia among adults in Bangladesh: results from a population-based national survey

OBJECTIVES: With the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases in low-income and middle-income countries, biological risk factors, such as hyperglycaemia, are a major public health concern in Bangladesh. Hyperglycaemia is an excess of glucose in the bloodstream and is often associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nationally representative data of hyperglycaemia prevalence starting from age ≥18 years are currently unavailable for Bangladeshi adults. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinants of hyperglycaemia among adults in Bangladesh aged ≥18 years. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional, population-based study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Data for this analysis were collected in November to December 2015, from a population-based nationally representative sample of 1843 adults, aged ≥18 years, from both urban and rural areas of Bangladesh. Demographic information, capillary blood glucose, blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference and treatment history were recorded. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Hyperglycaemia was defined as a random capillary blood glucose level of ≥11.1 mmol/L (ie, in the diabetic range) or currently taking medication to control type 2 diabetes, based on self-report. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of hyperglycaemia was 5.5% (95% CI 4.5% to 6.6%) and was significantly higher among urban (9.8%, 95% CI 7.7% to 12.2%) than rural residents (2.8%, 95% CI 1.9% to 3.9%). The age-standardised prevalence of hyperglycaemia was 5.6% (95% CI 4.6% to 6.8%). Among both urban and rural residents, the associated determinants of hyperglycaemia included hypertension and abdominal obesity. About 5% of the total population self-reported have been previously diagnosed with type 2 diabetes; among these adults, over 25% were not taking medications to control their diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that about 1 in 20 Bangladeshi adults aged ≥18 years have hyperglycaemia. To control and prevent the development of type 2 diabetes, data from this study can be used to inform public health programming and provide descriptive information on surveillance of progress towards controlling diabetes in Bangladesh.