Diabetes Trends in France (2021-2023): A Descriptive Study Based on the THIN Database
Author(s)
Cheikh Tamberou, Sr., MSc1, Arnaud Kpakpo, MSc1, Hugues Delamare, MD1, Simon Pilet, MSc1, Ilyes Mahammed Chikouche, MSc1, Safiatou Ouattara, MSc1, Elise Arnée, PharmD1, Stephane Honore, PharmD, PhD, HDR2, Romain Leguillon, PharmD2, Nemanja Milenkovic, MD2, Thierry Morvan, MD2, Nicolas Huiban, MSc1, Pascal Staccini, MD, PhD, HDR2.
1Clinityx by GERS DATA, Boulogne-Billancourt, France, 2Scientific and ethic comittee of THIN warehouse for CEGEDIM, Boulogne-Billancourt, France.
1Clinityx by GERS DATA, Boulogne-Billancourt, France, 2Scientific and ethic comittee of THIN warehouse for CEGEDIM, Boulogne-Billancourt, France.
OBJECTIVES: Diabetes is a major chronic metabolic disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and a burden for healthcare systems worldwide. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of diabetes in France between 2021 and 2023, describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients, and assess the evolution of HbA1c levels.
METHODS: Based on general practitioner data from the THIN (The Health Improvement Network), patients with at least one recorded diagnosis of diabetes between January 2021 to December 2023 in their medical history were included.
RESULTS: A total of 120627 patients with diabetes were identified in the THIN database. After extrapolation using a weighting factor based on age and sex according to the French population estimates, the estimated number of diabetic patients in France was 4144553, for an overall prevalence of 6.27% (7.46% in men and 5.14% in women). Diabetic patients had a mean age of 70 years (sd: ±12.4; median: 71) and a mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30.7 kg/m² (±6.3, median: 26.5). The Charlson Comorbidity Index indicated a high disease burden with a mean score of 4 (±2, median: 4). Overall, 68.4% of patients had at least one complication, mainly cardiovascular (64.6%), renal (11.5%), or ophthalmologic (9.9%). Glycemic control was evaluated in 17173 patients, with a mean HbA1c level decreasing from 7.2% (±1.25, median: 6.9) in 2021 to 7.0% (±1.1, median: 6.8) in 2023 (p < 0.001). Similarly, the proportion of patients with HbA1c ≤ 7% increased from 56.2% to 60.9% (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: This study updates the estimated prevalence of diabetes in France and comorbidities affecting these patients. A significant decrease in mean HbA1c values and an increased proportion of patients achieving target glycemic control (HbA1c ≤ 7%) were observed, possibly linked to improved disease management. Therapeutic goals should continue to be individualized based on each patient’s specific characteristics.
METHODS: Based on general practitioner data from the THIN (The Health Improvement Network), patients with at least one recorded diagnosis of diabetes between January 2021 to December 2023 in their medical history were included.
RESULTS: A total of 120627 patients with diabetes were identified in the THIN database. After extrapolation using a weighting factor based on age and sex according to the French population estimates, the estimated number of diabetic patients in France was 4144553, for an overall prevalence of 6.27% (7.46% in men and 5.14% in women). Diabetic patients had a mean age of 70 years (sd: ±12.4; median: 71) and a mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30.7 kg/m² (±6.3, median: 26.5). The Charlson Comorbidity Index indicated a high disease burden with a mean score of 4 (±2, median: 4). Overall, 68.4% of patients had at least one complication, mainly cardiovascular (64.6%), renal (11.5%), or ophthalmologic (9.9%). Glycemic control was evaluated in 17173 patients, with a mean HbA1c level decreasing from 7.2% (±1.25, median: 6.9) in 2021 to 7.0% (±1.1, median: 6.8) in 2023 (p < 0.001). Similarly, the proportion of patients with HbA1c ≤ 7% increased from 56.2% to 60.9% (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: This study updates the estimated prevalence of diabetes in France and comorbidities affecting these patients. A significant decrease in mean HbA1c values and an increased proportion of patients achieving target glycemic control (HbA1c ≤ 7%) were observed, possibly linked to improved disease management. Therapeutic goals should continue to be individualized based on each patient’s specific characteristics.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EPH62
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Real World Data & Information Systems
Disease
Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity), No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas