Prediabetes Prevalence and Progression in the UAE: Insights for Early Intervention and Resource Optimization
Author(s)
Joao Carapinha, PhD1, Buthaina Bin Belaila, MD2, Marwa Khalil, MD2, Sarrah Barakat, MA3, Ashraf Refaat Mohamed Fatth, MA3, Rene Pretorius, Ph.D4.
1Researcher, Northeastern University, Anaheim, CA, USA, 2MoHaP, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 3Merck, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 4Syenza, Boston, MA, USA.
1Researcher, Northeastern University, Anaheim, CA, USA, 2MoHaP, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 3Merck, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 4Syenza, Boston, MA, USA.
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to quantify pre-diabetes prevalence and estimate progression rates to type 2 diabetes (T2DM) among high-risk adults screened at United Arab Emirates (UAE) government health clinics using cross-sectional and retrospective cohort analyses to inform early detection and intervention strategies.
METHODS: Descriptive analysis was performed on 150,573 unique patient records collected over a 9-month period from September 2023 through the National Prediabetes and Diabetes Screening Campaign. Participants underwent screening via a digital risk assessment questionnaire (18 variables encompassing demographics, health history, lifestyle, and clinical metrics), with individuals scoring >5 selected for HbA1c confirmatory testing. Pre-diabetics (HbA1c 5.7-6.4%) received lifestyle modification advice and were followed up for a first and second visit after initial screening. Descriptive statistics quantified prevalence by gender and age, while longitudinal data informed progression rate estimates to diabetes. Chi-square tests evaluated associations between gender-age categories and prevalence/progression outcomes.
RESULTS: Of the cohort, 56.8% were female. Pre-diabetes prevalence was 26.5%, and diabetes prevalence was 7.6%. A significant association between gender-age categories and pre-diabetes prevalence was observed (Chi-square=10480.32, p<0.001). Prevalence rose substantially from ages 20-29 (Male 15.3%, Female 12.5%) to 60-69 (Male 45.3%, Female 50.2%), with males exhibiting higher within-group rates from 20-49 years and females from 50-69 years. Among 39,982 pre-diabetic patients, 1% (n=399 individuals) progressed to diabetes over the study period. Progression rates were significantly associated with gender-age groups (Chi-square=61.12, p<0.001), though within-group gender differences per age group were not significant.
CONCLUSIONS: The 26.5% pre-diabetes prevalence with the 1% progression rate to T2DM, signifies a need to integrate HbA1c screening into primary care protocols prioritizing males aged 20-49 and females aged 50-69 with tailored 3 month follow up. These measures will play a pivotal role in shaping UAE national diabetes prevention frameworks and optimize resource distribution.
METHODS: Descriptive analysis was performed on 150,573 unique patient records collected over a 9-month period from September 2023 through the National Prediabetes and Diabetes Screening Campaign. Participants underwent screening via a digital risk assessment questionnaire (18 variables encompassing demographics, health history, lifestyle, and clinical metrics), with individuals scoring >5 selected for HbA1c confirmatory testing. Pre-diabetics (HbA1c 5.7-6.4%) received lifestyle modification advice and were followed up for a first and second visit after initial screening. Descriptive statistics quantified prevalence by gender and age, while longitudinal data informed progression rate estimates to diabetes. Chi-square tests evaluated associations between gender-age categories and prevalence/progression outcomes.
RESULTS: Of the cohort, 56.8% were female. Pre-diabetes prevalence was 26.5%, and diabetes prevalence was 7.6%. A significant association between gender-age categories and pre-diabetes prevalence was observed (Chi-square=10480.32, p<0.001). Prevalence rose substantially from ages 20-29 (Male 15.3%, Female 12.5%) to 60-69 (Male 45.3%, Female 50.2%), with males exhibiting higher within-group rates from 20-49 years and females from 50-69 years. Among 39,982 pre-diabetic patients, 1% (n=399 individuals) progressed to diabetes over the study period. Progression rates were significantly associated with gender-age groups (Chi-square=61.12, p<0.001), though within-group gender differences per age group were not significant.
CONCLUSIONS: The 26.5% pre-diabetes prevalence with the 1% progression rate to T2DM, signifies a need to integrate HbA1c screening into primary care protocols prioritizing males aged 20-49 and females aged 50-69 with tailored 3 month follow up. These measures will play a pivotal role in shaping UAE national diabetes prevention frameworks and optimize resource distribution.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EPH184
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Policy & Regulatory, Methodological & Statistical Research
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity)