High prevalence of diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in urban Latin America: the CARMELA Study

Aims Cardiovascular risk is increased with glucose metabolism abnormalities. Prevalence data can support public health initiatives required to address this risk. The Cardiovascular Risk Factor Multiple Evaluation in Latin America (CARMELA) study was designed to estimate the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, impaired fasting glucose and related risk factors in seven urban Latin American populations. Methods CARMELA was a cross‐sectional, population‐based study of 11 550 adults 25–64 years of age. With a multi‐stage sample design of a probabilistic nature, approximately 1600 subjects were randomly selected in each city. Results Overall, the prevalence of diabetes was 7.0% (95% confidence intervals 6.5–7.6%). The prevalence of individuals with diabetes or impaired fasting glucose increased with increasing age. In the oldest age category, 55–64 years of age, prevalence of diabetes ranged from 9 to 22% and prevalence of impaired fasting glucose ranged from 3 to 6%. Only 16.3% of people with prior diagnosis of diabetes and who were receiving pharmacologic treatment, were in good glycaemic control (fasting glucose