Diabetes Prevalence in the U.S. Was 12% in 2012

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing. In this study, researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys to provide precise estimates of diabetes prevalence from 1988–1994 to 2011–2012. Frank diabetes was defined as known diagnosis of diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) level ≥6.5%, or fasting plasma glucose level ≥126 mg/dL. Prediabetes was defined as HbA_1c level of 5.7% to 6.4%, or fasting plasma glucose level of 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL.

The overall age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes increased from 9.8% in 1988–1994 to 12.4% in 2011–2012. Roughly one third of diabetes cases during each period were undiagnosed. The higher prevalence of diabetes in 2011–2012 was noted only among respondents cla…