Prevalence of diabetes and intermediate hyperglycemia among adults from the first multinational study of noncommunicable diseases in six Central American countries: the Central America Diabetes Initiative (CAMDI).
OBJECTIVE
The increasing burdens of obesity and diabetes are two of the most prominent threats to the health of populations of developed and developing countries alike. The Central America Diabetes Initiative (CAMDI) is the first study to examine the prevalence of diabetes in Central America.


METHODS
The CAMDI survey was a cross-sectional survey based on a probabilistic sample of the noninstitutionalized population of five Central American populations conducted between 2003 and 2006. The total sample population was 10,822, of whom 7,234 (67%) underwent anthropometry measurement and a fasting blood glucose or 2-h oral glucose tolerance test.


RESULTS
The total prevalence of diabetes was 8.5%, but was higher in Belize (12.9%) and lower in Honduras (5.4%). Of the screened population, 18.6% had impaired glucose tolerance/impaired fasting glucose.


CONCLUSIONS
As this population ages, the prevalence of diabetes is likely to continue to rise in a dramatic and devastating manner. Preventive strategies must be quickly introduced.
Chronic Diseases, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, District of Columbia, USA. barceloa@paho.org
Alberto
A
Barcelo
Edward W
EW
Gregg
Robert B
RB
Gerzoff
Roy
R
Wong
Enrique
E
Perez Flores
Manuel
M
Ramirez-Zea
Elizabeth
E
Cafiero
Lesbia
L
Altamirano
Melanie
M
Ascencio Rivera
Gerardo
G
de Cosio
Martha Dinorah
MD
de Maza
Roberto
R
del Aguila
Englebert
E
Emanuel
Enrique
E
Gil
Ethan
E
Gough
Valerie
V
Jenkins
Patrícia
P
Orellana
Ruben
R
Palma
Ruben
R
Palomo
Martha
M
Pastora
Rodolfo
R
Peña
Elia
E
Pineda
Bismark
B
Rodriguez
Luis
L
Tacsan
Loraine
L
Thompson
Lucy
L
Villagra
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002489:Central America / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D038622:Internationality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult