title: Epidemiology of diabetes and complications among adults in the Republic of Ireland 1998-2015: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Accurate estimates of the burden of diabetes are essential for future planning and evaluation of services. In Ireland, there is no diabetes register and prevalence estimates vary. The aim of this review was to systematically identify and review studies reporting the prevalence of diabetes and complications among adults in Ireland between 1998 and 2015 and to examine trends in prevalence over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic literature search was carried out using PubMed and Embase. Diabetes prevalence estimates were pooled by random-effects meta-analysis. Poisson regression was carried out using data from four nationally representative studies to calculate prevalence rates of doctor diagnosed diabetes between 1998 and 2015 and was also used to assess whether the rate of doctor diagnosed diabetes changed over time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen studies (eight diabetes prevalence and seven complication prevalence) were eligible for inclusion. In adults aged 18 years and over, the national prevalence of doctor diagnosed diabetes significantly increased from 2.2 % in 1998 to 5.2 % in 2015 (p trend ≤ 0.001). The prevalence of diabetes complications ranged widely depending on study population and methodology used (6.5-25.2 % retinopathy; 3.2-32.0 % neuropathy; 2.5-5.2 % nephropathy).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Between 1998 and 2015, there was a significant increase in the prevalence of doctor diagnosed diabetes among adults in Ireland. Trends in microvascular and macrovascular complications prevalence could not be examined due to heterogeneity between studies and the limited availability of data. Reliable baseline data are needed to monitor improvements in care over time at a national level. A comprehensive national diabetes register is urgently needed in Ireland.
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, Cork, Republic of Ireland. m.treacy@ucc.ie.
authors: Marsha L
authors: ML
authors: Tracey
authors: Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Gilmartin
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, Cork, Republic of Ireland.
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: O'Neill
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, Cork, Republic of Ireland.
authors: Anthony P
authors: AP
authors: Fitzgerald
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, Cork, Republic of Ireland.
authors: Sheena M
authors: SM
authors: McHugh
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, Cork, Republic of Ireland.|Department of Public Health, Heath Service Executive (HSE) South, Cork, Republic of Ireland.
authors: Claire M
authors: CM
authors: Buckley
authors: Department of Endocrinology, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
authors: Ronan J
authors: RJ
authors: Canavan
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, Cork, Republic of Ireland.
authors: Patricia M
authors: PM
authors: Kearney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence