Published in:
01-08-2016 | Article
Incidence, prevalence and mortality of type 2 diabetes requiring glucose-lowering treatment, and associated risks of cardiovascular complications: a nationwide study in Sweden, 2006–2013
Published in: Diabetologia | Issue 8/2016
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Aims/hypothesis
The global diabetes epidemic affects countries differently. We aimed to describe trends in the incidence and prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus requiring glucose-lowering treatment, together with associated life expectancy and risks of significant clinical complications.
Methods
Data on patients with type 2 diabetes who filled a prescription for any glucose-lowering drug (GLD) during the period 2006–2013 were extracted from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register, Cause of Death Register and Swedish National Patient Register.
Results
In 2013, the prevalence of GLD-treated type 2 diabetes was 4.4% (n = 352,436) and the incidence was 399 per 100,000 population (n = 30,620). During 2006–2013, the prevalence increased by 61% while the incidence remained relatively stable; the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD, 34% in 2013) and microvascular disease (16% in 2013) was also stable. Insulin use increased by 29% while sulfonylurea use declined by 55%. Compared with the general population, patients with type 2 diabetes had increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke and all-cause mortality, with age-standardised risks of ∼1.7-, 1.5- and 1.3-fold, respectively. These risks declined over time. Life-years lost due to diabetes was most pronounced at younger ages and improved in women over time from 2006 to 2013.
Conclusions/interpretation
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes requiring GLD treatment in Sweden increased substantially in recent years, while the incidence remained stable. Use of sulfonylurea declined while insulin use increased. The high prevalence of diabetes-related comorbidities, increased risk of complications and life-years lost highlights the need for optimised and new preventive strategies in patients with type 2 diabetes.