Burden of Diabetes and Prediabetes in Nepal: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Unhealthy behaviors, such as energy-dense food choices and a sedentary lifestyle, both of which are established risk factors for diabetes, are common and increasing among Nepalese adults. Previous studies have reported a wide variation in the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes in Nepal, and thus a more reliable pooled estimate is needed. Furthermore, Nepal underwent federalization in 2015, and the province-specific prevalence, which is necessary for the de novo provincial government to formulate local health policies, is lacking. This study aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the current literature on various aspects of diabetes in Nepal, i.e., the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes as well as of the awareness, treatment, and control of diabetes in Nepal.

This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched three electronic databases-PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science-using a comprehensive search strategy to identify eligible studies published up to April 2, 2020. Data on prevalence estimates of prediabetes and diabetes were extracted and pooled in a meta-analysis using a random effect model. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were conducted to assess heterogeneity across the studies. The quality of included studies was assessed using the New Castle-Ottawa scale.

We included 14 eligible studies that comprised a total of 44,129 participants and 3517 diabetes cases. Half of the included studies had good quality. Overall, the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes was 9.2% (95% CI 6.6-12.6%) and 8.5% (95% CI 6.9-10.4%), respectively. Among the participants with diabetes, only 52.7% (95% CI 41.7-63.4%) were aware of their diabetes status, and 45.3% (95% CI 31.6-59.8%) were taking antidiabetic medications. Nearly one-third of those under antidiabetic treatment (36.7%; 95% CI 21.3-53.3%) had their blood glucose under control. The prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes gradually increased with increasing age and was more prevalent among males and urban residents. There was a wide variation in diabetes prevalence across the provinces in Nepal, the lowest 2% in Province 6 to the highest 10% in Province 3 and Province 4.

The prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes was high in Nepal, while its awareness, treatment, and control were low. Our findings call for urgent nationwide public health action in Nepal.