Abstract
Introduction and Objective: Ethnicity plays a significant role in the prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes, yet no comprehensive studies have explored this in Australia. This study aims to systematically review and meta-analyze ethnic differences in the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in Australia.
Methods: In July-August 2024, a comprehensive search of cross-sectional and observational studies published between 2010 and 2024 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science was conducted. Studies that reported the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in adults from various ethnic groups in Australia were included, while those focused on pregnant women and individuals under 18 were excluded.
Results: Of 2,838 studies, 28 studies involving 1,137,925 participants were reviewed. In 46.2% of studies, diabetes diagnoses were based on self-reported data. The pooled weighted prevalence was 21.8% (95% CI: 20.60-23.01) for diabetes and 13.7% (CI: 10.42-17.02) for prediabetes. Oceanians or Pacific Islanders (36.5%, CI: 15.20-57.86) and Indigenous Australians (30.7%, CI: 23.90-37.49) had the highest pooled weighted prevalence of diabetes, while the lowest was in Caucasians (14.5%, CI: 13.03-16.01) and non-Indigenous Australians (18.6%, CI: 20.83-23.24). Significant heterogeneity (I2 = 99.9%, p< 0.05) was observed among studies.
Conclusion: Approximately one in five and one in six people in Australia had diabetes and prediabetes, respectively, but this varied significantly between ethnic groups. Diabetes prevalence was highest in Oceanians and Indigenous Australians but lowest in Caucasians. The substantial heterogeneity calls for a more comprehensive, population-based study to better understand these disparities and guide targeted public health interventions for at-risk ethnic groups
Methods: In July-August 2024, a comprehensive search of cross-sectional and observational studies published between 2010 and 2024 in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, and Web of Science was conducted. Studies that reported the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes in adults from various ethnic groups in Australia were included, while those focused on pregnant women and individuals under 18 were excluded.
Results: Of 2,838 studies, 28 studies involving 1,137,925 participants were reviewed. In 46.2% of studies, diabetes diagnoses were based on self-reported data. The pooled weighted prevalence was 21.8% (95% CI: 20.60-23.01) for diabetes and 13.7% (CI: 10.42-17.02) for prediabetes. Oceanians or Pacific Islanders (36.5%, CI: 15.20-57.86) and Indigenous Australians (30.7%, CI: 23.90-37.49) had the highest pooled weighted prevalence of diabetes, while the lowest was in Caucasians (14.5%, CI: 13.03-16.01) and non-Indigenous Australians (18.6%, CI: 20.83-23.24). Significant heterogeneity (I2 = 99.9%, p< 0.05) was observed among studies.
Conclusion: Approximately one in five and one in six people in Australia had diabetes and prediabetes, respectively, but this varied significantly between ethnic groups. Diabetes prevalence was highest in Oceanians and Indigenous Australians but lowest in Caucasians. The substantial heterogeneity calls for a more comprehensive, population-based study to better understand these disparities and guide targeted public health interventions for at-risk ethnic groups
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Diabetes |
| Volume | 74 |
| Issue number | Supp. 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2025 |
| Externally published | Yes |
