Epidemiology and Management of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus comprises a group of metabolic disorders characterised by chronic hyperglycaemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Globally, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes continues to rise in parallel with urbanisation, ageing populations and shifts in dietary and physical activity patterns. Epidemiological surveillance reveals marked regional variation, with low- and middle-income countries experiencing the sharpest increases in both prevalence and health-care burden. Key drivers include obesity, genetic predisposition and social determinants such as socioeconomic status and built environment. Effective management encompasses early detection, glycaemic control through medication and lifestyle modification, and prevention or delay of complications. Multidisciplinary strategies integrate pharmacotherapy, individualised dietary and exercise programmes, patient education and community-based approaches. Advances in self-monitoring technologies and structured intervention models have demonstrated improvements in glycaemic targets and quality of life, while persistent challenges remain in ensuring equitable access to care and sustaining behavioural change at population level.

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Epidemiology and Management of Diabetes Mellitus publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in epidemiology and management of diabetes mellitus across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Glycaemic control: Maintenance of blood glucose levels within target ranges to prevent acute and chronic complications.

HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin): A laboratory measure reflecting average blood glucose concentration over the preceding two to three months.

Prediabetes: An intermediate metabolic state characterised by elevated blood glucose or HbA1c levels below the threshold for diabetes diagnosis.

Lifestyle intervention: Structured programmes combining dietary modification, physical activity and behavioural support to improve metabolic outcomes.

Community mobilisation: Organised, participatory engagement of local populations to identify, prioritise and address health challenges collectively.

Participatory Learning and Action (PLA): A cyclical group methodology that empowers communities to analyse health issues, plan strategies and implement solutions through sequential meetings.

References

1. Glycaemic control and avenues for improvement among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus from rural Sri Lanka – a retrospective cohort study. The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia (2023).
2. Individual patient-centered target-driven intervention to improve clinical outcomes of diabetes, health literacy, and self-care practices in Nepal: A randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Endocrinology (2023).
3. Community groups or mobile phone messaging to prevent and control type 2 diabetes and intermediate hyperglycaemia in Bangladesh (DMagic): a cluster-randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology (2019).