Diabetes Metab J.  2023 Sep;47(5):643-652. 10.4093/dmj.2023.0041.

Diabetes Mellitus in the Elderly Adults in Korea: Based on Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2019 to 2020

• Ko SH
• Han KD
• Park YM
• Yun JS
• Kim K
• Bae JH
• Kwon HS
• Kim NH

• KMID: 2546123
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2023.0041

Abstract

Background
We evaluated the prevalence and management of diabetes mellitus (DM) in elderly Korean patients based on data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).
Methods
A total of 3,068 adults aged 65 years and older (19.8% of total population) were analyzed using KNHANES from 2019 to 2020. Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control rates, and comorbidities were analyzed. Lifestyle behaviors and energy intake were also measured.
Results
The prevalence of DM and prediabetes was 29.6% and 50.5%, respectively. The awareness, treatment and control rates were 76.4%, 73.3%, and 28.3%, respectively. The control rate was 77.0% if A1C <7.5% criteria was used. The mean A1C value of individuals with known DM was 7.1%, and 14.5% of the known DM patients had A1C ≥8.0%. Abdominal obesity, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia were combined with DM in 63.9%, 71.7%, and 70.7%, respectively, and the rate of integrated management was 36.0% (A1C <7.5% criteria). A total of 40.1% of those with DM walked regularly. The percentage of energy intake from carbohydrates was higher in those with DM than in those without DM (P=0.044), while those of fat (P=0.003) and protein (P=0.025) were lower in those with DM than in those without DM in women.
Conclusion
In 2019 to 2020, three of 10 adults aged 65 years and older in Korea had DM, and approximately 70% of them had comorbidities. A strategy for more individualized comprehensive care for the elderly patients with DM is urgently needed.

Keyword

Awareness; Diabetes mellitus; Nutrition surveys; Prevalence; Therapeutics

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Prevalence of diabetes (A) and number of patients with diabetes (B) in aged 65 years and older in Korea, Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2012 to 2020.

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  Fig. 2. (A) Awareness, treatment rate, and control rate of patients with diabetes aged 65 years and older, Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2019 to 2020. (B) Distribution of percentage of patients with diabetes mellitus according to A1C category. aP value <0.005 for control rate, men vs. women.

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