Shifting pattern of diabetes among the elderly in India: Evidence from the national sample survey organization's data, 2004–2014

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the pattern and trends in the prevalence of self-reported diabetes mellitus among the elderly in India, 2004–2014.Research Design and Methods: The required data were extracted from National Sample Survey Organization's (NSSO) 60th round in 2004 and 71st round in 2014. Self-reported morbidity information of elderly with reference period of 15 days before the survey has been used for the analyses. From NSSO 2004, a total of 35,569 elderly persons were included in the study, and from NSSO 2014, a total of 28,397 elderly persons were included in the study. Age- and sex-standardized prevalence rate was calculated to make valid comparisons across two time periods.Results: The prevalence of self-reported diabetes has increased more among elderly males than among elderly females during 2004–2014.The increase in prevalence percentage is more among young old than the rest. There is a clear-cut rural–urban differential in the burden of diabetes in India. The eastern and southern regions of India marked a higher prevalence as well as increase in diabetes prevalence than the rest of the nation. Those with diabetes are also likely to be burdened by the existence of other chronic conditions such as heart disease and hypertension when compared to persons without diabetes. This burden is higher for women.Conclusion: The prevalence of self-reported diabetes appears to have increased and is higher among males. The apparent rural–urban and regional variations can be attributed to urbanization-induced lifestyle changes, increasing access to screening and treatment and reporting bias.