ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing worldwide but the greatest increase is expected in developing countries including the Philippines. It is of public health concern to monitor countrywide prevalence of diabetes as it leads to significant cardiovascular-related mortality as well as significant complications such end stage renal disease, blindness, lower leg amputations and blindness.METHODOLOGY: This is a national survey to estimate the prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes using the criteria of the World Health Organization through a stratified multi-stage sampling design representing each of the 17 regions in the country.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The national prevalence of diabetes in the year 2008 was 7.2% (6.5-7.9); impaired glucose tolerance 7.0% (6.1-7.8) and impaired fasting glucose was 2.2% (2.2-3.1). There was a greater prevalence of individuals with diabetes in the urban areas at 8.5% (7.5-9.5) compared to the rural areas at 5.7% (4.6-6.8). Diabetes is slightly more preponderant among females at 7.4% (6.4-8.3) compared to males at 7.0% (6.1-8.0).CONCLUSION: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the Philippines is rising with the prevalence in 2008 at 7.2%. The prevalence of pre-diabetes exceeds that of diabetes mellitus at approximately 10.2%.