Diabetes mellitus in Mexico. Status of the epidemic

Objective. To estimate the magnitude of diabetes in Mexico, as well as discuss alternative policies to face it appropriately. Materials and methods. Descriptive analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2012, using reported information on previous diagnosis of diabetes from adults and adolescents. Results. From all adults 20 years and older in Mexico, 9.17% has been diagnosed with diabetes, presenting an important geographical heterogeneity, ranging from 5.6% in the southern state of Chiapas, to 12.3% in Mexico City. Of all people with diabetes, 46.95% also have been diagnosed with hypertension, 4.47% has had a stroke, and 54.46%, reported family background of diabetes. Regarding adolescents, 0.68% has been already diagnosed with diabetes. Conclusions. The burden of diabetes in Mexico and the fact that is a preventable condition, calls to strengthen the health sector strategies to face it. The negative effect it has on the quality of life makes diabetes a priority for the health sector.