Factors related to undiagnosed diabetes in Korean adults: a secondary data analysis

Abstract

Purpose: This study compared health behaviors and health-related clinical characteristics between individuals with normal glucose levels without diabetes and those with undiagnosed diabetes. Factors that were associated with undiagnosed diabetes were identified by sex. Methods: This was an observational study with a cross-sectional design based on data from the eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which used a stratified, multi-stage, cluster-sampling design to obtain a nationally representative sample. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to compute the odds ratios of health behaviors and clinical characteristics to identify risk factors for undiagnosed diabetes. Results: The overall prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes was 5.2% (weighted %, n = 700, p < .001). Among individuals with undiagnosed diabetes, 58.3% were men. Univariate logistic regression for undiagnosed diabetes identified sex, age, house income, educational level, and triglycerides as influencing factors. In multiple logistic regression by sex, the factors associated with undiagnosed diabetes in men were age, perceived health status, a diagnosis of angina, and triglycerides. Conclusion: Strategies should be targeted to improve health behaviors and clinical characteristics for those in specific age groups, men in bad perceived health status, women with high systolic blood pressure, and high triglycerides. Moreover, healthcare providers should understand the barriers to health behaviors and health-related quality of life to effectively deliver healthcare services.