Monitoring Global Progress in Core Diabetes Control Metrics: Protocol for a Systematic Review of Prevalence (2015–2023)

Abstract

Background The Global Diabetes Compact is a WHO-sponsored initiative that aims to improve diabetes care and prevention, and to reduce the global burden of diabetes. This includes the goal of monitoring the progress and achievement of country-level diabetes metrics and targets. The objective of this systematic review is to examine population-based studies from 2015–2023 to determine the status of core diabetes control metrics: glycaemic (HbA1c), blood pressure and lipid control (low-density lipoprotein and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and statin use. This review will describe regional and country-level variation in attainment gaps concerning these indicators. Methods This review will follow the JBI methodological approach to systematic reviews of prevalence, and will be reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. We will include population-based observational studies, conducted in all geographic settings that report data on adult populations (≥18 years) with diagnosed Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, with no language restrictions. We will search the following databases: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and WHO Global Index Medicus. Using Covidence, two reviewers will independently screen titles and abstracts against eligibility criteria, review potentially relevant full-text articles, and extract data from eligible studies. A third reviewer will resolve any conflicts. Reviewers will use a standardised data extraction form to extract study population, methodological, and outcome data. Primary outcomes are levels of glycaemic, blood pressure, and lipid control, and statin use. Methodological quality of included studies will be assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal tool for studies reporting prevalence data. Extracted data will be synthesised using descriptive statistics and summarised narratively. Dissemination Findings will be used to inform global diabetes surveillance, prevention, and treatment initiatives. The completed review will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, and presented at national and international conferences. PROSPERO registration CRD42024505286 OSF https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/DZYJK