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The 2019 Diabetes Atlas delineated both accomplishments and challenges in diabetes care in Taiwan between 2005 and 2014. The series reported that Taiwan had significantly improved aspects of care quality for patients with diabetes. For example, the mortality rate decreased, the difference between the life expectancies of patients with diabetes and those of the general population decreased, and the rates of hospitalization because of heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, chronic kidney diseases, and unsatisfactory glycemic control decreased. However, despite these achievements, the 2019 Diabetes Atlas also reported some substantial challenges that have not been overcome. For example, the incidence of diabetes among women aged <19 years and 20-39 years increased by 27% and 33%, respectively. Furthermore, a high prevalence of macrovascular complications, a continuous increase in the dialysis prevalence rates among men with diabetes of all ages, and a low participation rate (<20%) of patients with diabetes in the pay-for-performance program were observed. The publication of the 2019 Diabetes Atlas is a milestone that demonstrates a strong will in medical societies to improve the quality of diabetes care. We expect this initiative can be reorganized every 5 years to report the results of continuous monitoring and surveillance and update the epidemiological features of diabetes in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We examined time trends in the prevalence of diabetes using nationally representative samples, with a focus on gender differences. Data were from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT), 1993–1996 (n =2700), and NAHSIT 2004–2008 (n =2258). Participants aged 19 years or older with adequate fasting glucose data were included. When needed, rates were standardized to the year 2000 WHO 5-year interval population for comparisons. The prevalence increased significantly in men, whose standardized rate increased from 4.6% to 9.3%. In women, the age standardized prevalence decreased slightly from 7.9% to 6.4%. High triglycerides (≥150mg/dL) was associated with diabetes with odds ratios (OR) of 2.14, and 2.69 (all with p <0.05) in the two surveys. High waist circumference (men≥90cm; women≥80cm) was also associated with diabetes with ORs of 2.52, and 1.93 (all with p <0.05). We recommend the development of innovative health promotion programs targeting not only the general population, but also high risk groups such as men, to further reduce diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]