Worldwide burden and trends of diabetes among people aged 70 years and older, 1990–2019: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Abstract Background Diabetes places a significant burden on personal and public health. However, a comprehensive assessment of the burden of diabetes in older adults is lacking. We aimed to estimate the global burden of diabetes and explore trends for the population aged ≥70 from 1990 to 2019. Methods Using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, the prevalence, mortality, and disability‐adjusted life‐years (DALYs) of diabetes among people aged ≥70 were estimated by sex and age group in 2019. We also assessed the epidemiological trend of diabetes from 1990 to 2019. Results In 2019, 110.1 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 101.2–119.4) people aged ≥70 years were living with diabetes (types 1 and 2 combined) with a global prevalence of 23.7% (21.8%–25.8%). Worldwide, 181.9 deaths (163.0–194.7) per 100,000 population and 4512.3 DALYs (3861.3–5264.2) per 100,000 population occurred due to diabetes. In 2019, minor sex‐related disparities in the burden of diabetes were identified among specific age and sex groups. From 1990 to 2019, the prevalence of diabetes increased by 39.7% (37.7%–41.7%), and the related mortality and DALY rates also increased (16.4% [9.43%–22.9%] and 22.3% [17.2%–27.0%], respectively). Conclusion and Relevance The global burden of diabetes in adults aged ≥70 has increased markedly from 1990 to 2019. As the population continues to age, there is an urgent need to combat the increasing disease burden.