Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes: a comparative analysis between Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic syndrome characterized by hyperglycemia and represents a significant public health issue. Between 2008 and 2010, DM accounted for 15.4% of SUS hospital costs, with its incidence increasing by 61.8% over a decade. Although Type 2 DM has good resolution in primary care, its prevalence is influenced by factors such as age, lifestyle, and access to healthcare. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of DM between the states of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Minas Gerais (MG) from 2009 to 2012. Analysis of DATASUS/TABNET data revealed that MG had a higher prevalence of DM and better primary care coverage compared to RJ. In RJ, data indicated underreporting, with low and irregular numbers of registered diabetics, especially between 2010 and 2011. MG, on the other hand, showed a higher number of healthcare teams and Basic Health Units (UBS), reflecting broader and more effective coverage. Despite both MG and RJ having DM prevalences below the national rate of 7%, MG had a rate of 2.2% and RJ only 1% in 2012, suggesting possible shortcomings in coverage and registration in RJ. The analysis showed that better primary care coverage in MG contributes to more accurate diabetic registries. Investing in primary care is crucial for improving quality of life, reducing the burden on the healthcare system, and the costs associated with DM complications.