Epidemiological characteristics of type 2 diabetes mellitus first identified in the Republic of Uzbekistan

Relevance. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains one of the leading medical and social problems in modern healthcare, characterized by a steady increase in prevalence, a high frequency of cardiovascular complications, and a significant economic burden. In recent years, more and more data indicate the clinical and pathogenetic heterogeneity of DM2, which casts doubt on its consideration as a homogeneous disease and justifies the need for more detailed epidemiological and phenotypic analysis.

The purpose of the study: assessment of the dynamics and age-related characteristics of type 2 diabetes mellitus first identified in the Republic of Uzbekistan in the period 2022–2024 against the background of the implementation of population screening, as well as determining the epidemiological context for the possible existence of various phenotypes of DM2.

Materials and methods. A retrospective descriptive epidemiological study was conducted based on aggregated data from official statistics on newly identified cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus in 2022–2024. The analysis was performed taking into account age (18–29, 30–59, ≥60 years), gender, and the region of residence. The proportion of age groups and morbidity rates per 100,000 population were calculated.

Results. In Uzbekistan, a steady increase in the prevalence and incidence of diabetes mellitus has been observed, especially pronounced after the introduction of screening since 2022. More than 60% of all new cases of AD2 annually occur in working-age individuals aged 30–59, indicaing a significant socio-economic burden. The proportion of patients ≥60 years old consistently increased (37.5% to 39.4%), reflecting the “aging” of the identified structure. Morbidity in the ≥60 age group exceeded the indicators of the 30–59 age group by more than 2.5 times and was characterized by pronounced regional variability. The proportion of young patients aged 18–29 remained low, however, during the observation period, a trend towards growth was noted, which indicates the «youthing» of DM2.

Conclusion. The identified age and regional characteristics of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes form the prerequisites for the existence of various population phenotypes of the disease in Uzbekistan and justify the need for further clinical and functional studies, taking into account modern phenotypic classifications.

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