Prevalence refers to the number of people currently diagnosed with diabetes.
Quality and Outcomes Framework
The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) was introduced in 2004 and provides financial incentives to general practices for the provision of high quality care. Participation by practices in the QOF is voluntary but most practices choose to participate.
As part of QOF, general practices will register the number of people with diabetes and therefore prevalence figures are available. These figures are published annually. When prevalence figures are applied to current populations an estimate of the number of people with diabetes can be calculated.
|
Country |
Prevalence |
Number of people |
| England |
5.1 per cent |
2,213,138 |
| Northern Ireland |
3.5 per cent |
65,066 |
| Scotland |
3.9 per cent |
209,886 |
| Wales |
4.6 per cent |
146,173 |
UK average = 4 per cent
Therefore the known diagnosed population is now 2.6 million people.
Note: The QOF figures that the prevalence is based on from 2009 onwards are for adults aged 17 plus only. So comparing this prevalence with previous years will not give a true estimate of increase.
For further information on the QOF data in the four nations please see the links on the right.
Population-based model for diabetes
The Yorkshire and Humber Public Health Observatory (YHPHO) have devised a population-based model for both diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes. The model has been commissioned by the Department of Health.
The PBS Phase 2 model includes estimates of diabetes prevalence for all sub-national areas and are adjusted for socio-economic deprivation. The model also has forecasts of 2010 that account for the anticipated ageing of the local population and national growth in prevalence of overweight and obesity. See: http://www.yhpho.org.uk/diabetes.aspx.