A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study to Assess the Prevalence of Undiagnosed Diabetes Mellitus in Vijayapura City

Background Undiagnosed diabetes mellitus (UDM), a chronic hyperglycemic disorder, presents a growing global health challenge with significant morbidity and mortality risks stemming from delayed diagnosis and subsequent complications. Limited awareness, slow disease progression, and healthcare system limitations contribute to a substantial proportion of UDM, particularly in India, where the high economic burden of managing diabetes complications underscores the need for accurate UDM estimation to inform effective public health policies. Objective The primary objective of this community-based cross-sectional epidemiological study was to ascertain the prevalence of UDM within the urban populace aged 35 years and above in Vijayapura, Karnataka, India. Methods Conducted from May 2023 to December 2024 in urban Vijayapura, a sample of 1195 participants, stratified equally across six randomly selected geographical units within the city, underwent screening for UDM. Results The study determined a 5.61% prevalence of UDM through the identification of 67 new cases of diabetes mellitus among the screened urban residents. Conclusion This prevalence highlights the imperative for targeted screening and public health education programs to address the burden of UDM in this urban population aged 35 years and above.