Diabetes: estimates of number of cases by NHS board
The Scottish Diabetes Survey probably provides the best single estimate of prevalence of diabetes for NHS Boards.
However, there is interest in comparing different sources of prevalence estimates. If such comparisons are made it is important to note the differences between the sources and the definitions used. Table 1 shows prevalence of diabetes by health board based on registers included in the QOF prevalences for 2006/07 published by ISD. Because cases on QOF registers are restricted to those over 17 years of age while the denominator is the combined list size, these are underestimates of the prevalence. The QOF figures also exclude gestational diabetes (diabetes in pregnancy). Figures from the 2007 Scottish Diabetes Survey are shown for comparison. Note that all figures are crude (rather than age-standardised), so will not take account of differences in population age structure between boards.
Table 1: Prevalence of diabetes by health board, based on cases included in nGMS (1) QOF diabetes registers (as at Feb 2007) and from the 2007 Scottish Diabetes Survey
| NHS board |
Total disease register size (2) |
Combined list size (3) |
Crude Prevalence |
Crude prevalence (%), 2007 Scottish Diabetes Survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ayrshire & Arran |
13,115 |
351,692 |
3.73 |
4.4 |
|
Borders |
3,843 |
102,784 |
3.74 |
4.2 |
|
Dumfries & Galloway |
5,958 |
146,991 |
4.05 |
4.6 |
|
Fife |
12,047 |
324,854 |
3.71 |
4.3 |
|
Forth Valley |
10,561 |
278,258 |
3.80 |
4.3 |
|
Grampian |
14,905 |
445,792 |
3.34 |
4.0 |
|
Greater Glasgow & Clyde |
42,717 |
1,255,740 |
3.40 |
4.1 |
|
Highland |
10,521 |
305,366 |
3.45 |
3.9 |
|
Lanarkshire |
20,404 |
548,560 |
3.72 |
4.3 |
|
Lothian |
21,892 |
677,599 |
3.23 |
3.7 |
|
Orkney |
321 |
9,054 |
3.55 |
4.2 |
|
Shetland (5) |
62 |
1,023 |
6.06 |
3.9 |
|
Tayside |
14,914 |
408,012 |
3.66 |
4.3 |
|
Western Isles |
197 |
5,718 |
3.45 |
3.9 |
|
Scotland |
171,457 |
4,861,443 |
3.53 |
4.1 |
Data source: ISD publication of QOF prevalences for 2006/07; Scottish Diabetes Survey 2007.
QOF figures are based on the QMAS database, as at 14th February 2007, plus notifications of adjustments from NHS Boards. For further information see the ISD Quality & Outcomes Framework pages.
Totals for some NHS Boards may still be subject to further small revisions in future. The QOF diabetes mellitus disease registers, on which prevalence figures are based, are for patients aged 17 and over.
(1) nGMS = new General Medical Services contract, section 17j of the Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2004.
(2) This is the number of patients recorded by practices as being on their disease registers for this condition.
(3) List size is the number of patients registered with practices.
(4) Prevalence = number of patients on the disease register for this condition, divided by list size, multiplied by 100.
(5) Prevalence estimates for this Board are relatively unstable, due to their being based on small number of patients.
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