Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases in 6 Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Findings From Wave 1 of the World Health Organization's Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE)

Abstract

In this paper, we examine patterns of self-reported diagnosis of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and prevalences of algorithm/measured test-based, undiagnosed, and untreated NCDs in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa. Nationally representative samples of older adults aged ≥50 years were analyzed from wave 1 of the World Health Organization's Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (2007-2010; n = 34,149). Analyses focused on 6 conditions: angina, arthritis, asthma, chronic lung disease, depression, and hypertension. Outcomes for these NCDs were: 1) self-reported disease, 2) algorithm/measured test-based disease, 3) undiagnosed disease, and 4) untreated disease. Algorithm/measured test-based prevalence of NCDs was much higher than self-reported prevalence in all 6 countries, indicating underestimation of NCD prevalence in low- and middle-income countries. Undiagnosed prevalence of NCDs was highest for hypertension, ranging from 19.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 18.1, 21.3) in India to 49.6% (95% CI: 46.2, 53.0) in South Africa. The proportion untreated among all diseases was highest for depression, ranging from 69.5% (95% CI: 57.1, 81.9) in South Africa to 93.2% (95% CI: 90.1, 95.7) in India. Higher levels of education and wealth significantly reduced the odds of an undiagnosed condition and untreated morbidity. A high prevalence of undiagnosed NCDs and an even higher proportion of untreated NCDs highlights the inadequacies in diagnosis and management of NCDs in local health-care systems.

Sedentary behaviour and sleep problems among 42,489 community‐dwelling adults in six low‐ and middle‐income countries

“…For angina, arthritis, asthma and chronic lung disease, the participant was considered to have the condition in the presence of self‐reported diagnosis and/or symptom‐based diagnosis using algorithms. Specifically, the validated Rose questionnaire was used for angina (Rose, ), and other previously validated symptom‐based algorithms were used for arthritis, asthma and chronic lung disease (Arokiasamy et al., ; Moussavi et al., ). Questions based on the World Mental Health Survey version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (Kessler & Ustun, ) were used for the endorsement of DSM‐IV depression in the last 12 months.…”

“…The selection of the control variables was based on past literature (Yang et al, 2017 (Rose, 1962), and other previously validated symptom-based algorithms were used for arthritis, asthma and chronic lung disease (Arokiasamy et al, 2017;Moussavi et al, 2007). Questions based on the World Mental Health Survey version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (Kessler & Ustun, 2004) were used for the endorsement of DSM-IV depression in the last 12 months.…”

Correlates of physical activity among depressed older people in six low‐income and middle‐income countries: A community‐based cross‐sectional study

“…For angina, arthritis, asthma, and COPD, the participant was considered to have the condition in the presence of self‐reported diagnosis and/or symptom‐based diagnosis using algorithms. Specifically, the validated Rose questionnaire was used for angina, and other previously validated symptom‐based algorithms were used for arthritis, asthma, and COPD (See ) …”

Health benefits of chocolate consumption with high concentration of cocoa incorporated from triterpenic acids, isolated from Mansoa Hirsuta DC.

“…The increasing incidence of chronic noncommunicable diseases associated with poor diet is increasing and worrying, especially the increase in overweight, obesity and their associated complications (Arokiasamy et al, 2017). Thus, a balanced diet and food additions that may aid in weight, BMO and waist circumference loss are essential for the maintenance of a body mass within the parameters of normality.…”

“…Chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCD) are now the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide (Zhou et al, 2018). Estimates indicate that this number is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, reaching 52 million deaths by 2030 (Arokiasamy et al, 2017).…”