International study: Fear of results is a key reason for delayed diabetes screening in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: A recent study conducted by the International Diabetes Federation indicates that approximately 2.3 million adults in Saudi Arabia are living with undiagnosed diabetes — accounting for 44 percent of the 5.3 million adults in the Kingdom affected by the disease.

With a prevalence rate of 23.1 percent among adults, Saudi Arabia ranks among the top 10 countries globally for diabetes prevalence.

A survey of 351 adults in the Kingdom — part of a broader study spanning six countries — revealed a clear “optimism bias.”

Although 82 percent of participants acknowledged that screening for diabetes risk is worthwhile even when feeling healthy, only 18 percent believed they were personally at risk for Type 2 diabetes — despite the fact that every participant reported having at least two known risk factors.