Dear editor: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been the first cause of death in females and the second cause in males since 2003 in Mexicans aged 20 to 79.1A study from 1980 to 1999 showed that the age-standardized mortality rate of DM (ASMR) in Mexico increased dramatically parallel to rates of obesity.2In 2004, half of Mexicans had no health insurance and the Popular Health Insurance or “Seguro Popular” (SP) was introduced 3extending health insurance nationwide mainly for the poor. Among other diseases, SP covers free diagnostics, hospitalization and medical treatment for DM. By 2015, 57.1 million people in the country were enrolled in SP.4In this letter we report the annual percent change (APC) of DM’s ASMR from 1999 to 2014 in Mexicans aged 20 to 79 to determine whether the introduction of SP in 2004 has impacted DM mortality.
De-identified DM mortality and population growth data were obtained from official websites.5,6ASMR were calculated according to the World (WHO 2000-2025) Standard population7and joinpoint regression analysis8 was used to determine national trends of DM’s ASMR.
From 1999 to 2014 a total of 882 968 DM deaths were reported, all estimates shown in table I increased during this period. From 1999 to 2005 the crude rate and ASMR were higher in females than males but from 2006 to 2014 both were higher in males. From 1999 to 2005, the ASMR’s APC statistically increased in the whole sample, in females (3.3 and 2.5, respectively), and in males (3.9) from 1999 to 2006. However, a decreased trend was seen in females (APC:-0.9) from 2005-2014 with a diminished increase in males (APC: 0.8) from 2006 to 2014 (figure 1). This favorable trend in females and diminished increase in males after 2004 was likely associated with the introduction of SP and may be partially explained by the higher number of females enrolled in SP.4Other potential reasons for the favorable trend in females might include a better blood sugar control, compliance to healthy diet and/or DM treatment all of which deserves further investigation.
Table I Population, number of deaths, crude and age-standardized mortality rates for diabetes, overal by sex and year of death, ages 20 to 79 in Mexico 1999-2014
![](/img/revistas/spm/v59n4//0036-3634-spm-59-04-00494-gt1.gif)
* per 100 000 population, ASMR: age-standardized mortality rate
Source: Mexican Minister of Health, Consejo Nacional de Población (references 5 and 6 respectively)
![](/img/revistas/spm/v59n4//0036-3634-spm-59-04-00494-gf1.png)
Figure 1 Age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) of diabetes mellitus for the whole sample (A), for males (B) and for females (C). APC : annual percent change ^ is significantly diff erent from zero at alpha = 0.05
Unfortunately SP does not cover dialysis expenses in patients with renal failure secondary to DM nephropathy which is more frequent in males and a frequent cause of death. Mexico is among the countries with the highest prevalence of obesity and DM 9,10and even though lifestyle changes have been noted such as slight reduction of sugary drinks consumption,11more has to be done. Motivation for more male enrollment in SP, along with preventive and educational material on risk factors of obesity and DM should be reinforced at each SP consultation. These alone with adequate DM treatment and compliance will likely translate into ideal body weight and glycemic control resulting in a decrease of DM complications and mortality at a higher pace for females and promotion of a favorable trend for males. Future studies will determine the impact of SP on DM mortality in specific Mexican States.