Bengaluru, India November 17, 2025: Neuberg Anand Group has conducted an extensive analysis of diagnostic data spanning the past decade, including 10-year longitudinal insights from Neuberg Anand in Karnataka, and two years of consolidated data from the wider Neuberg network. The population studied is from health checks in a clinical lab and may not represent the general population.
The data that evaluates a trend comparing five years before and after the COVID-19 pandemic—challenges the widespread belief that diabetes rates have surged post-pandemic. Diabetes incidence within the tested population has remained largely unchanged and the perceived rise is likely driven by increased testing, not an actual spike in disease prevalence.
India had an estimated 89.8 million adults with diabetes in 2024, with a substantial burden of prediabetes and undiagnosed diabetes, underscoring the crucial role of testing in at-risk populations.
The analysis reveals notable demographic and clinical patterns:
- Gender Trends: Diabetes incidence remains higher in males, while prediabetes occurs at nearly equal rates in both genders. Prediabetes now accounts for approximately 23% of the tested population and has shown a steady rise over the years.
- Age-Linked Risk: Diabetes incidence increases sharply with age—18% in individuals aged 18–40, 48% in those 40–60 (2.5x higher), and 61% in individuals above 60 (3.5x higher).
The health impact is further highlighted by associated complications:
- Renal Risk: 23% of individuals with diabetes showed abnormal creatinine levels, indicating progression toward diabetic nephropathy.
- Cardiac Risk: Elevated triglycerides correlated strongly with higher HbA1c values, signalling a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Inflammatory Markers: Raised hsCRP levels were observed in both diabetic and prediabetic groups, reflecting chronic inflammation—a known precursor of ischemic cardiac events.
These findings point to the urgent need for targeted awareness campaigns, early and regular screening, and timely interventions, particularly in high-burden regions such as Karnataka and South India. Neuberg Diagnostics continues to advocate for evidence-based, population-level strategies to curb the rising impact of diabetes and prediabetes across the country.
As India continues to grapple with an increasing diabetes burden, these findings call for urgent action. The higher prevalence of diabetes among women in certain states suggests that gender-specific healthcare policies should be prioritized, especially in regions where women are disproportionately affected. On the other hand, regions with more balanced gender distributions could serve as models for others seeking to equalize diabetes care across genders. The data was analyzed by Dr. Prajwal A MD, Head of Department, Biochemistry, Neuberg Diagnostics along with the data science team.
“Diabetes remains one of the most significant public health concerns in India, and Karnataka’s longitudinal data gives us a unique window into the changing health profile of the state. The steady rise of prediabetes – particularly among working-age adults – is a warning signal. Our findings reinforce the need for workplace screening, community-led awareness, and proactive management to prevent the transition from prediabetes to diabetes,” said Dr. Sujay Prasad, Chief Medical Director at Neuberg Diagnostics.
As the nation observes World Diabetes Day, the findings from Neuberg Diagnostics provide a powerful reminder of the need for focused action in tackling diabetes, particularly in light of its growing prevalence among women in certain regions. With targeted strategies, India can make significant progress in addressing the diabetes epidemic and improving health outcomes across all demographics.