24,000 Irish people could have diabetes and not know it

24,000 Irish people could have undiagnosed diabetes, according to a new study.

Nearly 30,000 people took part in the research which found that 1.8% had undiagnosed diabetes and 10% had confirmed pre-diabetes.

The study, commissioned by VHI Healthcare, found that men were two to three times more likely to have abnormal blood sugar levels and undiagnosed diabetes.

Overall, 17% of participants had abnormal blood sugar. The study found that that those with abnormal blood sugar levels were significantly more likely to be:

• be older males

• be smokers

• have abdominal obesity, higher BMI and waist circumference

• have higher blood pressure

The study found that the risk of having undiagnosed diabetes increased by 89% for every 5kg / m2 increase in body mass index.

The research was part of the largest ever study into diabetes and cardiovascular risk in Ireland.