Chronic disease in the UAE, and why consistency matters

How common chronic disease is in the UAE

20.7% of UAE adults live with diabetes on an age-adjusted basis, among the highest prevalence rates in the world (IDF, 2024). That is about 1.3 million adults aged 20 to 79, and a higher rate than in most countries the International Diabetes Federation tracks^{1, 2}.

Heart and blood vessel disease is the leading cause of death. A 2021 national report found that cardiovascular disease causes 34% of all deaths in the UAE³. It was prepared by the Ministry of Health and Prevention with UNDP and WHO³. The four main non-communicable diseases, which include diabetes, cause 55% of deaths³.

The risk factors are widespread. A national survey in 2017 and 2018 found high blood pressure in 28.8% of adults surveyed³. Most adults in the survey with raised blood pressure were not taking medicine for it³. The same survey found that 43.7% of adults had high cholesterol or were taking medicine for it³.

The economic cost is large. Non-communicable disease cost the UAE an estimated AED 39.9 billion in 2019, of which around AED 26 billion was cardiovascular disease. More than half of the total came from lost productivity rather than healthcare spending³.

What long-term medicines are for

Many long-term medicines work quietly. They lower a risk rather than relieve a symptom you can feel.

• Blood pressure medicines. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel any symptoms⁴. Left untreated, it can lead to kidney disease, heart disease and stroke⁴. Common medicines relax blood vessels or remove extra water from the body, which lowers blood pressure⁴.
• Diabetes medicines. Type 2 diabetes stops the body using insulin properly, which can lead to high blood sugar⁵. Over time, diabetes can cause blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation⁵. Some people need medicines such as metformin or insulin to manage blood sugar⁵. Many also need blood pressure medicines and statins to reduce the risk of complications⁵.
• Statins. These lower LDL cholesterol, sometimes called "bad" cholesterol, by slowing how much cholesterol the liver makes⁶. Studies have shown that statins lower the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with high LDL cholesterol⁶.

In each case, the aim is to lower the chance of a serious problem later. It is easy to forget a medicine that you cannot feel working.

Why taking them consistently matters

A large meta-analysis pooled 44 studies of nearly two million people taking medicines for heart and circulation⁷. Only about 60% took at least 80% of their doses⁷.

The differences were meaningful. Compared with people who took less, good adherence to statins was linked to a 15% lower risk of heart disease or stroke⁷. It was also linked to a 45% lower risk of death from any cause⁷. For blood pressure medicines, the figures were 19% and 29%⁷. The authors estimated that around 9% of cardiovascular events in Europe could be attributed to poor adherence⁷.

The WHO's 2003 report on adherence makes a similar point about blood pressure. It described poor adherence as the most important cause of uncontrolled blood pressure⁸.

Consistency also matters for health systems and insurers. In a US study of over 857,000 chronic patients, adherence was associated with annual medical cost savings of roughly $4,400 to $5,300 per patient with comorbidities. The study followed people treated for high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes⁹.

What consistency looks like day to day

Consistency does not mean perfection. In habit research, missing a single day did not materially affect how a new routine formed¹⁰. The aim is a steady pattern over time.

The WHO's advice for people with high blood pressure is simple. Take medicines as prescribed by your healthcare professional, keep your appointments, and do not miss or share medication⁴.

If a medicine is causing side effects or worry, raise it rather than quietly stopping. MedlinePlus, from the US National Library of Medicine, advises against stopping a statin on your own⁶. It suggests talking to your provider about any concerns⁶.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist what to do if you miss a dose of your own medicines. They can also help if a schedule is hard to keep.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines.