The importance of early diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
According to the 2021 report by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), it estimates that 1/10 people aged 20-79 (equates to 537 million people in the world) have diabetes with 6.7 million deaths attributed to diabetes. Projections indicate a surge in diabetes cases to 783 million by 2045, with associated healthcare costs estimated to surpass $1054 billion. However, almost half of all people with diabetes are unaware of their medical condition, with the highest prevalence of undiagnosed DM found in low and middle income countries.Early intervention in diabetes can improve the long-term quality of life for patients and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.
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Top 10 countries with diabetes:
In adults aged 20–79 years and diabetes-related health expenditure, 2021.
Number and proportion of adults with undiagnosed diabetes:
Aged 20–79 years, per region, 2021.
Number of people with diabetes:
Aged 20–79 years globally and by IDF region.
Types of DM
Type 1 Diabetes:
The body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, and without it, the body cannot properly process glucose for energy. This results in elevated blood sugar levels. Patients with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily. Although it usually develops in childhood or adolescence, it can occur at any age.
Type 2 Diabetes:
The body either becomes resistant to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, or it doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels. This condition is often associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet. Type 2 diabetes can be managed through a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, insulin therapy. While Type 2 diabetes can develop at any age, it is more prevalent among middle-aged and older adults.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Symptoms of diabetes may occur suddenly. The symptoms in type 2 diabetes can be mild and may take many years to be noticed.
Conclusion
In people with diabetes:
Your pancreas makes little or no insulin, or Your body does not respond to and use insulin in the way that it should.
References:
[1]. IDF Diabetes Atlas. (n.d.). Copyright @ IDF Diabetes Atlas 2024. All Rights Reserved. https://diabetesatlas.org/
[2]. World Health Organization: WHO & World Health Organization: WHO. (2024a, November 14). Diabetes. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
[3]. Hossain, M. J., Al‐Mamun, M., & Islam, M. R. (2024). Diabetes mellitus, the fastest growing global public health concern: Early detection should be focused. Health Science Reports, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.2004
[4]. Ong, K. L., Stafford, L. K., McLaughlin, S. A., Boyko, E. J., Vollset, S. E., Smith, A. E., Dalton, B. E., Duprey, J., Cruz, J. A., Hagins, H., Lindstedt, P. A., Aali, A., Abate, Y. H., Abate, M. D., Abbasian, M., Abbasi-Kangevari, Z., Abbasi-Kangevari, M., ElHafeez, S. A., Abd-Rabu, R., . . . Azadnajafabad, S. (2023). Global, regional, and national burden of diabetes from 1990 to 2021, with projections of prevalence to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet, 402(10397), 203–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(23)01301-6