Diabetes facts

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Key Facts About Diabetes

Prevalence and Incidence of Diabetes

Diabetes is a significant public health issue globally, with a notable prevalence in various regions. In the United Kingdom, approximately 7% of the population is affected by diabetes, highlighting the growing number of individuals living with this condition. Similarly, in Korea, the prevalence of diabetes among adults aged 30 years and older was reported to be 14.4% in 2016, with an additional 25.3% of the population experiencing impaired fasting glucose. These statistics underscore the widespread nature of diabetes and the urgent need for effective management and prevention strategies.

Types and Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycemia due to defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both . The two primary types of diabetes are:

Type 1 Diabetes: This type is caused by an absolute deficiency of insulin secretion due to autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta cells. Individuals at risk can often be identified by genetic markers and serological evidence of an autoimmune process .
Type 2 Diabetes: This more prevalent type results from a combination of resistance to insulin action and an inadequate compensatory insulin secretory response. It often remains asymptomatic for a long period, during which abnormal carbohydrate metabolism can be detected through plasma glucose measurements .

Symptoms and Complications

The symptoms of marked hyperglycemia include polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), weight loss, polyphagia (increased hunger), and blurred vision . Chronic hyperglycemia is associated with long-term damage to various organs, leading to complications such as:

Retinopathy: Potential loss of vision.
Nephropathy: Leading to renal failure.
Neuropathy: Risk of foot ulcers, amputations, and Charcot joints.
Autonomic Neuropathy: Causing gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and cardiovascular symptoms, and sexual dysfunction.
Cardiovascular Diseases: Increased incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular, peripheral arterial, and cerebrovascular diseases .

Management and Control

Effective management of diabetes involves a combination of lifestyle modifications, medication, and regular monitoring. In Korea, the awareness, control, and treatment rates for diabetes were reported to be 62.6%, 56.7%, and 25.1%, respectively, from 2013 to 2016. Despite these efforts, only 8.4% of people with diabetes achieved good control of all three targets: HbA1c, blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Importance of Accurate Data

Accurate data on diabetes prevalence, incidence, and complications are crucial for effective health service planning and management. However, there are significant gaps in data collection and reporting, particularly in developing nations. Current estimates often underestimate the disease burden, highlighting the need for international consensus on uniform standards for reporting diabetes-related data .

Conclusion

Diabetes is a complex and widespread condition that requires comprehensive management and accurate data for effective control. Understanding the prevalence, types, symptoms, complications, and management strategies is essential for reducing the impact of diabetes on individuals and society. Efforts to improve data accuracy and increase awareness and control of diabetes are critical steps toward mitigating this global health challenge.