Diabetes mellitus : strategies for prevention

Abstract EN

Diabetes mellitus is now recognised as a global health problem of enormous proportions.

The incidence, prevalence, and relative distribution of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and non-insulin-dependent di¬abetes mellitus (NIDDM) show major differences between both countries and ethnic groups.

The incidence of IDDM has increased markedly in many parts of the world and an epidemic-like temporal fluctuation in incidence has been reported from many countries.

The estimated number of IDDM patients worldwide exceeds 6 million.

NIDDM has also been increasing and is reach¬ing epidemic proportions.

The epidemiological transition has rocketed NIDDM from a rare disease at the beginning of the century to its current pre¬mier league position as a major global contribution to disability and death.

Projections indicate that there will be over 230 million diabetics by the year 2010.

Coupled with the increased morbidity and mortality due to complica¬tions, there is also the tremendous economic burden to society.

There is now an urgent need for healthcare professionals and authorities to halt the es¬calating epidemic by implementing and augmenting preventative strategies at all levels of healthcare.

A prerequisite of this goal is the need to increase pub¬lic, patient, and practitioner awareness of the seriousness of the disease.

The prevention of diabetes is both possible and economically sound.

The implica¬tions are clea—diabetes is a costly disease, or save now, pay later.