Getting on the ball for diabetes prevention
Throughout the world, the International Diabetes Federation estimates there to currently be about 246 million adults with diabetes. As the figures continue to increase on an annual basis, extrapolations show that by 2025, that number will ascend to 380 million if it continues on the same course. Most directly associated with diabetes, obesity and overweight incidences are following the same trends, with an obese population worldwide in 2005 of 400 million expected to nearly double by 2015. Diabetes is responsible for about 6% of deaths worldwide, with 50% of diabetes-associated deaths being attributed to cardiovascular disease. UK medical journal The Lancet claims that although there are major efforts being charged by health care providers and others, there are still a number of ways in which diabetes-related mortality incidents can be reduced.
Imperative to factor into research and treatment options for diabetes are the disparities in vulnerability to the disease, particularly when it comes to ethnicity and age. In the United States, for example, there exists a major difference between the likelihood of Hispanics and African-Americans developing diabetes than Caucasians. The former are also more likely to run into complications and have a higher mortality rate than the white population. Another shocking truth is the rising of diabetes risk-prone children and young adults, as the occurrence of obesity is often accompanied by the onset of type 2 diabetes. These factors are oftentimes predetermined, as the incidence of high-risk children can begin as early as in utero, with mothers who have gestational diabetes possibly causing their children to have glucose intolerance and a stronger change of developing diabetes later in life. Unfortunately, the number of cases of gestational diabetes is also on an upswing, currently affecting up to 5% of pregnancies.
Amid statistics and continuous findings regarding diabetes, most of which are unpleasant for all parties involved, the necessity of researching and developing newer treatments that slow disease progression and achieve metabolic control should be evident. Some is already ongoing, with more effective uses of insulin and metformin already moving ahead. One possible advancement with potentially promising results is the usage of early insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes, while another looks into using insulin to prevent type 1 diabetes in populations that are already at a high risk. Recent research is also emerging on the pathogenesis and management of diabetes, and its intertwining association with obesity and cardiovascular disease. While it's reassuring that steps are clearly being taken in the right direction, the greatest challenge lies in translating the findings into actual improvements that will benefit patients and work towards leveling off the increasing levels of diabetes.
-As reported in The Lancet
-By Greg Gargiulo
