New Diabetes Figures
PRESS RELEASE
Paris, 25 August 2003
New report shows more than 300 million people at risk of developing diabetes.
MORE than 300 million people are currently at risk of developing diabetes according to a new report published in the Diabetes Atlas, released by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) at a press conference today. Some 314 million people worldwide, or 8.2% in the adult population, are estimated to have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), a state which often precedes diabetes.
“This is the first time that worldwide data on impaired glucose tolerance have been collected together,” said Prof Sir George Alberti, IDF President. “These figures provide us with a better picture of the likely diabetes burden; and stress that we are heading for one of the biggest health catastrophes that the world has ever seen.”
People with IGT are at high risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes, and of developing cardiovascular disease. About 70% of those with IGT usually go on to develop diabetes. Further, projections indicate that the number of people with IGT is expected to jump to 472 million, or 9% in the adult population, by 2025. “The IGT figures add to the already alarming diabetes situation,” noted Sir George.
Some 194 million people worldwide, or 5.1% in the adult population, have diabetes and this is expected to escalate to 333 million, or 6.3%, by 2025, according to figures in the new report. About two-thirds come from developing countries, where the numbers are expected to rise rapidly.
“The financial and social burden of the disease will be intolerable if governments do not sit up and take notice now,” said Sir George. “We know that as much as 25% of acute sector health expenditures in some communities have to be devoted to diabetes and its long-term complications.”
Type 2 diabetes constitutes about 85% to 95% of all diabetes in developed countries, and accounts for an even higher percentage in developing countries. It is a result, for most countries, of rapid cultural and social changes, ageing populations, increasing urbanization, dietary changes, reduced physical activity, and other unhealthy lifestyle and behavioural patterns. The change in lifestyle is a worldwide phenomenon, occurring in both developed and emerging nations, where it is most prevalent in urban areas.
The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is also clearly linked to an increasing prevalence of obesity. Recent reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) indicate that about 58% of diabetes cases globally can be attributed to body mass index above 21 kg/m2. However, there are indications that in western countries, around 90% of type 2 diabetes cases are attributable to weight gain.
“It is disturbing to note that the greatest number of people affected by diabetes and IGT are in the economically productive age group of 40 to 59 years,” pointed out Professor Pierre Lefèbvre, IDF President-elect. Further, about 10% more women than men are affected by diabetes and about 20% more women than men have IGT.
A new trend has also been noted of increasing cases of type 2 diabetes in children worldwide, with some as young as eight years of age being affected. Whereas previously type 2 diabetes affected only individuals in older age groups, there is now growing recognition that type 2 diabetes in children is becoming a global public health issue with potentially serious health outcomes.
Recent studies have shown that type 2 diabetes may be prevented in some cases by changes in lifestyle or drug treatment. “We are running out of time,” said Prof Lefèbvre, “if action is not taken now to stop the rise in diabetes, there is a significant risk that governments and social security systems may fail to ensure the appropriate care to the millions who will be affected by diabetes in 2025.”
“Moreover, by promoting diabetes prevention, we will ensure that those millions who already have diabetes will not face the nightmare of a regression in the quality of care they deserve while, on the contrary, there is a great need in many parts of the world to improve it.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact Delice Gan, IDF Special Projects Manager (Tel: +46-73-8002799; E-mail delice@idf.org ) or Lorenzo Piemonte, IDF PR Assistant (Tel: +32-495-797-36; E-mail lorenzo@idf.org ).
Note to editors
The Diabetes Atlas is the most up-to-date global report on diabetes, covering all aspects of the disease from epidemiology to health economics to education. The publication, produced with major support from an educational grant from the World Diabetes Foundation, is available in English. The Executive Summary is available in English, French and Spanish.
The report on IGT, which is included in the Diabetes Atlas, was compiled by the International Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia, and supported by an educational grant from Novartis Pharma AG. The NAVIGATOR trial, the world’s largest ever diabetes prevention trial, will evaluate whether an oral anti-diabetic drug or an angiotensin II receptor blocker are effective at reducing progression to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in people with IGT.
The Diabetes Atlas was also made possible through educational grants from Novo Nordisk A/S, and Johnson and Johnson.
