Epidemiology of Diabetes Mellitus

'Diabetes Can Kill More People Than Bird Flu,' says International Diabetes Institute Director Prof Paul Zimmet.

(Source: Bernama News)

Seriously?! Let's have a look at the statistics then...

Prevalence of diabetes

World: 246 million worldwide in 2006; mostly type 2 (90-95%); affects 5.9% of the world’s adult population; caused >3.8million deaths worldwide; 4th leading cause of death in most developed countries

Malaysia: estimated 1.2 million / roughly 1 in 10 adult Malaysians; more than half unaware that they’ve disease (2007); 95% type 2

By ethnicity, the prevalence of known diabetes in Indians 11.5% was significantly higher than other. There are geographical variations in the observed prevalence of diabetes by states. The highest observed prevalence of known diabetes occurred in the more developed states like Selangor 7.3%, and Penang 7.3.


Incidence of diabetes

World: 7 million develop diabetes each year

Malaysia: increasing at an estimated rate of 0.2 percent per year

Prevalence of complications in diabetic patients in Malaysia

Malaysia: Number of patients admitted into government hospitals due to diabetic complications had increased 100% from 21,872 in 1995 to 41,375 in 2005.

Diabetic Nephropathy

Malaysia: Diabetic nephropathy accounted for 47% of new cases of End-Stage Renal Failure

Generally speaking, Nephropathy develops in 20-40% of diabetics

Definition: Diabetic Nephropathy is a spectrum of progressive renal lesions secondary to diabetes mellitus ranging from renal hyperfiltration to ESRD.

Rates of control of diabetes in diabetic patients in Malaysia

A recent study carried out by the Institute of Health Management showed that only 10.5% of diabetics, who underwent follow-up treatment at establishments under the Health ministry, had their condition under control.

Add-on:

Many patients with type 2 diabetes are asymptomatic, and their disease is undiagnosed for many years. Studies suggest that the typical patient with new-onset type 2 diabetes has had diabetes for at least 4-7 years before it is diagnosed. Among patients with type 2 diabetes, 25% are believed to have retinopathy; 9%, neuropathy; and 8%, nephropathy at the time of diagnosis.

NB: This data was gathered from a study done in US. The figures for the prevalence of nephropathy in type 2 diabetics differ among countries. I could not obtain figures for the Malaysian scene but it is estimated by the Malaysian Diabetes Association that 10% of all diabetics patients suffer from nephropathy.

Hope this helps.

Contributed by John Lee

Sources:
International Diabetes Federation & Unite for Diabeteshttp://www.idf.org/home/index.cfm?unode=7F22F450-B1ED-43BB-A57C-B975D16A812D
http://www.unitefordiabetes.org/press/about/

Persatuan Diabetes Malaysia (Malaysian Diabetes Association) http://www.diabetes.org.my/article.php?aid=110

Universiti Sains Malaysia
http://www.medic.usm.my/~ssu/ARTICLES/article_12.htm

Clinical Practice Guideline on Diabetic Nephropathy 2003 by Malaysian Society of Nephrology
http://www.acadmed.org.my/cpg/Diabetic_Nephropathy_CPG_final.pdf

Quote from Minister of Health Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Leck
http://web5.bernama.com/ssig/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9258&Itemid=95

Quote from Chairman Persatuan Diabetis Malaysia, Penang Branch
http://www.lions308b2.org.my/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=146&sid=15ad39a5daf2b319fc4f73eede77e1a5

The Star Online 010507
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/1/nation/17596213&sec=nation

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - A Review, Scott R Votey, MD http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic134.htm