Diabetes causes damage to blood vessels and nerves

Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) constitutes a group of chronic diseases that cause damage to blood vessels and nerves through chronically increased concentrations of glucose in the blood. There are three main types of diabetes. Type 1 is diagnosed early in life and due to decrease in insulin production. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form and due to the development of insuline resistance. Gestational diabetes occurs during the pregnancy.

Diabetes prevalence in the EU is underestimated

A significant proportion of diabetes is undiagnosed. In 2007 8.6% of the adult (20-79 years) EU-27 population was estimated to be diabetic. The prevalence of diabetes is expected to rise further from 8.6% in 2007 to 10.2% in 2025. This estimate is mainly based on the ageing of the population. The true increase is likely to be much larger, because the prevalence of obesity, the main risk factor for diabetes, is increasing as well.

Diabetes causes severe (co-)morbidity and loss of quality of life

The symptoms of diabetes range from fatigue, excessive thirst, passing urine frequently, blurred vision, genital itching or regular episodes of thrush, slow healing of wounds and weight loss to coma. Raised levels of blood glucose over time damage nerves as well as the large and small blood vessels. This may lead to serious complications and consequences, such as chronic kidney failure and blindness, or amputation of a limb with a severe loss of quality of life.

Diabetes is a major cost factor for EU health systems

For 8 EU countries the average annual costs for a patient with diabetes around 1999 were estimated at €2,834 (CODE-2 study). The health care costs of diabetes as a percentage of the total healthcare expenditure range from 1.6% in the Netherlands to 6.6 % in Italy. Hospitalisations account for the greatest proportion of costs (55%).

Diabetes can be treated and partly prevented

The first aim of medical treatment of diagnosed diabetes is to regulate glucose concentration in the blood and thus prevent complications. Efforts leading to early detection may improve treatment outcomes of previously undiagnosed diabetes. Overweight and obesity are the most important risk factors for diabetes. Several lifestyle interventions, such as: reducing intake of total fat and saturated fat, increasing intake of fibre and physical activity, and weight-loss may prevent diabetes.