Diabetes mellitus epidemiology and demographics


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org];

Overview
The incidence of Diabetes' has been increasing constantly. According to WHO reports 346 million people worldwide have diabetes and it is projected to double by 2030. It's prevalence is more in developed countries but the death occurring due to it is commoner in developing world. The prevalence of Diabetes type 2 is commoner than type 1 diabetes.

Epidemiology in World

 * According to the World Health Organization's at least 346 million people worldwide suffered from diabetes.
 * Its incidence is increasing rapidly, and it is estimated that by the year 2030, the number of diabetics will double.
 * Diabetes is in the top 10, and perhaps the top 5, of the most significant diseases in the developed world (see big killers).
 * In 2004, an estimated 3.4 million people died from consequences of diabetes.
 * Due to the recent increase in prevalence of the disease, the Centers for Disease Control has referred diabetes as an epidemic.

Epidemiology in Developed Countries
Diabetes occurs throughout the world, but is more common (especially type 2) in the developed countries.

Epidemiology in Developing Countries

 * According to WHO reports, more than 80% of diabetes deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.


 * A increase in prevalence is expected to occur in developing nations especially in countries of Asia and Africa, where most patients would likely be found by 2030.


 * The increase in incidence of diabetes in developing countries follow the trend of urbanization and lifestyle changes, perhaps most importantly a "western-style" diet. This has suggested an environmental (i.e., dietary) effect, but there is little understanding of the mechanism(s) at present.

Epidemiology in North America

 * Diabetes rates in North America have been constantly increasing.


 * In 2005 there were about 20.8 million people with diabetes in the United States alone.


 * According to the American Diabetes Association, there are about 6.2 million people undiagnosed and about 41 million people that would be considered prediabetic.


 * The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse estimates that the health expenses on diabetes costs $132 billion in the United States alone every year.


 * 1 in 3 Americans born after 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime.

Age

 * According to the American Diabetes Association, approximately 18.3% (8.6 million) of Americans age 60 and older have diabetes. Diabetes mellitus prevalence increases with age, and the numbers of older persons with diabetes are expected to grow as the elderly population increases in number.


 * The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) demonstrated that, in the population over 65 years old, 18% to 20% have diabetes, with 40% having either diabetes or its precursor form of impaired glucose tolerance.

Epidemiology type 1 and type 2 Diabetes

 * About 5%–10% of diabetes cases in North America are type 1, with the rest being type 2. The fraction of type 1 in other parts of the world differs; this is likely due to both differences in the rate of type 1 and differences in the rate of other types, most prominently type 2. The reasons for these differences is not currently not understood.