Posted, July 27, 2023

Background: Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects people of all ages, races, and sexes. It is caused by a problem with the body's ability to produce or use insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels.

Methods: Researchers used data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) to estimate the prevalence and burden of diabetes from 1990 to 2021. They also projected the prevalence of diabetes to 2050.

Findings: In 2021, there were 529 million people living with diabetes worldwide. The age-standardized prevalence of diabetes was 6.1%, which means that 6.1% of adults worldwide had diabetes. The highest prevalence of diabetes was in North Africa and the Middle East, followed by Oceania.

Interpretation: The study found that the prevalence of diabetes is increasing worldwide, primarily due to a rise in obesity. Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, which is the most common type of diabetes.

Implications: The study findings highlight the importance of preventing obesity and other risk factors for diabetes. Early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes can help to prevent complications, such as heart disease, stroke, and blindness.

Source: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01301-6/fulltext

References:

• GBD 2021 Diabetes Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of diabetes from 1990 to 2021, with projections to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Lancet. 2023;392(10153):1377-1440.
• World Health Organization. Diabetes. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes