Diabetes could reach 784 million worldwide by 2045, according to estimates by the International Diabetes Federation.

Data from the 10th Edition of the Diabetes Atlas, released by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), shows that 537 million people between 20 and 79 years old worldwide have diabetes, an increase of 16% in two years.

IDF experts predict that the number of adults infected with the disease will reach 643 million by 2030 and 784 million by 2045. The global prevalence of the disease has reached 10.5%, with almost half of them (44.7%) undiagnosed.

The survey, which is conducted every two years, reveals that the number of people with diabetes has risen in a way that has relatively outpaced the expansion of the world’s population. As President of the Brazilian Diabetes Association – Rio de Janeiro Region (SBD-RJ) told Agência Brasil, endocrinologist Rosanne Kupfer, Diabetes is in an increasing development and has “not been contained, so far, by any action or decision relating to the disease.”

For the clinician, this means that there is still a lack of publication, information, access to knowledge, and quality diagnosis and treatment. Roseanne explained that in addition to COVID-19, there are other diseases that kill many around the world. One of them is diabetes. The IDF Atlas says that this year alone, 6.7 million people died from the disease.

The head of the SBD-RJ reports that the proportion of people with diabetes, which used to be one in 11, has now fallen to one in ten. Most of them are in low-income countries. The Diabetes Atlas notes that 81% of adults with the disease live in developing countries. In Latin and Central America, the number of diabetics is estimated at 32 million.

the reasons

And Roseanne Kupfer warned next Sunday (14), with the celebration of World Diabetes Day, of the diversity of causes of the disease. “The lack of access, the terrible food choices that the world is making, especially the Western lifestyle, where you can see obesity is increasing a lot, a lot of people who are overweight, a lot of people with prediabetes, which is a high-risk category for disease diabetes”.

People without any risk factors should have an annual blood glucose level after 45 years. “You should have a blood test because diabetes is a disease that has no symptoms, at least at first. It doesn’t mean it doesn’t cause harm inside (the body).” He said people who get routine checks each year notice high blood glucose and worry. The problem, Roseanne said, is that people who don’t take care of themselves don’t get tests to see if they have diabetes. He cautioned that individuals at high risk of developing diabetes, those with a family history of the disease, those with high blood pressure, those who are overweight or obese, and women with diabetes during pregnancy should have annual check-ups over 35 years old.

For these reasons, Rosanne Kupffer analyzed that mobilization to fight the disease can no longer be confined to November and World Diabetes Day. She believes it is necessary to scale up action, mobilize the community and implement seasonal campaigns, as well as to demand more public policies that ensure access to quality health care and treatment. The theme of this year’s awareness campaign on this disease is “Access to Diabetes Care”.

According to the head of SBD-RJ, there is no cure for diabetes. “That’s why it’s so important to get an early diagnosis. The earlier the diagnosis and control, the fewer problems a person has.” The consequences of poor control of diabetes include cardiovascular problems, which are the leading cause of death from the disease; retinal problems, which can lead to blindness; Kidney problems, the main cause of dialysis among adults is diabetes. Lower arterial problems. Amputation. Neuropathies. “So, treat them early, early, a person will not have these complications,” he said.

Rio de Janeiro

In Brazil, the number of diabetics reached 16.8 million by 2019. “This is not an estimate for people who are treated, but for people with diabetes,” the endocrinologist said. “They are many, nearly 20 million.” In the global ranking, Brazil ranks fifth in terms of diabetes patients, after China, India, the United States and Pakistan.

Rio de Janeiro is the Brazilian capital with the highest rate of diabetes diagnosed in the country, according to the 2020 Monitoring of Risk Factors and Protection against Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (Vegetel), by the Ministry of Health. Individuals with the disease (11.2%), followed by Maceio (11%) and Porto Alegre (10%). The disease is more common in women than in men. Rio de Janeiro also leads the problem, with a female diagnosis rate of 12.4%, followed by Recife (12.2%) and Maceio (11.4%). Among men, Rio de Janeiro has a rate of 9.8%, the fourth highest in the country.

“Rio de Janeiro is doing poorly,” the endocrinologist defined. “But I hope Rio is back on her feet,” he added. She suggested that patients who find themselves with diabetes register with a family health facility. When necessary, these units refer to specialized care. “It is very important that there is also an investment in specialized care.”

Roseanne is also the head of the diabetes service at Luis Capriglione’s State Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (Iede), a reference for the state of Rio de Janeiro in the field of diabetes and endocrinology. “We only receive patients who have been referred by a UBS physician. That’s how.” About 40% of Eddy’s patients are from outside Rio.

costs

According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the disease has caused global health spending of US$966 billion, an increase of 316% in the past 15 years. The organization’s latest atlas shows that Brazil spends about US$52.3 billion annually treating adults aged 20 to 79, resulting in about US$3,000 per person. (With information from Agência Brasil)