Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is defined by the World Health Organization as "a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or alternatively, when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces." The disease is characterised by increased levels of glucose (a form of sugar) in the blood. A conservative analysis estimated that in the year 2000, 2.8% of the global population had diabetes mellitus and this was projected to rise to 4.4% in 2030. It is expected that by 2030 at least 366 million people will have diabetes; that is one in every 23 people. [1] Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of global death by disease and at least 50% of all people with diabetes are unaware of their condition. In some countries, this figure may reach 80%. [2]
The World Health Organization recognizes three main forms of diabetes[3]:
- Diabetes mellitus type 1
- Diabetes mellitus type 2
- Gestational diabetes (occurring during pregnancy)
References
- ↑ Wild S, Roglic G, Green A, Sicree R, King H (2004). "Global prevalence of diabetes: estimates for the year 2000 and projections for 2030.". Diabetes Care 27 (5): 1047–53. PMID 15111519. [e]
- ↑ Did you Know? - International Diabetes Federation. Retrieved on 2008-03-13.
- ↑ WHO: Diabetes. Retrieved on 2007-08-17.