The incidence of diabetes in the developing world could double by 2025 since its occurrence in Africa rose by 30% from 1990 to 2000, a pharmaceutical group said on Tuesday.
Eli Lilly’s medical director, Dr Gordon Hirsch, said this was due to urbanisation triggering diet and lifestyle changes that led to obesity, one of the main causes of the disease.
”The incidence is climbing in sub-Sahara Africa.
”It increased by 30% in the past decade from 1990 to 2000,” he said in Johannesburg.
A diabetes fact sheet, released by Eli Lilly and Bayers Pharmaceuticals, stated that the occurrence of the most common type was expected to increase by 50% between 1995 and 2007 while its severity in developing countries could double by 2025.
Between six and eight percent of South Africans suffer from diabetes but the situation could be far worse since an estimated 50 to 65% of diabetics are undiagnosed.
About 140-million adults around the world and between 2,4-million and 3,2-million South Africans are diabetic. Ninety percent of them are older than 40, and 54% are men.
The prevalence in South Africa is the highest among Asians (14%).
According to statistics released by the World Health Organisation, it is the fourth largest underlying cause of death, as cardiovascular complications are linked to the disease.
The illness is one of the leading causes of blindness, due to a blood glucose build-up. Lower oxygen levels in the blood can also lead to diabetic foot ulcers, and amputations in severe cases, Hirsch said. He was speaking at the launch of a diabetic treatment programme by Eli Lilly and Bayer in Johannesburg.
The joint effort by the two pharmaceuticals will provide diabetics free of charge with a starter kit worth between R1 500 and R2 000.
The kit includes a month’s supply of insulin, a blood glucose monitor, a pricking device, lancets and microfine needles, information on diabetes and dietary guidelines. The programme also offers training and counselling.
Diabetics would be referred by their doctors to Eli Lilly and Bayer to gain access to the service.
Diabetes is a chronic and progressive metabolic disorder when the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a protein hormone produced by cells in the pancreas. Insulin is needed to convert sugar, starches and other foods into the energy needed for daily life. There is no cure but it is treatable.
There are different types of diabetes — Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 occurs when the body does not produce insulin and often starts in late childhood or early adulthood. About five to 10% of diabetics have Type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 is caused by the body’s increasing inability to use the insulin produced or a gradual reduction in insulin production. It is more likely to occur in overweight and inactive people and is often undiagnosed due to its slow and insidious onset. It accounts for 90% of all diabetes cases.
Symptoms of diabetes include extreme thirst, weight loss without dieting, tiredness, hunger, blurred vision, itchiness and skin infections that heal slowly and the need to urinate more often.
Anyone needing more information can contact the Diabetes Helpline on 0860-102-672. – Sapa