World Diabetes Day 2023: Diabetes affects approximately 1 in 10 adults globally

HYDERABAD: World Diabetes Day (WDD) is observed worldwide on November 14 with an aim to raise diabetes awareness.

Diabetes affects approximately 1 in 10 adults globally, which is a shocking number, affecting approximately 54 crores, says senior endocrinologist Dr. Ravi Sankar Erukulapati.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) predicts that the number of diabetes cases is expected to rise to 64 crores by 2030 and 78 crores by 2045. About 90 percent of individuals have type 2 diabetes, with 50 percent being un-diagnosed.

Diabetes affects 35 percent of people globally, primarily in low and middle-income countries, and is responsible for approximately 67 lakh deaths in 2021. In 2021, diabetes accounted for 96 percent of global healthcare expenditure, amounting to at least $966 billion.

One in six live births are affected by high blood glucose (Hyperglycaemia) in pregnancy. A 2023 ICMR study published in the Lancet revealed an overall prevalence of diabetes in India at 11.4 percent.

The study revealed that pre-diabetes, a precursor to diabetes and a state between normal blood glucose and diabetes, is prevalent in 15.3 percent of India.

World Diabetes Day 2021-23 focuses on access to diabetes care, with know your risk, know your response as the campaign slogan.

The World Diabetes Day 2023 campaign aims to educate individuals about their type 2 diabetes risk, promote early diagnosis and management, and delay or prevent the condition.

The campaign emphasizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle and proper screening for diabetes-related complications, which can be prevented or delayed in most individuals.

The campaign also aims to improve awareness and access to the best available medicines and tools for diabetes patients is crucial for their self-care.

High risk factors for diabetes

High risk factors for diabetes include modifiable and non-modifiable ones, with the most important ones being.

• Family history of diabetes
• Age increases the risk of type 2 diabetes
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Unhealthy dietary practices
• Smoking
• Gestational diabetes
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
• Autoimmune conditions can increase risk of type 1 diabetes
• High Blood pressure
• Ethnicity : eg.,South east Asians
• Prediabetes
• Certain medications, eg., corticosteroids, some antipsychotic medication

The following lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the majority of diabetes cases

• Adopt a healthy lifestyle
• Follow a healthy diet
• Daily exercise
• Eat a healthy balanced diet
• Quit smoking
• Sleep for 6-8 hours daily
• Quit alcohol or limit the consumption of alcohol

The following simple measures can aid in the early detection of diabetes

• Educate the general public about the definition of diabetes as a disease.
• The focus should enhance the understanding of the signs and symptoms of diabetes.
• Awareness should be raised about the easy detection of diabetes through simple blood tests and make them accessible to all.
• Diabetes diagnosis can prevent or delay complications in the heart, brain, feet, nerves, eyes, and kidneys
• Diet control
• Regular exercise
• Quit smoking and alcohol
• Regular check-ups with the doctor and tests as necessary
• Controlling blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol
• Using right medication that help prevent these complications
• Periodic screening for complications, eg., eye screening, foot check up
• Education and support

On World Diabetes Day, let us pledge to fight against diabetes and its complications.

(With inputs from Dr. Ravi Sankar Erukulapati, MBBS, MRCP(UK), CCT(UK) Senior Endocrinologist- Apollo, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad)