The Global Burden of Diabetes and Its Vascular Complications

Abstract

Diabetes, one of the most common metabolic disorders, is no longer a disease of affluent nations. The prevalence rates of diabetes are rising steeply in low and middle-income nations that have rapidly improved their economy and adopted a ‘westernized’ life style. The worldwide explosion of diabetes also increases the propensity for developing both micro and macro vascular complications and this result in a huge burden due to mobility and mortality in addition to increasing the costs of therapy. As both micro and macrovascular complications share common pathophysiological mechanisms, several studies have shown a strong association between the various vascular complications. Thus, screening for all diabetic complications simultaneously is recommended. If the burden due to diabetes and its complications is to be reduced, there is need for a multi-prolonged strategy involving early diagnosis of diabetes, screening for its complications and offering optimal therapy at all levels of care. Luckily, effective interventions are available, making such efforts justifiabl