The Toll of Diabetes

Diabetes Facts and Figures

The Dangerous Toll Of Diabetes

There are 15.7 million people or 5.9% of the population in the United States who have diabetes. While an estimated 10.3 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 5.4 million people are not aware that they have the disease. Each day approximately 2,200 people are diagnosed with diabetes. About 798,000 people will be diagnosed this year.

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death (sixth leading cause of death by disease) in the United States. Based on death certificate data, diabetes contributed to more than 187,000 deaths in 1995. Diabetes is a chronic disease that has no cure.

Diabetes is one of the most costly health problems in America. Some estimates of costs directly related to diabetes treatment run as high as $138 billion.

Diabetes is a Silent Killer
Many people first become aware that they have diabetes when they develop one of its life threatening complications.

Blindness

Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in people ages 20-74. Each year, from 12,000 to 24,000 people lose their sight because of diabetes.

Kidney Disease

Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease, accounting for about 40% of new cases. In 1995, approximately 27,900 people initiated treatment for end stage renal disease (kidney failure) because of diabetes.

Nerve Disease and Amputations

About 60-70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage, which, in severe forms, can lead to lower limb amputations. In fact, diabetes is the most frequent cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations. The risk of a leg amputation is 15-40 times greater for a person with diabetes. Each year, more than 56,000 amputations are performed among people with diabetes.

Heart Disease and Stroke

People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to have heart disease, which is present in 75 percent of diabetes related deaths (more than 77,000 deaths due to heart disease annually). And, they are 2 to 4 times more likely to suffer a stroke.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. The cause of diabetes is a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles. There are two major types of diabetes:

Type 1. An autoimmune disease in which the body does not produce any insulin, most often occurring in children and young adults. People with type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections to stay alive. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5-10 percent of diabetes.
Type 2. A metabolic disorder resulting from the body's inability to make enough, or properly use, insulin. It is the most common form of the disease. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95 percent of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is nearing epidemic proportions, due to an increased number of older Americans, and a greater prevalence of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
Gestational diabetes develops in 2 % to 5% of all pregnancies but disappears when a pregnancy is over. Women who have had gestational diabetes are at increased risk for later developing type 2 diabetes.
"Other specific types" of diabetes result from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections, and other illnesses.

Who is at Greater Risk for Type 1 Diabetes?

Siblings of people with type 1 diabetes

Children of parents with type 1 diabetes

Who is at Greater Risk for Type 2 Diabetes?

People over age 45

People with a family history of diabetes

People who are overweight

People who do not exercise regularly

People with low HDL or high triglycerides

Certain racial and ethnic groups (e.g., African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian & Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans)

Women who had gestational diabetes, a form of diabetes occurring in 2-5 percent of all pregnancies or who have had a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth

Impaired Glucose Homeostasis

Impaired Glucose Homeostasis (or metabolism) refers to a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. There are two categories that are considered risk factors for future diabetes and cardiovascular disease:

Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) when results of a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test are between 140 to 199 mg/dl. IGT is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes and is present in about 11 percent of adults, or approximately 20 million Americans. About 40-45 percent of persons age 65 years of age or older have either type 2 diabetes or IGT.

Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) when results of an 8-hour fasting plasma glucose test are greater than 110 but less than 126 mg/dl.

Type 2 diabetes is more common among these ethnic groups:

African Americans	African Americans are 1.7 times as likely to have type 2 diabetes as the general population. An estimated 2.3 million African Americans, or 10.8%, have diabetes.
Hispanic Americans	Hispanic Americans are almost twice as likely to have type 2 diabetes. For example, diabetes affects 1.2 million or 10.6% of the Mexican American population.
Native Americans	Overall prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Native Americans is 12.2% vs. 5.2% of the general population. In some tribes, 50% of the population has diabetes.

Warning Signs of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes:	Type 2 Diabetes *
Frequent urination	Any of the type 1 symptoms
Unusual thirst	Frequent infections
Extreme hunger	Blurred vision
Unusual weight loss	Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
Extreme fatigue	Tingling/numbness in the hands or feet
Irritability	Recurring skin, gum or bladder infections

* Often people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms.

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Blindness	Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in people ages 20-74. Each year, from 12,000 to 24,000 people lose their sight because of diabetes.
Kidney Disease	Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease, accounting for about 40% of new cases. In 1995, approximately 27,900 people initiated treatment for end stage renal disease (kidney failure) because of diabetes.
Nerve Disease and Amputations	About 60-70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of diabetic nerve damage, which, in severe forms, can lead to lower limb amputations. In fact, diabetes is the most frequent cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations. The risk of a leg amputation is 15-40 times greater for a person with diabetes. Each year, more than 56,000 amputations are performed among people with diabetes.
Heart Disease and Stroke	People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to have heart disease, which is present in 75 percent of diabetes related deaths (more than 77,000 deaths due to heart disease annually). And, they are 2 to 4 times more likely to suffer a stroke.